It seems the NFL still has gotten Black quarterbacks messed up. The old stereotypical trope that the leader of the team, if Black, might not have a high football IQ aside from a natural physicality is still a rampant concept. However, fans clapped back, and issues like Kyler Murray’s study clause were rescinded due to the public pressure, which they labeled a “distraction.”
Now Black gunslingers are becoming more comfortable telling the real narrative right back to the face of their doubters. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes heard the rumors that an anonymous defensive coordinator criticized him for having a style that was characterized as “streetball.” The connotation with him being a Black man didn’t go over Mahomes head.
He addressed the media and checked the anonymous defensive coordinator for criticizing Black QBs while keeping the microscope off of their white counterparts.
Asked #Chiefs Patrick Mahomes if he feels he's evaluated differently because he's a black quarterback.
Mahomes' response: pic.twitter.com/0fgs3hV4o2
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) July 29, 2022
“Obviously, the Black quarterback has had to battle to be in this position that we are, to have this many guys in the league playing,” Mahomes said. “And I think every day we’re proving that we should’ve been playing the whole time. We’ve got guys that think just as well as they can use their athleticism.
“So it always is weird when you see guys like me, Lamar [Jackson], Kyler kind of get that on them and other guys don’t. But at the same time, we’re going to go out there and prove ourselves every day to show that we can be some of the best quarterbacks in the league.”
Most of the recent chatter has surrounded Kyler Murray’s max extension contract and the fact that the team added a four-hour study clause to the deal; until the people turned up the heat and they took it all back.
Statement from the Arizona Cardinals’ on Kyler Murray’s updated contract: pic.twitter.com/LQrzBHzDyc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2022
“It was clearly perceived in ways that never intended,” the Arizona Cardinals statement read. “Our confidence in Murray is as high as it’s ever been and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in his contract.”
Aside from blaming his agent, people flamed the Arizona Cardinals for the absurdity of not only issuing the addendum to study but also one that was only four hours which made it so ridiculous.
“To think that I can accomplish everything that I have accomplished in my career and not be a student of the game and not have the passion and not take this seriously is disrespectful, and it’s almost a joke,” Murray said at a surprise press conference. “To me, I’m flattered. I want to say I’m flattered that you all think at my size, I can go out there and not prepare for the game, and not take it seriously.
“It’s disrespectful, I feel like, to my peers, to all the great athletes and great players that are in this league. This game is too hard. To play the position that I play in this league, it’s too hard.
“I’ve put an incomprehensible amount of time, blood, sweat, tears, and work into what I do, whether it’s football or baseball. People can’t comprehend the amount of time that it takes to do two sports at a high level in college. Let alone be the first person to ever do it at my size, like I said, it’s funny, but to those of you out there that believe I would be standing here today in front of y’all without having a work ethic and without preparing, I’m honored that you think that. But it doesn’t exist. It’s not possible, so that’s all I have on that.”
Bottom line, Black QBs wouldn’t be there if they couldn’t handle the majors’ pressure, insight, and profile. Now the critics just have to get used to it.
