Jsphsl4204
Newbie
Alright, I'm a white cornerback for Shaw High School, number two in division AAA play and state runner-ups in the Georgia High School Football Association (GHSFA).
I don't start, in fact, moving in to my junior year I'll be scout team, and as of now, I only play JV (second-string JV, third-string varsity, to be exact). This, I know, is because of my talent, and not because of racism. But, I do have an important factor to figure into the equation.
At the beginning of my sophomore year (hence the beginning of last season) we needed a fresh varsity punt returner and kick returner, because our last was a senior and left, and we don't use starters to return kickoffs and punts.
Our varsity special teams (returns) coach is a black guy, who often rags me for being white on a predominately black team. I never minded, in fact, often returning the borderline racism and not taking it to heart, finding it humurous myself, until we had varsity return tryouts at the end of practice early this year. Knowing I couldn't play receiver, knowing I was the JV punt returner, and knowing I never will have much chance to play any corner for Shaw, I hopped at the opportunity.
Well, afew my equals at DB, RB, and receiver jumped at it, knowing that playing time would, and will continue to come few and far-between. I was shocked to realize that I was the only white person attempting to fill the void, but didn't think much of it (at the time). In fact, I was confident, because I had already been slated the JV punt returner, and I didn't think (in fact, my ego was so big, I KNEW) that no once wasbetter at returning punts (I wasn't so sure about kicks, but hey, give it a shot, right?).
Well, we got five punts and kicks apiece, and I'm not sure how many of us were there, but it wasn't a lot. Of course, I don't remember whenI went, I only recall my performance. All but two or three of us had at least one muffed punt (not to my surprise, I didn't muff one), a couple didn't have the speed to make ten yards before being tackled,me and one other guywere the only ones that could read holes and blocksand one guy that muffed a couple of punts actually took one to the house - I must admit, it was both shocking and spectacular. It's very vague, I know, but remember, this happened in July, and I haven't thought about it too much. Anyway, all my returns were above average , and I really put some moves on some guys. My speed was good, I was running physically, and everything felt right. I didn't take one back, though once or twice it was one man that seperated me from the goal. I don't know how far back I ran some of them, but talking to my friends, they were impressed, so I was quite pleased. A lot of guys - white or black, commented me on my perfomance, and many of them were shocked I did so well. Even the head coach put in a good word, which surprised me, because we don't really see eye-to-eye. We went on to kick returns, and I did okay, but I knew I didn't have that one - my talent was sub-par.
The next day, the punt returner and kick returner was posted, and I was surprised and EXTREMELY angry to find I would not be returning punts at the varsity level. The same guy I mentioned that muffed a couple (he muffed more than anyone else) but took one to the house stole it from me. A lot of the guys were surprised, too, and I apporached my coach about it.
Alright, I didn't exactly "approach" him like the B.M.O.C. I was on scout team, and we moved to JV returns, or whatever, I just know out of nowhere he called for JV returns,and I said, loud enough for him to hear, something along the lines of "Could've swore I'd be varsity returner, man", to one of my friends. He said I was "just too small.", and "you need to be bigger to take hits without fumbling at such speed", or something, I can't remember, but I know it was along those lines. it's what he said that sticks in my mind to this day. "You're just too white, Joe-boy." he laughed appreciatively, as if it was a joke, but it was then I considered the posibility of being white that hindered my opportunity. I didn't argue, because I am exactly what he says; 5'7 1/2", 135 lbs., so I was a tiny guy. And I had a job to do, no time to think. I also didn't argue because he IS my coach, and it's not like the team needs me more than I need it, and I'd be chucked quicker than a rotten apple.
I've been bitter about it all season (and post-season) long, watching this guy muff punts and signal fair catches with no one in sight, and run from sideline-to-sideline without taking what's giving to him trying to make a big play. He didn't perform worth two *farts*, and yet he's the man. The coaches call his number. In fact, a lot us were angry; they didn't exactly argue that I was the man to fill the bill, but they openly resented the choice at hand. And what did I do? Stand on the sideline all season, waiting for the last two minutes of the game so I could drop into a cover three zone and do absolutely nothing, granted we had a 35-0 lead.
I'm not sure why I wasn't picked. I know that the returns coach is a black guy that likes to joke about me being white, and the guy he selected is a FAST black guy (not that I'm slow, but this guy did have a slightly noticeable speed advantage). I had better hands, I had better awareness, I had better moves... I think now it's because I'm white.
A lot of the way I've worded it came out in jealousy, and that's exactly what it is - jealousy. Jealousy shroudered in confusion. Do any of you think I wasn't picked because I was white in a "skill" positon? Not boasting, but I know I was better than this guy, and coach loves ragging me on basis of being white. No one will know, but I'm open to speculation and if ya'll have heard of anything like this before.
Thanks.
I don't start, in fact, moving in to my junior year I'll be scout team, and as of now, I only play JV (second-string JV, third-string varsity, to be exact). This, I know, is because of my talent, and not because of racism. But, I do have an important factor to figure into the equation.
At the beginning of my sophomore year (hence the beginning of last season) we needed a fresh varsity punt returner and kick returner, because our last was a senior and left, and we don't use starters to return kickoffs and punts.
Our varsity special teams (returns) coach is a black guy, who often rags me for being white on a predominately black team. I never minded, in fact, often returning the borderline racism and not taking it to heart, finding it humurous myself, until we had varsity return tryouts at the end of practice early this year. Knowing I couldn't play receiver, knowing I was the JV punt returner, and knowing I never will have much chance to play any corner for Shaw, I hopped at the opportunity.
Well, afew my equals at DB, RB, and receiver jumped at it, knowing that playing time would, and will continue to come few and far-between. I was shocked to realize that I was the only white person attempting to fill the void, but didn't think much of it (at the time). In fact, I was confident, because I had already been slated the JV punt returner, and I didn't think (in fact, my ego was so big, I KNEW) that no once wasbetter at returning punts (I wasn't so sure about kicks, but hey, give it a shot, right?).
Well, we got five punts and kicks apiece, and I'm not sure how many of us were there, but it wasn't a lot. Of course, I don't remember whenI went, I only recall my performance. All but two or three of us had at least one muffed punt (not to my surprise, I didn't muff one), a couple didn't have the speed to make ten yards before being tackled,me and one other guywere the only ones that could read holes and blocksand one guy that muffed a couple of punts actually took one to the house - I must admit, it was both shocking and spectacular. It's very vague, I know, but remember, this happened in July, and I haven't thought about it too much. Anyway, all my returns were above average , and I really put some moves on some guys. My speed was good, I was running physically, and everything felt right. I didn't take one back, though once or twice it was one man that seperated me from the goal. I don't know how far back I ran some of them, but talking to my friends, they were impressed, so I was quite pleased. A lot of guys - white or black, commented me on my perfomance, and many of them were shocked I did so well. Even the head coach put in a good word, which surprised me, because we don't really see eye-to-eye. We went on to kick returns, and I did okay, but I knew I didn't have that one - my talent was sub-par.
The next day, the punt returner and kick returner was posted, and I was surprised and EXTREMELY angry to find I would not be returning punts at the varsity level. The same guy I mentioned that muffed a couple (he muffed more than anyone else) but took one to the house stole it from me. A lot of the guys were surprised, too, and I apporached my coach about it.
Alright, I didn't exactly "approach" him like the B.M.O.C. I was on scout team, and we moved to JV returns, or whatever, I just know out of nowhere he called for JV returns,and I said, loud enough for him to hear, something along the lines of "Could've swore I'd be varsity returner, man", to one of my friends. He said I was "just too small.", and "you need to be bigger to take hits without fumbling at such speed", or something, I can't remember, but I know it was along those lines. it's what he said that sticks in my mind to this day. "You're just too white, Joe-boy." he laughed appreciatively, as if it was a joke, but it was then I considered the posibility of being white that hindered my opportunity. I didn't argue, because I am exactly what he says; 5'7 1/2", 135 lbs., so I was a tiny guy. And I had a job to do, no time to think. I also didn't argue because he IS my coach, and it's not like the team needs me more than I need it, and I'd be chucked quicker than a rotten apple.
I've been bitter about it all season (and post-season) long, watching this guy muff punts and signal fair catches with no one in sight, and run from sideline-to-sideline without taking what's giving to him trying to make a big play. He didn't perform worth two *farts*, and yet he's the man. The coaches call his number. In fact, a lot us were angry; they didn't exactly argue that I was the man to fill the bill, but they openly resented the choice at hand. And what did I do? Stand on the sideline all season, waiting for the last two minutes of the game so I could drop into a cover three zone and do absolutely nothing, granted we had a 35-0 lead.
I'm not sure why I wasn't picked. I know that the returns coach is a black guy that likes to joke about me being white, and the guy he selected is a FAST black guy (not that I'm slow, but this guy did have a slightly noticeable speed advantage). I had better hands, I had better awareness, I had better moves... I think now it's because I'm white.
A lot of the way I've worded it came out in jealousy, and that's exactly what it is - jealousy. Jealousy shroudered in confusion. Do any of you think I wasn't picked because I was white in a "skill" positon? Not boasting, but I know I was better than this guy, and coach loves ragging me on basis of being white. No one will know, but I'm open to speculation and if ya'll have heard of anything like this before.
Thanks.
