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When it comes to hating, the Eagles' fans are equal opportunist. They sell hatorade by the gallon at The Linc on game day.
We can't forget: these are the people who booed poor ol' Santa.
They would probably boo a homeless, mentally-challenged, autistic child in a wheelchair ... that's just Philly.
Hate it (they do it a lot) or love it (they love to hate a lot) that's what being an Eagles' fan seems to be about.
But with that said, why is it so hard to understand why Donovan McNabb thinks racism is still a major factor when it comes to NFL quarterbacks?
Many in the media, in addition to your local living room/sports bar analysts seem to be up in arms over McNabb telling HBO that African-American QBs are held to a higher standard and face more pressure than white QBs. In addition to saying that there still are people who don't want blacks playing the position. (Watch clip after the jump)
And those were some of the words that opened the floodgates of: "he's acting like a sensitive baby," "he has no proof of this," "It's Philly -- they hate everyone," and of course my personal favorite "why are black people so hung up on race?"
I don't know, centuries of slavery probably had a thing or two to do with that last one.
And did I miss it? When did CNN air this huge report on racism being dead and gone in America?
That's why everyone thinks racism is null and void these days, right?
To be blunt, you're ignorant if you think it doesn't exist.
Ignorant or on whatever drugs O. J. and Britney are taking.
Sure, we've seen a lot of progress made at the position since the "how long have you been a black QB" Doug Williams days. Vince Young is the cover boy for Madden '08, JaMarcus Russell was this year's No. 1 draft pick (and he's getting PAID bigtime) and Michael Vick experienced great success (minus a championship) in the league up until the point he stopped using his brain and decided to get into the canine business.
Plus if you're Michael Irvin, you can add Tony Romo to the list of today's hot black QBs.
So yes, the QB position isn't a 100% Clorox bleached, but why is it so unbelievable for Donovan, who is a black QB, to think that?
The man was booed on draft day, then there was that Rush Limbaugh racial controversy, and let's face it, the NFL doesn't have a history of being one big inclusive party when it comes to the black QB.
True, no player has received as much criticism as Rex Grossman, who is white, in the last year. But guess what? Sexy Rexy is still playing. (Although, I often wonder if he'd rather take shelter on the bench to block out the "You Suck ... No, You Really Suck" noise.)
Here's me playing devil's advocate: Would Rex still be playing this year if he were a black QB? Or would the team have found a way for Rex to sit this game/foreseeable season out?
(Feel free to answer in the comments sections)
I don't think it's too hard to understand why McNabb would have formed this "twice as good" opinion on black quarterbacks in the NFL.
He's entitled to his opinion, and because this is America, Eagles' fans are entitled to boo.
Media pundits are in turn entitled to say Donovan's line of thinking is insane.
And you, if you want, are allowed to think/dream we all live in a Brady Bunch world and there's no such thing as racism, or prejudice, or life being unfair in any way due to the color of your skin.
Oddly, I guess that's what makes this country great. We're entitled to free speech and thought. No matter how unhinged it may be.
Comments: (21)
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By: marty on 9/19/2007 8:26PM
well Mcnabb is right , they do expect more from black Qb's and seem to put more pressue on them than white Qb's anytime an black anything, is taking an leading role on sports, acting,politic's,etc.they expect more that the white's counterparts. and probably pay them less.
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By: EARL THOMAS SR on 9/21/2007 8:01AM
Mcnabb should stop talking and play ball,i for one am
tired of hearing this shit. iam black, have been for
64 years.black people have more problems than being
worried about his pampered ass.I LOVE THE EAGLES
NOT PLAYERS. GROW UP PLAY BALL ,SHUT UP.
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By: Debbie on 9/19/2007 9:46PM
Obviously we are not behind the scenes and he is seeing or feeling more than what meets the eye for him to bring this out. We all can take only so much prejudice before our bubbles burst.
Debbie
www.DebbieDonovanTravel.com
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By: MrDilligaf on 9/20/2007 12:28AM
I find something very amusing that when it comes to discussions of race. It seems when a person of color tells about their experiences dealing with racism, a lot of White people want challenge the persons experiences and label them hypersensitive or crazy. I know would never be so Messianic as to think I knew someone elses reality better than they do. Afterall they are the one living and dealing with it. They always want to point at Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell,Oprah and Eddie Murphy as examples of how great things are for people of color. But when you can name the exceptions to a rule on one hand...THE RULE STANDS...just a thought.
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By: robert barnes on 9/20/2007 1:26AM
Earls' is the brother of judge thomas. They are a member of the uncle tom family. His white master has trained Earl well. Earl is a good colored boy. I am sick and tired of these over see a n$gg$rs. Any Black person knows that Mac is telling the truth.
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By: speechless on 9/20/2007 1:48AM
Robert Barnes, you took the words right out of my mouth about Mr.Thomas---It's always the "good negroes" sitting on the sidelines complaining about real people speaking up, while their "steppin-fetchit" azzes going along with the white folks - "Why is he complaining, he should be happy". Makes me sick!!!!
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By: Step on 9/20/2007 2:38AM
Sometimes it is about race, but when people use race for eveything it takes away from when it is really a racial thing. The fans aren't booing McNabb cause he is BLACK, football fans are serious about winning and if your not winning then they hate you until you win, remember John Elway use to get booed too until he started winning, Eagles fans are some of the most serious fans about their team, McNabb is a weeny, play the game and win and watch all the booing stop. And try to remember that the coach of the BEARS is black, so the reason REX isn't on the bench is not becasue he is white, they believe he will get better. He makes millions even if he never wins, so I can't say I feel bad for him receiving a little criticism. And so you don't get it twisted I am also black.
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By: Dave on 9/20/2007 11:56AM
Could someone tell me why Limbaugh was pressured to resign? He expressed an opinion, just like McNabb did. Granted it was the opposite opinion; he thought McNabb got a break because he was black, McNabb thinks he is criticized more because he is black. They were both honest opinions, no matter which one you happen to agree with (if you agree with either).
So I don't know if McNabb is right. But one thing is obvious: white people seem to be held to a higher standard when it comes to their comments, if nothing else.
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By: Taylor on 9/20/2007 11:30PM
First of all, the first race card was played in this country in 1607, when many white folk
fattened their net worth by buying selling, enslaving,
those that they played the race card on. Black men and Women .
Secondly, every decision in this country is influenced by race in this country. Will blacks be able to live in this community, attend this school, play golf at this course. Etc. Will we be profiled, by the school, police etc. Only guys like Earl, Clarence, Christopher, an the like will deny this fact.
McNabb is one of the rare breed, that america has never liked. Folk like Jim Brown, Kareem, MLK, Johnny Cochran, Randall Cunningham, to name a few, Men who simply want to be treated as men.
I'm sure each one of the men above, realize that the black man was Original man. That bias, hatred, and evil dealings have blocked this fact.
We are men who don't laugh, unless something is funny, don't scratch our heads, unless its itching. My kind of man..... We are individuals who care more about manhood, mutual respect than shufflin for dollars.
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By: Cecil Jones on 9/21/2007 8:57AM
How can anyone cry for Donovan McNabb in the wake of what he did to TO? Donovan practically led the mob with pitchforks to run TO out of town. Donovan was the Superstar in Philly and he couldn't handle the competition. Now that Donovan's star is fading due to injury, he has decided to play the race card? It was never about race. TO's criticism was about doing what was in Philly's best interest to win. TO broke his leg and put his career on the line trying to win Philly a super game. How did Donovan repay him? He played "Overseer" for the team and ran TO out. How many championships did Philly win under Donovan? Would they have even been close without TO? The sad thing here is TO and Donovan didn't win before they turned on each other. In my eyes, this makes what the Patriots did even more significant. Cheaters sometimes prosper. Black on Black fighting could cost two great athletes their careers. It's Donovan's turn to feel the heat. It's what have you done for me lately not race.
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