Sometimes people just can’t let the past go.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sat in on a discussion with several prominent black celebrities on LeBron James’ show “The Shop” on a variety of topics. Maverick Carter (a media personality and businessman) asked Jackson whether he’d like to move from the position of quarterback to that of wide receiver.
Jackson was a top athlete from Louisville. He won the Heisman Trophy for 2016 and passed for 7,203 and 57 touchdowns his final two seasons. He never made more than 60% of his passes in one season. This is a concern for Scouts who are looking to find a consistent accurate quarterback.
Jackson became confused when Jackson heard that several NFL teams wanted him to play wide receiver at this year’s NFL combine. Jackson claimed it never took place. Jackson stated clearly that he will not be playing any other position than quarterback.
But on “The Shop,” Carter suggested that it was because the NFL is – you guessed it – racist.
Jackson received several requests from various teams to be a wide receiver for the 2016 NFL Combine. Jackson denied that it ever happened. Jackson, however, was clearly confused and stated that he wouldn’t play other positions than quarterback.
But on “The Shop,” Carter suggested that it was because the NFL is – you guessed it – racist.
“The truth is there’s a lot of history with them not wanting Black guys to play quarterback .. . . tons of history,” Carter said. “It started with, ‘Well, they can’t think quick enough.’ This is going way back, ’70s, ’80s. It’s dying off.”
James added, “It’s dying off, but it’s still there.”
Jackson then said, “It’s still there. That’s why I need that championship.”
Now to Carter’s point, the NFL did go through a time where black men were not thought to be smart enough for the mental aspect that being a quarterback requires. It is a shameful part of the NFL’s history, but that was nearly 50 years ago.
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However, we are now seeing dozens of black NFL quarterbacks (Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon and Michael Vick) have an impact on the game throughout its history. This past year, Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray dominated the league, as well as Russell Wilson and many other black signal-callers.
A host of black athletes, including Liberty graduate Malik Willis, performed admirably at the NFL Combine during quarterback exercises. They were also praised for their abilities.
This is a stunning throw! @LibertyFootball
QB @malikwillis 😮📺: #NFLCombineOn @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/nBtecvoB2I
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2022
It is clear that there is no longer a school of thought in the NFL that says black men cannot play quarterback. Only those who see it as a problem think so. They continued to make these comments and denigrate an organization because they don’t do it anymore.
Let the past and it’s hurt stay there. It’s okay to learn from it. But, be thankful for the present.
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