Pro Football Weekly’s “Black and White” Cover Features Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III

The upcoming draft issue of Pro Football Weekly features Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III side by side, with the title, “Top QB: It’s Not As Simple As Black and White.”

Jim Romenesko has comments from Mike Freeman of CBS Sports questioning the appropriateness of the cover, along with responses from PFW’s executive editor Ed Johnson and editor Hub Arkush.

Here’s what Mike Freeman first tweeted out:

The cover, courtesy of Romenesko via PFW, appears above. Hub Arkush provides a lengthy response to Jim Romenesko. In it, he states that there are two stories. One compares Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III and says that the decision on who is Number 1 is not as clear cut as it appeared earlier this year. Another piece looks at how African-Americans are underrepresented at the quarterback position, and examines whether race still plays a role in the development and evaluation of quarterbacks.

In light of these comments, and just looking at the cover, it has a racial component. They don’t choose that title and the artwork unless Robert Griffin III was African-American. Does that, though, make it “borderline racist”? Have we gone too far here?

I think so (or as Jason Whitlock said, borderline too sensitive). This isn’t the “Chink in the Armor” headline with double meaning representing a pejorative term. Can we now not use headlines to discuss potential race issues? I think its a discussion we want to have, not avoid. My personal thought on Robert Griffin is that I hope he is ultimately evaluated without racial stereotyping coming in to his scouting, as I saw a guy who can throw accurate deep balls. However, let’s not pretend it’s still not an issue and that we won’t see it creep in to evaluations.

In this case, I think the “Black and White” cover is appropriate for the content that Hub Arkush describes.

[photo via Romenesko via PFW]

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8 Responses to “Pro Football Weekly’s “Black and White” Cover Features Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III”

Clayton Cargill Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 11:23 AM

Does that, though, make it “borderline racist”?

only to Mike Freeman, Jemele Hill, and the like.

Especially since that article is probably absolutely aglow about RGIII, like absolutely everything else you read everywhere. Other than “slightly too short by a quarter inch,” I haven’t heard anything even remotely negative about him.
At this point last year, Cam Newton was getting hammered. But the world has changed in the last year. Lots of crow has been eaten by lots of people.

FredSanford Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 11:32 AM

and the like

You mean SAS?

Jim Harbaugh Scramble Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 11:56 AM

an embarrassment, borderline racist, totally unnecessary

wow. that is exactly how I feel about Mike Freeman. He is the WORST.

scripty Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 11:58 AM

RG3 will have a kung fu grip on the NFL.

Mike NYC Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 12:08 PM

They don’t choose that title and the artwork unless Robert Griffin III was African-American.

And they also don’t choose that title and artwork unless Andrew Luck was white. So who gives a shit?

Also, a link to the Romenesko piece would be helpful.

Jason Lisk Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 1:19 PM

And they also don’t choose that title and artwork unless Andrew Luck was white. So who gives a shit?

Also, a link to the Romenesko piece would be helpful.

Even when we agree you have to be a buttmunch. and yes, i inserted the link. thought i had done that but must not have saved.

Mugatu Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 3:02 PM

It’s not racist. How? If someone described my appearance, they would say I am black. It describes what I look like, plus it’s efficient and gets to the point. To be honest, I prefer that to African-American.

Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
February 25th, 2012 at 3:11 PM

Does that, though, make it “borderline racist”?

It makes the cover provocative. You decide on your own what a picture of a Black QB and White QB along with a title of who is best, and it not being as simple as Black and White evokes. Close your eyes and picture. Picture it. Can you see it? Can you see it? Now open your eyes, and imagine if that was the cover to a Mike Freeman or Jemelle Hill story.