You had to see it coming. When Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb told HBO that he felt like he received more criticism because of his skin color, beat writers raced to the lockers of other black quarterbacks for reaction.
Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, who recently admitted to bookmarking Hashmarks, said he doesn't feel any extra criticism now that he's in the NFL.
"That's his opinion, and as an African-American quarterback, I have to support other African-American quarterbacks," Campbell said of McNabb. "But it's something I can't get caught up in. I look at all quarterbacks as the same. I support every guy who's playing the position.
"It's the hardest position to play in professional sports, and you get graded differently than any other position on the field. Nine times out of 10 the ball is in your hands, so everybody is watching you. Since you're in the spotlight, the mistakes get recognized. You need thick skin and a short memory."
If you're scoring at home, there are currently five other black starting quarterbacks in the league who are being asked to respond to McNabb's comments. I started to link to some of their comments, but the whole thing seems a bit silly. Steve McNair and Vince Young shouldn't have to weigh in on everything McNabb says because they share his skin color.
And upon further review, I don't think it's really my place to beat up McNabb for his comments. We sit around and complain that players aren't candid enough, but then we immediately condemn them when they say something that might be deemed unpopular.
McNabb couldn't help the timing of that interview. He didn't know he was going to stagger around the field and play poorly two nights before it aired. It's what the guy felt at the time, so I don't have a problem with it.
Tonight I plan to ask Tony Romo about the plight of the half-Hispanic quarterback. Details to follow.
