(ThyBlackMan.com) As an undergraduate I wrote a senior thesis entitled “The Myth of the Black Quarterback,” where-in I concluded that Black athletes, and specifically Black quarterbacks, have constantly had to fight with the racial “demons” of the past. Namely, their success has often fallen victim to the struggle to transcend an “intellectually inferior” stigma. The rise of Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow is evidence that this exploitation and discrediting of Black quarterbacks and their alleged mental ineptness persists, as the creation of a grossly overlooked double standard.
Historically, Black athletes have been worshipped – as physical specimen – for their superhuman abilities, which is often perceived as far superior to their White counterparts. Their limitations only extended as far as their incapacity to play positions like quarterback or to be head coaches. These were thinking positions requiring intelligence beyond what many believed to be within the 
bounds of Black intelligence. In the shadows of this assertion, every Black quarterback since Marlin Briscoe – who in 1968 ironically became the first Black quarterback to start in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos – has struggled to overcome the stereotype.
Conversely, Tim Tebow has received admiration for winning games, despite inconsistent play and meager statistics. In the past, Michael Vick faced similar criticism; he had a strong arm but had failed to develop the accuracy and precision required of a traditional quarterback. Vick was too one-dimensional. And, his speed and unpredictability were more of a crutch than a competitive advantage.
Under such chastisement, Black quarterbacks are forced into conformity as pocket passers or risk being remembered as gimmicks rather than a step forward in the evolution of the position. And yet, Tim Tebow popularity as a hybrid quarterback is an inherent testament to the likes of Briscoe, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb,and Michael Vick – recognition that remains largely absent.
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