Thursday, April 29, 2010

THE ONION: (written by The Hammer Speaks, as there was some confusion)

IF TIM TEBOW WERE WHITE WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION
--William C. Rhoden, New York Times

With his usual candor and insight Wiliam Rhoden lashed out again today against the establishment that is the NFL and it's unwillingness to give equal opportunities to African-American quarterbacks.  "Tim Tebow has proven to be the best college football player in the country.  He has won two National Championships, played for a third and won the Heisman Trophy.  Now the NFL and various scouts are going out of their way to discredit him after being selected late in the first round by the Denver Broncos.  It is a complete affront to African-Americans everywhere."

Rhoden, an accomplished writer for the New York Times, finds the inequality in sports today ample fodder for articles.  "There is no other topic in today's society more worthy of discussion, than how disadvantaged today's African-American athlete is."  Rhoden has found particular fodder in the way the NFL handles the quarterback position.  When asked about his 2007 quote in which he said "having a quarterback who moves, and moves with speed and purpose, is not a luxury, and that is the essence of the revolution at quarterback," Rhoden stood by it.  "It is quarterbacks like Michael Vick, JaMarcus Russell Vince Young and Tim Tebow who are going to transform the position if they are ever given the opportunity."

When it was noted that the QBs in this year's Super Bowl, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, last year's game, Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner, and the 2008 game, Tom Brady and Eli Manning, were all pocket quarterbacks who lacked great mobility, Rhoden suggested it was just a "phase."

"When they let the Tim Tebow's of the world have a legitimate chance at playing the position, you will see how quickly things change."  Rhoden continued, "When African-American athletes like Tebow go out and speak their mind about causes they believe in, it's not 'Wow, isn't it great he stands up for his beliefs,' no, instead it's that uppity black guy can't be allowed to run a football team or be the face of our organization.  The African-American athlete still has a long way to go."

When informed that Tebow was white, Rhoden looked confused.

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