Normally, the white stereotypes is positive and the black stereotypes are negative. It has been like that for 100s if not 1000s of years.
In sports it happens every day, just think about how Cam Newton would be perceived if he was white, I doubt he would have to deal with a lot of the critiques that seem to follow him.
But, there are a couple of white stereotype in sports, that don’t paint white athletes in the best light. Often times white athletes that play skill positions aren’t seen as very athletic or fast. I’ve watched Jordy Nelson run by many of a black DB and the announcers still feel uncomfortable saying he is fast. Every white receiver was compared to Wes Welker for a decade regardless if they played like Welker or not.
White running backs are a rare breed and are never seen as anything more than bulky bruisers. When I watch Christian McCaffrey play, I am not going to lie to you and say I don’t notice he is white, but that doesn’t stop me from seeing he is a baller.
If you are breaking Barry Sanders’ records, it doesn’t matter if you are white, black or Kaepernick you can play the game of football.
McCaffrey who is the son of former Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey was asked if he thought being a white running back would hurt his Heisman chances.
Christian McCaffrey told me he hadn’t really thought if the perception of white RBs will hurt him w Heisman voters.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 9, 2015
Christian McCaffrey: “I don’t focus on race, just football. Most white running backs…”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 9, 2015
McCaffrey: “…are perceived to be big, up-the-middle guys. I don’t fit that stereotype.”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 9, 2015
It is a sensitive topic that no one likes to bring up (easier to talk about black stereotypes), but he answered the question the best way he could.
From a purely statistical standpoint he was best player in the country this year and should win the award. We will see what happens.