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This week I read an article on the Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson. The article, Green Bay Packers Receiver Jordy Nelson Says His Race Is Part Of The Reason For His Success, basically goes on about how Nelson is the only white receiver on the Packers offense. Most people don’t see him as a threat because he is white, and stereotypically most receivers are black. Nelson uses the stereotype as an advantage to prove everyone wrong when they think as Greg Jennings puts it, “OK, yeah, he’s the white guy, he can’t be that good.” Nelson has caught 61 passes for 1,082 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in the past 15 games.
I chose this article because I am a huge Packer fan. The article interested me because I never actually thought about the race stereotypes in football. It surprised me that the team seems to embrace the stereotype and the fact that Nelson is going against the stereotype, but whatever helps them win games. I would just consider his success solely on the fact that he’s a good player and Rodgers being the good quarterback finds him when he’s open.
Link to the article: http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201111/green-bay-packers-reciever-plays-race-card
Further reading: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111116/PKR01/111116145/Green-Bay-Packers-WR-Jordy-Nelson-works-way-up-to-No-2-receiver-by-being-himself
An interesting article, Derrick, and considering the topic, I think it’s handled pretty well. Discussions of race in sports can explode easily, but this one seems fairly safe. Maybe because the article stays positive.
fuglsang 11.28.11 @ 9:25 pm