The Curious Case of The Black Quarterback
A new quarterback is drafted by a charter franchise of the National Football League. He’s the newest hope in town and fans are hopeful that, finally, the luck of their hometown team is about to change. A year later, as the young quarterback goes through the ups and downs of adjusting to the professional level of play, fans are filled with angst. Some are ready to move on from the young QB and look towards the next draft. Others are urging patience as the young QB grows from these experiences, while some are ignoring the struggles with a certainty that he will be “just fine”. Does any of this ring a bell? It should because it’s been the fans of most NFL franchises over the last three decades. Fans have clamored for the new year’s upcoming draft with the hope that a new quarterback will turn the franchise around. It worked for several franchises: notably the Patriots and Packers (the Pats who drafted Tom Brady and started a dynasty, while the packers moved on from Brett Favre and continued success with Aaron Rodgers).
In this instance, however, these are Chicago Bears fans. A franchise that is not used to exceptional QB play and who do not have a recent history of outstanding players at the quarterback position. So, where are Bears fans now? They find themselves in familiar territory as they wait in anxiety for the young quarterback they selected in the draft to blossom into a star. They’ve grown tired of hoping that their team catches up with the rest of the league and have found themselves at a crossroad: Do they move on from the young QB or do they hold out hope? They’re afraid of failing and for good reason; every (recent) QB they have drafted has been a letdown. Talking about QBs directly with Bears fans is the beginning of a depressing conversation. So we’ll try something different. Let’s play a game: Quarterback 1 has started in twelve NFL games, has thrown 196 completions to 330 attempts. He’s thrown for 2193 passing yards, with an even 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 248 rushing yards and ran for 2 touchdowns. Quarterback 2 has also started in twelve NFL games, has thrown for 2061 passing yards on 174 completions to 298 attempts. He’s thrown for 9 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While also rushing for 468 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks are facing the question of what they can do in the NFL while also adjusting to the prospect of a new head coach and a new offensive scheme. QB1 has the hopefulness of fans and despite average stats, very few (of the vocal fans) are calling for him to be replaced, even if they aren’t quite sure what to make of him yet. His team has only won 5 games since he’s been drafted but without enough talent around him, it’s hard to judge him just yet, so the fans still have hope in him. QB2, however, is facing calls to be replaced. Since he has been drafted the team has only won 7 games, yet his stats are comparable to the first QB mentioned. He’s thrown the ball less times than the first QB but has more touchdowns (more INTs as well) and has put up yards in both rushing and passing that are similar to the first QB. So, why are there calls for QB2 to be replaced? If you haven’t guessed by now, QB1 mentioned is Mitchell Trubisky during his first season (totaling 12 starts) and QB2 is Justin Fields and his first season and first two games of his second season (totaling 12 starts). Both QBs came into their second year with new coaches and new offenses. Both QBs have achieved similar stats and have been a part of a similar number of wins. So, again, why are there calls for QB2 to be replaced? Before jumping the gun, there are some legitimate reasons for the calls. Some fans are simply afraid of having another young QB fail to live up to their expectations. They’ve lived in the shadow of an anachronistic offense and meandering quarterback for most of their adult lives as fans. They’re afraid that this cycle of player angst will never end. That’s a rational fear to have and you won’t hear a rebuttal from me. So what else is left? I’ll tell you the answer: privilege.
Before you click away in anger, continue reading. This isn’t a history or ethics lesson on white privilege in everyday society. This is simply a lesson in pro sports privilege. Particularly, white QB vs black QB privilege. In a league that is made up of a majority of people of color (71%) the quarterback position has been dominated by white men. White men at QB are the standard. Those who succeed at the position are noted for their “pocket presence” and ability to “move the ball down field. Their athleticism is not the prime point of focus, it’s their mental and arm strength. Its become such a norm that you expect teams to draft a young white quarterback while black athletes are expected to play a skill position to utilize their talent. Black quarterbacks who are athletic are referred to as “dual-threat” or “mobile” while their counterparts who can be very mobile themselves are not. White QBs are lifted up for their ability to “diagnose” a situation while black QBs are praised for their speed but criticized for failing to “read the field” properly (sometimes warranted, often unwarranted). Justin Fields, unfortunately, has found himself in this same position. His athleticism is unquestioned, people know that he can move outside the pocket, but every other aspect of his game is questioned. The former Ohio State Buckeye, who placed 7th in Heisman voting with notable wins over powerhouse Clemson, was even questioned about his work ethic and love for the game. Despite this, his own former Head Coach at Ohio State, Ryan Day, stated that Justin Fields work ethic was “off the charts”[1]. So, how did we get to this position? Its racism that fuels unconscious biases. Do not be mistaken, these biases don’t stop at white people solely, for these same biases can be found in people of color. Unfortunately, these biases prevent people from taking in the entirety of a young players career. It makes them so certain of the potential and talent of young black QBs while abandoning this same certainty for their white counterparts. This reality will probably always be prevalent in the football zeitgeist. We must, however, do our parts in shedding these biases and allowing young players like Justin Fields, to prove themselves on the field and field alone. If it works out? Great. If it does not? Then you move on but not before each player is given their fair due. Justin Fields is only 12 games in, not even a full season, so sit back and let his game speak for itself.
[1] Phil Harrison, Ryan Day responds to criticism of Justin Fields' work ethic, https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/02/ryan-day-responds-to-criticism-of-justin-fields-work-ethic/