No He Didn’t

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — October 3rd, 2003

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No He Didn’t

Vick's injured, Brooke isn't playing his 'A' game and McNabb is just getting back into the swing of things.

Are our black quarterbacks all falling off?

For year, brothers under center in the NFL, NCAA and high school have out-shined t any quarter back rather they be white, Hispanic, Asian or what have you..

Vick, in his first season as a starter, rushed for 776 yards last season. 

776 yards. That's unheard of.

QBs are supposed to eat up yards with their arms, not their feet. But, that's just what black QBs have brought to the game. 

There's a paradigm shift occurring. Having that kind of double threat on offense makes defensive coordinators want to retire.

However, no athlete is invincible. I don't care who you are. You're not going to have a great game every game. And black QBs are no different. 

Which bring me to my point. Everybody knows Rush Limbaugh is not everyone's favorite person.

But, now his controversial opinions are property of the World Wide Leader of Sports, or their affiliate ESPN. He commented on "Sunday NFL Countdown" about a black QB in particular.

I'll let you read it and decide:

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback dowell. 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."

He's got people including my personal favorite, the NAACP, buzzing. But they're buzzing for the wrong reason. 

Yes, he used the flag word "black," but people are missing the point. As I've learned in Principles of Reasoning with my man Dr. Jones (great professor), this is a fallacy of relevance. 

Society wants to see a black quarterback; a QB who can do more than just throw a receiver the "damn ball."

No disrespect Unitas, this is Twenty-03, we want more. QBs of color are Black by Popular Demand.

The issue is not racist or racial implications of the comment. it'sthe fact that he talked about McNabb.

Y'all know I am not an Eagles fan, but you don't talk about McNabb. He's from the 'GO (Chi-town for those can't keep up).

Second, he's a great QB. 

One shaky start and a fat man, who can only see his feet when he's eating them, pigged feet that is, discredits his whole career. 

Defense wins games, but without offense you get no where. 

To my black people, stop being so damn sensitive. Yes he said "black" and yes he's known for irking people; however, we're beginning to be the people who cried wolf when it comes to racial issues. 

We call and want something done every time a white person says anything remotely negative about us. 

Those are the little wolves and society is, if they're not already, going to get sick of these false calls.

Let's wait and call for action against the big Bushes, I mean wolves.