The Double Standard….

August 4, 2008 · Print This Article

I think we can all agree that in the National Football League, the quarterback position is, by far, the most glamorous spot to be .Sure; you get a lot of the blame. But, you also get your share of the glory. We can also agree that there are certain ones over time that have etched themselves as some of the all time greats: Joe Montana, Dan Marino, and Joe Namath to name a few.
Another one that surely is deserving of this high praise is Brett Favre, the legendary Green Bay Packer quarterback and winner of two Super Bowls himself. The same Favre who, until recently, announced his retirement from the game and looked to move into his post playing career. The same Favre that now is being reinstated by the National Football League and play once again on Sundays.
Now, do I have a problem with him wanting to play again? Not my call. Do I have a problem with him being somewhat selfish in holding on for one last ride in the spotlight instead of making way for the man earmarked to be the starting QB Aaron Rodgers? Yeah a little, but again, who am I to speak on this. No my issue is on a much grander scale than that.

I seem to remember HBO Sports running a feature on one Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb around this time last year. I seem to remember people thinking he was way off base when he spoke of it being tougher for a black man to be an NFL QB because they don’t get asked the same questions as “white “quarterbacks like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or suffer the ridicule for their team’s performance. I also seem to remember this segment being aired as the Eagles got out the gate 0-2.
So, what am I getting at? It’s obvious. There continues to be a blatant double standard when it comes to race in sports. Chad Johnson and T.O. get vilified in the press for being “bad” teammates. Donovan
McNabb gets blamed for the Eagles poor start last year. And Brett Favre? Well..All Brett Favre gets is a hero’s welcome as if he was the second coming. And on top of that, he gets rewarded for going back on his word by having a chance to be the Packers QB opening day. I mean, if you could ask Aaron Rodgers how he feels about Favre’s return “off the record”, I am quite sure it would be less than glowing. I mean, isn’t Favre being a “bad” teammate for putting his own interests ahead of the team. Oh, I’m sorry, that’s right. He’s a future Hall Of Famer. How can you say no to him? He means so much to the league. Too bad you guys in the NFL front office didn’t think that when McNabb was getting ridiculed last year and then had the nerve to be upset when he spoke his mind. Oh, I forgot. He’s not supposed to able to play quarterback in this league. Good thing he didn’t listen or believe it. Late