Jeff Blake wants more white RBs, WRs, DBs

[StaleyWasScrewd]

Jeff Blake was interviewed at the Super Bowl in January, and he went off on a diatribe about how there still weren't enough black quarterbacks in the league. At the time, I took it as typical pro-black sentiment, with the ultimate goal of "dominating" the last remaining "white" positions. But I found a recent interview he had with the Chicago Sun-Times, and it turns out that's not the whole story. Sure, Blake doesn't think that there are enough black quarterbacks. But he ALSO thinks the league should have many more white RBs, WRs, and DBs.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-mully26.html

From the article:

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"It's not about a black or white thing,'' he said. "It's about stereotypes. I'm sure there are white running backs that can come out here and be running backs. White guys that can be receivers or defensive backs. They are a minority in those positions [in the NFL].''

Blake said his life experience growing up in Austin, Texas, and playing high school football against all-white teams has taught him that players of both races are capable of playing at a high level at every position. And he believes certain positions being filled by certain races is reflective of decisions that are influenced by stereotypes and made by coaches, scouts and maybe even the players themselves.

"If you look at the teams in Austin where I am from, the majority of teams are all white,'' Blake said. "Look at West Lake High School, where Drew Brees and all those cats went. Their whole team is white. They probably have one black guy on the whole team. That is a big-time football school in Texas, and it has always been that way.

"I know some white boys that are fast, and they can play. I've seen some white boys play basketball. I've seen white boys that can run track. Do you see them in the NFL?''
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I know that this is, in the grand scheme of things, a minor statement by Blake. He has no power to change anything, and this interview obviously got scant coverage. And at this point, Blake is a journeyman backup and really has nothing to lose by making statements like this. I would love to hear a white player -- ANY white player -- make similar statements. What have they got to lose, really? As we've seen with this preseason, they're gonna get cut anyway, so why not speak your mind on the way out?

 

[Guest]

I agree with what blake is saying here. Its good to see a player wanting to break down sterotypes. Edited by: WhiteRB

 

[JoeV]

And at this point, Blake is a journeyman backup

This is a change from when he wasn't a journeyman backup.

 

[StaleyWasScrewd]

And at this point, Blake is a journeyman backup

This is a change from when he wasn't a journeyman backup.

Hey, now -- earlier in his career, he was surely worthy of the "marginal starter" moniker.

 

[Deacon]

Other than the fact that he says "white boys" all so often,it's a pretty good article.

 

[GWTJ]

All the talented white guys who got cut should have a press conference and say they are suing the NFL. They should list their excellent stats and point out the weak players of color who were given a job instead of them. If 20 or 25 guys did this it would rattle some cages.

 

[White Shogun]

Actually, IMO its nice to see ANYONE from the pro ranks make a statement like that, to acknowledge what is actually going on. Yes, Blake is a journeyman backup, a marginal starter, what have you, but he was good enough once (props to Toby Keith)to start in the NFL. He may not really be going out on a limb, given his position, but you don't think he will still get some grief in the locker room from his brothers for making such a statement? I only wish it was more publicized. Why did I have to read about this on Caste Football, instead of watching it on ESPN or reading about it in SI?

Thats the real question.

 

[surfsider]

That is the point exactly Shogun. The fact that something so patently obvious is ignored by major media would be risible were it not so depressingly in accord with the general run-of-the-mill groupthink regarding race in America. Kudos to Blake for having the guts to say it and also for having enough character to recognize the system for what it is. His having to go back to his high school days for examples of white athleticism comports with what is always cited on this site as to when the system really kicks in to deny whites opportunities in sports.

 

[white lightning]

I find it interesting that twice this year we have heard black athletes talking about the racism against whites.First was Michael Johnson and now Jeff Blake.Wake up America.Let me add to that.Wake up white athletes in general.If you know you are being looked over time and time again,speak up.SAY SOMETHING!It might not do any good but you have to start somewhere.It is like being in a fight.Go down swinging.You have nothing to lose.We need our athletes to demand to play and demand to get a fair chance.Period.End of statement!!!

 

[Don Wassall]

I can't remember his exact words, but about 15 years ago in an interview Michael Jordanspoke about how whites often were overlooked in basketball and were denied opportunity because of racial stereotyping.

 

[white lightning]

I went back and did a google search to re read the article with Jeff Blake.He was talking about how growing up he saw all kinds of white athletes dominating in everything from track to basketball to football.Jeff said that the black qb situation has gotten alot better in the last 12-14 years but it could still be better along with hiring more black coaches.The thing I like is that he said that if we want more blacks to get opportunities,then whites need more chances at running back,receiver,cornerbacks,etc.This takes alot of courage to say that as a black man.I give him credit.He also ended by saying it is about opportunity and not so much race or genetics.Why can't more people see this?

Edited by: white lightning