Black QBs lament Limbaugh's comments

AP ^ | 1.29.04 | Joe Kay

[ambrose]

Black QBs lament Limbaugh's comments

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer

January 29, 2004

HOUSTON (AP) -- Some retired black quarterbacks want to help their modern-day counterparts deal with the extra scrutiny of being a high-profile minority player in the NFL.

Rush Limbaugh's comments about Donovan McNabb earlier this season reminded them that black quarterbacks still aren't on equal footing in all respects.

Warren Moon, Doug Williams and other former NFL quarterbacks said Thursday they've formed ``The Field Generals'' to serve primarily as a support group for players.

``As a quarterback -- I don't care who you are -- there's going to be some of those days,'' said Williams, the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. ``As a black quarterback, sometimes they're a little tougher.''

Black quarterbacks have made great inroads since Marlin Briscoe broke a barrier and started for Denver in 1968. Briscoe is one of six founders of the new group.

``There are some ups and downs in terms of their public persona and I guess Rush Limbaugh lends credence to that, but I think black quarterbacks today are judged more by performance on the field than we were,'' Briscoe said.

Limbaugh put the spotlight on them early this season, when he said in his role as an ESPN sports analyst that the Eagles quarterback was getting gentle treatment from the media because he was black.

``The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,'' Limbaugh said on ``Sunday NFL Countdown.'' ``There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team.''

Limbaugh's comments caused a furor, and he resigned from ESPN. McNabb went on to lead Philadelphia to its third straight NFC title game.

Moon, who ranks third all-time in NFL passing yards, talked to McNabb and was impressed with how he dealt with Limbaugh's comments.

``He knows he's getting a great opportunity to play this game, but he knows everything is not going to always be rosy,'' Moon said. ``There's still stereotypes out there, there's still prejudice and bigotry out there.''

The quarterbacks hope that the NFL's emphasis on interviewing minorities results in more black coaches and front-office personnel. They'd like to see blacks considered for those jobs the way they are for roster spots.

``The bottom line today: If the kid can play, I don't think the color of his skin is going to matter because everybody is trying to get to where we are today -- the Super Bowl,'' Williams said.

[ambrose]

Limbaugh put the spotlight on them early this season, when he said in his role as an ESPN sports analyst that the Eagles quarterback was getting gentle treatment from the media because he was black.

Did anyone watch the NFC title game this year? McNabb tossed 3 or 4 interceptions... and all the sports commentators/writers blamed it on McNabb's receivers...

[Peace will be here soon]

McNabb went on to lead Philadelphia to its third straight NFC title game.

---

I think the coaching staff would take offense to this statement.

[montag813]

``He knows he's getting a great opportunity to play this game, but he knows everything is not going to always be rosy,'' Moon said. ``There's still stereotypes out there, there's still prejudice and bigotry out there.''

Not from Limbaugh. BTW, Moon and the Oilers' 1992 Wild Card playoff collapse to the Bills was one of the most disgraceful choke-jobs in the history of sports, and led to Houston's loss of the franchise. Nice job, Warren.

[STFrancis]

Limbaugh's comments caused a furor, and he resigned from ESPN. McNabb went on to lead Philadelphia to its third straight NFC title game.
---------------------------
At which he promptly choked and his team eliminated. Or are ONLY the WR's to blame..?????

[motzman]

``He knows he's getting a great opportunity to play this game, but he knows everything is not going to always be rosy,'' Moon said. ``There's still stereotypes out there, there's still prejudice and bigotry out there.''

There's also still wife-beaters out there, right Warren?

[clintonh8r]

McNabb went on to lead Philadelphia to its third straight NFC title game LOSS.

[ambrose]

I remember that game. They could have done nothing but quarterback draws and finished off that game.

[TheBattman]

A support group for NFL quarterbacks? Give me a break...

There is only one way to shut the naysayers up - and not have Rush call you overrated: Prove yourself on the field. It's hard to argue with success.

[clintonh8r]

A support group for NFL quarterbacks?

They need to feel good about themselves, I guess. Somewhere, Johnny Unitas is shaking his head....

[Sir_Humphrey]

McNabb tossed 3 or 4 interceptions... and all the sports commentators/writers blamed it on McNabb's receivers...

That's because it was the receivers fault. When a receiver runs incorrect patterns and doesn't hit his spot when he is supposed to, it's easy to make the QB look bad when in reality it was not the QB's fault. Also, they constantly didn't block and fumbled leading to Carolina' 2nd touchdown.

How in the world can this be blamed on McNabb?

As an Eagles fan, I'd have to say Rush was way out of line on this one. My opinion of his sports knowledge went way down after he made those comments. Also, if anybody thinks the Philly sports media (especially those yahoos on WIP) were going easy on McNabb they were crazy. So much for the media going soft on Donnavan.

[Kirkwood]

And how many players on defense are black? When Rush gave credit for the wins to the defensive players, just how was this being racist?

[foreverfree]

bump

[BigSkyFreeper]

The media will never get it, no matter how many times Rush brings this up or plays the audio clips of his short run at ESPN.

[foreverfree]

Somewhere, Johnny Unitas is shaking his head....

Otto Graham, too.

foreverfree

[BigSkyFreeper]

Overrating losing teams exists in any sports town. Take Denver for example, the sports media on TV acts as if the Denver Broncos are the world champions throughout the season and into the off season.

It can't be any different anywhere else where there's a pro sports team.

[azhenfud]

"McNabb"

I can't help it, everytime I hear the name, I think, "McDonald's version of a square cheese cracker"?

[rintense]

And if Williams and Moon had any sense whatsoever, they would have AGREED with Limbaugh and pointed out that the NFL analysts have indeed stressed color before talent. Limbaugh saying so doesn't make him a racist- it makes him incredibly observant and insightful.

And Mr. Williams should know because the NFL and pundits have been looking for the next Doug Williams since he led the Redskins to the Super Bowl.

[Peace will be here soon]

I am sick of the NFL. It has turned into just a bunch of overpaid cry-baby whiners.

"Super-12" Rugby is firing up next month on FSW !!

Helmets ??? We don`t need no stinkin helmets !!! The only required equipment in Rugby are shoes , shorts , and a shirt.

[harpu]

"Somewhere, Johnny Unitas is shaking his head.... Otto Graham, too."

Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Bart Starr, Sonny Jurgenson, Norm Van Brocklin, Bobby Layne, Charlie Connerly, Sammy Baugh, and many more...