Blacks Rooting for Dungy, Smith Isn't Racism

Since the Colts and the Bears won the conference championships, I’ve repeatedly been asked by white friends why was it OK for black people to openly root for the two African-American coaches but white people would’ve been viewed as racist had they openly cheered for Bill Belichick and Sean Payton.

Isn’t this a divisive double-standard?

No. It’s no different from the tradition of white people taking a passionate interest in boxing whenever a Great White (American) Hope makes a semi-legitimate run at the heavyweight title. Does anyone remember how America and Sports Illustrated went gaga over Gerry Cooney?

Better yet, why do you think Sylvester Stallone has made a half-billion dollars off the fictional Rocky character? The myth of a Great White Boxing Hope sells as well as the real thing.

This is not racism. People have a natural desire to see people who look like them excel, especially in professions where they’ve traditionally been excluded or haven’t experienced much success. There was no reason for white America to take a special rooting interest in Belichick and Payton. White men had coached in the previous 40 Super Bowls and won 38. (Tom Flores, who is Hispanic, guided the Raiders to two titles.)

Black people rooted for Lovie and Tony because they wanted to see black football coaches prove they are just as skilled as their white counterparts. We knew it before the conference championships. We just wanted definitive proof.

We need that proof so that maybe doors can be opened at the major-college level and in professional football. America has made tremendous black-white racial progress, but there are still obstacles African-Americans face when trying to gain access to jobs with the highest responsibility.

At the college level, administrators fear that black coaches can’t socialize with big-money boosters. At the professional level, owners worry that black coaches will form stronger ties with their predominantly black players than ownership (Denny Green in Minnesota).

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Beyond the door opening, black people rooted for Dungy and Smith for symbolic reasons. Dungy and Smith are symbols that there is more opportunity in America than systematic racism.

Yes, there is.

I am not naïve. I’m well aware that racism is still a major problem. But America is hardest on the poor and uneducated – regardless of color.

Dungy and Smith offer strong proof that education, dignity, hard work and perseverance are kryptonite to institutional racism. That’s a message black people want sounded across America as too many young people embrace the hip hop notion that ill-gotten wealth, jewelry, 22-inch rims and a veneer of violent toughness is a shield against racism rather than a one-way ticket to a romantic getaway at a penal institution.

Dungy grew up middle class, the son of educators. Smith is from a far more humble beginning, growing up in a farming community in Texas and working since childhood.

Dungy was the Doogie Howser of coaching, landing an assistant-coaching position with the Pittsburgh Steelers at age 25. He was defensive coordinator of the Steelers at age 28. It took a little more than a decade – and a lot of media pressure -- for Dungy to land a head-coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Smith traveled the more traditional coaching route. He spent 15 years as a high school and college coach before getting a job on Dungy’s Tampa staff. He spent three years leading the Rams defense before securing the Bears job.

Dungy and Smith are high-profile examples of how to make it in this world. They relied on their faith. They remained humble. They treat their players with great respect. They don’t cuss or scream. Their composure under pressure is impeccable. They invested in each other. They don’t whine or make excuses.

If you took note of the way Dungy handled his son’s suicide, you can’t question the man’s courage or toughness.

Come on, it’s not difficult to imagine why black Americans view Dungy and Smith as heroes and are celebrating their Super Bowl success. For older African-Americans, Dungy and Smith rekindle memories of Jackie Robinson. For younger black folks, Dungy and Smith have laid a fabulous blueprint for navigating the American maze.

Yes, the blueprint has been out in the open for decades. But the spotlight had been taken off of it.

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On Wednesday I stood on radio row at the Super Bowl talking with sportswriter Bryan Burwell and former NFL star Cris Carter. A talk-radio host asked Carter would race quit being an issue in terms of NFL coaches once this Super Bowl was over.

Carter said no – not as long as 32 white men owned NFL franchises and were the decision-makers. The radio host was disappointed and a bit uncomfortable. He just wants race topics to go away.

I understand the sentiment. I also agree and disagree with Carter’s opinion. Race will remain a serious topic in America and in the sports world for the foreseeable future. But race will be less of an issue when it comes to NFL coaches because of Dungy and Smith.

In the NBA race isn’t a gigantic issue – it’s still an issue (black coaches get fired quicker) – for coaches because that league has employed numerous black coaches for a number of years. Over the next decade, I suspect the same will be true of the NFL.

The new battle will be in NFL front offices