Are white RBs not given a fair shake

Bear-Arms

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Are white RBs not given a fair shake

By ADAM ZAGORIA
HERALD NEWS



Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a five-part series on high school football combines, the NCAA-mandated changes about to affect them and their impact on high school athletes.

Wayne Hills running back Ray Van Peenen was named first-team All-State last winter after leading New Jersey in rushing touchdowns and total points scored. Displaying tremendous toughness and an ability to run over defenders, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Van Peenen led the Patriots to the second of back-to-back North 1, Group 3 championships and is on pace to become the leading scorer in the program's storied history.

"Ray's the best back in the state," Patriots coach Chris Olsen said unequivocally.

Yet as Van Peenen prepares to compete in today's Elite College Combine at the Indoor Sports Pavilion in Randolph, he has just one firm college scholarship offer: from Minnesota. Rutgers, Boston College, Louisville, Temple, Connecticut and others have also expressed interest.

Why is that? Is it because he's too slow? Not tough enough? Not big enough? Or does it have something to do with the fact that Van Peenen is white?

Some experts say yes.

"I really believe that if this Van Peenen kid, for instance, was a different color, he would have 20 offers right now," said Nick Lubischer of EliteRecruits.com, who has been working in the recruiting business for close to a decade and is white. "I really believe that. And I don't blame anybody except the way things have happened over the years.

"If I was a Division I college coach, I would offer him a scholarship. I wouldn't have seen color, but I think a lot of these guys do."

This isn't news to Van Peenen, the 2005 Herald News Offensive Player of the Year. He's heard it before.

"I get it a lot, actually," he said. "It doesn't really bother me. I don't let that stuff bother me because I know how I can play. If they don't recruit me because of that I guess it would be hurting them."

Eric Dickerson, the NFL's all-time single-season rushing leader, dominated with the Los Angeles Rams during the 1980s. Dickerson is on record as saying that white running backs simply can't play on the same level as blacks.

"They can't compete with us," Dickerson told the Orlando Sun Sentinel two years ago. "The black athlete, especially at that position, is faster, more elusive. That's just a position made for agility.

"That's kind of like our chosen position."

Numbers don't lie

As brash as that may sound, statistics are on his side.

Since Craig James ran for 1,227 yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1985, more than 100 NFL running backs have combined for 269 1,000-yard rushing performances over those 20 years. None has been white.

While minorities make up more than 70 percent of the NFL, running back is even more exclusive. In 2003, 98 percent of the NFL's running backs were minorities. When the 2005 NFL season began, none of the 32 teams had a white tailback as a first- or second-teamer.

A white running back hasn't led the NFL in rushing since Green Bay's Jim Taylor ran for 1,474 yards in 1962 or been drafted in the first round since Penn State's John Cappelletti was chosen 11th overall by the Rams in 1974.

SuperPrep recruiting service ranks high school prospects at each position, and as of two years ago, there had been just one white tailback among the nation's elite in the past five seasons. That was Tre Smith, from Venice, Fla., just south of Sarasota, in 2000.

Allen Wallace, the publisher of SuperPrep magazine, acknowledges that this subject is just too taboo for most coaches or recruiting experts to touch.

"I think it's something that a lot of us are just afraid to think about," he said. "In today's overly sensitive world, you can't really bring it up.

"It's just generally understood that most of your running backs are black. And most of them are faster."

While Van Peenen has just the one firm scholarship offer, Malcolm Harris, an accomplished and talented All-Area running back from Paterson Catholic, who is black, already has offers from Maryland, Pittsburgh and Rutgers.

Paterson Catholic coach Benjie Wimberly said Harris will have close to 20 offers by the time he signs, but he thinks Van Peenen is just as talented.

"Regardless of race, he has the skills," Wimberly said. "He has the vision. He's elusive. He's everything you would like in a running back and he looks the role. He has the skills."

If Van Peenen were black, Olsen and others close to the situation feel that he would have many more offers than he currently has.

"Without a doubt," Olsen said.

For further anecdotal evidence, Lubischer and colleague Chris Melvin point to the experience of Anthony Ferla of St. Joseph in Montvale, a running back/defensive back who last season led his team to its seventh straight Non-Public Group 3 championship.

The 5-9, 190-pound Ferla helped his stock tremendously at last year's Elite College Combine, winning the Defensive Back Most Valuable Player award and running impressive times in the 40-yard-dash and the shuttle.

Yet Ferla only received offers from Kansas and Temple, where he will play next season.

"Chris (Melvin) and I can't tell you why," Lubischer said. "If he was an African-American player, would he have gotten more offers? In my opinion, yes."

Added Melvin, who is black: "I have kids who came to our combine last year, Vidal Hazleton who is going to (Southern California), Antwine Perez at USC, they said, 'Well, Ferla can play anywhere.'

"The knock on him was that he was 5-9, 190 pounds. I had one college coach tell me that if he was taller, maybe. But being that he was 5-9, 190, what happened if he puts 10 pounds on, so that was a problem."

St. Joseph coach Tony Karcich agreed that height was Ferla's main issue with recruiters.

"The biggest obstacle he had to overcome was his lack of height," Karcich said. "They like to see a 6-foot kid and he's in that 5-10 range. I think some people backed off because of that."

Karcich also told the story of Ron Girault, whose experience would seem to indicate that even black tailbacks can be hurt by a bad combine performance. Because of poor starting technique, Girault ran a substandard 40-yard dash at a combine, Karcich said.

"And I looked at a bunch of (coaches) and they wrote him off because he didn't break a 4.7," Karcich said. "The whole season I was trying to validate his times by showing films. Thank God for Greg Schiano at Rutgers because he decided to take a shot based on my word."

Girault, a junior, is now a starting safety at Rutgers and finished third on the team in tackles last season.

Hard to recruit a white back

Joe Susan, the recruiting coordinator at Rutgers, said he only looks at a player's talent, along with height and weight, when recruiting. He cited the fact that Rutgers features two-time All-America fullback Brian Leonard, who is white.

"As we evaluate a kid on film, we evaluate his talent, period," Susan said. "To me race is not an issue. If people look at that, then they're making a mistake."

Still, the issue of race is like the elephant in the room. No one wants to talk about it, but it's out there.

Olsen, who has two sons playing on Division I football teams that do not feature prominent white running backs, said he has had college coaching friends of his tell him that, "It's hard for a guy to come back off the road with a white player at that position (running back)."

When asked about the subject two years ago for the story in the Orlando Sun Sentinel, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden had this to say:

"You go with the best, and it just happens to be there are more minority tailbacks than there are non-minority," said Bowden, who has spent nearly 50 years in the college ranks. "Why? I don't know. There's just more of them. They run better, jump higher.

"God has made every man different. He's even made our races different. There are some races that are smaller than others. There are some races that are taller than others. There are some races, it seems like they have more athletic ability than others. It just seems they (minority tailbacks) have more talent as runners than my race. I think that has something to do with heredity, you know?"

Channeling occurs early

While some say the sheer numbers prove that point, others argue there are several other factors in play, setting up barriers of perception.

"You've got guys in high school, white players, who are discouraged from being wide receivers, defensive backs or running backs -- I think we do have that," Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy told the Sun Sentinel. "It's 'this position is a white position or black position.' I definitely believe they are channeled early on."

Lubischer, who coaches the Shore Pop Warner team, agrees.

"If (Chris Melvin's) son (Chris Jr.) came and lived with me and came and played football, the first thing the coaches around me would say is, 'We got to put him at running back,' " Lubischer said. "Why? Because he's African-American; it's the perception that is seen in our society. And if he was a big white kid, it would be, 'Let's get him on the line.' "

But does this "channeling," also known as "slotting" or "funneling," take place because of racial bias. Is there a lack of white running backs at elite levels because they can't compete? Or does a sifting begin at a low level and wipe out the chance of competition occurring in the first place?

Former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams knows something about stereotypes. In 1988, Williams smashed racial barriers by becoming the first black quarterback to start a Super Bowl. Williams threw four touchdowns against Denver in Super Bowl XXII and was chosen the game's MVP. He'll be the first to say stereotypes are made to be broken.

"A lot of it boils down to athletic ability," Williams, now an executive in the Bucs' pro personnel department, told the Sun Sentinel. "If you have a kid who's been productive who's a black running back and he's running a 4.8 (in the 40-yard dash), and you have a white kid who's been productive who's running a 4.5, make no mistake, the 4.5 is going to be the kid getting the opportunity.

"That's never going to change. Color will have nothing to do with it."

Melvin and Lubischer agree. They think that several white running backs have a chance to open up some eyes at this year's combine. They point to Van Peenen and Vinnie Falkowicz of Brick Memorial as two prime examples.

"They're just special backs," Melvin said. "They bring a lot to the table. Whether they go to a Virginia or a Miami or a Florida State, maybe not. But there's a lot of Division I schools at our combine who are going to take a look at them and say, 'You know what? He is a good ballplayer, maybe we should take a longer look.' "
 
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Being that I am from New Jersey, as is the athlete discussed in this article, I feel inclined to comment on this topic.

Certain remarks are made throughout this article, that race has NOTHING to do with the "almost-extinct" white running back in college/pro football. Bullsh*t. Let me explain why.


I played for a public, inner-city, high school football program five years ago when I was in school. The racial make-up of my institution (out of 3,100 kids) was roughly 80% Hispanic, 10% Asian, 10% White, and 0% black. However, our football program, which was one of the best in the state, was over 50% White. Anyone want to take a guess as to why?

Continuing on to my point...

We played against other public schools in the area that were nearly if not ALL black. One school we played(which will remain nameless) is literally 80% black, 20% hispanic, 0% White (I'm serious, not a one) and we obliterated this team every time we played them by at least 40 points. They were the most unorganized, dirty, trash-talking team on Earth, even while losing badly! Anyone remember when Bill Romanowski was strung up by his balls when he was caught spitting on another player (J.J. Stokes)? Well, these clowns did it on nearly every play at the line of scrimmage!

Now to my point. Two of the players from this team (one a running-back) somehow managed to 'scholarship' their way onto the team of a local division III state school's roster. Both our running backs (one White, and one a very light-skinned Hispanic) who had much better stats and grades than the black running back from the other school, were totally ignored. Anyone wanna take guess as to why?
 

white is right

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It seems like schools that do have white tailbacks(that aren't buried on the depth charts) are schools that are desperate for any talent, or have high academic standards. Many of these players aren't going to the next level because of lack of size as the 5'10 190 tailback is extinct these days(at least in the NFL). If a Jessie Lumsden type doesn't make a roster then there is virtually no hope for almost any white back as the only ones who could make a roster would be physical freaks like John Riggins. A John Riggins comes along once every 25 years.........
 

voice

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White is Right

I have to disagree about the 5'10" back being extinct. If they are black it is fine

DeAngelo Williams comes to mind along with Emmit Smith etc. It is only white backs of that size that get looked over
 

referendum

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I find it interesting that often, as was the case in this article that instead of black, the writers will use minority, thus creating the assumption, or impresion, that there may be significant amounts of Asian, hispanic and other ethnic groups getting the cornerback, running back, wide receiver positions, when in fact we are talking about black, and black only, domination, not minority. This creates more confusion, and slightly weakens the main argument that blacks, and blacks alone, are the primary beneficiaries, at least in football, of caste sports mentality.
 

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Here is the listed height of some running backs who are either starters in the NFL or were high draft picks in recent years:


5-10: Thomas Jones, Rudi Johnson, Julius Jones, DeAndra Cobb, Ron Dayne, Tiki Barber, LaMont Jordan, Willie Parker, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Ladell Betts


5-9: J. J. Arrington, Warrick Dunn, DeAngelo Williams, Brian Calhoun, Domanick Davis, Vernand Morency, Alvin Pearman, Priest Holmes, Michael Bennett, Travis Henry, Frank Gore


5-8: Leon Washington, Brian Westbrook, Ryan Moats


5-7: Maurice Drew, Quentin Griffin


5-6 Darren Sproles


There are many other backups who are 5-10 and shorter.
 

whiteCB

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Just like the one coach said if you come back from the recruiting trail bring a white RB back its bad news. Also what if a former star pitcher like Jim Palmer said that pitching is just made for white guys and thats why there aren't a lot of black pitchers. Jim Palmer or anyone who said that would be hung and left out to die by the liberal media.
 

Freedom

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"God has made every man different. He's even made our races different. There are some races that are smaller than others. There are some races that are taller than others. There are some races, it seems like they have more athletic ability than others. It just seems they (minority tailbacks) have more talent as runners than my race. I think that has something to do with heredity, you know?

I'm not a southerner so I don't want to offend anybody who is. But Bowden's remarks are perhaps, an evolved version of the plantation owner mentality. I recall old remarks in letters dating from around 1840s where people thought blacks were better athletes because they were closer to animals. You've got a few people cleaning up off of this propaganda, while the regular whites get the shaft.

Bowden represents this wealthy elite. He might feel that he can use black athletes to do his bidding, like take steroids. Steroids are still prevalent in college football. Odd how the majority of the Florida State team has questionable academics yet Chris Rix gets banned from the Sugar Bowl.Edited by: Freedom
 
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A good article that at least sheds some light on a subject most in the sports world are to afraid to discuss. Doug Williams saying race doesn't matter...that got me mad because it is obvious race matters in football. White players always get shafted...it is so painfully obvious. The height factor for RB's is a joke...5'10 is plenty tall for a RB...I will not go into listing RB heights as Don has already done that for us. Its just an excuse to put try and diminish the skills of white players. I think I might email the author and tell him some of my opinions...I think we all should.
 

Freedom

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Williams isn't bad or anything. I'm sure he is a good guy.

He is just mistaken. There are a lot of whites that run 4.5s that do not get chances that black running backs that run 4.8s get. Maurice Clarett vs. Jesse Lumsden!
 

white is right

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I'm not sure that John Riggins, Larry Csonka, Ernie Nevers or any other white back could play for Bowden, well maybe they could block for him.........
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robcat

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It's the same way with receivers with Hass said to be too slow after running a 4.59 40 and too short even though hes 6'1". Ill bet that fewer than half the black receivers in the NFL are taller than the "short" Hass. Black receivers aren't told theyre too small to play unless there under 4'11"
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Edited by: robcat
 

whiteCB

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Freedom said:
"God has made every man different. He's even made our races different. There are some races that are smaller than others. There are some races that are taller than others. There are some races, it seems like they have more athletic ability than others. It just seems they (minority tailbacks) have more talent as runners than my race. I think that has something to do with heredity, you know?

I'm not a southerner so I don't want to offend anybody who is. But Bowden's remarks are perhaps, an evolved version of the plantation owner mentality. I recall old remarks in letters dating from around 1840s where people thought blacks were better athletes because they were closer to animals. You've got a few people cleaning up off of this propaganda, while the regular whites get the shaft.

Bowden represents this wealthy elite. He might feel that he can use black athletes to do his bidding, like take steroids. Steroids are still prevalent in college football. Odd how the majority of the Florida State team has questionable academics yet Chris Rix gets banned from the Sugar Bowl.

I agree 100% because I've too heard a couple people personally say that b.s. as well. They really believe that I think and its always the guys who were'nt the best athletes who say it. Maybe its because they just can't accept the fact that they're not the best so they look for simple stupid reasons like "oh if I was black I'd be fast" and sh#t like that. It's too bad that these people are just so blind to reality that god has not made any race better than anyone else and that its just environment and genetics.
 

Don Wassall

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It's nice to see Draft Daddy also linking to this article. Many football fans have never read a non-Caste System viewpoint in their entire lives,so monolithic is America's "free press" when it comes to sports and race.
 

white lightning

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When I think about the long list of white running backs held down for the last 15-20 years,it just makes me sick to my stomach.I can't believe how bad it has gotten in the NFL.It really doesn't seem to matter as the league just has no place for whitey.What a joke!!I look at recent running backs and I shake my head.It wouldn't be so bad if they were at least allowed an opportunity to start or compete on a level playing field.It has gotten to the point where a white running back could be the equal of Barry Sanders and still wouldn't get a look!I really hope that we can help somehow,someway to make a change and get these kids a shot.Guys like Kyle Bell and Brian Leonard are depending on it if they are to have a future playing the sport that they love!!
 

Don Wassall

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A white Barry Sanders would be disqualified from getting an opportunity in the NFL based solely on being too short. In fact, no major college program would start a short white RB no matter how fast -- just ask Tre Smith. And if he wasn't short, then the other time-honored nonsense would be cited -- not fast enough, poor vision, lack of hip swivel, not enough fast-twitch muscles, and on and on.


I hope this site can play a major role in debunking and dismantling the Caste System because it's despicable the way so many white athletes have been treated, especially in football.
 

white is right

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Bell will be an interesting case, as he seems to have the size and speed. Will scouts wonder whether he played against scrubs though? I remember guys saying Staley had padded stats because he played in the WAC, same with Forsey because he played in the Big Sky conference.........
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Hopefully CSU plays some big name teams in non conference play and Bell has good showings against all those teams. Bell is really quite a good prospect with his great size and speed. I really hope he gets a chance. The sad thing about Tre Smith is he is listed at about 5'10 and thats not all that small for an RB yet he still never gets a chance to prove himself.
 
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