11/05/24
April 22, 2010
White Draft Prospect Asked About Race: Stanford running back and Heisman hopeful Toby Gerhart said that he was asked an unusual question by one NFL team preparing for today's NFL Draft. "They asked if it made me feel entitled, or like I felt I was a poster child for white running backs. I said, 'No, I'm just out there playing ball. I don't think about that.' I didn't really know what to say."
Personally, I think today's players *are* too straight for the sport.
Oh wait, wrong thread.
posted by NoMich at 02:01 PM on April 22, 2010
If there's anything that's come out of the insanely over-covered NFL draft the past few years, it's this: most teams have no clue what they're doing. And all mock drafts are BS.
Amen. I think Gerhart will be a solid NFL running back, but the player he reminds me of is Brandon Jacobs of the Giants. Which leads to my main concern about him - how many hits will he be able to take with his upright running style?
posted by MrNix67 at 02:12 PM on April 22, 2010
What decade is this, that a player can be asked race-based questions?
posted by bobfoot at 02:03 AM on April 23, 2010
Bobfoot, I think when teams ask loaded questions like that they're merely observing the reaction of the player. Dez Bryant was asked by several teams if his mother was a prostitute, and if she still sold drugs. Not exactly politically correct questions, but when you're about to invest millions in the crapshoot that is the draft you should have whatever information you deem important.
posted by Goyoucolts at 02:22 AM on April 23, 2010
Still not the most stupid question asked. That still has to go to the reporter who asked Doug Williams after winning the Superbowl MVP " How long have you been a black quarterback"
posted by otbagain at 01:03 PM on April 23, 2010
If there's anything that's come out of the insanely over-covered NFL draft the past few years, it's this: most teams have no clue what they're doing. And all mock drafts are BS.
Heard an amazing stat on ESPN: since 1964, only 8 #1 picks have gone to the Hall of Fame. They thought it shocking, but by my math, that's a 17% chance of getting a Hall of Fame player. What are the overall odds for that?