Scrutiny of Black Athletes: Fact or Fiction?

Hafeez Barakat

July 25, 200

Since African Americans were integrated into the sports universe they have always received heat. The question remains, do Black Athletes receive more punishment and criticism then they’re white counterparts. For instance, some people believe that it’s due to racial standings that may still be afloat in the league, such as the comments of Donovan Mcnabb last year. Secondly, people that don’t hate Michael Vick, say that his sentencing from both Federal Court and the NFL were harsh and unjust and in fact if he were a Caucasian the story would be significantly different. I believe, that the athletes don’t receive more heat, in fact I personally believe that they are better athletes then everyone else and dominate their sports.

Many of today’s athletes are coming out of their shells about their feelings about scrutiny. Ever since we were allowed to play in leagues the scrutiny and racism has been there. The players are now coming out left and right pleading that they are receiving more criticism then the white players. They feel when they are in tough spots in and both out of the sports realm that the hammer is brought down quick and unjustly, but when it comes to the white players, it’s not so quick nor is it so harsh.

In 2007, Philadelphia Eagles starting Quarterback Donovan Mcnabb, made claims about the scrutiny of black athletes or QB’s for that matter in the sports world and in the NFL. He said that the black quarterbacks, get more harsh treatment then for example, white QB’s Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning. He said the media and fans come harder on his race and it’s just puzzling. His comments brought a wide buzz around the sports world, most of which were people saying that his comments were not true and that the black quarterbacks did not receive lots of criticism. People believed that not only did the African American QB’s and players receive the same amount of criticism in the same situations but that Mcnabb was crying like a woman and that if his team had started the season 2-0 the story would be different and Mcnabb would be getting praised.

More controversy brewed throughout the NFL season as African American QB, Michael Vick was indicted for torturing dogs and hosting illegal dog fighting rings. The hammer was too brought down on Vick from a federal standpoint as well as inside the NFL as he was suspended from the league and cut from the Atlanta Falcons team. Vick was sentenced by Federal Court to 22-24 month in prison. The media portrayed Vick as a crazed maniac and a very cruel person, especially to animals. Some people came out immediately saying that they hated him and that his sentence should be indeed longer. Others claimed that Vick’s sentencing was harsh and biased. They claimed that we was being put away for killing dogs and others were put off for killing humans, as if a dog’s life was more significant. In other stories, Vick supporters, such as Donavan Mcnabb stated that if he had been black, the punishment would have been lighter.

Overall, I feel and know that there is still racism in the sports leagues but, I don’t feel that the black athletes receive more heat than the white players. I think the heat for the QB position is self explanatory because you are in control of the offense on the field and the face of the franchise which will build skeptics by itself. I think Donovan Mcnabb was overreacting as was anyone else who felt the same way. His and my feelings could be easily counter-argued but I still believe that if his record had been a winning record, and if the Eagles made the playoff, Mcnabb’s performance would have been praise worthy. In regards to Michael Vick, I would say I feel his sentencing from federal stands was unjust but I don’t think it had anything to do with race. Even though he murdered dogs and held the do fights illegally, I think he shouldn’t be doing time and if that, not that much. Again I don’t think the players are criticized by color, it basically comes down to skill and awards.