As I watched Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Cam Newton play football this past weekend, I couldn’t help but hope that they would be successful. With all the talk of Peyton Manning’s return and how Tim Tebow should be starting in front of Mark Sanchez, the African American quarterback continues to be overlooked and overshadowed by their White counterparts. But this disrespect has a history that is well documented in William Rhoden’s film, Third in a Mile.
This documentary, which transcripts were published as a book with the same title, chronicles the African American quarterback’s struggles from being denied to play the QB position to becoming the starting captain of the offense on a NFL team. If you haven’t seen this film, you need to. But this is more than just a plug for Rhoden’s movie; this is about the blatant disrespect that the media has shown towards the current African American quarterbacks.
I have a love/hate relationship with watching Monday morning Sportscenter, because I tend to have a preconceived notion that the commentators will not have anything positive to say about the African American quarterbacks like they will for the White QBs. Case in point, Cam Newton and the Panthers lost a close one to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Cam had a fumble, which was recovered by the Panthers, but put them short of a first down that would have clinched the victory. Never mind the fact that he threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, and created the opportunity to win the game with his athleticism to evade the defense trying to sack him for a loss. Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would have thrown the ball away to prevent a sack or sled to prevent from getting hit.
Needless to say, the Panthers punted the ball and were able to down it on the Falcons one yard line with less than a minute on the clock and the Falcons with no time outs. This is a dream scenario for the team ahead. All the Panthers had to do was not let the Falcons get to their own 40 yard line to prevent a chance of a field goal win. The first play from scrimmage was a Hail Mary to Rodney White for a 59 yard gain. This would set the stage for the Falcons to get in position for a game winning field goal.
The first thing the commentators had to say was that Cam Newton needs to stop being a baby and grow up. That he cost the Panthers the game by fumbling the ball even though they regained the fumble and penned the Falcons on the one yard line. It was his fault that the safety was beaten twice in the game; one for a touchdown and the other the 59 yard bomb to put the Falcons in field goal range. And because he sat silently for 15 minutes in the lockerroom the media labeled him immature. How did they come up with that conclusion? Why is Cam labeled a baby, but Jay Cutler’s antics commentators say he’s such a competitor? How long will these double standards last between African American and White QBs?
I hope this uneven playing field will level out soon, but until then I will continue to support all African American QBs. If history has proven anything is the more they are successful the more future opportunities for other Black QBs. So Vick, Russell, Cam, and RGIII keep shining and don’t let the media change your style of play. Whether you’re a pocket or running QB you’re still a QB and like the Late Al Davis said, “Just Win Baby!”
This documentary, which transcripts were published as a book with the same title, chronicles the African American quarterback’s struggles from being denied to play the QB position to becoming the starting captain of the offense on a NFL team. If you haven’t seen this film, you need to. But this is more than just a plug for Rhoden’s movie; this is about the blatant disrespect that the media has shown towards the current African American quarterbacks.
I have a love/hate relationship with watching Monday morning Sportscenter, because I tend to have a preconceived notion that the commentators will not have anything positive to say about the African American quarterbacks like they will for the White QBs. Case in point, Cam Newton and the Panthers lost a close one to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Cam had a fumble, which was recovered by the Panthers, but put them short of a first down that would have clinched the victory. Never mind the fact that he threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, and created the opportunity to win the game with his athleticism to evade the defense trying to sack him for a loss. Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would have thrown the ball away to prevent a sack or sled to prevent from getting hit.
Needless to say, the Panthers punted the ball and were able to down it on the Falcons one yard line with less than a minute on the clock and the Falcons with no time outs. This is a dream scenario for the team ahead. All the Panthers had to do was not let the Falcons get to their own 40 yard line to prevent a chance of a field goal win. The first play from scrimmage was a Hail Mary to Rodney White for a 59 yard gain. This would set the stage for the Falcons to get in position for a game winning field goal.
The first thing the commentators had to say was that Cam Newton needs to stop being a baby and grow up. That he cost the Panthers the game by fumbling the ball even though they regained the fumble and penned the Falcons on the one yard line. It was his fault that the safety was beaten twice in the game; one for a touchdown and the other the 59 yard bomb to put the Falcons in field goal range. And because he sat silently for 15 minutes in the lockerroom the media labeled him immature. How did they come up with that conclusion? Why is Cam labeled a baby, but Jay Cutler’s antics commentators say he’s such a competitor? How long will these double standards last between African American and White QBs?
I hope this uneven playing field will level out soon, but until then I will continue to support all African American QBs. If history has proven anything is the more they are successful the more future opportunities for other Black QBs. So Vick, Russell, Cam, and RGIII keep shining and don’t let the media change your style of play. Whether you’re a pocket or running QB you’re still a QB and like the Late Al Davis said, “Just Win Baby!”
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