McNabb says black QBs under more pressure

Slim · 09-18-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

African-American quarterbacks face more pressure and more criticism than their white counterparts, Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb says in an interview scheduled to air on HBO on Tuesday night.

McNabb, in an interview on "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," tells interviewer James Brown that African-American quarterbacks such as himself face added pressure because there are fewer black QBs -- and because some still don't want black athletes playing the position.

"There's not that many African-American quarterbacks, so we have to do a little bit extra," McNabb tells HBO. "Because the percentage of us playing this position, which people didn't want us to play ... is low, so we do a little extra."

Later in the interview, Brown presses McNabb on criticism of his performance -- and if African-American QBs are graded more harshly.

"I pass for 300 yards, our team wins by seven, [mimicking] 'Ah, he could've made this throw, they would have scored if he did this,' " McNabb tells HBO.

"Doesn't every quarterback go through that?" Brown asks.

"Not everybody," McNabb replies.

Brown then asks if the media is tougher on him than on white quarterbacks such as Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning.

"Let me start by saying I love those guys," McNabb tells HBO. "But they don't get criticized as much as we do. They don't."

In the interview, McNabb also talks to Brown about playing in Philadelphia, a city known for passionate sports fans who aren't afraid to criticize the city's pro athletes.

"Every year I'm part of some criticism," McNabb tells HBO. "But every day that we go through life, you're faced with a lot of adversity. Now the answer is how do you handle the adversity. How do you respond?

"I try to handle myself with class. I try to handle myself with dignity. I think sometimes people look to players to act out, speak loudly, pretty much be an idiot. But that's not me."

espn.com

This may be true like 10 years ago... But get a grip over it now.
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CM Diddy · 09-18-2007, 01:37 PM

Meh, im sure i'd have to watch the interview, cause media always likes to put spin on these topics. It makes sense the black QB's would have a tougher time, its 10-1 if not more. Numbers alone. But hopefuly its not just another "Black Athletes got it sooooooo tough" act.

Invictus · 09-18-2007, 02:24 PM

Yeah because Rex Grossman, Derek Anderson, Trent Green, Harrington etc are under no pressure at all. Jackass.

Freak · 09-18-2007, 02:51 PM

Actually, I'd agree with pretty much everything McNabb said.

Black quarterbacks definitely have a higher hurdle to jump when making the transition to the NFL, and like he said, they're far more scrutinized once they get there.

CM Diddy · 09-18-2007, 02:58 PM

Ask Chad Pennington, Drew Bledsoe, and Eli Manning if they agree with that comment. Those three got WAY more scrutiny than Donovan.

Dakstang · 09-18-2007, 03:02 PM

I do think that black QB's are under more scrutiny than white QB's. I don't really know why that is either. It doesn't seem to be that way with any other position.

Invictus · 09-18-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freak
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Black quarterbacks definitely have a higher hurdle to jump when making the transition to the NFL, and like he said, they're far more scrutinized once they get there.

How so? And how are they more scrutinized. Last year, Leinart, this year Quinn. Both were very closely scrutinized, however Vince Young wasn't. Go back to last years MSNBC and MSN reports, Leinart got loads more scrutiny than Young.

I don't see how Grossman, Manning and Pennington are under and lesser pressure than McNabb, Young and Garrard. If you look at who has been scrutinized this season I would guess Grossman, Manning (Eli) and Pennington have been guestioned more than McNabb. The only reason he is getting some shit this week is because he played like a twat on Monday Night. Simple. THis to me is as stupid as Kanye's Bush comment.

The only thing holding back a QB in transition to this league is their talent. If they can play, they play, if they can't they can't. If they are scrutinized it is because either a.) they have just signed a huge contract and need to prove their worth or b.) they have been playing like a chump.

McNabb seems to have forgotten that the press were collecticley playing soggy biscuit over his performance in the preseason whilst Rex, Eli and Brady Quinn were getting probed up the ass.

Slim · 09-18-2007, 04:53 PM

ya I agree with invictus. black or white has nothing to do with it anymore in the QB scene. It just doesnt. Why would it matter in the first place anyways now days? Black players have been really good at QB. 20-30 years ago yes but for sure not now days. When a black QB starts I dont think anyone says, well he is black, lets watch him close!

RACE CARDS ARE OVER RATED

Freak · 09-18-2007, 05:15 PM

Okay, let's first clear up a few things:

1. Anyone who plays in New England, Chicago or (especially) New York is going to be constantly under the gun. (That said, the same also goes for Philly.)

2. Trent Green, Joey Harrington, Drew Bledsoe... There's a difference between scrutiny and flat-out criticism; those guys have been criticized lately because they've been very bad football players.

3. Why on earth would you bring up Derek Anderson? I remember that guy taking criticism in college for not living up to his billing, but that was years ago. He was lauded last year for one game, fell off the map, and then played brilliantly this week. Mostly he's been just irrelevant.

What Donovan McNabb is getting at is that there are various stigmas attached to black quarterbacks, at all levels. For years it was obviously near-unfathomable to start a black quarterback in the NFL, but then in the past decade, that notion pretty much wore away. I think it's kind of rearing it's head again now though, as once-All-Pro quarterbacks like McNabb and Culpepper are regressing as they get older, and high-profile draftees like Michael Vick and Byron Leftwich have vastly underperformed. I'm curious to see if it'll affect Andre Woodson's draft position next April.

I also think it would be fair to say that white quarterbacks who play poorly get more chances to redeem themselves than black quarterbacks who drop off the same way.

Freak · 09-18-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invictus
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The only reason he is getting some shit this week is because he played like a twat on Monday Night. Simple.

Also, where does this come from? I thought he played very well on Monday night, save for the overthrow to Kevin Curtis near the goalline late in the game. I would undoubtedly rather blame that loss on Andy Reid's moronic playcalling and the Eagles' shit-poor receiving corps.

McNabb's legs are pretty much shot, which eliminates a huge part of his game. He's never been the most accurate passer, but I thought he did great with what he had to work with last night.

McNabb says black QBs under more pressure

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