Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

Everywhere I go these networks aren't talking about the SuperBowl they're talking about two black coaches ever to ever coach a SuperBowl. Some of my friends are black and they think that these networks are racist what do you guys think?

[ublinkwescore]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

Everywhere I go these networks aren't talking about the SuperBowl they're talking about two black coaches ever to ever coach a SuperBowl. Some of my friends are black and they think that these networks are racist what do you guys think?

I think it's overdone, and if the media really wants a world where people don't see color, they're taking a step back from that agenda. Acknowledge it, and then move on - I don't think anyone in this country that follows football at any level is unaware of this now - it is truely time for the media to move on.

[PECKERWOOD]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

I'm not trying to knock Lovie or Dungy because I would love to have either of them coach here, but honestly the media is over hyping this ****. But then again, when doesn't the media over hype things?

[hammerbillsfan]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

I work in the media, of course we overhype everything.

[LtFinFan66]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

Not sure how it could possibly be considered racist

[texasphinsfan]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

Not sure how it could possibly be considered racist

i think its racist because it highlights a racial issue that no one cares about (other than the media).

its almost like affirmative action (which IS racist).

Look.... the owners of the teams do not hire guys because they are white... they hire guys that are promising talent and guys who can help them win.... doesn't matter the color of their skin.

The whole Rooney Rule crap is bull***** and i think is reverse discrimination. Let the guys interview who they want. There is nothing and no one that says white coaches are better than blacks.... it has nothing to do with the color of your skin.

If this was the 50's or 60's, i might buy your theory. but, i think in creating rules like this and blowing this out of proportion, the media is exacerbating it and keeping a dead issue alive.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

I think it's just a commentary on how African Americans are found more commonly in leadership roles as time goes on. It deserves recognition, but overblowing it might give it a "who woulda thought" connotation.

[kernowboy]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

No

All it does is highlight, that another wall has fallen in the battle for equality not determined by race.

Everytime something happens for the 1st time, it probably gains great attention.

However its good for the sport and society as a whole

[texasphinsfan]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

No

All it does is highlight, that another wall has fallen in the battle for equality not determined by race.

Everytime something happens for the 1st time, it probably gains great attention.

However its good for the sport and society as a whole

you don't think it draws attention to something that probably wouldn't have been noticed anyway? something that is a trivial fact, really, in the grand scheme of things.

I think this is highlighting the non-racism, but almost making it worse.

The media needs to understand that we don't have to over-compensate.... then again, i do realize it is the superbowl and there always has to be some sob-story

[LifetimeBillsFan]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

I work in the media, of course we overhype everything.

Too true...unfortunately!

I think it's just a commentary on how African Americans are found more commonly in leadership roles as time goes on. It deserves recognition, but overblowing it might give it a "who woulda thought" connotation.

I agree.

I don't think that the media should make a big fuss about it, but it should be noted for what it is: a first, and as yet another reason why talent and ability should be the criteria used to determine who is selected to fill a given position.

No

All it does is highlight, that another wall has fallen in the battle for equality not determined by race.

Everytime something happens for the 1st time, it probably gains great attention.

However its good for the sport and society as a whole

I agree. It is a first and deserves some recognition on that basis--just as the Bills drafting James Harris to play QB for them was a first--but should also be seen as something that will soon no longer be something worth mentioning in the future--just as no one has even mentioned anything about JaMarcus Russell's race or the fact that he could very well be the first player and first QB selected in this year's draft.

And, yes, it is good for the sport and the society. There are kids playing football today who have no idea who Marlin Briscoe, James Harris or Doug Williams (and the Pittsburgh QB Gilliam--whose first name escapes me) are or what they did to open the doors for those who have followed them--and that's a good thing because it means that no one is questioning whether a player who isn't white can play QB anymore. In 20 years, the only things that anyone will think about when the names of Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith are mentioned will be which one beat the other in the Super Bowl and how many wins and Super Bowl rings they have--and that will be a good thing, too. While we're almost at a point where race doesn't matter in terms of who gets what jobs in sports anymore, it's still an issue for some in the larger society and, IMHO, if this helps just a few people to put that behind them, it can only be good for not just the game, but for society as a whole.

[X-Era]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

Everywhere I go these networks aren't talking about the SuperBowl they're talking about two black coaches ever to ever coach a SuperBowl. Some of my friends are black and they think that these networks are racist what do you guys think?

Not to big of a deal, its a landmark and should be celebrated as such.

However, Im just wondering when the male, caucasion, christian, heterosexual, american-american month is. My people deserve their own month too.

[Earthquake Enyart]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

Hopefully, it brings attention to the NCAA, who does a terrible job at hiring minorities.

[mybills]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

Everytime something happens for the 1st time, it probably gains great attention.

True, but the only colors that matter in football are on the uniforms.
Watch which color uniform wins, then turn the attention to skin color.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

We all know the media and we all know that they take the PC stories and blow it all out of porportion. I personally don't care, I think Lovey Smith is a great football coach, good thing TD didn't pass on him.

[OpIv37]

Re: Is the press taking this black coaches in SB too big of a deal and is it racist?

i think its racist because it highlights a racial issue that no one cares about (other than the media).

its almost like affirmative action (which IS racist).

Look.... the owners of the teams do not hire guys because they are white... they hire guys that are promising talent and guys who can help them win.... doesn't matter the color of their skin.

The whole Rooney Rule crap is bull***** and i think is reverse discrimination. Let the guys interview who they want. There is nothing and no one that says white coaches are better than blacks.... it has nothing to do with the color of your skin.

If this was the 50's or 60's, i might buy your theory. but, i think in creating rules like this and blowing this out of proportion, the media is exacerbating it and keeping a dead issue alive.

I don't think the Rooney Rule is reverse discrimination because it doesn't preclude teams from interviewing white coaches. If, say, the rule said that they could only interview 3 prospects and one had to be minority, you might have a point, but since they can interview as many as they want, there aren't any white guys out there who AREN'T getting interviewed because of the rule.

I do, however, think that the rule is derogatory. A lot of minority candidates get interviewed for show to meet the Rooney Rule requirement and it's just a charade- that's insulting.

I agree that the media cares more about it than most football fans or teams. There was a time when there was a color barrier for head coaches, but it's slowly faded away and I think the overwhelming majority of teams judge a coach on their merits and not their skin color.

The point is that the media will do whatever they can to get more viewers. If they think there are people out there who will watch the SB just because of the black coaches angle, they're going to hype it. If the Saints had won, it would be non-stop Katrina human interest stories. Hell, sometimes I think the media is just looking for something to talk about. The game is still 12 days away and there's only 2 teams involved- that's a lot of air time to fill.