Deadspin's Big Book of Black QBs

[connor_in]

The Big Book Of Black Quarterbacks

So the Deadspin staff set out to find and name every single black quarterback ever to play in the NFL. First, we had to establish a methodology. For players to be considered, we decided that they had to be black—to define themselves or be defined by others as black, or have a black parent. Second, they had to make the NFL as a quarterback. To "make the NFL," we decided, at least one of the following two things had to happen: They had to be drafted by a franchise in the NFL draft, and/or they had to be rostered on an NFL team for at least one regular season or postseason game. There were many players who were drafted as quarterbacks, but never featured on an NFL depth chart. They made the list. Some players, like Warren Moon, were undrafted but eventually made an NFL roster. They made the list, too. Other players, like Antwaan Randle El, were quarterbacks in college, but were drafted by teams with the express intent of converting them to play different positions. They didn't make the list. (This got tricky, though. In general, we erred on the side of inclusion, because the story of black quarterbacks in the NFL is partly the story of black cornerbacks and black wide receivers who got converted before ever taking a snap in the pros. If this seems like a fuzzy and inconsistent standard to you, take it up with the NFL.) Many people—like you, probably—weren't drafted to play quarterback in the NFL, and didn't make an NFL roster as a free agent. They didn't make the list, either.

 

[gkIrish]

The Big Book Of Black Quarterbacks

I get it, but I don't get it. What's the purpose of this project?

 

[GATTACA!]

I get it, but I don't get it. What's the purpose of this project?

To create a big black book of black QBs? Duh?

 

[connor_in]

I get it, but I don't get it. What's the purpose of this project?

Hey...I just found it...you have to figure out what it means to you...like in City Slickers

 

[gkIrish]

Hey...I just found it...you have to figure out what it means to you...like in City Slickers

Just feel like I'm missing something...

 

[Irishnuke]

Yeah, I don't get why we need the list either. There seems to be more and more black QBs in recent years. This just feels like they're unnecessarily bringing race into an issue that doesn't have a race issue.

 

[gkIrish]

Yeah, I don't get why we need the list either. There seems to be more and more black QBs in recent years. This just feels like they're unnecessarily bringing race into an issue that doesn't have a race issue.

I guess that's sort of what I was getting at. What conclusion do the writers come to from this research? Are they going to write the Little Book of QBs Under 6 Foot tall next?

 

[BGIF]

I get it, but I don't get it. What's the purpose of this project?

It's February, "Black History Month".

 

[IrishInFl]

I get it, but I don't get it. What's the purpose of this project?

February is Black History Month. That's the only thing I can come up with.

 

[Rhode Irish]

It's February, "Black History Month".

And deadspin. This is just a deadspin thing to do. Not saying it is good or bad, but if you read deadspin then you kind of know where it is coming from even if there is no express purpose.

 

[connor_in]

What will Deadspin come up with next?


The Big Book of ...

 

[ulukinatme]

Jarious Jackson made the list

I don't understand a few of the entries, seemed pointless or were entered only for comedic value. Take, for instance, Marcus Vick. He was never even drafted. Given the fact this is a list of "every black QB that played in the NFL," seems a bit silly to include guys that weren't even drafted.

 

[dublinirish]

I get it, but I don't get it. What's the purpose of this project?

i think it was just a follow on to a bunch of articles about russell wilson and him being just the 2nd black QB to win a superbowl..

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

This would have been more interesting if they did a story on early black QBs like Pollard. I don't need to read about guys I remember who were treated like every other QB.

 

[ulukinatme]

This would have been more interesting if they did a story on early black QBs like Pollard. I don't need to read about guys I remember who were treated like every other QB.

The most interesting information I gleaned from the article was the rise in black QBs following successes by Warren Moon and Randall Cunningham. Seemed like before 1981 there were very few black QBs from year to year. In 1987 there were about 30 that eneterd the league Of course, the strike had something to do with that, but numbers only grew as the 90s began.