Evidently, there’s “a certain stigma that’s been associated with the UGA program here in Atlanta’s urban culture.”
It’s always tough to deal with racial issues in regard to sports, but you’d be ignorant as all get out to say it doesn’t exist.
With that being said, there’ a common theme among around a portion of the African-American community which believes the Georgia Bulldogs don’t like QBs of color. As an African-American sports writer from the best city in the world, Atlanta, I’ve been privileged enough to get accounts of sports topics not commonly associated with the mainstream view.
And I’d be lying if I say I haven’t had that sentiment expressed to me hundreds of times by hundreds of people.
Of course I roll my eyes at it as I believe the best player should always play, regardless of skin tone. Additionally, I roll my eyes at the thought of UGA’s head man Mark Richt somehow being prejudiced.
I first came to know about Richt when he helped guide former Heisman Trophy winner, and African-American QB, Charlie Ward as the OC for the Florida State Seminoles.
Even to this day he finds ways to reference his time with Ward as some of the best days of his life. But most will mention only the presence of D.J. Shockley, for all of one season, as the lone QB of color in Richt’s 14 seasons in Athens.
Jeebus.
I’ve lived in Atlanta for more than fifty years. I thought I mixed with a pretty broad bunch of folks who make up the local urban culture, but I guess I’m wrong about that, because I’ve never heard this particular accusation lobbed Richt’s way before.
By the way, Richt recruited Golson when he was coming out of high school. Richt’s perceived racist agenda must not have left hard feelings, since Towers is reporting that Golson’s interested in visiting Georgia because the two struck up a relationship during his recruitment. So there’s that.
Now if somebody can just explain how Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb started ahead of Brendan Douglas, maybe I can get this all sorted out in my head.