I have good news and not so good news. The good news is that Cam Newton, former Auburn NCAA football BCS Championship Quarterback, is currently ranked 1st to be drafted by NFL scout, Todd McShay, in the 2011 NFL draft. However, the not so good news is that NFL team owners, who are predominately Caucasian, are rumored to be hesitant to pick Newton because of his race as an African-American.
Despite social gains realized by Black Americans since the 1964 Civil Rights Movement, African-American NFL quarterbacks still suffer from subtle racist stereotypes. Black quarterbacks can only run the football, but not throw it with accuracy, think former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Akeli Smith. Some suggest NFL quarterback prospect Cam Newton will end his career like JaMarcus Russell, who is considered lazy and an NFL Black quarterback that lacks a diligent work ethic.
Underlying the surface of the statistical successes of other Black NFL quarterbacks, lies concern about their true potential to win a superbowl. Because of Cam Newton's authentic athletic ability, NFL commentators and its fans presume he, like a Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb, will fall short of leading a team toward an NFL Superbowl ring. Haters reason that Newton too, will be only be serviceable as a running quarterback, incapable of winning NFL football games with his arm and mind.
As a sidebar, allow me to reference Cam Newton's long list of NCAA football accomplishments. Keep in mind, Newton accomplished these awards, records, and statistics while competing in the Southeastern NCAA football conference (SEC), arguably, the most competitive conference in NCAA football.
* 2010 Heisman Award Winner
* 2010 BCS Championship Quarterback
* Led the Auburn University football team to an undefeated record of 13-0.
* Led the nation in QB passing efficiency (188.2), an NCAA record.
* Scored 20 touchdowns in 2010, which ranked him 2nd in the nation-as a QUARTERBACK
* Newton only threw 1 interception for every 4.66 touchdown passes
* Averaged 5.82 yards per carry when he ran the football.
* Joined Tim Tebow, former Florida Heisman QB, as the only 2 players in NCAA history that passed and ran for 20 touchdowns each in the same season, another NCAA record.
Given Newton's stat line, objectively, he is a certified, top 10 NFL prospect. The idea that Cam Newton is one-dimensional and offers his innate athletic ability, alone is a logical fallacy. I understand Cam Newton scored 20 times with his legs, but he also scored 20 times with his arm, which only suggests he's ambidextrous in his aptitude to score with the football.
It is both inaccurate and unfair to label Cam Newton as an NFL prospect with limited upside potential. If anything, Newton will likely become a chameleon that can fit within any Pro-Style NFL offense. This kid has already proven that he can lead a team under duress in the most competitive conference in the NCAA, but more importantly, did not collapse under pressure when playing in the NCAA BCS Championship game .
All things considered, I would suggest that racism is not necessarily the cheif culprit and cause of Newton's criticism. Instead, I suggest the NFL owners and its fanbase suffer from "Michael Jordan Syndrome."
We all know Jordan is one of the most celebrated and accomplished NBA athletes the world have ever witnessed. However, Michael Jordan was often noted and admired for his offensive achievements rather than his defensive talents. Because gravity-defying dunks, breathtaking buzzer beaters, and lovely layups produced more ESPN highlights than any steal, block, or rebound he earned; Michael Jordan gained praise and popularity, principally, as an offensive juggernaut rather than a defensive force to be reckoned with.
So too, Cam Newton, along with most of African-American NFL quarterbacks, will often be hailed and affirmed for their athletic awareness rather than their passing prowess. Black quarterbacks must unfairly embrace the old adage, "Be extroidinary to be ordinary," when it comes time to leading an NFL football team. Because so few of us are granted an opportunity to break the color line, courtesy of the "Rooney Rule"), or work beyond societal expectations stemming from intrinsic racism via Jim Crow, African-Americans as a group must get int he habit of doing more with less-financial, social, and professional resources. Regardless, I expect Cam Newton to not only live up to the hype, but also accomplish more than his critics expect upon asserting himself as the premiere NFL quarterback of the future.
Until the NFL players give up or NFL owners give in,
Blog Out!
Despite social gains realized by Black Americans since the 1964 Civil Rights Movement, African-American NFL quarterbacks still suffer from subtle racist stereotypes. Black quarterbacks can only run the football, but not throw it with accuracy, think former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Akeli Smith. Some suggest NFL quarterback prospect Cam Newton will end his career like JaMarcus Russell, who is considered lazy and an NFL Black quarterback that lacks a diligent work ethic.
Underlying the surface of the statistical successes of other Black NFL quarterbacks, lies concern about their true potential to win a superbowl. Because of Cam Newton's authentic athletic ability, NFL commentators and its fans presume he, like a Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb, will fall short of leading a team toward an NFL Superbowl ring. Haters reason that Newton too, will be only be serviceable as a running quarterback, incapable of winning NFL football games with his arm and mind.
As a sidebar, allow me to reference Cam Newton's long list of NCAA football accomplishments. Keep in mind, Newton accomplished these awards, records, and statistics while competing in the Southeastern NCAA football conference (SEC), arguably, the most competitive conference in NCAA football.
* 2010 Heisman Award Winner
* 2010 BCS Championship Quarterback
* Led the Auburn University football team to an undefeated record of 13-0.
* Led the nation in QB passing efficiency (188.2), an NCAA record.
* Scored 20 touchdowns in 2010, which ranked him 2nd in the nation-as a QUARTERBACK
* Newton only threw 1 interception for every 4.66 touchdown passes
* Averaged 5.82 yards per carry when he ran the football.
* Joined Tim Tebow, former Florida Heisman QB, as the only 2 players in NCAA history that passed and ran for 20 touchdowns each in the same season, another NCAA record.
Given Newton's stat line, objectively, he is a certified, top 10 NFL prospect. The idea that Cam Newton is one-dimensional and offers his innate athletic ability, alone is a logical fallacy. I understand Cam Newton scored 20 times with his legs, but he also scored 20 times with his arm, which only suggests he's ambidextrous in his aptitude to score with the football.
It is both inaccurate and unfair to label Cam Newton as an NFL prospect with limited upside potential. If anything, Newton will likely become a chameleon that can fit within any Pro-Style NFL offense. This kid has already proven that he can lead a team under duress in the most competitive conference in the NCAA, but more importantly, did not collapse under pressure when playing in the NCAA BCS Championship game .
All things considered, I would suggest that racism is not necessarily the cheif culprit and cause of Newton's criticism. Instead, I suggest the NFL owners and its fanbase suffer from "Michael Jordan Syndrome."
We all know Jordan is one of the most celebrated and accomplished NBA athletes the world have ever witnessed. However, Michael Jordan was often noted and admired for his offensive achievements rather than his defensive talents. Because gravity-defying dunks, breathtaking buzzer beaters, and lovely layups produced more ESPN highlights than any steal, block, or rebound he earned; Michael Jordan gained praise and popularity, principally, as an offensive juggernaut rather than a defensive force to be reckoned with.
So too, Cam Newton, along with most of African-American NFL quarterbacks, will often be hailed and affirmed for their athletic awareness rather than their passing prowess. Black quarterbacks must unfairly embrace the old adage, "Be extroidinary to be ordinary," when it comes time to leading an NFL football team. Because so few of us are granted an opportunity to break the color line, courtesy of the "Rooney Rule"), or work beyond societal expectations stemming from intrinsic racism via Jim Crow, African-Americans as a group must get int he habit of doing more with less-financial, social, and professional resources. Regardless, I expect Cam Newton to not only live up to the hype, but also accomplish more than his critics expect upon asserting himself as the premiere NFL quarterback of the future.
Until the NFL players give up or NFL owners give in,
Blog Out!
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