There certainly is a stigma in being a white WR or white RB. It's much stronger than the faded stigma of being a black QB. There need to be more white RB's and white WR's for that to change just like it took more black QB's to quell that former stigma.
The difference in the two is the white athlete has a much harder time playing RB and WR than the black athlete does playing QB. There aren't as many white guys with the athleticism of the black athlete so that stigma of being a white RB and WR isn't going to completely go away. How many articles do you read where a white guys speed is questioned? It was alluded to in the Janis article where Adams was quoted. The white guy is always answering questions about his speed and or athleticism. If you're unaware of Bill Romanowski and his story go read up on why he took phentermine. It is eye opening and a reality in the NFL.
Race discussion shouldn't be uncomfortable. When you approach it with objectivity and no bent it is perfectly acceptable talk.
Originally Posted by: uffda udfa
The line between socially accepted stereotypes and some sort of genetic link to athleticism isn't a fine one. It's a mile-wide chasm.
It's one thing for the perception to be that white athletes possess less athleticism. It's another thing entirely to suggest there's actually a difference, and that race is binding.
Bill Romanowski wasn't taking banned or otherwise drugs because he was white and needed an edge. He did that because he's a total duffel bag.
For a white athlete to have a "harder time" playing RB than a black player playing QB implies that a black player has at least some added difficulty in playing QB when compared to a white player. And that's just a bunch of trash.
Race discussion shouldn't be uncomfortable, true. But when you use Bill Romanowski -- not exactly a beacon of integrity -- to prove your point, you're probably off to a bad start. And if you draw conclusions based on a player's propensity to be successful at a position because of his race (and not opportunity, stigma or stereotype), then I think you're doing the conversation a disservice.
Thing is, I can't tell which you're doing -- or if its both. I'd definitely buy the stigma/opportunity/stereotype argument. I think that's perfectly valid.
William Henderson didn't have to run people over. His preferred method was levitation.
"I'm a reasonable man, get off my case."