The Pendragon's Hall

The news headline breathlessly poses the question, "Is there a racial double standard in football? Are black quarterbacks expected to do things no one would dream of asking a white quarterback to do?" The answer, clear and simple: No. If there is any difference in how quarterbacks are ranked, blacks actually have a lower standard, due to how few black QB's there have been. Donovan McNabb manages to throw a few more touchdown passes than interceptions and he is hailed as one of the greats. Because black quarterbacks have traditionally been scramblers, sportswriters take note of any big passing games from them, but nobody expects them to do more than a Peyton Manning or a Joe Montana. In fact, given Peyton's complete inability to move outside the pocket, one could argue (correctly, I think) that black quarterbacks like Atlanta's Michael Vick are better all-around. Certainly, however, black quarterbacks are not expected to reach levels white quarterbacks would not be held to--if anything, their bar is lower. How else could McNabb remain so well-praised throughout his rather spotty career?