QuarterBlack

Greetings! Welcome to "QuarterBlack" a small corner of MySpace where fans, supporters, critics and even haters of Black quarterbacks can discuss their role in American football and society. No position in American team sports carries with it as much controversy and emotional weight as quarterback. It has been said that quarterback is the hardest, most pressure-filled position in American sports. I disagree. The most difficult position to play is BLACK QUARTERBACK or QUARTERBLACK! Take all the criticism and anxiety that white quarterbacks have to face and multiply it by ten to understand what Black QBs have to deal with on a daily basis. Every Black QB has had to endure negative stereotypes concerning their ability to play the position. Every incompletion is seen by many as evidence of their inaccuracy. Every interception is seen as proof of their inability to "read" defenses. Every team loss is seen to be their loss, while often others get the credit for the victories. Their outstanding athleticism and big play approach to the game is often seen to be negatives which must be "corralled" and controlled by head coaches and offensive coordinators. The debate and controversy surrounding Black signal-callers goes back to the great Fritz Pollard, a halfback who called signals for the Akron Pros and other teams during the [pre-NFL] 1920's. The induction of Warren Moon to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 is of course a great landmark in NFL history. Most football fans are familiar with his struggle to get into the NFL and attain Hall of Fame stature. However, there is strong evidence that the door of opportunity which Moon and other pioneers forced open, is rapidly closing.Yes! I believe the NFL and other "Powers That Be" are systematically reducing the number of Black quarterbacks. As media talking heads talk about how much progress has been made for Black QBs, their numbers are steadily declining. There is definitely a conspiracy of silence that is coming from the NFL and ESPN and other national and local media outlets. Why do some franchises [NY Giants, NY Jets, KC Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears almost never draft, sign or play Black quarterbacks? Why do the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have Black QBs far more than other franchises? Why don't Black NFL head coaches draft, sign and/or play Black quarterbacks? Herman Edwards, Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, Romeo Crennell and Marvin Lewis show a definite unwillingness to sign Black QBs when they are available. More on this later...