Matt Ryan is speculated to be the next starting quarter back for the Atlanta Falcons. Go Eagles. He is stepping into Michael Vick's place and, from what I know of the well-spoken quarter back, Ryan has no animal-abusing (or otherwise egregious) behavior patterns. He also seems like a genuinely nice guy, based solely on my experience in the dining hall when he allowed my sister and me to cut in front of him for the bulk candy.
While I think Atlanta scored big with nabbing Ryan, I also am saddened by the fact that another black hero has fallen-and is replaced by a clean-scrubbed white guy. Upon Vick's arrival from Virginia Tech (where he TROUNCED BC every time we played them), the Falcons began a pursuit for more black managerial positions-on the field and off. The organization took a giant step backwards when it's emblematic player self-destructed. I know a lot of athletes claim to not want the 'hero' title, but the fact of the matter is that lots of little kids -and not so little adults- became jaded by Vick and the implications about race that followed.
This is not to say that teams should draft QBs due to minority status- in the same way they should not seek players that are good looking. But Vick's fall out could have far-reaching consequences that cause the perceptions of Atlantan minorities which, from their feats of Hartsfield-Jackson airport, have historically been pace setters for minority achievement in a white world, to take a step backwards.
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