Racial Profiling in Athletics - Paskorz Thread Spinoff

[LuckoftheIrish86]

Don't get me wrong I love Paskorz probably my favorite 2007 recruit.
and I don't mean to make this a racial issue but I am hesistant about white running backs.
Plus with a name like Paskorz he just sounds like he was born to play LB

 

[BigIrish]

I don't mean to make this a racial issue but I am hesistant about white running backs.

eh-hem...how do i put this so it comes out right? let's see....oh, i got it...

WTF?!?

 

[Irish Envy]

eh-hem...how do i put this so it comes out right? let's see....oh, i got it...

WTF?!?

I think there is some truth to his statement. How many white running backs (not fullbacks) have been premier backs at major Division I schools? NFL?

 

[punishment]

Don't get me wrong I love Paskorz probably my favorite 2007 recruit.
and I don't mean to make this a racial issue but I am hesistant about white running backs.
Plus with a name like Paskorz he just sounds like he was born to play LB

Who was the last good running back in the NFL? I can't really recall any.

But anyways, you're right, with a name like Paskorz he just sounds like a LB.

I'm surprised that on the first post in this thread, that Penn State is not listed as a school of interest. I mean, come on, a linebacker out of Penn. not interested in linebacker U?

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

I heard that a white running back hasn't run for 1,000 yards in the NFL for over 25 years. Don't know if that's true, but it is a valid point. But, this is college and I say play 'em where they will be best, no matter what the color.

 

[Irish Envy]

Who was the last good running back in the NFL? I can't really recall any.

But anyways, you're right, with a name like Paskorz he just sounds like a LB.

I'm surprised that on the first post in this thread, that Penn State is not listed as a school of interest. I mean, come on, a linebacker out of Penn. not interested in linebacker U?

John Riggins? Larry Czonka. Craig James.

Since Craig James ran for 1,227 yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1985, 95 running backs have combined for 235 1,000-yard rushing performances over those 18 years. None has been white.

A white running back hasn't led the NFL in rushing since Green Bay's Jim Taylor ran for 1,474 yards in 1962 or been drafted in the first round since Penn State's John Cappelletti was chosen 11th overall by the Rams in 1974.
​

The last white running back I can remember in the last 10 years was Travis Jervey on the Green Bay Packers but he really only stood out on special teams. I believe that since 2004, there hasn't been a white running back on an NFL active roster. I'm pretty sure that is what I remember reading.

Draw your own conclusions.

 

[BigIrish]

John Riggins? Larry Czonka. Craig James.

Since Craig James ran for 1,227 yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1985, 95 running backs have combined for 235 1,000-yard rushing performances over those 18 years. None has been white.

A white running back hasn't led the NFL in rushing since Green Bay's Jim Taylor ran for 1,474 yards in 1962 or been drafted in the first round since Penn State's John Cappelletti was chosen 11th overall by the Rams in 1974.
​

The last white running back I can remember in the last 10 years was Travis Jervey on the Green Bay Packers but he really only stood out on special teams. I believe that since 2004, there hasn't been a white running back on an NFL active roster. I'm pretty sure that is what I remember reading.

Draw your own conclusions.

well, those numbers are solid evidence for a pro football fan, but they stray far from the point of my earlier comment.

it was a statement made regarding a high school senior and his potential position at the collegiate level based on race. to be sure, high profile white running backs are at the DI level are in the minority, but so what?

i'm not campaigning for this particular kid to play RB at the collegiate level - i'm not a recruitnik and i don't know him from adam. i simply questioned a statement of concern about a kid playing a particular position because of his race. and frankly, as an ND fan, i don't care what kind of career potential the kid has in the NFL - it's what he does in college that counts. there are countless examples of kids that helped their teams win championships at the college level but never made the jump to the pros. in fact, i would assume it's the rule, not the exception.

 

[punishment]

I heard that a white running back hasn't run for 1,000 yards in the NFL for over 25 years. Don't know if that's true, but it is a valid point. But, this is college and I say play 'em where they will be best, no matter what the color.

Didn't that white running back from the redskins get 1000 years. I can't remember if it was Riggs or Riggins. Although, that probably was about 25 years ago. Jeez, time goes by fast.

 

[Irish Envy]

Didn't that white running back from the redskins get 1000 years. I can't remember if it was Riggs or Riggins. Although, that probably was about 25 years ago. Jeez, time goes by fast.

Yep, a couple times with the last being in 1984.

 

[IRISHFLORIDIAN]

Hello everyone!
I'm new to this forum but have been reading comments for a couple of weeks now and find most of the posting very informative and interesting. However, without offending anyone I would like to share my 2 cents worth. I am from Florida and played high school football for a 6A school and played with whites and blacks and our team was very integrated. Our runningbacks were black as were most of our other competitors. They also were our runningbacks in little league as so on and were very good. We also had very fast and elusive white players that may have been just as good but were slotted in other positions in little league and junior high because of ignorant reasoning that is being accepted as fact on this forum. Again, Im not starting a fight because I believe there are athletic reasons that the majority of rbs, wrs, and dbs are black but there are also other preconcieved notions that continue to push younger whites away from these positions and American sports in general. If everyone hasn't forgotten, blacks only make up about 12% of thye population and whites about 75%. Are you telling me that out of the millions of white athletes in this country that none can compete and play rb at a high level in the pros? Im not saying that Paskorz is the guy but try to keep an open mind like our liberal friends tell us about other issues.
Thanks

 

[Indydomer]

What about Brock Forsey Jiggs. He played a couple games in the bears backfield when every other rb was hurt. He had one good game.

And am I old or should everyone know who Jon Riggins is? One of the best GAMES ever in the history of any runningback.

 

[punishment]

Hello everyone!
I'm new to this forum but have been reading comments for a couple of weeks now and find most of the posting very informative and interesting. However, without offending anyone I would like to share my 2 cents worth. I am from Florida and played high school football for a 6A school and played with whites and blacks and our team was very integrated. Our runningbacks were black as were most of our other competitors. They also were our runningbacks in little league as so on and were very good. We also had very fast and elusive white players that may have been just as good but were slotted in other positions in little league and junior high because of ignorant reasoning that is being accepted as fact on this forum. Again, Im not starting a fight because I believe there are athletic reasons that the majority of rbs, wrs, and dbs are black but there are also other preconcieved notions that continue to push younger whites away from these positions and American sports in general. If everyone hasn't forgotten, blacks only make up about 12% of thye population and whites about 75%. Are you telling me that out of the millions of white athletes in this country that none can compete and play rb at a high level in the pros? Im not saying that Paskorz is the guy but try to keep an open mind like our liberal friends tell us about other issues.
Thanks

I would imagine that most coaches would allow their players the opportunity to try out for whatever position they like, regardless of race, and then have the best players play at any given position.

But I think the same issue also arises with black quarterbacks, and why it is that people are always trying to convert black qbs into wide receivers. Even several people on this forum have suggested that Demetrius Jones should be moved to wide receiver, when the scouting reports on the guy are that he has a great, accurate arm.

But who knows, I think there is some truth to your statement though, as far as preconceived notions of what positions certain players should be playing. I mean, if there was somebody who did not knw who Jeff Samardzija and Vince Young are, and you were to show him a picture and ask him to guess who the qb was, and who the wide receiver was, i think we all know what his answer would be.

 

[punishment]

What about Brock Forsey Jiggs. He played a couple games in the bears backfield when every other rb was hurt. He had one good game.

And am I old or should everyone know who Jon Riggins is? One of the best GAMES ever in the history of any runningback.

For some reason I always get John Riggins and Gerald Riggs confused.

 

[Irish Envy]

Hello everyone!
I'm new to this forum but have been reading comments for a couple of weeks now and find most of the posting very informative and interesting. However, without offending anyone I would like to share my 2 cents worth. I am from Florida and played high school football for a 6A school and played with whites and blacks and our team was very integrated. Our runningbacks were black as were most of our other competitors. They also were our runningbacks in little league as so on and were very good. We also had very fast and elusive white players that may have been just as good but were slotted in other positions in little league and junior high because of ignorant reasoning that is being accepted as fact on this forum. Again, Im not starting a fight because I believe there are athletic reasons that the majority of rbs, wrs, and dbs are black but there are also other preconcieved notions that continue to push younger whites away from these positions and American sports in general. If everyone hasn't forgotten, blacks only make up about 12% of thye population and whites about 75%. Are you telling me that out of the millions of white athletes in this country that none can compete and play rb at a high level in the pros? Im not saying that Paskorz is the guy but try to keep an open mind like our liberal friends tell us about other issues.
Thanks

Welcome to the forums! You definitely have a good point. I don't think anyone is saying it can't be done here. I think we're all just saying that it rarely is done and that can be attributed to various reasons, some of which you mentioned.

When you think about discrimination in the workplace, there most certainly is reverse discrimination going on when it comes to athletics. I know of many fine white athletes that were pushed off into other positions because of the preconceived notion that only the good skilled position players (wide receivers, running backs) are African-American.

The same can also be said for the quarterback position where many African-American kids are told to find another position because it is a historically white position. That certainly doesn't make it right, nor fair, but the trends and statistics mentioned make it very alarming. Certainly, the odds are stacked against the white running back, the black quarterback, and so on.

Again, welcome to the boards!

 

[IRISHFLORIDIAN]

Thanks everyone for welcoming me so kindly into your domain. It's nice to be able to talk with people who can think freely for themselves and notice trends that many often overlook. The Vince Young and Shark reference was right on the money and I think perceptions are starting to change. The emergence of Jeff and Zibby (ND) and Vince have shed new light on this issue and maybe will open more eyes in the future. All I want is open competition and let the best man win. No matter what position and what color!
Thanks again.

 

[Fitzgerald]

A lot of racist sentiments in this thread. What if I were to say, "Look how many black head coaches there are in NCAA" or "Look how many black QB's have won the Super Bowl" and then throw in "What does that tell you?" I would get indignant responses, be called a racist (correctly) and someone might even point out that it tells me that blacks have not had the opportunities they deserve, because they're black; well, so it is with whites at running back, wide receiver, and in the defensive backfield. Heaven help any white guy who wants to be a running back, not a fullback, or a corner, not a safety, or a deep threat at wideout, and not a possession receiver. For racist reasons, he'll never get the chance. Samardzija will go to the NFL and be pigeon holed as a possession receiver, just because he's white.

 

[Irish Envy]

A lot of racist sentiments in this thread. What if I were to say, "Look how many black head coaches there are in NCAA" or "Look how many black QB's have won the Super Bowl" and then throw in "What does that tell you?" I would get indignant responses, be called a racist (correctly) and someone might even point out that it tells me that blacks have not had the opportunities they deserve, because they're black; well, so it is with whites at running back, wide receiver, and in the defensive backfield. Heaven help any white guy who wants to be a running back, not a fullback, or a corner, not a safety, or a deep threat at wideout, and not a possession receiver. For racist reasons, he'll never get the chance. Samardzija will go to the NFL and be pigeon holed as a possession receiver, just because he's white.

I don't think you should be throwing around the word when I didn't get that impression from anyone. I think they were simply stating that many individuals don't get the opportunity to play where they want.

 

[Irish Envy]

I pulled these posts out because I think our newest recruit deserves his own thread without racial overtones in it. However, I also believe this topic is well deserved, so if you want to continue the discussions, please do so.

Just remember to do so with logic and statistical evidence.

 

[Fitzgerald]

John Riggins? Larry Czonka. Craig James.

Since Craig James ran for 1,227 yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1985, 95 running backs have combined for 235 1,000-yard rushing performances over those 18 years. None has been white.

A white running back hasn't led the NFL in rushing since Green Bay's Jim Taylor ran for 1,474 yards in 1962 or been drafted in the first round since Penn State's John Cappelletti was chosen 11th overall by the Rams in 1974.
​

The last white running back I can remember in the last 10 years was Travis Jervey on the Green Bay Packers but he really only stood out on special teams. I believe that since 2004, there hasn't been a white running back on an NFL active roster. I'm pretty sure that is what I remember reading.

Draw your own conclusions.

This post, as I read it, says that blacks are faster, ie "better athletes" than whites. If it means something else, please say what.

 

[guff]

So because he's white he should play linebacker. And D. Jones should play WR because he's black. You can count the number of successful black drop back passers one hand. Doug Williams, Warren Moon, and to a lesser extent Steve McNair, and Donavan McNabb (though some would argue that his success has diminished as he has run less).

I think we should base a players position by hair color. It as abitrary as race without any of that ugly racist stuff.

No offense but putting a guy at position based on race is flat out stupid.

 

[jiggafini19]

I stay out of race discussions, so I'm sticking to football on this one:

He's playing defense, probably linebacker. Just my football mind thinking out loud here.

 

[Irish Envy]

This post, as I read it, says that blacks are faster, ie "better athletes" than whites. If it means something else, please say what.

Doesn't say anything of the sort.

The post says that, in the NFL, there have not been any white running backs that have been difference makers at their position for well over 20 years. That's it. Anything else derived from that is an assumption. The highlighted portion (indented paragraphs) of it came from an article that was slanted on the black vs. white athlete. Glad I didn't include the comments from Eric Dickerson, or it would have really been misconstrued worse.

My previous and following posts talked about how certain races are pigeon holed into certain positions, like white running backs/wide receivers rarely get a shot, black quarterbacks had been taboo, etc. Anyhow, the trends do not lie. Certain races are just not given a fair shake at certain positions because of these preconceived notions, racial or otherwise.

Just my opinion.

 

[Domer95]

I stay out of race discussions, so I'm sticking to football on this one:

He's playing defense, probably linebacker. Just my football mind thinking out loud here.

Thanks for bringing us back to where we should be Jigga. Last time I looked, the depth chart doesn't have boxes for race after names. If CW thinks he can produce at RB, he'll play him there, but after reading the article about his commitment, he'll be playing LB.

 

[jiggafini19]

Miami had an OL named Sherko Haji-Rasouli that was of Iraqi decent. He got the job done. Just get me guys who can play ball. If you can block and/or tackle, I'm all for it.

What about Brock Forsey Jiggs. He played a couple games in the bears backfield when every other rb was hurt. He had one good game.

Hard worker. Special teams stud. I liked him a lot. I recall him having a big rushing day, but I can't recall against whom exactly.

 

[rontdtarchala]

Here's where I tell you all why I love this site...we can agree to disagree and that is what this site was intended for. Common sense sometimes goes to the wayside in this world but atleast we have the right and ability to speak our minds in this country...so here's some common sense...While we are being ripped off by the oil conglomerents Saudi's pay 65 cents a gallon...we either own or have taken over every oil producing country on this blue marble...There is still far to much racism in this country...certain races don't get a fair shake at certain positions...and yes CW will always play the best player for each position...that is my rant for the day.....

 

[NDAlumSon]

Political Football ??

Political Football ??

"...so here's some common sense...While we are being ripped off by the oil conglomerents Saudi's pay 65 cents a gallon."

............and Europeans pay $5.00 - $6.00!

What the hell is going on in here. Planes didn't crash into the WTC ??!!, whites should not play "black" positions on the field (Can you say quotas?), markets don't set the price of energy?
Svoboda, quick....... MoveOn.org has hacked into your server.
Maybe Al Gore should be the new stadium groundskeeper for he knows what the weather is going to be like on Saturday afternoons.
Perhaps Barbra Streisand can sing "Notre Dame, Our Mother" at halftimes.

 

[Irish52]

Re: Paskorz. The very fact that race is being discussed relative to a position on the team makes it racist. My congrats to Irish Floridian who has posted the most logical and mature statement thus far. Enough is enough----don't prejudge a player's talent based on race or name.

 

[Irish Envy]

"...so here's some common sense...While we are being ripped off by the oil conglomerents Saudi's pay 65 cents a gallon."

............and Europeans pay $5.00 - $6.00!

What the hell is going on in here. Planes didn't crash into the WTC ??!!, whites should not play "black" positions on the field (Can you say quotas?), markets don't set the price of energy?
Svoboda, quick....... MoveOn.org has hacked into your server.
Maybe Al Gore should be the new stadium groundskeeper for he knows what the weather is going to be like on Saturday afternoons.
Perhaps Barbra Streisand can sing "Notre Dame, Our Mother" at halftimes.

Whether you agree with a fellow poster or not, please do not discount other's opinions.

Not everything is black and white, there are many shades of gray. If you wish to do discount others, UHND or NDNation would probably be more to your liking. People here are entitled to their opinion and can believe what they want to believe. If you wish to debate, find, but do so with logic, developed thought and/or statistical evidence.

 

[NDAlumSon]

I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.
END.

 

[Irish Envy]

I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.
END.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I got the impression that you were discounting other's opinions on several of the topics currently being discussed on the site.