Who's the Best African-American QB in NFL History?

[XNASA]

Poll question: Who's the Best African-American QB in NFL History?

And to the person who said that they could name 10 great white QB's for every great black QB, I'm waiting for your list of 100.

[Character Assassin]

1. Hello? HELLO? Is this goddamn thing on?!?!? Doug Williams

The first black QB to win a super bowl.

[VermontDem2004]

9. Unfortanetly

That was one of only a few times where he could showcase his talent, he hasn't played enough for me to say he is the greatest black QB ever, but that isn't his problem. I heard after he won the Super Bowl, Ronald Reagan called John Elway but didn't call Williams.

[phillybri]

2. When he had is game going, Cunningham was unreal....

Just awesome...

[GOPisEvil]

3. Right now...Warren Moon.

Vick will be the best, regardless of race, someday. I like McNair a lot too. Tough, TOUGH guy - a good leader!

[LynneSin]

14. I'd take McNabb anyday over Vick

But that's just that eagle green blood flowing through my veins that's doing the talking!

[VermontDem2004]

4. I vote Cunningham

But Vick or McNabb could be the greatest ever. Also McNair is a good too and had a great career.

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. What's a QB?

nt

[XNASA]

29. Quiz Bowl? Queen's Bishop? Quick Blow (as in fuse)?

Oh here it is..........Quiet Birdman.

[meatloaf]

6. Insufficient info available.

Some of these guys are just getting started and haven't hit their prime. Give it ten years and then ask us again.

You have to wonder if race is still and issue when Heisman winner Charlie Ward doesn't even get drafted.

[VermontDem2004]

13. He didn't have the arm strength and accuarcy to be great in the NFL

He was a QB who made alot of plays on his leg, a Nebraska QB won the heisman trophy a few years ago but only got drafted to play Wide Reciever and he was white.

[meatloaf]

15. I understand that argument but the same thing was said

about Joe Montana at one time. Shouldn't Ward at least have been givena a shot. Sometimes pure athletic ability overcomes other short comings.

[VermontDem2004]

18. Well players go through combines

and all types of drills for 3 months till the draft, the coaches and and scouts evaluate every player and decide who they want. Ward was in the draft after there were already black qb's in the league, but I guess they should of gave that white QB a chance to play QB then, I mean people know what type of player you are before the draft.

[meatloaf]

27. I'm not saying you have to play them at their college

position, but if they have the athletic ability to win the Heisman, wouldn't somebody risk drafting him and putting him to use elsewhere?

[VermontDem2004]

28. But like Uzybone said

He said that he made it clear his intentions were to be in the NBA.

[meatloaf]

32. Actually, he and his agent said they'd opt for the NFL if,

and it was a big if, they draft him in the first round.

The rest is sports history.

[Uzybone]

23. And also

he made it clear he was going to the NBA over the NFL. It would have been a waste of a draft pick. Just like Drew Henson.

[VermontDem2004]

24. I believe he did

I was unsure about it so I didn't try to make that point. I heard Henson may be coming back to the NFL though.

[meatloaf]

31. As I understand it Ward and his agent told the league that

if they didn't draft him in the first round, don't draft him at all as he would go to the NBA.

Maybe they didn't like that cockiness?

[VermontDem2004]

33. Maybe teams

wouldn't want to use their first round draft pick on him. Not all Heisman Trophy winners turn out to be great NFL players, actually, many of them flop, but not all of them. Danny Wueffel is one example.

[meatloaf]

35. It is definitely rare for a Heisman winner to go in the

early rounds.

It does seem to be a jinx.

[rabid_nerd]

7. Dan Marino

Just bein a smart-ass...

Are ya going to start a "best white quarterback" too?

On Edit: I can only name him because I hate Marino... Got sick of lookin' at him.

[Evil_Dewers]

8. What about Tony Banks?

*L*

[WoodrowFan]

10. too late

The "I can name 10 white guys" is gone back to freeperville, tombstoned...

[LynneSin]

11. How long have these people been black quarterbacks?

:eyes:

I about pissed myself a decade ago when I heard about that question. You thought we got over this whole thing about African Americans as quarterbacks was a dead subject but in comes that douchebag Rush Limbaugh

:eyes:

Edit note: I'd vote for Randall and Donovan, but since Randall can no longer help us win our Superbowl my vote goes to Donovan!

[displacedvermoter]

12. Moon, so far, based on longevity and NFL stats

although "Air" McNair, McNabb, and Vick all will be great ones (QBs that is, not just black QBs). And Leftwich (sp?) is touted as potentially being better than these previously mentioned.

I hate to say it -- actually I love saying it -- but the kind of QBs that these new young black guys will change the way the position is played, and dumbass Limbaugh doesn't really understand this fact. Much the way that Lawrence Taylor changed the LB position forever.

[VermontDem2004]

16. Leftwich, McNair, McNabb, and Farve

are some of the toughest QB's out there, Farve for the streak of course, McNabb because he played through a fractured ankle to throw for two touchdowns and completed over 60% of his passes against the Cardinals last year, McNair, I heard he played through injuries last year and I seen clips of him where he is being dragged down but still manages to complete an accuarate pass. Leftwich last year against Akron hurt his ankle, I don't remember how but he almost led Marshall to a comeback, he would complete a pass and his linemen would pick him up on their shoulders to the new line of scrimmage and he would go out there and throw another pass. I have alot of respect for these type of player.

[dkamin]

17. McNair

"will" be great? McNair has had a very productive career, and has pretty much been the only constant on a Tennessee offense that has managed to stay good for quite some time, without any huge talents on offense (George is a good RB, and Mason is a good WR, but McNair is probably the only one of these you'd call great).

Moon was perhaps the most skilled QB, but if that were the measure of greatness, Joe Montana would not be considered one of the greatest.

Vick and McNabb haven't been around long enough. I'd say McNair, based on his stats, longevity, and success in the NFL.

[VermontDem2004]

20. I would call Eddie George great

He has had several 1,000+ rushing yards in his career and I think he has over 10,000 career rushing yards, either that or he is in the 8,000 or 9,000 club.

[denverbill]

19. I disagree with you.

But only about black QB's changing the way the position is played. If you are arguing that McNabb or McNair will change the way it's played because they can both run and pass, you need to go back no further than John Elway or Fran Tarkenton.

Are they better than Elway or Tarkenton? Who knows, maybe, we'll know in 10-15 years and 30,000 yards.

[VermontDem2004]

22. Better scramblers I would agree with

and Vick has a strong arm, he could throw the ball as far as Elway, but we won't know in like 10 or 15 years if Vick can match Elway's stats.

[Uzybone]

21. Its still too early

but Mike Vick could be the best EVER...white/black or latino. He certainly has the potential. So far Id vote for Cunningham in this poll.

[underpants]

25. I'm voting for Gilliam because of all the s**t he went through

Same with Harris. Moon is the answer though.

[VermontDem2004]

26. Vick, McNabb

have a combined 6 votes but Culpepper has 0? Other then last year, Culpepper's QB ratings has always been in the high 90's. I would put him up there with the potential to be one of the all time greats.

[VermontDem2004]

30. Future Pro-Football

African American QB's who have the potential to be great.

Josh Harris-Bowling Green
Ell Roberson-Kansas State
Brad Banks-Missouri
Chris Leak-Florida
Marcus Vick-Virginia Tech
Bryan Randall-Virginia Tech

There are many more but the others aren't coming to mind.

[Awsi Dooger]

57. Leftwich

Marshall and now the Jags.

Woops, I see you mentioned him in an earlier post in this thread.

Some of the others are very short and not likely to make it to the NFL.

[XNASA]

34. I voted Moon, but almost voted Peete.........

...just to make Mrs. Peete happy.

[underpants]

36. Some mention needs to be made of BLACK CENTERS in the NFL

They used to be as rare as left handed catchers with the exception of Dwight Stephenson ( Miami Dolphins 1980-87). Stephenson was only allowed to play center because he was so good it didn't make since to play him anywhere else.

Centers basically are the QB's of the line. They usually call the blocking schemes and audible at the line. As with QB's blacks rarely go the chance to play center, I think it was a trust thing. Blacks could have the ball in their hands as running backs or wideouts but to actually let them direct and control the offense was not seen as a good move.

I think there are more black centers now than there used to be (2 or 3) but not to the extent you would think. That is one of the dirty little secrets of the NFL and football in general.

[GOPisEvil]

37. Dermontti Dawson - Steelers

Perennial all-pro - one of the best ever. :-)

[underpants]

39. '88-'00 Pro Bowl '92-'98

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/DawsDe00.htm

I don't know if that proves my point but again he was so good they couldn't move him. Still it is rare.

[GOPisEvil]

41. I think your point is a valid one...

...there are relatively few African-American centers in the NFL.

Now in the NBA, there are lots of African-American centers. :P

[VermontDem2004]

40. I think offensive lineman are heavely underrated

When a running back gets 1,500+ yards, it's usually the running back that gets most of the credit, but if the O-line wasn't opening any holes he would be lucky to survive a whole season. Terrell Davis gets back-to-back 2,000 yard seasons and he was a 6th round draft pick, he gets injured and rookie Mike Anderson (3rd rounder) gets 1,300 yards. The Broncos draft Clinton Portis (2nd rounder) and as a rookie he gets 1,500 yards, either the Broncos get lucky drafting running backs or that offensive line is pretty damn good.

[underpants]

43. Surely

As a Cowboy fan( ducks ) I loved Emmitt but that line he was running behind in the Super bowl years was amazing. I can't remember all of them but a friend of mine who hates the Cowboys even remark a year or so ago how great those lines were.

Gogan Gesek Stepnoski Allen oh hell I can't remember all of them.

They made changes in those years too so it wasn't just one set of linemen.

[GOPisEvil]

45. Big Nate the herbal products transporter...

...don't forget him now that he's locked down! :D

[underpants]

46. Ah Nate Newton can't forget him

but he got caught twice in three weeks. He was much better at football.

[VermontDem2004]

38. Even though I can name

probaly over 300 NFL players, I can porbaly only name 1 Center Barrett Robbins of the Oakland Raiders.

[underpants]

42. Okay that's 3 so far

I didn't know he was black. He goes to show that mental illneses (or whatver he was) is everywhere.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/s/2003/0129/1500577.html

[VermontDem2004]

44. He's white

He missed the Super Bowl because of Bipolar or depression or a combination of both, I knew who he was before the Super Bowl because, well he was a well known center.

[underpants]

47. 3-1=2

I misread your post. I thiught he was white not that I give a damn.

Mike Webster also had some serious mental illness problems. Hmm

There are 7 centers in the NFL Hall of Fame
Chuck Bednarik (C-LB) 1949-1962
Frank Gatski (C) 1946-1957
Jim Langer (C) 1970-1981
Jim Otto (C) 1960-1974
Jim Ringo (C) 1953-1967
Dwight Stephenson (C) 1980-1987
Mike Webster (C) 1974-1990

Stepnoski's High School won't even retire his jersey number now, he's an avid spokesman for NORML :smoke:

[VermontDem2004]

51. Chuck Bednarik was a center?

I thought he was just a linebacker, he was so good in college they named the Collegiate Defender of the Year award after him. Go Stepnoski!!!!! Keep fighting the good fight :smoke:

[underpants]

54. Bednarik went both ways

I didn't know he was a center either I thought he was a guard or tackle.

[Awsi Dooger]

58. A recent example is Damien Woody of the Patriots

He was a terrific black center coming out of Boston College several years ago. I drooled over the prospect of my Dolphins drafting him to replace a stiff like Tim Ruddy, but New England grabbed Woody with something like the 21st pick of the first round.

The Pats only kept Woody at center for two or three seasons. Now he's a guard, and I have no idea why. His explosiveness was so rare at center, but sometimes he looks like just another player at guard.

[Snow]

48. Where is Kordell Stewart?

or do you guys consider him a tailback? He can pass, you know...

[XNASA]

50. Slash made the list of 12.

But not the list of 10.

I like Slash, but he's no Moon.

[VermontDem2004]

52. But he should be in the top 10

1 Superbowl, been to the conference championship 3 or 4 times and went to a few pro bowls. He is no Moon, but you have a 3rd year QB on there, two 5th year QB's on there.

[GOPisEvil]

53. He didn't lead his team to the Super Bowl though...

...Neil O'Donnell did. He's had a few good years. Maybe he'll get it together again...very talented player.

[VermontDem2004]

60. Your right

I forgot about that, but most of those QB's on that list never been to the Super Bowl.

[HEyHEY]

49. I met Warren Moon Once

When I was a kid he played for the Edmonton Eskimos. He knew my friends dad and came to his son's birthday to show us his Grey Cup ring and all that jazz...very nice guy

[eeker01]

55. Why Mr Moon, of course!

'Nuff said! :)

[LWolf]

56. Warren Moon.

I respect the longevity as well as the stats.

I probably couldn't pick 100 white qbs in all, let alone greats.

If I were to do a poll for the best qb, no race requirements, the top 10 would have to include:

Staubach Bradshaw
Elway Aikman
Montana Young

[Snow]

59. Sigh - feeling my age

when I was in grad school, in my 30's mind you, 'cuz I was a late bloomer, my school had an excellent QB who helped our perpetually not-very-good footbal team actually perk up and do quite well. Our biggest sport before he came along was crew! And winning football really helps the university with the yokels in the state legislature....you have a losing football team, they'll cut the state university's budget to shreds, but show 'em winners, they'll be happy. Anyway, the university was University of Washington and the kid who was such a good qb was Warren Moon.