Air Force coach: black players "can run very, very well"

[openbah]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2203926

Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry, expressing frustration Tuesday with the Falcons' slumping performance, attributed the latest loss in part to No. 20 TCU's having more black players who "can run very, very well."

DeBerry, in his 22nd year at the Air Force Academy, first mentioned the academy's lack of minority players compared to other schools while talking to reporters Monday.

He said Air Force needed to recruit faster players. "We were looking at things, like you don't see many minority athletes in our program," DeBerry told The Gazette of Colorado Springs.

When questioned about the remarks during his weekly luncheon Tuesday, the coach didn't hesitate to elaborate.

"It just seems to be that way, that Afro-American kids can run very, very well. That doesn't mean that Caucasian kids and other descents can't run, but it's very obvious to me they run extremely well," DeBerry said in remarks first broadcast Tuesday night by KWGN-TV in Denver.

Academy officials released a statement saying they were aware of the remarks.

"We cannot comment further until we have a chance to review all the reports, the coach's actual statements and to speak with the coach personally," academy spokesman Lt. Col Laurent Fox said.

 

[Whalebite]

Do you have an opinion on this or just flexing your quoting skills?

 

[gregsivers]

I'd probably agree with him. Either he's right, or the white guys don't try maybe? Not trying to be racist here by the way.

 

[TheBubba]

TheBubba's $0.02 (if its worth that much)

I think Mr. DeBerry's comment was sorta misunderstood. Granted, he could have said it more tactfully.

What I think he's getting at is two separate issues that came out in one quote.

1. TCU has a faster team than Air Force. That's an obvious statement.

2. Minorities are under represented on USAF's team. This too is an obvious statement.

Anyways, it goes like this. People assume that black kids can play ball simply b/c they're black. People then natually assume that they're faster. Not always the case (my proof: me).

Tho I could be wrong. I sometimes am.

The other thing is that he could just be saying what it sounds like: TCU has more fast black kids than AF does.

 

[kmac]

Or perhaps Fischer's opinion is backed up by statistics (or "common" knowledge). What are the fastest running back 40 times among the NCAA by teams with blacks and those without. It is safe to say that when you have a larger talent pool to draw from, there's a good chance you'll get better talent. Compare this with Joe Morgan's analysis of blacks in Major League Baseball (and consider the importation of athletes from the Dominican, Japan, Korea, etc.)

 

[Brett327]

God forbid anyone ever point out a distinction between the races (or sexes), even if it's complimentary. Why is it that we, as a society, are so gunshy about stuff like that. We're suposed to embrace diversity, yet not make any distinction at the same time? Nope, we're all exact genetic copies of eachother. WTF?

Brett

 

[openbah]

Do you have an opinion on this or just flexing your quoting skills?

Just flexing my quoting skills until I have time to sit down and write an opinion. What about you? Or are you just flexing your questioning skills?

 

[TheBubba]

God forbid anyone ever point out a distinction between the races (or sexes), even if it's complimentary. Why is it that we, as a society, are so gunshy about stuff like that. We're suposed to embrace diversity, yet not make any distinction at the same time? Nope, we're all exact genetic copies of eachother. WTF?

Brett

Brett,

Quite frankly, I agree whole-heartedly with what you're saying here. There's no way I he!! that there can not be some distinction between different groups of people. That's what makes us different. Some people take things too seriously when it comes to race/gender. Scratch that.. alot of people.

To continue along the lines of this thread with my point, certain sports are made up of predominantly one or two groups of people. Why? It what they are exposed to. In the black community, it just happens to be football, basketball and track. So those are the sports you tend to see the most black kids play. Not b/c someone says "Oh, you're black, so you can only play these three sports." No, its just a matter of thats what you grew up around.

Someone from my background, I grew up playing soccer, baseball and wrestling. Why? Those were the sprots played in the places I grew up in.

There's most likely never going to be equality in numbers among the sportinig community for this very reason. Is it a bad thing? No. Its an exposure and an appeal issue. Simple as that. Its not racist, sexist or any other -ist.

 

[Fly Navy]

God forbid anyone ever point out a distinction between the races (or sexes), even if it's complimentary. Why is it that we, as a society, are so gunshy about stuff like that. We're suposed to embrace diversity, yet not make any distinction at the same time? Nope, we're all exact genetic copies of eachother. WTF?

Brett

Because if a white person mentions anything about race, especially about blacks (I refuse the term African-American, it's such a bullsh!t term. If you got a better one, post it), you are a racist, even if it's something good. Racism only applies to whites.

 

[TheBubba]

(I refuse the term African-American, it's such a bullsh!t term. If you got a better one, post it), you are a racist, even if it's something good. Racism only applies to whites.

I'm black. I hate being referred to as African-American. Call me black, call me American... either way, I'm happy.

The problem with the term African-American is that America uses it to encompass all blacks, which isn't the case. Call a Jamaican or a Hatian "African-American" and you are liable to get hit.

That having been said, I have to white friends that are more "African-American" than I, seeing as how they are the first born in American to South African parents. Even they don't like to be called "African American"... but rather what they are.. American.

Fly, as to a better term... how about American or Jamaican or Hatian or what ever the person is?

 

[Fly Navy]

I'm black. I hate being referred to as African-American. Call me black, call me American... either way, I'm happy.

Cool.

The problem with the term African-American is that America uses it to encompass all blacks, which isn't the case. Call a Jamaican or a Hatian "African-American" and you are liable to get hit.

Precisely. That's one reason I can't stand that label.

That having been said, I have to white friends that are more "African-American" than I, seeing as how they are the first born in American to South African parents. Even they don't like to be called "African American"... but rather what they are.. American.

That's the OTHER reason I can't stand that label. I remember the story about a year ago of a white South African going for an African American scholarship. When they found out he wasn't black, they refused to give it to him. Boy did they look like fools.

Fly, as to a better term... how about American or Jamaican or Hatian or what ever the person is?

Well, there are times when you have to differentiate a person from the group. "That tall guy", "that short guy", "that white guy", "that black guy". But I agree, I HATE the -American monikers. I'm part Italian... I'll never call myself Italian-American... I'm American. Or white if you prefer.

 

[Banjo33]

I remember the story about a year ago of a white South African going for an African American scholarship. When they found out he wasn't black, they refused to give it to him. Boy did they look like fools.

Holy crap! If you can remember where you heard/read that, I'd love a link or heads up so I can find it!

 

[Fly Navy]

Holy crap! If you can remember where you heard/read that, I'd love a link or heads up so I can find it!

I'm about to go fly, I'll try to look tonight.

 

[BrandonJ1780]

One of my good friends down here in MS is a white guy from South Africa. It was pretty funny when we were doing this 'diversity-training' deal and they told all african-americans to stand up and move across the room...all these black guys, and the only white kid among them is the 'real' African-American...
Oh, and as they moved across the room, the white kid kept up with 'em =)...
TheBubba--I'm with you. Call you black, call me white, no problems...

 

[Grant]

I have to white friends that are more "African-American" than I, seeing as how they are the first born in American to South African parents.

Back in high school, I knew a white guy that was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and grew up there till his early 'teens. Well, he would tell people that he was "African" and/or "African-American" (born in Africa and moved to American, so technically he's right), and it really pissed off the vast majority of the black folks at my school (both students, faculty, and parents). The principal told him he could no longer refer to himself as "African" or "African-American" because he was getting so much heat from mad faculty and parents. How ridiculous is that? He has more right to use the label than 99.999% of the black kids at my school whom were mad about it... the funny thing is that a teammate of mine who is Nigerian (and black) supported my white "African-American" friend.