Toby Gerhart

[newguy]

Overall a good article. I give credit to the black sports writer for writing about it, but I would not go so far as to say he has big "kahona's" for writing about it. Black people throughout life are encouraged to speak their minds without having any consequences.

I would say these type of articles are long overdue, and reflect more of a "discredit" to white sports journalists, who either choose to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to discrimination against white athletes, or even "worse", try and support the discrimination based on stereotypes.

I am wonder if we should start to support a caste system in sports journalism, for black sports writers to replace whites. Although, many black sports writers support the caste system like whites, there would be some journalists who would be willing to state the obvious like this sports writer did in his article.

 

[Leonardfan]

At least Toby is bringing this all to the surface with his possible Heisman bid. Its obvious to even the drunkest of white fans that Toby is legit. The fact USC was recruiting him at LB and FB also plays into the whole caste system.

 

[white lightning]

I was happy to read the AZ Republic Newspaper today. It had Dennis Erickson and a few other coaches talking about how Gerhart is a legit nfl product. Erickson even said,"He is faster than you think". I guess that is a compliment but they also said he will be playing on Sundays for a very long time. It is extremely rare to get any coach to speak this kind of high praise for a white running back. I sense a few cracks in the base of the Caste System. In reality, we will need countless Gerharts to continue to chip away at peoples stereotypes. I'm just pulling so hard for Toby! Let's keep up the positive energy here. I can't wait for Saturday.

 

[foobar75]

Wow, lots of press on Gerhart. Here's another article:

Toby Gerhart

Excerpts:

....

But none of that will matter. At least, not for individual accolades. Toby Gerhart is a white football player in the wrong position for white people.

Like the skepticism that voters showed toward the Iowa Hawkeyes throughout the year, no one with a ballot thinks Gerhart's rushing statistics are legitimate.

They're waiting for a game in which he rushes for under 100 yards to declare, "A-ha! He's a flash in the pan! He's benefiting from a great offensive line! Not enough credit was being given to Andrew Luck! Now, if he just threw the ball..."

Why? Because a white running back is called a fullback, or a slot receiver who forgot to motion out of the backfield (and even then, we're talking Wes Welker, the guys at BYU, and few else).

Because no one believes white people have the innate physical gifts to succeed at the running back position like black players do. White players throw, play tight end, punt, and kick; black players run, or catch and run. That is the simple, immutable order of things.

And finally, because Gerhart's style of running is not fancy. He runs powerful and upright and he hits the hole quicklyâ€"like a fullback, except faster and with better balance.

...

That his running style is of particularly low "intelligence" and appears to demand less "skill" certainly doesn't help matters. Nor does it help that he plays for Stanford, a historical bottom-dweller in the Pac-10 that only recently began flirting with a winning record, on the wrong coast.

To the voters, Gerhart is, if I can venture the term, a "system runner." A trumped-up fullback in a power-running game who's shown uncommon speed and balance, but is nowhere near the "other" running backs in terms of skill because of his race.

This will be what prevents him from winning the Heisman.

...

Maybe a rogue Heisman campaign has begun in the time it took to write this.

I hope so. Gerhart deserves better than our embarrassing, stereotypical biases and our disrespect. He's not the Great White Hopeâ€"I have no idea who or what that could beâ€"but he's a damn good running back and arguably the most productive player at his position on the year.

If a black man can win the presidency, why can't a white running back who leads the nation in touchdowns be called the greatest college football player of the year?

...

And of course, there's the usual assortment of DWF commentary in the comments section trying to defend the system, etc.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

foobar, I read this article yesterday I believe and it is amazing to see the lengths drunk white fandom is having to go to knock Toby and prop up the severely exposed caste system. Its nice to see them having to stretch their rubber bands so far that many are beginning to break.

 

[jacknyc]

New York Times lead sports article on Toby!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/sports/ncaafootball/19stanford.html?_r=1&ref=sports
(not sure how to make the link work here)Edited by: jacknyc

 

[Colonel_Reb]

The interesting quote from that article is this:


As he does when he carries the ball, Gerhart will review his
options, then follow his instincts. He may decide to go nowhere and
apply for a medical redshirt in football, having made only one
appearance as a sophomore before a knee injury ended his season.

That
appears his least likely path. Gerhart's inclination since he was a
child is to seek new challenges, to keep pushing himself.


jacknyc, when you paste the link into the reply area, click on the globe and chain button and make sure you have the link in that space. Then the hyperlink should work.

 

[backrow]

here's the article, linked for your clicking pleasure.

 

[white lightning]

The best article I have seen so far. Thanks backrow. Toby deserves the Heisman just for his off the field attitude. He is an all star on the football field, in the class room and with his family. What a great young man he is. Gotta love Toby!

 

[sport historian]

There were more white running backs than Riggins and James to have 1000-yard seasons since Jim Taylor. At least one HOFer, Csonka. Also Hubbard and Van Eeghen with Oakland, Granger in 1967 with Houston, even Jim Otis with the 1975 Cardinals.

 

[Alworth No.19]

There were more white running backs than Riggins and James to have 1000-yard seasons since Jim Taylor. At least one HOFer, Csonka. Also Hubbard and Van Eeghen with Oakland, Granger in 1967 with Houston, even Jim Otis with the 1975 Cardinals.

Rocky Bleier as well in 76. He and Franco became the second pair 1000 yard rushers after Csonka/Morris. Steve Owens also went over 1000 yards and looked poised to match his college success, but then he tore up his knee and was never the same.
Edited by: Alworth No.19

 

[Alworth No.19]

Check out the ESPN Doak Walker Award ballot from last week. I don't know who they have listed as "Toby Gerhart" but it doesn't look like a white guy who plays for Stanford:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/rank?versionId=3&listId=60

Speaking of Doak Walker reminded me of Ricky Williams, who famously became a good friend of Doak's when Williams was at Texas. Now that I think of it, Gerhart's style reminds me a lot of Williams': both are north/south runners with good speed and tremendous power.

Edited by: Alworth No.19

 

[Don Wassall]

There were more white running backs than Riggins and James to have 1000-yard seasons since Jim Taylor. At least one HOFer, Csonka. Also Hubbard and Van Eeghen with Oakland, Granger in 1967 with Houston, even Jim Otis with the 1975 Cardinals.

Rocky Blier as well in 76. He and Franco became the second pair 1000 yard rushers after Csonka/Morris. Steve Owens also went over 1000 yards and looked poised to match his college success, but then he tore up his knee and was never the same.

Bleier was average in size, average at best in speed, andhad littlein the way of moves. Yet he still had a 1,000 yard season when given 220 carries in '76(for a nice 4.7 yards per attemptaverage).

My point is that if Rocky Bleier could rush for a thousand yards, think how many other former and present White RBs could do the same given the opportunity. At 5-11 and 210 pounds, Bleier obviously wouldn't be a running back today; in fact with his lack of speed it's not improbable to suppose that he wouldn't begiven an opportunity to play any position today by a major college programmuch lessthe NFL. And even back then, Bleier may only have played as much as he did because he wasa feel good, inspirationalstory -- the very rare football player who served in combat in Vietnam, was wounded, and through hard work and dedication ended up playing in the NFL.Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[backrow]

Alstott came up just 51 yards short in 1999 (and about 150 in 98), i always think back to it, since it would be nice to have his name being brought up with Riggins and James. A-Train did score 58 rushing TDs after all and gave us quite a bit of highlight reel stuff.

 

[Alworth No.19]

Alstott came up just 51 yards short in 1999 (and about 150 in 98), i always think back to it, since it would be nice to have his name being brought up with Riggins and James. A-Train did score 58 rushing TDs after all and gave us quite a bit of highlight reel stuff.

Tom Woodeschick, Tom Matte, Tom Sullivan, Dave Osborn, and Ken Williard all gained around 950 or so when 1000 was still not that common. Dickie Post led the AFL in 68 or 69 with 880 or there abouts. Hoge could have gained over 1000 if he had gotten the carries. Tom Rathman likely could have gained 1000 as a feature back; Bill Walsh thought so
Edited by: Alworth No.19

 

[Electric Slide]

"Nah man dem white cats don't be havin di agility to play running back in todays nfl. the only was playin in da nfl cause it was raciss back den. it still is raciss cause der isn't enough black coaches, gms, and ownas. but at least dem black cats like my boy knowshawn moreno sho dey gots the agility much better den white full backs like peyton hillis. toby gerhart will be an okay h-back, jus cuz da brothas havn't mastered da position yets"

-various trolls, actually maybe just the same one. LOL.

 

[FootballDad]

The best article I have seen so far. Thanks backrow. Toby deserves the Heisman just for his off the field attitude. He is an all star on the football field, in the class room and with his family. What a great young man he is. Gotta love Toby!

Toby (and virtually all white athletes) stand in marked contrast to the glorious athletes on the police blotter at Tennessee, eh?

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Check out the ESPN Doak Walker Award ballot from last week. I don't know who they have listed as "Toby Gerhart" but it doesn't look like a white guy who plays for Stanford:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/rank?versionId=3&listId=60

Speaking of Doak Walker reminded me of Ricky Williams, who famously became a good friend of Doak's when Williams was at Texas. Now that I think of it, Gerhart's style reminds me a lot of Williams': both are north/south runners with good speed and tremendous power.

I just voted "Toby" first, but yeah, the player is a black from UL-L. I sent ESPN a note about it under the correction option.

 

[SoberWF]

Backrow, great find.

I sent this article to my boys (14 and 12) with this note: "Below is a link to a good article written about Toby Gerhart, the star Stanford tailback. Though talented, it points toward his drive, hard work , dedication, and humble attiude as major contributors to his current success (on and off the football field). No harm in seeking current examples as role models to inspire and drive us all. Read, absorb, and enjoy. Love, Dad"

No matter what success Toby achieves at the next level (football-wise), he represents success in my opinion in what and how to be in this life; and what I try to instill in my boys each day.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

That's great, SoberWF! jacknyc is actually who found the article though. backrow hyper linked it.

 

[backrow]

That's great, SoberWF! jacknyc is actually who found the article though. backrow hyper linked it.

exactly, i didn't do the leg work on this one, just a bit of tech support

 

[NJfan]

NY Times!
www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/sports/ncaafootball/19stanford.html?_r=1&ref=sports

 

[Colonel_Reb]

NY Times!

www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/sports/ncaafootball/19stanford.html?_r=1&ref=sports

This was posted yesterday and several posts mentioned it. Seriously, take a few seconds to look at what has been recently posted. Its not that hard.

 

[NJfan]

Actually did, thought the article was from today. My apologies.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

No problem, NJfan.