[Muhammad] Ali's cornerman, Drew "Bundini" Brown, used the boxer's affinity for [Jack] Johnson to encourage him in the ring. During several of Ali's major fights, Bundini was heard to call from the corner, "Ghost in the house! Ghost in the house! Jack Johnson's here! Ghost in the house!"
-- from Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson
In 1986, the Washington Redskins beat the Denver Broncos to win Super Bowl XXII by a score of 42-10. Leading the team to victory was Redskins quarterback Doug Williams who was honored with the Most Valuable Player trophy and the distinction of being the only African-American quarterback who has ever won a Super Bowl.
Fast forward 19 years later:
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will be the third QB to start a Super Bowl, behind Tennessee Titans' Steve McNair (1999) and Washington Redskins Doug Williams (1986). If Donvovan -- along with the Eagles -- wins Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6 he will become the second quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl. For Donovan no other win is important as winning the "Big Game."
The ever-so brilliant blogger hardCore examines the historical and racial impact of Donovan's trip to Super Bowl XXXIX as it relates to Doug Williams' triumphant win at Super Bowl XXII:
hardCore writes:
"I was a young kid in junior high when that happened [Doug Williams winning the Super Bowl], and man, I still remember how much it meant to the race. It was like seeing the first black heavyweight crowned champ or something. We all knew how big it was, and I can't even begin to express how big it felt. Well now, some seventeen years later, we still yearn to see another black quarterback follow in Doug William's steps, by winning it all."hardCore's post reminded me of PBS's informative series Unforgivable Blackness about the legendary boxer Jack Johnson, who was the first black heavyweight to be crowned champion. More so because Jack Johnson, much like Donovan, had to fight some of the same prejudices and doubts about his ability as a boxer.
For four years, Donovan had to hear "negative comments" by naysayers who felt that he wasn't a caliber quarterback in the NFL.
hardCore writes:
"McNabb is arguably the best quarterback in the game, but much like Doug Williams, no one is going to ever give him the benefit of the doubt. The only way he can truly hush the naysayers is by winning a Super Bowl. Which, I truly hope he does. For years, black quarterbacks in the league have been chasing Doug Williams's legacy. And although Doug Williams is far from dead, it would be great to bury the black quarterback debate once and for all."
Ghost in the house!
Ghost in the house!
Doug Williams's here!
Ghost in the house!
Ghost in the house!
Holla!
