By Marvin Moore October 24, 2023
It’s no secret that black NFL quarterbacks are judged more harshly than their white quarterbacks. The same biases and prejudices that plague American society are even worse in sports. From know-it-all writers with no athletic talent to bigoted NFL coaches, disparaging black athletes has become a sport. Their ignorance knows no limits.
Patrick Mahomes is just 28 years old. He has guided the Kansas City Chiefs to five straight AFC Championship Game appearances. He has won two Vince Lombardi Trophies and a pair of Super Bowl MVP Awards. The two-time league MVP is already considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But even Mahomes is not immune from criticism.
An unnamed NFL defensive coordinator told the Athletic that Mahomes’ knack for extending plays was a “streetball” type of improvisation. It’s funny that when Hall of Famer Steve Young extended plays, he was called a “gifted” athlete with natural abilities.
“We love Mahomes because of his unorthodox throws, not because of his natural pocket presence,” said the anonymous defensive coordinator. “And when that disappears, that is when they lose games. I don’t think that is a 1. I think that is a 2. Nothing against the guy. I love the kid. But take his first read away and what does he do? He runs, he scrambles and he plays streetball.”
If you think this ridiculous take on one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game is an anomaly, you are sadly mistaken. The racist-tinged opinion of this anonymous Jim Crow relic is prevalent in the national sports media and team front offices.
Mac Jones is not a very good NFL quarterback. That’s not an opinion. It’s a fact. Yet, Jones was the media darling and the next Tom Brady if you go back in time and read all the gushing articles from so-called qualified football journalists. Evaluating Jones through their rose-colored glasses, the New England Patriots were on the path to another dynasty. But those articles have not aged too well.
The Patriots are 2-5 this season. Jones has as many interceptions as touchdowns and has nine turnovers in seven outings. His 43.2 Quarterback Ratings ranks 23rd. But despite his mediocre performance this season, Jones was once again the ‘toast of the town’ for the national media after a lucky win over Buffalo. Heck, even a blind squirrel stumbles over an acorn some days.
Josh Allen is an elite quarterback. He is also why a loaded Bills squad has yet to reach a Super Bowl. Sure, Mahomes can also be blamed for the Bills’ inability to win a conference title. But quarterbacks are judged by championships and not statistics. Ask Tony Romo and Dallas Cowboys fans if you don’t believe me.
Allen has thrown 67 interceptions in 83 starting assignments. He has also fumbled the pigskin a whopping 55 times and lost 22 of them. That’s 89 turnovers. Allen is also 4-4 in the playoffs. But has the national media crucified him for his inability to protect the ball? Unlike Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, or
Deshaun Watson – who is ripped after poor outings – the “excuse masters” always have a theory for the turnover-prone quarterback.
The national media quickly anointed Brock Purdy as an MVP candidate despite his cabal of talented teammates. If you believed the “crap” that some clueless sports writers were typing, Mr. Irrelevant was the second coming of Joe Montana. It’s incredible how a two-time Super Bowl champion like Mahomes is the target of naysayers while a quarterback with 10 career wins is already destined for Canton, Ohio. Go figure.
Jackson has won a Heisman Trophy and an NFL MVP Award. He owns a dozen league records, including most wins (35) by a quarterback under 25. The Ravens are one of the top squads in the AFC. But it’s Purdy, Allen, and even Jones who get the most ink. It’s almost as ridiculous as four quarterbacks – Baker Mayfield (#1), Sam Darnold (#3), Allen (#7), and Josh Rosen (#10) – being drafted ahead of the Heisman winner in 2018.
There’s a reason that 95% of the sports media is not taken seriously. Eating crow is a regular part of their diet, and writing nonsense is their only talent. Fortunately, American football fans have their own opinions.
