Quincy Carter is one of 96 African American QB's drafted in NFL History, but a high Wonderlic score is not a surefire indicator of future success. But at least Carter was lucky enough to not be converted to another position (1 out of 3 African American QB's Drafted) as shown in statistical findings by Editor Lloyd Vance
January 26, 2009
(Philadelphia, Pa) --- Recently a graduate student asked me to
assist him in compiling the statistical aspects of the African American
quarterback’s journey in the NFL compared to their white counterparts. We
decided to analyze the data in terms of the NFL Draft, conversion to other
positions, and Combine Testing (specifically the Wonderlic Test). The
information compiled is quite compelling and hopefully it will assist the
requesting graduate student plus spur some additional conversation in the public
arena on the journey of the African American quarterback.
The raw statistical data should definitely help in piecing together the over
80-year journey of the African American quarterback since Fritz Pollard played
in the early days of the NFL. However the data and several other artifacts
clearly show that the journey of the African American quarterback in the NFL has
been quite arduous at times with some people that I have talked to categorizing
their treatment as “unfair”. But I do believe that progress has been made and we
maybe on the cusp where coaches, fans, and the media will only be judging a
quarterback based solely on his abilities on the field. To those that wish to
explore beyond the numbers, I will point to the ESPN Book and DVD “Third and a
Mile” as a great reference tool to further understand the history and struggles
of the African American quarterback.
Special Thanks goes out to Mac Marible for helping to compile the Wonderlic
score information for all of the quarterbacks.
Draft Information
The first African American quarterback drafted was George Taliaferro from the
University of Indiana by the Chicago Bears in the 13th Round of 1949 NFL Draft.
The Bears intention was to convert Taliaferro, so he first played for the LA
Dons of the rival All American Football Conference (AAFC). He later returned to
the NFL playing for the NY Yanks, Baltimore Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Though Taliaferro was converted to halfback, he threw 284 passes in his NFL
career that lasted until 1955. The first African American quarterback to be
drafted solely to play quarterback was Charlie “Choo Choo” Brackins from Prairie
View in 1955 by the Green Bay Packers in the 16th Round. Also for historical
reference, from 1933 to 1946 the National Football League just like professional
baseball had a “Gentleman’s Agreement” to keep the league all-white.
- As of the 2008 NFL Draft, 96 African-Amerrrican quarterbacks (13%) have been
drafted out of a total number of 719 quarterbacks drafted going back to the
first NFL Draft in 1936. Of the 96 African American quarterbacks drafted only 13
of the quarterbacks were selected in the first round (2%), with two being
converted to other positions.
- Conversely as of the 2008 NFL Draft, 617 White quarterbacks were drafted
from the total number of 719 quarterbacks drafted for a percentage of (86%). Of
the 617 White quarterbacks drafted, 128 were selected in the first round (18%)
with two being converted to other positions.
- Of the 96 African American quarterbacks dddrafted, 33 were converted to another
position (34%). So the statistical data shows that 1 out of 3 African
American quarterbacks drafted since 1949 were converted to another position.
Of the 617 white quarterbacks drafted, only 10 were converted to another
position (1.6%)
- African American quarterbacks selected byyy decade (first NFL
Draft was in 1936): 1930 to 1939 – Zero; 1940 to 1949 – One; 1950 to 1959 – Two;
1960 to 1969 – Twelve; 1970 to 1979 – Nine; 1980 to 1989 – Twelve; 1990 to 1999
– Twenty-Six; 2000 to Present – Thirty-Four. The highest number of African
American quarterbacks drafted in one season was in 2006 with nine and 1999 with
seven.
- African American quarterbacks selected bbby round -- Round
One: 13; Round Two: 11; Round Three: 2; Round Four: 8; Round Five: 12; Round
Six: 17; Round Seven: 11; Round Eight or higher: 22
- African American quarterbacks selected in the NFL Draft for conversion to
another position by decade: 1930 to 1939 – Zero; 1940 to 1949 – One; 1950 to
1959 – One; 1960 to 1969 – Eight; 1970 to 1979 – Three; 1980 to 1989 – Four;
1990 to 1999 – Five; 2000 to Present – Eleven.
***NFL Draft data was compiled from NFL.com by Lloyd M. Vance
Wonderlic Test
If there is one part of the NFL Combine experience I do not
like or understand, it is the Wonderlic test. The test is designed to measure a
player’s I.Q. through a 50-question test administered in 23 minutes. Most
players are tired/uninterested when taking the test, which leads to a majority
of guys not completing the test. Some agents have started to have their clients
cram for the Wonderlic test like the SAT coming out of high school, but at least
you can take the SAT test multiple times. However the Wonderlic is a one shot
deal that many people put way too much credence in it. I can still hear all of
the preposterous Vince Young test score reporting from 2006 -- By the way did
Vince’s score of 16 preclude him from winning the 2006 Rookie of the Year award.
And did you know that Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and Terry Bradshaw
both scored a 15 while colossal bust Quincy Carter scored a 30. Here is a sample
question: “Paper clips sell for 23 cents per box. What will 4 boxes cost” --
take all the time you need. To me this test should not be part of the NFL
evaluation process, because all teams should only care about a player’s
“Football Intelligence” along with their character, on-the-field play, practice
habits, and many other “true” evaluation measurables.
- Sample Size of 271 quarterbacks (196 Whitttes, 71 African Americans, and 4
players identified as other) that took the Wonderlic test with an average score
of 25 for the group. (Data supplied by Mac Marible’s website (http://www.macmirabile.com/Wonderlic.htm).
- The average score for the 71 African Amerrrican quarterbacks from the 271
quarterback sample size was 19 (high scores belonging to Bruce Eugene (41) and
Darrell Hackney (40) with low scores by Oscar Davenport (6) and Vince Evans (8)
- The average score for the 196 White quarterbacks from the 271 quarterback sample size was 26.5 (high scores belonging to Jason Mass (43), Drew Henson (42), and Alex Smith (40) with low scores for Jeff George (10) and Hall of Famers: Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, and Terry Bradshaw (all scored a 15)
- 112 of the 271 Wonderlic Tested Quarterbacks were not
drafted (30 blacks, 79 whites, and 3 players from other races)
-- The forty-six NFL First Round draft choiiices in the 271 quarterback sample
size scored an average score of 24.6 (high scores belonging to Alex Smith (40)
and Eli Manning (39) with a low score by Jeff George (10). Other notable scores
included Peyton Manning (28), Michael Vick (20), Donovan McNabb (14) with Steve
McNair, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly all having the same score of
“15”.
--- Submitted by Lloyd Vance
