Joshua Barlow

ETHS 2410
LaShawn Williams-Schultz
3 May 2016
Research Paper
The Black Quarterback
The issue I choose isnt a huge issue in the world but it is
definitely a huge issue in the sports world. The topic I choose was the
black quarterback its a still a termed used today and is an issue
because its 2016 and we are still labeling these quarterbacks by race.
The major reason I choose this topic is because I love the NFL more
than anything on this planet and the fact there is still race issues in
predominately black league is just ludicrous. Also one of my favorite
players in the league, Cam Newton is a huge part of this issue and the
black quarterback issue pisses me off, so Id like to dive into this topic
below.
Lets get into it here; Ill start my laying out a sports stereotype
when it comes to race that the Huffington Post jokingly says is that
Black athletes are usually given credit for their natural athleticism,
while whites are credited for their hard work, discipline and
knowledge of the game; as if Black athletes are naturally given the
gift of great athleticism, and white people become great athletes
through hard work, discipline and intelligence I can guarantee you this

is what people honestly think and it is so stupid. Obviously if you are a

pro athlete you worked hard to get their regardless of what your skin
color is, that is just common sense. And they obviously both have
great athletes because they are pro athletes. These stereotypes are
worldwide, stereotypes such as white people not being able to jump
high. Even though I know so many white kids that can dunk and there
are so many white dudes in the NBA that can get up with the best of
them. And also the stereotype that a black player cant read defenses
so that mean that he cant read either. And that is a preposterous
assumption and a stupid one as well. Stereotypes are just so stupid
and people should base someones athletic talents based on
stereotypes.
Now lets get into the main thing I want to talk about and that is
the black quarterback. First off if you are an African American player
who happens to play quarterback you are automatically in this
category regardless of the style you play at. So the first stereotype for
people who fall into this category is that all black quarterbacks can run
and scramble. I can remember kids I used to play Madden or NCAA
video games that if a team had a black quarterback they would try to
run with them just because they were black. Its just a dumb
stereotype; yes its true that a lot of black quarterbacks can run such
as, Vince Young, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III, and Cam Newton.
But there were also many black quarterbacks who couldnt run that

well such as, Jameis Winston, Jason Campbell, Geno Smtih, and Charlie
Batch. This makes it seem like no black quarterback can just stand in
the pocket and read defenses like a stereotyped white quarterback but
this isnt always the case. Many white players can run and scramble as
well, players such as, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Fitzpatrick,
and Tim Tebow. Now I personally thing that this is just a product of
how the game is changing, everyone in the world is getting more
athletic because we have better food and better programing to be this
way so the new thing for quarterbacks to be doing is running send
scrambling and race doesnt matter about this because regardless of
what color you are running and scrambling can be a huge asset to
anyones game.
Now lets get into last years Super Bowl runner up quarterback for
the Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton. You probably remember Cam
Newton as the dude who made the dab dance moves go viral. He
would do it after every single first down and occasionally on
touchdowns. Cam has always been a show boater one of a kind
quarterback because he is dancing all over the field and this isnt
common for quarterbacks. Former Steeler safety Ryan Clark had this
to say about Cam and why he is disliked. Hes not disliked because
hes brown-skinned. Hes disliked because, culturally, its hard to
understand for most people. For many years if you look at the Black
quarterbacks that were accepted, it wasnt about skill set. ... Russell

Wilson is a brown quarterback. But Russell Wilsons culture is easier to

understand. Russell Wilson doesnt dance. Russell Wilson doesnt have
the hip hop culture. ... So for the Caucasian fan, for the fan who
doesnt understand that culture, Cam Newtons culture is too young
(and) hip hop, too young (and) brown. Now I guess makes sense but
seriously people need to get with the times. But playing the devils
advocate the makes total sense because older white people arent with
the new times and it would makes sense why they dont like Cam. But
realistically again people need to get with the times.
Most people like myself loved it and love Cam he is a great and
entertaining player but there are always people who hate on great
people. And a reason they hated on Cam was because he was black.
And people werent saying they disliked him because he was black.
But they didnt like him because they said he dressed and acted like a

thug.

This was the outfit this women was

talking about. A hoodie and beanie, with his team name on it. How in
the world is this thug attire? Its just stupid and another way for
people to lash out at the black quarterback calling him a thug. And
personally I think when white people call black people thugs it is like
the politically correct way of saying the N word.
Now Cam Newton is a man trying to change the industry and the
dumb saying the black quarterback. Here is some comments Cam
had towards that matter, I dont even want to touch on the topic of
black quarterback because I think this game is bigger than black,
white or even green, the fifth-year Panther said. I think we limit
ourselves when we just label ourselves just black this, that. I want to
bring awareness because of that, but yeah, I dont think I should be
labeled just a black quarterback. Its bigger things in this sport that
need to be accomplished. He is right it is an awesome thing that he is

an African American and being one of the best quarterbacks in the

league but he is bigger than that. He should just be labeled a
quarterback and so should everyone else who plays the quarterback
position. Just because Im Greek does that make me a Greek
quarterback? The answer is no they only do this to the African
American players and its messed up. The quarterback position is the
quarterback position regardless of what color your skin is.

Cam is one of 6 black quarterbacks to start in a Super Bowl, an

article from USA today has all 6 of them and they include Russell
Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco
49ers, retired Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Steve
McNair of the Tennessee Titans and Doug Williams. Now there has
been 50 Super bowls so its pretty insane that only 6 black
quarterbacks have played in superbowls and only 2 of the 6 actually
won the Superbowl. So maybe America isnt used to black
quarterbacks because they are have seldom gone to the big game.
But times are changing each of the last 4 superbowls had a black
quarterback start in every single one of them. Black QBs are
becoming more of a real thing because anyone can play quarterback.
My final salvo is that I want this term to be erased from peoples
vocabulary. Its a great thing that African Americans are playing the
quarterback position but they shouldnt be labeled into their own

category its still a form of segregation. It is 2016 and the NFL is a

predominately black league so why I dont get why black quarterbacks
are being put into their own category. The position is called
quarterback and there are no such things as white quarterbacks or
black quarterbacks they are all in the same because they play the
same position on the field. Cam Newton is a great roll model for our
youth and he shouldnt be getting the scrutiny that he receives like
people calling him a thug. I feel as if I could write a whole paper on the
word thug because its the new way to say the N word and that is not
okay in the slightest but anyway Cam Newton is a great guy and a
great player at his position.

Works Cited Page

Peters, J. (2016, February 1). Super Bowls first black quarterback

defends Cam Newton. Retrieved from Super Bowls first black
quarterback defends Cam Newton

Cam Newton: 'I shouldn't be labeled just a black quarterback' (2016).

Retrieved May 04, 2016, from
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/02/cam-newton-i-shouldntbe-labeled-just-a-black-quarterback

Adams, J. (n.d.). People Dislike Cam Newton Because He's Black AND
Dances. Retrieved May 04, 2016, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-adams/people-dont-like-camnewton-because-hes-black-and-dances_b_9103324.html