By: Aly Covington
Fayetteville, ARK. (UATV) – Black athletes playing the sport of football may be common in today’s society, but it hasn’t always been.
University of Mississippi Professor Charles K. Ross will visit the University of Arkansas this Thursday to speak about the integration of the NFL. He’ll also be covering the topics of black athletes playing the position of a quarterback.
“The quarterback is the most important individual on the team because that’s your leader, that’s the individual that has the most responsibility” said Ross.
This great responsibility brings hard times as well. Especially being a black male in the role, University of Arkansas Quarterback Jacolby Criswell knows that this position isn’t always the easiest. Criswell knew from a young age that he would be a quarterback and he’s played the position at a couple different colleges. Each place brings its own challenges.
“My dad always told me, ‘you’re going to have to earn it just because of who you are,’” said Criswell.
The quarterback sees the field in a different view than everyone else. He has to have extensive knowledge of the game not only on the offensive side to move the ball, but on the defensive side as well to understand how your plays will be defended. Ross pointed out that since these athletes have such a great understanding of the game in general, it would make sense for the athletes to then transition into head coaches of football once their playing days are over. That however is not commonly the case. Ross also said he would hope to see the transition from quarterbacks to athletic directors and other avenues where it seems as though they have a “glass ceiling.”
Ross will dive deeper into that topic on Thursday. Ross will also talk about the changes that need to be in effect in order for integration to continue to happen. Seeing two black quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes at this past year’s Super Bowl is huge for the advancement of black representation in the NFL. Criswell said that even though a lot of things don’t go their way, things are changing.
Ross will speak on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kimpel Hall 105.