In Robyn Norwood’s Los Angeles Times article “Black Quarterbacks Scoring in the NFL”, we are presented with the author’s description of the increasing number of quarterbacks starting in the National Football League (NFL). According to the author, starting quarterback in the NFL has historically been a position where formerly, due to alleged racism, there was a paucity of African Americans that had little to do with potential, ability, or talent. Now, the NFL employs 14 starting quarterbacks of African American heritage and many athletes and industry experts of all colors argue that racial barriers in the NFL have eroded “We can’t deny that major changes in the last 40 years in our society have given African Americans more opportunity in the past” (Norwood 2).
The author does an excellent job in this article because more than merely explaining the connection between racism and limited access to the starting quarterback position in the NFL, she demonstrates between-the-lines how market, government, and social forces influence values, including racism and discrimination. As the NFL becomes more popular among viewers and as advertisers are ever more eager to advertise to these viewers, NFL owners (all of whom are white by the way) are eager to put together competitive franchises that win lucrative media contracts because of superstar talent and the ability to put together a winning record and reach the post-season “Competition is the name of the game, and it has forced coaches, general managers, even owners, to give players an opportunity based strictly upon talent” (Norwood 2).
We also see that social circumstances often dictate decisions involving race and discrimination more than individuals. When Jimmy Raye, the current offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs talks about his college playing days, we see how today’s social climate does not limit opportunitie
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