In case you missed it, here’s the text from my latest video commentary on newsok.com:
As you might suspect, I have no first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to be an NFL quarterback.
Ditto for being a black athlete in America.
Still, something about Donovan McNabb’s comments earlier this week resonated with me. No doubt you’ve heard about the Philadelphia quarterback’s comments on HBO’s Real Sports. Talking about black quarterbacks, McNabb said that they “have to do a little bit extra.”
He went on to contend that black quarterbacks face more scrutiny than white quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning or Carson Palmer. McNabb said, “Let me start by saying, I love those guys. But they don’t get criticized as much as we do.”
My knee-jerk reaction?
No way. No way that McNabb or Steve McNair or Vince Young are looked at differently. No way they are treated differently than their white brethren.
Then, it dawned on me. Even though I don’t know what it is to be a black NFL quarterback, I do know what it is to be a female sports writer. I am a minority in this business just like McNabb is in his.
And you know what? I feel like I have to do a little bit extra. I feel like I have to work more hours and write better stories and do better blogs and tape better videos because my work will be scrutinized differently by you, the viewers and the readers.
Is it actually more scrutinized?
That’s hard to say, of course. I’ve received a decent amount of e-mail over the years, though, that leads me to believe that “The Chick Factor” exists. My favorite one was the time that someone said I needed to go home and bake some cookies.Anyone who’s ever tasted my cooking got a good laugh out of that one.
I don’t say this to be woe-is-me, and I don’t think McNabb’s comments were meant that way either. He was simply stating facts as he saw them, and so am I.
I believe I have to do a little bit extra, that I’m more scrutinized than my male counterparts. Maybe that’s the reality, or maybe that’s just my perceptions. Either way, those are the expectations that I live with.
Is it so crazy, then, to think that McNabb and other black quarterbacks don’t feel the same sort of elevated expectations?
Doesn’t seem so crazy to me.
September 24th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
This blog entry is a disgrace. Donovan McNabb is overly scrutinized because he is a popular sports athlete in Philadelphia … thats it - We here in Philly boo Mike Schmidt, Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling, and even Santa Claus …
Jenni, instead of pulling the “minority card”, why don’t you spend your time researching the content for your articles instead of writing “garbage” like Coach Gundy said.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I think most Americans judge a writer by their writing ability and not by the size of their breasts. . . . Yes. . . color WAS an issue with quarterbacks and sex WAS an issue with sports reporters. . . but NOT ANYMORE. . . .in fact, a lot of people are AFRAID to criticize minorities now because of political correctness and such. . . .I thought we were past this type of crap in our society.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Ms. Carlson,
On the topic of first hand knowledge, lets remenber the most important thing, that being, you have NO first hand knowledge of being a football player at any level. Perhaps you should try your hand at being a food critic, you would then for sure have some first hand knowledge of what you write. What ever you decide, on behalf of football fans everywhere, please stop trying to cover football. Jenni with an “i” - cute.
RD
September 24th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
RD
To follow your logic to the end - only ex-football players should cover football, basketball players cover basketball, etc. What a bigoted pig you are to assume that, because she is a woman, she must know something about food. I’m curious. Have you ever posted on a male sports writer’s blog insinuating that they do not know what they are writing about; or do you simply assume that all male sports writers have also played sports? That is not always true, and, certainly, not all of them have played the sport which they are now covering.
Personally, I’ve found Ms. Carlson’s columns to be absolutely refreshing ever since her arrival in Oklahoma CIty. I have not always agreed with her, just as I did not agree with some points in the Bobby Reid article which cause all the turmoil.
One mark of a good writer, however, is to take a specific situation and then broaden it, or put it in a perspective which makes others think about the subject. Often, this is done using analogy.
Finally, RD, you have blinders on. Women, myself included, are often more rabid football fans than the men around them. That is certainly true in my family. This has certainly been recognized by Madison Avenue & the NFL.
One parting shot, RD - do you have any first-hand knowledge about newspaper column writing, how the job is done, and what goes into it? Perhaps you shouldn’t be writing here either.
Ms. Carlson - keep up the good work; lots of us enjoy it.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:58 am
Interesting you mention having “to do a little bit extra” than your male counterparts in this posting. It belies your actual work as a columnist. If the column causing this recent uproar is any indication of how much “harder” you work to “get it right”, well, you fail miserably, Ms. Carlson.
I admit to being unfamiliar with your work prior to your hatchet job on Bobby Reid (seeing Gundy’s tirade made me want to check it out to see what all the fuss was about), but if the under-developed, non-attributed drivel you stated as “fact” in the column is your idea of “good journalism”, well, shame on you.
You know nothing of Reid’s relationship with his family, yet your article intimates you can “read” him because he’s got an affectionate mother. I guess you’d prefer he be the stereotypical “badass” athlete, and having him beating up coeds, or his professors, or starting bar fights on Saturdays. That would prove he’s not a “mama’s boy”, wouldn’t it?
You state there are “whispers” about him in the OSU locker room…so I guess non-attributed grumbling qualifies as a “source” now?
And while any gambler worth his salt knows inside-and-out the type and severity of a player’s injuries any given week, you couldn’t even be bothered to take 5 minutes to investigate the severity of Reid’s injuries; you just ASSUMED he was “goldbricking”.
That’s slipshod, sloppy, and unworthy of someone claiming to be a “professional” at what she does.
You claim you “give a little bit extra”? I’d be hard-pressed to believe that “extra” is in any way connected to journalistic ethics or personal integrity. You want your readers to believe you work harder? Well, here’s a tip: WORK HARDER!!! (Pretty simple, huh?)
And this is from a YANKEE, no less! (I live in suburban Philadelphia…Pennsylvania, not Mississippi).
September 25th, 2007 at 8:03 am
You know what? You do have to do a little extra. Not because you are a woman or a minority, but because you are a no talent hack that needs to do something to get your voice heard no matter how unscrupulous. We all know you will write anything you have to so as it makes a “good” story.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Hi Jenni,
I am not going to give you as hard of a time as most of the other folks, but I do think Coach Gundy had some salient points. While you have the right of free speech, you do have to be cognizant that these are amateur athletes who are unpaid and should be less scrutinized than pro players. While you do have the right to your opinion, you also have a responsibility to your paper and community to promote public good. As a former black athlete,
I did like your comparison of being a female journalist with a black sports hero. Obviously, unbeknownst to your readers, racism and prejudice are still alive in America. However, no one who is not a minority would realize this.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Wow. This is a really well-timed blog don’t you think? Black quarterbacks being more scrutinized than others? THAT CAN’T BE RIGHT! Oh wait… well there is that one two-bit psuedo journalist from Oklahoma who wrote a scathing personal attack on a black quarterback because of nothing more than he eats chicken.
I didn’t notice you writing any blatantly libelous articles about any white kids lately. But that might just be because, as a general rule, I refuse to read this trash you can writing.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
as a black male who played football at the d-1 level and now owns a business, its very ironic to see a person like yourself finally understand what it is like to be viewed as a minority.
at the end of the day, non minorities wont ever understand and will be very critical of the reality. as a male, i dont understand half the subtle battles of women, and would suggest there is some wisdom on my part of realizing that.
however, being black and being a woman is apple and oranges. its fruit, but not the same at all.
your article on bobby reid was just awful. also your good morning america interview was no better. im not a fan of yours by any means, but i do understand the point you attempt to make and am sorry for all our sakes things are the way they are-isnt it funny how people still make it seem that racism/bigotry is a thing of the past?? truth be known every race is racist, because to even endorse the concept of race puts you on a bad path.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
If working harder means spitting out that crap you call reporting, you need to work even harder. Don’t compare yourself to a black QB, they actually have a demonstrated skill to be in the NFL, while who knows what Jenny(i) means by working “harder.”
There’s probably a “gig” waiting for you at the National Inquirer. “blakelylaw Says” you sound like an idiot like Carlson. Are you two related? Go home and clean the house. By the way most women who are “rabid football-fans” either had sex with one or like to admire the players forms, much like me watching the Miss Hawaiian Tropics pagent. It isn’t because of their talent or their knowledge of the game. Penetration has a whole new meaning here.
Carlson needs to stick to writing a lunch menu and stop trying to pretend she knows anything about football. “blakelylaw Says” want to sniff my jock strap?
September 25th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Rex Grossman probably knows a hell of a lot more than McNabb about QB scrutiny in the NFL. Last I checked, he is white. Ryan Leaf comes to mind as well. Cade McNown…Joey Harrington…Chris Weinke…Kerry Collins…Bubby Brister…Heath Schuler…Tim Couch…Rick Mirer…Rich Gannon. I could go on.
So why is it that once Donovan McNabb devolves down into the ranks of this group of notable under-acheivers, it’s only because he is unfairly targeted due to his race?
September 25th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
As a professional Qarterback in the NFL I can honestly say that When I see Suzi on the sidelines it is refreshing to know that times have changed and that women (to quote Annie Lenox and Aretha Franklin)are doing it for themselves. I do not feel that I am scrutinized anymore that my white counterparts. I am scrutinized because I am a second year man. HYPE HYPE and did I mention HYPE. Can I move on to Coach Gundy? I think that he is correct about the excessive slamming of a college player. The relationship between coach and player is like parent and child. So to Coach Gundy he was defending his own. Likewise Bobby has to walk around campus day after day “It hurts”,. Perhaps because he is a tough football player people gather he does not have feelings. Perhaps Ms Carlson does not recall being that young with the burden of heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. At the same time Ms Carlson is not a sports writer. She is an opinion columnist who writes about sports. Even if she did not know the difference between a touchdown, and a homerun. she is entitled to her opinions. My comment and question to Jenni is this. You write for a newspaper that represnts a southern state regardless of how it was meant, why would you put yourself and you paper in the crosshairs by referring to Booby Reid’s mom ” feeding him chicken on the sidelines”, not once but twice. When it comes to the Ms Carlson’s column about the starting QB situation at OSU. I think that Coach Gundy is just the beginning of a host of issues that will be brought up because of that article, and will be the least of the papers problems concerning. Of course that is only my opinion.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Jenni,
Watching you respond to criticism, with your editor at your side. I don’t think that you should compare yourself to Donovan. He is a highly trained professional. After reading your article critical of a college QB - filled with “rumors” from ” sources” - your work is that of a hack.
We had a son play D-1 football, I’m glad he never had to deal with an unprofessional “columnist” (not reporter) like you.
Jim in Pennsylvania
September 25th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Now…about the Reid/Gundy issue…
All this talk about Reid being a defenseless “kid” who has suffered at the hands of a newspaper columnist. I call BS! This same “kid” has fellow “kids” who are male AND female and carrying weapons and live ammo in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are MEN. These are WOMEN. These are grownups. These people are Reid’s age AND younger. They suffer great stress and great loss. They do it because of honor and duty. Reid is a QB on a D1 program and a Big12 school. He is BMOC. He sleeps in a soft, warm bed with full, hot meals every day. He has fraternity guys and sorority girls chasing him all day and all night. Everybody worrying about pity-poor Reid need to think again about how tough our young women on the ground in the heat of Iraq and in the cross-hairs of Al Qeada are EVERY DAY OF THIE LIVES, and stfu.
Reid’s job is to Man Up. Gundy’s job is to lead him there. Carlson’s column means nothing.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Hello, this is America. It doesn’t matter what color or gender you are. If you want to be on top in your profession, then you have to give that extra effort. I hate the use of the gender or race card. Do you know how many immigrants from other countries came to this country with nothing. At one point the Irish were considered to be equal to the so’called suppressed african americans. Where is the equality laws for the polish, irish, etc.. By the way you don’t help your cause when go after a young athlete. Even if a male writer wrote the article, there would still be hostility toward the author. Everyone claims that they just want to be equal, when really they just want an advantage over the competition (Equal Opportunity Employer’s, numerous scholarships to minorities).
September 26th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Matt there is a word that is used on a regular basis, that is so inaccurate. Minoritiy and Minorities. Referring to women and people of color. So in other words if one is not a white male then they are labled as a minority? Consider this take all the people of color form Asia (including the 1/4 of the earth’s population in China, Africa, The Carribean Islands, the idigenious people of Australia. All the ethnic people born in Europe, and the countries of the Middle East, not to forget Native Americans including all native tribes Navajo, Ojibwe.. Pacific Islanders, and people from above the Artic Circle (Eslimos)and you compare that number to the number of people on this planet with and of strictly European heritage (white folks) and you will find yourselves greatly out numbered. As fare as women they outnumber us 6 to 1 on Earth. So look in a mirror Matt, and there you will see the true Minirity, but as for me I will jsut call you Matt
September 26th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Please excuse the ocassional typo. It seems I am always hurrying through these
September 26th, 2007 at 11:45 am
The analogy of female sports reporter to black NFL QB is a good one. Does anyone seriously think that the Coach would have gone off in that way on a male reporter? I seriously doubt it. Good entertainment, sure, but the whole “You don’t have children” thing struck me as profoundly sexist.
That said, the original piece was indeed pretty lame, I have no idea where the “feeding him chicken” idiocy comes from…
We’re not talking about the female journalistic equivalent of Donovan McNabb here, more like a female Seneca Wallace.
t
September 26th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
ever heard of rex grossman? eli manning? peyton before he won it all?
Fact is, QBs get scrutinized on their performance, its not racial issue anymore.
Seems like you dont know squat about sports. Give it up.
You are in same class as Kim Jong il
September 27th, 2007 at 3:23 am
jenni - you should chose another profession. you’re just not very good at this.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
If playing major college football is such a sacrifice and hardship on the players and the public scutiny the “kids” endure is so damaging, why not just end the entire OSU football program and Coach “I’m a man” Gundy can become a motivational speaker.
September 29th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Tim Davenport you are brain dead. Watch any number of coach’s tirades hurled at male reporters. Heck, didn’t Mr. Rome once get physically assaulted by an NFL quarterback. You, like Jenni, probalby never played the game or had to put up with nerds, know it alls, and armchair quarterbacks saying they could do the job better having never strapped on pads in the middle of summer, getting your body beat to hell, and putting your heart and body on the line, week in and week out. Go back to your Dungeons and Dragons where you can save some fantasy world. And Jenni, if you did have kids you would know what the coach is talking about. His comments could have been directed to a male or female reporter and to take them as sexist is silly. Or are you pulling a Johnny Cochrane here to get out of Oklahoma? Heck, you’ve already received (undeserved) national attention.