National Football League, African Americans, Leadership Positions

1. A LINGERING RACISM: AFRICAN
AMERICANS AND LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS IN THE NFL
By Jacob Garcia
It Was Supposed To Have Ended By Now
It has been forty-five years since the Civil Rights Movement took place—a
movement characterized by civil disobedience and non-violent
demonstrations that sought to end racial segregation and discrimination in
the United States. The movement led to some progress, including the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In theory,
discrimination based on race and color was outlawed. In practice, it was not.
It Still Prevails
Despite massive gains in ensuring the protection of the Constitutional rights
of African Americans and a complete overhaul of ignorant thought, there are
still lingering signs of racism in twenty-first century America. While many
claim that racism and discrimination do not exist anymore, a look at how we
view African Americans indicates otherwise. African Americans are
consistently portrayed as the perpetrator, the white man always his victim.
As noted in the accompanying picture, when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the
state of Louisiana, Yahoo.com published two pictures that demonstrated this
essence: In the first picture, a white couple was shown “finding bread and
soda.” In the second picture, an African American seemingly engaging in the
exact same act was shown “looting.” As Bigler (2008) states, “In the age of
Social Darwinism, [many hold a belief] that associates dark skin with might
and strength, instinctual behavior, and intellectual inferiority” (121). We have
failed to shed this ignorant mindset and we have failed to move forward.
The Dismal History of Black Quarterbacks
One example in which our inability to move forward and shed ignorant
thought is all too evident, is seen in the National Football League. The history
of African Americans as quarterbacks in the NFL reflects the deep racial
divides and prejudices that characterized much of the 1950s and 60s. The
belief that whites were smarter, more cognitively advanced, and more
capable of running an NFL style offense prevailed, and African Americans
suffered and were excluded as a result. The number of black quarterbacks
who played college football, were drafted to an NFL team, and ended up
becoming a team’s starting quarterback can be counted on two hands.
Players such as Willie Thrower, Charlie “Choo Choo” Brackins, Eldridge
Dickey and Marlin Briscoe all had high aspirations for shattering
conventional thought; however each was met in the NFL with unwelcoming
arms. Michael Vick, Jamarcus Russell and recently Cam Newton are the only
African American quarterbacks ever drafted as the number one overall pick.
THE PURPOSE
How has chronic white racism
produced a lack of African
Americans in leadership
positions in the National
Football League?
Has the history of black
quarterbacks been just as
unfortunate?
What are the possible long-
term consequences of this
prevailing atrocity?
In the above picture, the photographer described this
young African American man as “looting.”
In the one below, the white couple is shown “finding.”

2. Most frighteningly of all, only one African American quarterback, Doug
Williams of the Washington Redskins, has led his team to a Super Bowl victory.
That was 25 years ago.
“No other position on the football field is
expected to demonstrate as much, leadership,
intelligence and poise than that of the
quarterback, attributes that run counter to the
prevailing sentiment about Black mentality.” –
Bigler (2008)
African American Quarterbacks Today
To say that we have not made progress in terms of countering ignorant and
hateful thought, and curbed racism and discrimination would be short-sighted.
Likewise, progress has been made in ensuring that African Americans are
provided an equal opportunity in competing for quarterback positions across
the NFL. Currently, eight African Americans are starting quarterbacks on NFL
rosters. A few of them, Robert Grffin III, Russell Wilson, and Cam Newton have
become national superstars and icons for a drastic change in how the
quarterback position is being played.
Yet we must not fool ourselves and continue to submit to blind optimism.
Occupying a fourth of the league’s starting quarterback positions may seem
sufficient, however, it does not tell the full story. Only 16% of all quarterbacks
(starter and non-starter) in the NFL are African American. Coupled with the
fact that African Americans compose 67% of the league’s total players, the
numbers indicate an obvious lack of “representation” in the quarterback
position.
Why Aren’t More African Americans At the Helm?
Essentially, the issue boils down to the simple question of “Why?” Why does the
National Football League not have more African American quarterbacks? Bigler
(2008) states, “…behind closed doors some coaches and team owners question
whether Blacks are smart enough to run NFL offenses”(125). Many coaches and
general managers tout the ignorant belief that the quarterback should have an
image—the iconic golden boy with beautiful hair, white skin, a cannon for an
arm, well-spoken, poised and polished, and an outgoing and dominant
personality.
Another interesting perspective as to why there is a lack of African Americans at
the quarterback position in the NFL is given by Magary (2013). He claims that
African American quarterbacks are labeled and confined to the role of the
“mobile” quarterback—a quarterback who is encouraged to run just as much as
he is encouraged to pass. Because of their dependency on running the football,
they are more prone to career threatening injuries than their white
counterparts. Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is a prime
example. In the Resdkins firs playoff game last year, Griffin suffered a serious
knee injury. Griffin remained in the game, given the fact that he gave the
Many have claimed that Robert Griffin III has
revolutionized the way the quarterback position in
the NFL is played. He certainly has—but is this a
good thing?
A Look at the Numbers
Position White African-American
OFFENSE
QB 83% 16%
RB 12% 86%
WR 15% 84%
TE 54% 43%
OT 51% 48%
OG 51% 43%
C 87% 9%
DEFENSE
CB 2% 98%
S 15% 84%
LB 26% 71%
DE 21% 76%
DT 11% 82%
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P 98% 1%
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has
everything an NFL scout is looking for: He’s
charming, extremely attractive, has a golden smile,
luscious hair, and white skin.

3. Redskins the best chance to win; however, his play was clearly compromised.
Instead of protecting the career of his franchise quarterback, coach Mike
Shannahan continued to have Griffin run countless “read-option” plays—a style
of offense that is highly condusive towards the quarterback running the ball.
“Why did Mike Shannahan run an option play
with Griffin barely able to walk? Because he
couldn’t help himself, that’s why. He thinks of
RGIII as a multi-purpose threat and can’t see
him any other way.” – Magary (2013)
It must be stated that this same mentality is not applied to white quarterbacks.
Star white quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck both posses the
athletic ability to serve as “multi-purpose” threats for their teams. In fact, at the
NFL Combine, Andrew Luck ran a 40 yard dash that was only 0.2 seconds
slower than Robert Griffin III. However, as Magary (2013) notes, Andrew Luck
attempted half the number of designated running plays (62 attempts) that
RGIII did (120 attempts) throughout the course of last season. Packers
quarterback Aaron Rodgers attempted 54 running plays. Magary (2013) sums
it up perfectly when he states, “Luck and Aaron Rodgers are both capable of
running the ball effectively, but their coaches happily sacrifice this part of their
game because they know that, ultimately, their QBs will need to win games
mostly by throwing the ball” (2).
Ultimately, this attitude of viewing African Americans solely as “mobile” and
“running” quarterbacks contributes in two ways towards the lack of African
American quarterbacks in the National Football League. The first and perhaps
the more obvious of the two is the simple fact that it exposes African American
quarterbacks to a higher probability of career threatening injury. Secondly,
many denounce the skillset of African Americans quarterbacks and claim that
more are not drafted to the NFL because they are not developed as “pocket
passers” (like Luck and Rodgers). This is incredibly ironic given the fact that
collegiate coaches with the same mindset as Shannahan actuallyperpetuate this
unjust cycle by rarely developing African Americans as “pocket passers.” They
instead are entranced by their athletic ability and continue to view and coach
them as “mobile” quarterbacks.
A Lingering Racism
We must not fool ourselves. The lack of African Americans in leadership
positions in the National Football League is not solely confined to
quarterbacks. The head coach position is also extremely non-diverse, as white
coaches hold a large majority. In fact, during the 2012 offseason, there were
eight head coaching vacancies. Not one of them was filled with a minority
candidate. For more information on this unjust phenomenon consult the article
“Time to update the Rooney Rule” on ESPN.com. I could offer stat after stat
that demonstrates the lack of representation by African Americans in
leadership positions across the National Football League. But numbers can
Had the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts
coaching staffs designated as many running plays
for Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck as were
designated for Robert Griffin III, they would surely
be unemployed.

4. only go so far. Acknowledging the significance and consequences of continuing
on such dangerous trends is what will ultimately lead to change.
One of the dire consequences of this lack of representation is its effect on
children. By only seeing quarterbacks and head coaches occupied by white
people and other positions (such as running back, wide receiver and
cornerback) occupied by African Americans, children begin to confine
themselves to one role based on skin color. A child will assume that since no
other African American plays quarterback the quarterback position is reserved
for whites.
Furthermore, the lack of African Americans in leadership positions undermines
a fundamental aspect of all sports—ensuring the most talented individuals are
given the opportunities to showcase that talent and achieve success.
Granderson (2013) supports this when he comments on the lack of African
Americans as head coaches in the NFL: “The simpleton thinks this focus on
race in the hiring practice is about hiring unqualified minorities for reasons of
political correctness. The truth is, it’s about casting as wide of a net as possible
to draw in the best talent” (3). Similarly, in regards to African Americans as
quarterbacks, ensuring that the game is accessible to everyone inevitably
increases the overall level of play.
Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, by continuing to promote and ignore the
lack of representation of African Americans in leadership positions in the NFL,
we continue to perpetuate racial stereotypes that ultimately expand into all
facets of life. We form the opinion that African Americans are incapable of
being leaders, as they are cognitively inferior to the white man.
It has been forty-five years since racial discrimination had theoretically ended,
yet we face many of the same problems that instigated the Civil Rights
Movement. The statistics speak for themselves. There is a problem. We must
recognize this issue and stop pretending like nothing is wrong. The effect is
African Americans being held out of leadership roles. The cause—a lingering
racism. It must be cured.
Author Jacob Garcia is a highly acclaimed sports journalist, a long-time
sports enthusiast, and a life-long fan of the San Francisco Giants and the
Denver Broncos. Garcia played three varsity sports in high school and was
valedictorian as well. At Arizona State University, Garcia is the lead women’s
soccer and softball writer and analyst for Walter Cronkite Sports Network, a
play-by-play announcer for ASU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, and a
host for the campus radio station’s Bottom of the Sixth sports show.
You can reach Jacob Garcia by email at Jacob.M.Garcia@asu.edu or on
Twitter @jake3garcia.