According to
ESPN.com boxer Bernard Hopkins has taken a shot at Washington Redskin
quarterback Donovan McNabb for “not being black”. Hopkins is a man that
fought his was up literally to become a success story but that does not
give him the right to question McNabb. McNabb grew up in Chicago and he
has earned everything he has achieved.
McNabb was a four year starter at Syracuse University before being
drafted by The Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. McNabb led The Eagles to
four straight NFC Championship Game appearances and one Super Bowl berth
during that stretch. McNabb is one of three African-American
quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl (Doug Williams, Steve
McNair). During his tenure with The Eagles, McNabb was the subject of
constant criticism from fans as well as teammates that he didn’t
deserve. McNabb was criticized by Eagle wide receiver Terrell Owens
after being sick in the huddle during The Super Bowl loss to The New
England Patriots. Fans in Philadelphia never really warmed up to him
from day one as the wanted the franchise to draft running back Ricky
Williams.
During his time in The City of Brotherly Love McNabb never wavered and
never fed into the criticism. McNabb always let his play do the talking.
In 2002 McNabb broke his ankle versus The Arizona Cardinals and played
through it to help his team win. McNabb has played through hurt ribs and
injured his knee and he never complained. When current Eagle
quarterback Michael Vick was released from prison in 2009 McNabb spoke
up for him with The Eagle front office and head coach Andy Reid on
bringing Vick in. McNabb was traded after the 2009 season to The
Redskins and handled the situation with class. Once Owens departed from
any team that he was a member of it was never on good terms.When McNabb
returned to Philadelphia last season as a Redskin he received a mixed
reception mostly on the side of cheers. When Owens returned as a member
of The Dallas Cowboys it definitely wasn’t a standing ovation.
Hopkins feels that McNabb is not as tough as himself, Vick, or Owens due
to their upbringings as opposed to McNabb. I think McNabb handled his
time in Philadelphia better that any of these three athletes could have
done combined. McNabb is someone that children of all races should look
up to and admire. McNabb is a member of The Board of Trustees at
Syracuse University. McNabb has his charity The Donovan McNabb Fund
that promotes awareness for diabetes.
It is a shame that if a black man is a success and he does not have a
criminal record and he has an education that some many not consider him
to be black. I have never been arrested and I have a college education
so maybe I am not black? No disrespect to Vick but even before his
arrest I do not believe that he would have been considered to be on The
Board of Directors at Virginia Tech. I am not glorying be incarcerated,
but the fact that Hopkins and Vick both spent time in prison turned
their lives around is great. Hopkins should not tear down McNabb but
praise him for what he has accomplished. It is always better to cheer on
your fellow man in the race than try to prevent him from crossing the
finish line.
Well said I have seen guys go to college and graduate and get less respect than another black man who spent five years in prison. It has to stop.
Thats the one problem thats has plagued the black community and will continue to do so. I’m not the biggest mcnabb fan but he was a really good quaterback, if a little underrated. It’s sad that we’re still questioning people’s black-ness. The more educated you are the less black you are, it’s sad but true. I personally dont subscribe to this theory but thats just me. B-Hop a once great champ is a joke, before joe calzage whipped him he said “i’ll never let a white boy beat me, and guess what????? He did just that. Bernard Hopkins and the black community at large need to re-evaluate what makes a successfull black man and get over them selves.