In the work of fiction that accidentally got me into this business nine years ago, two modern-day college football players find themselves in 1960.
One of them is white, and the other is the product of a marriage between parents of different races.
The latter had been a quarterback. In 1960, however, he wasn't permitted to play the position, despite his skills.
The passing of Steve McNair, a top-five draft pick during the days that I was cobbling the manuscript together on a machine with a 486 processor and ultra-sssslow dial-up Internet access, provides an opportunity to look at the manner in which the NFL has changed in the past 49 years, especially since McNair's arrival to the league represents one of the ten most tangible developments that has eliminated, in most circles, the terms "white quarterback" and "black quarterback."
Today, they're all simply quarterbacks, and their successes and/or failures are determined by their performances on the field, not the color of their skin.
So here's the list, as prepared for our friends at SportingNews.com.
SportingNews.com: Top Ten Moments In Quarterback Color-Blindness
Posted by Mike Florio on July 6, 2009 10:29 AM ET
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Latest stories in: Featured Articles, Features, Home, Tennessee Titans, Top Stories
And as a side note, do not buy "Quaterback of the Future."
you didn't just use McNair's death to plug your crappy book did you????
Not a bad article. I still think Florio is a huge Vikings fan. Hell 3 of the top 10 involved the Vikings. But I'm not complaining! Now give me some good Favre news dammit!
This was a good article. I would like to offer up a couple of points.
First, I would have made Willie Thrower as the first "moment". He was the first black QB to play QB in a game for the Bears. Actually, he would move the ball down the field, then the Bears would take him out before he could score a TD.
Another moment could have been when the Jaguars had 3 black QB on their roster. The QB were Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, and Quinn Gray.
Lastly, you suggested that Briscoe "lost" his job because of his low "completion percentage." But let's "keep it real"; the Broncos (and the NFL at that time) didn't want a black Field General running their team.
Kordell Stewart should have made the list.
Sure, his career fizzled out in Chicago & Baltimore but his first few years with the Steelers as "Slash" and then as starting QB were ground-breaking, unpredictable & exciting. Also very frustrating at times but hey... good with the bad.
Hong Kong Phooey says:
July 6, 2009 11:28 AM
you didn't just use McNair's death to plug your crappy book did you????
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Of course he did. He is a lawyer, you know..