Does race matter to NFL GM's????

[Wingate1217]

Does race matter to NFL GM's? Interesting take from this story, however one has to remember that in the not too distant past a black NFL QB was a rarity......

Race factors into evaluation of Gerhart - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

PALO ALTO, Calif. ? If you?ve seen Toby Gerhart carry the football, you?re well aware that the former Stanford halfback and Heisman Trophy runner-up is about as subtle as Iron Man. It?s no surprise, then, that as the NFL draft approaches, the player one AFC front-office executive described as ?a bowling ball with butter knives? is hell-bent on obliterating the perception that he lacks the athleticism to succeed in the pros.

Gerhart during Stanford's pro day last month.
(Dino Vournas/Associated Press)

?I?m just a running back who tries to do what he can to win games and score touchdowns, but people have their opinions, and it?s kind of frustrating,? Gerhart said earlier this month between bites of pizza. ?People say, ?He?s slow,? or ?He?s not going to be able to break tackles at the next level.? In college I went up against players like [USC?s] Brian Cushing(notes) and Clay Matthews(notes) ? guys who ended up making the Pro Bowl [as NFL rookies] ? and I ran through their tackles. It?s too bad people look at you all weird because of a stereotype.?

 

[ScriptOhio]

There's no racial stereotypes in sports, yeah right......

 

[scooter1369]

Put a #44 on him and send him to Washington. Please.

 

[billmac91]

Race doesn't matter, but education levels certainly do. A few years ago the Patriots and Colts had the most college graduates of any other franchise.

 

[BigWoof31]

Don't like it? Then do something about it. Instead of fussing to the press - he should just bust his ass and truck some people.

Have a 600 yard, 5TD rookie season as a back up and see what people have to say. Last time I checked, NFL teams have a way of putting the best players on the field. Except for Cleveland.

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

Put a #44 on him and send him to Washington. Please.

Hell yes!

 

[3074326]

I'd say GMs are more concerned with money than race.

 

[Jake]

There's no racial stereotypes in sports, yeah right......

Have you watched any basketball in the last five decades, since black men have been given the same opportunity to play as whites? They haven't taken over most of the rosters as a result of affirmative action. For the most part, that "stereotype" has shown to be true.

 

[Jake]

I'd say GMs are more concerned with money than race.

Exactly. The most important color in big time sports today is green.

 

[MaxBuck]

The race that matters to NFL GMs is the 40 yard dash.

 

[Chewbacca]

Apparently some of you have forgotten about Touchdown Tommy Vardell

 

[RhodeIslandBuck]

Yes, it obviously does. If a 6 foot, 230 pound black running back from Florida State or USC ran for 1800 yards and 27 TDs, ran a 4.5 forty, and jumped a 38 vert, then he would be a sure fire first rounder.

 

[3074326]

Yes, it obviously does. If a 6 foot, 230 pound black running back from Florida State or USC ran for 1800 yards and 27 TDs, ran a 4.5 forty, and jumped a 38 vert, then he would be a sure fire first rounder.

Not sure he would if he played for Stanford.

 

[Meyer]

I agree with the "instead of whining go out and prove it" crowd.

Gerhart could be the 3rd running back off the board..

Out of pure running backs, I would take Ryan Matthews over him which would put him third. Pure running backs don't go THAT high anymore unless you are something special and this guy is still gonna go in the 2nd round.

 

[buckeyemania11]

I cant even remember the last white true running back in the NFL

Travis Jervey maybe?

Brock Forsey?

did Luke Staley ever get any play?

Alstott was more a FB and Peyton Hillis is a tweener