Black QBs and Coaches

Ten years ago, it seemed like the dawn of a new era of black quarterbacks in the NFL. Perhaps, it appeared, old prejudices were cracking under the pressure of reason. But ten years later, starting NFL quarterbacks who are black can be hard to find.

Donovan McNabb has been one of the best QBs for over a decade. He has been forced to endure an enormous amount of criticism, most of it only because he is black. He was called a traitor to his race because, as he got older, he stayed in the pocket more. It was said that the liberal media blew up his accomplishments because of white guilt. Carrying his team to four consecutive conference championship games counted for nothing. Now, after struggling for a few games, he is in danger of losing his starting job.

The list of black QBs in the NFC includes Jason Campbell. The AFC fields two black QBs, David Garrard and JaMarcus Russell.

The Lions recently signed and started Daunte Culpepper. Two young QBs took a seat on the bench during this year, Vince Young and Tavaris Jackson. That leaves the current number at 5 black starting QBs in the 32-team NFL.

The hiring of black head coaches seems to have lost a little momentum as well. The NFC North has three black men running the show, Marvin Lewis, Romeo Crennel, and Mike Tomlin. The first two are on the hot seat.

Other AFC headmen who are black include, Tony Dungy and Herman Edwards. In the NFC, Lovie Smith and Mike Singletary, who took over mid-year in San Francisco, lead their squads. That puts the number at 7. Of the people on this list, only Dungy and Edwards have been a head coach for more than one team.