Lamar Jackson and the Racism of ‘Running Quarterbacks’
The quarterback has emerged as one of the best players in the NFL — but that hasn’t stopped sportswriters and analysts from sticking with the dumbest dogwhistle in professional sports
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Two Sundays ago, quarterback Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to victory over the San Francisco 49ers, ending his opponents’ reign as the only one-loss team in the NFL and continuing what has by now become a nine-game winning streak. He also ran for 101 yards, becoming the first quarterback in league history to rack up 100 or more four times in a season — chiefly because of his success with play action and read option plays, in which he fakes a handoff before deciding to run the ball himself.
For many fans, the game served as a likely preview of Super Bowl LIV — two teams, favorites in their respective conferences, operating at the heights of their powers. For 49ers team radio commentator Tim Ryan, it served as a chance to trot out one of the most ridiculous traditions in professional football.
