The subject of racism is the hottest topic in America these days. For Chicago Bears fans, it’s something that actually started a lot earlier than everywhere else. This due in large part to details continuing to come out regarding their handling of the 2017 NFL draft. Specifically, the baffling decision to favor Mitch Trubisky, a white quarterback, over two black quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes.
Watson re-lit that controversy last month when he declared the Bears never talked to him once before the draft. Something that was later proven incorrect. Still, that didn’t stop a lot of Bears fans to cry foul. How could GM Ryan Pace and the organization have possibly favorite Trubisky over a two-time Pro Bowler and the reigning NFL king in Mahomes?
It has to be racism. That’s the only explanation. The franchise is owned by rich, white people so that obviously means they’re racist, right? Sure, if this were a bad Hollywood movie. The reality is far, far different.
Chicago Bears employed the first African-American quarterback
Willie Thrower is not a name remembered by many today. At least not in pro football. College football enthusiasts know it much better. He was an integral part of the 1952 Michigan State national championship team. He was never the primary starter in college, but he did enough to draw interest from the Bears. In 1953, George Halas offered him an $8,500 contract to join the team.
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Thrower became the backup that season to future Hall of Famer George Blanda. He saw brief action in a game against San Francisco, throwing eight passes. The first man of color to ever do so in the NFL. He was quickly benched when Blanda went back in and that was it. He never played a down again, but the achievement remains no less influential to this day. Thrower may not have been Jackie Robinson, but he was still a pioneer.
Employed the first African-American GM
Most people think that Ozzie Newsome is the first African-American GM in league history. While a popular story given the success he’s had, it’s not entirely true. That honor belongs to Rod Graves. From 1993 to 1996, he was the de facto GM for the Bears, sharing personnel power with head coach Dave Wannstedt. Nobody remembers him because the reign was short. However, there is no question he was the top guy in that front office. The traditional spot help by the GM.
Graves went on to become the GM of the Arizona Cardinals in 2003. Just one year after Newsome was promoted to that same position in Baltimore. While the man had a forgettable run in the mid-1990s, it doesn’t change the fact he was far ahead of his time.
Employed a black head coach for nine seasons
Facts are facts. Lovie Smith was the second-longest tenured black head coach in NFL history when the Bears fired him in 2013. He’d spent nine seasons on the sideline, winning three division titles and reaching a Super Bowl. Sharing history with Tony Dungy as the first black head coaches to reach that game. It’s also easy to forget that Bears ownership actually requested to then-new GM Phil Emery that he keep Smith as head coach in 2012 despite having just fired Jerry Angelo.
If the franchise were racist, would they not have seized the opportunity to push Smith out sooner? Maybe during the three-year period they missed the playoffs from 2007 to 2009 or the disappointing collapse in 2011? Yet they kept him, poking further holes in this absurd idea.
Revere a black man as the greatest player in their history
Last but certainly not least, there is one other sticking point. The Chicago Bears have two statues out in front of Soldier Field. One is of founder George Halas. The other is of Walter Payton. That’s right. A black man from Mississippi is idolized as one of the greatest pillars in franchise history. Members of the McCaskey family speak of him with great reverence and respect whenever asked.
If they were racist as many continue to proclaim, there is no way Payton would be so celebrated to this day.
What else needs to be said?
Call the Bears stupid for not drafting Watson or Mahomes. That’s perfectly fair. Don’t call them racist. That is also stupid.
