Open Mic: Rush Was Right on Race

"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. 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 do well. 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."

~Rush Limbaugh, NFL Countdown

As a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan, I'm often defending their moves, their games, and their players, even when I'm not pleased with any of them. This time, I find myself defending Mr. Limbaugh.

After all the yelling and the racist allegations have died down, we need to look at this realistically.

My first example: Madden NFL from EA Sports.  Some recent covers:

Daunte Culpepper (2002)
Michael Vick (2004)
Donovan McNabb ('06)
Vince Young ('08)

Within only seven years, four covers have been dedicated to Black quarterbacks.  Two of them (Culpepper and McNabb) have proved themselves to be among the best to have played the game. Their careers speak for themselves.

However, none of these quarterbacks sport a big fat ring. McNabb came the closest, and, well, he didn't quite rise to the occasion.

My next example comes from Major League Baseball.

For the past several years, we have been reminded that the percentage of players that are African American has dropped significantly. Although the Good Reverend Jesse Jackson has not begun to march, this is a fairly serious concern.

I agree that losing African American ballplayers to other sports is a shame. As a lifelong traditional baseball fan, I wonder what we are missing out.

However, the next time I hear the media's concern for the lack of White basketball players in the NBA, it'll be the first time!

I don't know how it's done in other cities, but in Philly, race really doesn't matter. We'll cheer if you lead our teams to victories, and we'll boo if you suck. Black, White, Latino, Asian, or Polish.