A Predisposition to Play

By T.M. Luker

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — There is no denying that there are social norms which have been engraved into us human beings since birth. Racial stereotypes, let alone someone actually calling themselves a racist, is one of those societal issues that is not, let’s say, an ice breaker in conversation. Although a touchy subject, there is no doubt that a trend is being noticed in football, the fact that it is racially driven, is still one of those societal mysteries.

Biologically speaking, there is no DNA difference between any two human beings. It is genetics, and even geography, that creates a separation between groups of people, who are exactly the same, under the skin.

The Public Broadcast System’s website has a specific section about human diversity; they also discuss the science behind race.

“Race has no genetic basis, not one characteristic, trait, or gene distinguishes all members of one so-called race from all members of another so-called race.”

All of the physiological myths surrounding certain races are completely untrue according to science. The myth pertaining to football is that, African Americans make better receivers, and white people, better quarterbacks. When looking at the statistical data, this myth is supported by the fact that these two races dominate specifically in these positions. However, when science proves that it is not physical, why has there yet to be a switch or even equality in these positions?

Since the National Football League followed this trend, my main question was when it started. I figured I’d look at pee wee football, and decipher if this stereotype was a conscious decision by coaches and players, or just the way things are.

Hunter Ritchie, 11, and a recent white football starter, gave me some insight on how he came to be the quarterback of the team.

“Well we had try-outs for who could throw the best. I thought I could throw pretty good and the coach just tells us before every game.”

As far as the other kids throwing abilities, they all seemed to be at the same level, but Hunter was the quarterback every game.

“They all wanted to play other positions, mostly wanted to score the touchdowns.”

Innocently enough, this makes sense that it would just be what the little kids wanted to play and that’s the position they would excel in. Talking with Kris Roberts, a coach now and previously a Colorado State football player, added some personal perspective to what coach's look for specifically in a player.

“Basically they look at the testing numbers and frame numbers of a kid to see if they think they can help them. Coaches want the best people on the field.”

Logan Daley, a previous football player for Montrose High School had a lot to say on the issue. I asked him if he thought that the picking of positions was racially driven, and he agreed with a little extra opinion.

“From what I noticed, African American men are built more broad and taller than white men, so they can physically play the position better than a white man could.”

The ability to excel in a sport, and even a specific position in that sport, requires practice and motivation. Although there is some who believe that athleticism is a genetic predisposition, no one will admit if it is a racial stereotype that keeps this trend in football, or simply that the best player plays these positions. The one reality in regards to this issue is that scientifically speaking, each person has the same muscles and tendons to be one of the greats, and it is only genetic characteristics that change the playing field.