See this post in Stunning HD!

Introduction

Recently, Donovan McNabb sat down for an interview with James Brown and made some controversial comments. Basically, what he said was that African-American Quarterbacks have to do a “little extra” because of their skin color.

Well, there’s one position where I think the minority has to do a lot extra because of their skin color.

White running backs, nearly extinct in the upper echelon of football, face strong opposition from the earliest stages and a strongly held belief that they simply can’t play the position. All that may be about to change…

 

A Little History

Shortly before the NFL draft this season I wrote a little piece about this phenomenon. It was titled “Position Available: White’s Need Not Apply” and focused on the story of a prospective white running back named Brian Leonard.

Over the course of the article I discussed the anomalous game of Brock Forsey against the Cardinals and the questions that followed (including, “Is it surprising you came out and had a great game and you’re white?”).

I also talked about how, according to Tony Dungy, white’s are discouraged from a young age from pursuing the “skill positions” (RB, WR, CB) and funneled into more appropriate positions.

Finally, I concluded that Brian Leonard, despite his size, skills, stats, speed, and toughness, would face a strong current against him because of his race. I don’t think it can be denied that to be a white running back you have to be truly special.

During my research I was very discouraged about his chances. Most sites agreed that he should be shifted to full-back despite running a 4.49 40 (Reggie Bush ran 4.38, Adrian Peterson ran 4.40, and Marshawn #### ran 4.46) and stating he preferred to be a running back. I thought he would surely be drafted as a full-back, if at all, and never get a real shot in the NFL; all because he was white.

Current Events

But that all changed today. I recalled that he had been drafted by the Rams in the second round but also that he had been drafted as a full-back. Besides, no matter how good he was I seriously doubted he could supplant Steven Jackson. Then Steven Jackson went and got hurt.

Now, the Rams are likely to elevate their number two running back into the starting slot. And that number two running back is, of course, Brian Leonard.

This development is stunning and quite unbelievable. I honestly didn’t know how to react when I learned that Brian Leonard would likely start this Sunday at running back. I thought it was a joke or a dream maybe even a Pepsi-induced hallucination. But, nay, it appears the Rams are seriously preparing to launch us into a brave new era in the NFL; an era in which franchise black quarterbacks are handing the ball off to elite white running backs.

Great White Hope

Now, Leonard’s not going to have an easy task this Sunday. He’s going up against the number 8 rush defense in the league and a team that is sitting atop the NFC. The Cowboys are sure to key on struggling QB Marc Bulger and will be looking to improve to 4-0.

Brian Leonard will face a determined defense Sunday and a group of guys determined not to let a white running back do well against them. We have yet to really see if he’s capable of doing the things he did in college in the NFL. And I’m not sure Leonard has had enough experience to be truly prepared for Sunday and I don’t think he’s going to set the world on fire, at least not yet.

But he has brought his “Leonard Leap” to the NFL in the preseason:

 

I’m really torn this Sunday. On the one hand, I’d love to see Leonard do really well this Sunday just to put a #### wrench in people’s perceptions. On the other hand, the Rams are playing the Cowboys and I, therefore, would love to see them completely crushed.

But even if Leonard isn’t successful this Sunday I think there is still one up and coming running back who could give white people everywhere reason for hope:

 

Conclusion

Are we going to see this stereotype torn down before our eyes on Sunday? I seriously doubt it. I think we’ll see Leonard struggle in his first start against a pretty good run defense but his struggles will not be because he’s white.

Will we see a day when both Brian Leonard and Sam McGuffie are starting in the NFL? Will we see a day when white running backs are as prosperous as they once were (post-integration I mean)? I don’t know. But be sure and tune in on Sunday because even if we don’t see those barriers torn down, we’re going to see a little crack form in them, and then it’s only a matter of time.

This is an update of a previous post.

Get the HD version of this post here

Brian Leonard
I was reading some draft related materials today and I came across this little tidbit from Pete Prisco of CBS. He writes in his column from the 15th of April, that an athlete by the name of Brian Leonard hopes to make the leap from the college ranks to the pro ranks as a running back.

This dream is shared by many who are entering this year's Draft but there is a problem with Leonard's dream: he's white.

He also may not be a running back. Most scouts have him rated as a top fullback but his idea of becoming a running back is shunned. He has good size, is strong, and is a powerful runner. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The scouts just aren't sure he has the explosivenss (and maybe skin tone) required to be a featured running back in the NFL.

A White Running Back?
The sighting of a white running back at an elite level is about as rare as that of a Snow Leopard. White running backs are rarer than Black Quarterbacks, especially in terms of starters; and very few are on rosters as backups. Not a single white guy started at running back for any team in the NFL last year.

It's something I've noticed before. There simply aren't any white running backs. Fullbacks yes, but not running backs. The idea of a white guy being a running back is ludicrous. The thought of a white guy breaking off a long run and taking it to the house is laughable. White people can't run. Plain and simple, white meat is not made for the "skill positions" of running back, cornerback, and wide reciever.

If you're on offense and you're white you can play Quarterback, Lineman, Tight End, or Fullback. On defense, Linebacker, Lineman, or Safety. Those are your options.

Really?
Is that really the truth? Are white people really not cut out to play the "skill positions?"

Wide receiver is much more diverse and that thinking with regards to wideouts is breaking down. Personally, I think Wes Welker and Brian Finneran are two of the most underrated players in the league. Both are white, both play wide reciever, and I think both are good.

I can't think of the last time I saw a white corner. But the idea of a white corner is not so outlandish as the thought of a white running back. I would actually believe it if somebody told me a team's number one CB was white.

But running back? White's don't belong as running backs. They just aren't cut out for it.

Running Back is Made For Blacks
A couple years back a white guy named Brock Forsey had a good game. Not that big of a deal, except that he's a white running back. While playing for the Bears he ran for 134 yards agains the Arizona Cardinals.

After the game he recalled being asked, "Is it surprising you came out and had a great game and you're white?" He didn't think they would be so direct but everybody was thinking it. Emmitt Smith called him Brian Piccolo, though Forsey clearly isn't that good since he's no longer in the league, but most were simply shocked that a white guy could be a running back.

"'They can't compete with us," says Eric Dickerson, the NFL's all-time single-season rushing leader, who dominated with the Los Angeles Rams during the 1980s. "The black athlete, especially at that position, is faster, more elusive. That's just a position made for agility.'" (Harris and Robinson)

Discrimination
There is a great deal of stereotyping going on here. Athletes and scouts, coaches and commentators just don't feel white people are capable of being the featured back.

According to Harris and Robinson's article, which was written in 2004, and from which much was taken for this blog, the best runner in highschool from central Florida was white. His name is Kevin Harris and he decided to go to Wake Forest because they were one of two schools to commit to making him a running back.

His dad, who was also his highschool coach, was told by one school's rep, "Coach, I could never bring back a white running back to my university. That's just the way it is. They just wouldn't accept it."

In his Freshman year at Wake Forest Kevin tied the school record for the most touchdowns by a red-shirt Freshman (6) and was 10th in the ACC.

I think the biggest issue is perception. I recall watching ESPN's coverage of the 60th anneversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in baseball. In one of their segments they interviewed the only two black players on a traditionally black school's baseball team. They said black kids just didn't think of baseball as a "black sport." I think the same holds true for the running back position.

White athletes have been taught that they can not be running backs. It's just not a "white position." Instead, they refine their skills to be linbackers or tight ends or fullbacks. But they don't even try to be tailbacks, running backs. They are taught that since they are white they will not succeed at that position.

White kids are told not to try to be tailbacks. They are told to bulk up and become fullbacks or seek some other position because a white running back simply isn't acceptable.

The first black coach to win a Superbowl, Tony Dungy, had this to say:

You've got guys in high school, white players, who are discouraged from being wide receivers, defensive backs or running backs -- I think we do have that. It's "this position is a white position or black position." I definitely believe they are channeled early on.

Conclusion
I believe the fact is, over the years, more black guys have been better at the running back position than white guys. For whatever reason they've just proven over the years to be better. White guys are not broadly disciminated against (hell, most quarterbacks are white, many tight ends are white, plenty of linemen are white, and some of the best linebackers are white). But there is something interesting going on at the running back position. In 20 years there really hasn't been a white guy good enough at that position? Really?

There is simply a bias against white running backs. It's not malicious prejudice like was experienced by minorities in the past, but there is no doubt it exists. When a white guy steps up to compete as a running back most people will see him as "more of a fullback." In this day and age it's simply unthinkable that a white guy would be averaging over a 100 yards a game, and maybe be the first in twenty-some years to crack a 1,000 yard season.

But stereotypes and biases are only strong until they're disproven. They are there to challenge people to rise above them and to smash them. They exist to give someone a goal to achieve, a record to set, and minds to change.

I don't know if Brian Leonard is the man to do that. I haven't seen him play and know little about him. If his heart is in it, a team could maybe take a chance on him. Pick him up and give him the ball. Maybe he'll be the first great white runner in years. Maybe he'll even end up leading a team to the Superbowl. Maybe.

But if not, hey, you could always just use him as a fullback.







Further Reading
Thanks to Chris Harry and Charles Robinson who wrote a nice piece about this in 2004.
Endagered Species: A racial dividing line exists at the running back position, and there doesn't seem to be a clear reason why.


Update!
Brian Leonard Drafted by St. Louis Rams
Well, seems like this question will be answered. If Brian Leonard is truly a good runningback then he couldn't have landed on a better team. The Rams love Steven Jackson and will look to Leonard to give him a breather. They also love to pass out of the backfield so Leonard's pass catching ability will be utilized. He certianly will never be the starter in St. Louis (barring a major injury to Jackson) but it's a start and a good one at that.

A New Hope (brought to you by the Darkside)
Demon found this video a of runningback named Sam McGuffie. He seems to have good skills. He appears fast, strong, and agile. Changes direction well and doesn't go down easily. If he keeps this up (watch the video, very good!) then he may well be the first white dude to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since the 80's.

Check out the original post here

2007 NFL Draft
This year’s draft was nearly as exciting for me as last year’s. I’m not quite sure why. Maybe because there were no clear needs for the Cowboys to fill? Or maybe because there was no concensus pick for the Cowboys? Or maybe there just weren’t as many superstars this year to get excited about.

But one thing I did get excited about was Brady Quinn’s saga.

Brady Quinn
The Notre Dame quarterback was called by many the most “NFL ready.” The year before potential number one pick Matt Lienart slipped all the way to number 10 and the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the quarterback declared the most “NFL ready” that draft went with the next pick to the Denver Broncos.

The year before, Aaron Rodgers had been projected as the potential first pick in the draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, he slipped all the way to pick number 24 for the honor of backing up Brett Favre in Green Bay.
The sam thing ended up happening to Quinn. But the commissioner was compassionate and let him stay in his suite to avoid the humiliation of being passed over again and again…and again. This got my attention. As soon as Ted Ginn was taken thoughts entered my head, but I dared not entertain them.

There was some discussion of the Cowboys taking Quinn. They hadn’t had a true franchise quarterback since Troy Aikman retired in 2000. They had gone through the likes of Quincy Carter, Ryan Leaf, Vinny Testeverde, and Drew Bledsoe all to no avail. Then last seaons they introduced the world to Tony Romo.

But here was a potential cornerstone of the franchise. A quarterback most NFL teams had in the top three of their draft boards, if not higher. I was genuinely afraid the temptation would be too much for Jerry Jones to handle. But he did, masterfully. He traded out of the spot to snag the Browns’ number one pick next year.
This did two things. One, showed confidence in Tony Romo and two, gave the Cowboys the ability to get a “wow” player in the ‘08 draft.

Anthony Spencer
The Cowboys didn’t stay out of the first round. Instead, they traded with the always confusing Eagles to get back into it. The Eagles allowed the Cowboys to swoop in and pick up a defensive end they will convert to outside linebacker and who many feel could be a major force in the pass rush. The Eagles drafted Kevin Kolb to replace Donovan McNabb in the event Spencer lays him out.

From what I understand Spencer is a great pass rusher. He recorded 93 tackles last season as a defensive end and 10.5 sacks. If Wade Phillips can convert him into a DeMarcus Ware or Shawne Merriman type player then the Cowboys may resurrect Doomsday.

Raiders
Personally, I think the Oakland Raiders made a mistake. Not by taking JaMarcus Russell, at this point they pretty much had to. They made a mistake by not signing a veteran quarterback which would’ve allowed them to take Calvin Johnson.

The Raiders need a new dynamic on offense. They traded for Randy Moss to give them that, and he never did. Instead, Randy Moss curled up in his shell and refused to come out. He was unhappy and rather than channeling that into effort he let it drag him into depression. He underperformed in Oakland and never gave 100%.

The Raiders should’ve signed a veteran QB, drafted Johnson, and then moved Moss somewhere to get more picks this year. Oakland needs a lot more help on offense than Russell alone can give them. If they bundled Moss with a pick or two they could’ve gotten another second. That would’ve allowed them to get another offensive weapon on the first day.

New England Patriots
But the Raiders didn’t do that and they wound up trading Randy Moss to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick next year. There’s no doubt somewhere in there a shade of the ability he once showcased still exists. If he can bring that back he could help make the New England offense prolific once again.
New England has made some big moves this offseason.

First, they signed Adalius Thomas (rated as maybe the best free agent) to bolster their aging line backing corps. His presence should help make the defense as aggressive as it once was and as formidable as it was during the Superbowl years.

Meanwhile, they have worked hard to correct the issues with their receiving corps. Last season they did little to add Tom Brady after being forced to trade away Deon Branch. They learned their leason and worked hard to fix that issue.

They signed Donte Stallworth who showed tremendous skill in Philadelphia last season. They signed Kelley Washington who was a talented but unused wideout in Cincinnati. Then they grabbed up a player who is all effort, Wes Welker, who will not only help them at wide reciever but also assist their return game. Finally, they traded for Randy Moss.

The Patriots are positioning themselves for another title run. They have loaded up and had two first round picks this year. They traded one away for a first rounder next year, assuring they will have plenty of opportunities next season as well. They’ve really set themselves up and they will be more dangerous than ever next season.

(Don’t be surprised if the Patriots sign Keyshawn Johnson)

Brian Leonard
I wrote an earlier post about white running backs and Leonard’s desire to be one. He ended up being drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Rams. Now, he certainly won’t start over Steven Jackson, but if he can succeed anywhere it’s in St. Louis. He’ll probably play a hybrid Half back/Fullback role. He has good hands and the Rams like to throw out of the backfield so I wouldn’t be surprised if they role him out to the flat regularly.

Conclusion
I enjoyed the draft, felt the Cowboys did quite well. They scored the player they wanted and someone to rush on the opposite side of DeMarcus Ware. They also got themselves a first round pick next year from a team who will very likely have a top ten pick. They got themselves several tackles to help on the offensive line and even a kicker for the future.

The draft went well for my team. How did your team do?

Brian Leonard
I was reading some draft related materials today and I came across this little tidbit from Pete Prisco of CBS. He writes in his column from the 15th of April, that an athlete by the name of Brian Leonard hopes to make the leap from the college ranks to the pro ranks as a running back.

This dream is shared by many who are entering this year’s Draft but there is a problem with Leonard’s dream: he’s white.

Continue Reading