[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

The last five white running backs to win the H*man are Steve Owens (Oklahoma, '69); Joe Bellino (Navy, '60); Billy Cannon (LSU, '59); Pete Dawkins (Army, '58); John David Crow (Texas A&M, '57).

Since 1950 the NFL, both merged and unmerged, has been led in rushing by these white running backs: Eddie Price (Giants, '51); Alan Ameche (Colts, '55); Rick Casares (59ers, '56); Jim Taylor (Packers, '62). In its 10-season existence, the American Football League was led in rushing by these white running backs: Billy Cannon (Oilers, '61; Dickie Post (Chargers, '69). So out of 75 pro rushing titles, white running backs won... six.

All this is not to say that in the NFL, McCaffrey will blossom into the next Gayle Sayers, whose otherworldly skills and style I believe he shares (plus, better hands). Rather, for two generations white running backs haven't been football's go-to guys. I think McCaffrey was stating that empiricism may be a handicap when it comes to judging his performance.

One of the many things to like about McCaffrey is that he forces lazy broadcasters to avoid the usual skin color based comparisons.  It is most noticeable with black quarterbacks, who are almost always either Michael Vick or Vince Young, but with McCaffrey, you can't use the default Gerhart/Hillis fallback.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

The last five white running backs to win the H*man are Steve Owens (Oklahoma, '69); Joe Bellino (Navy, '60); Billy Cannon (LSU, '59); Pete Dawkins (Army, '58); John David Crow (Texas A&M, '57).

Since 1950 the NFL, both merged and unmerged, has been led in rushing by these white running backs: Eddie Price (Giants, '51); Alan Ameche (Colts, '55); Rick Casares (59ers, '56); Jim Taylor (Packers, '62). In its 10-season existence, the American Football League was led in rushing by these white running backs: Billy Cannon (Oilers, '61; Dickie Post (Chargers, '69). So out of 75 pro rushing titles, white running backs won... six.

All this is not to say that in the NFL, McCaffrey will blossom into the next Gayle Sayers, whose otherworldly skills and style I believe he shares (plus, better hands). Rather, for two generations white running backs haven't been football's go-to guys. I think McCaffrey was stating that empiricism may be a handicap when it comes to judging his performance.

One of the many things to like about McCaffrey is that he forces lazy broadcasters to avoid the usual skin color based comparisons.  It is most noticeable with black quarterbacks, who are almost always either Michael Vick or Vince Young, but with McCaffrey, you can't use the default Gerhart/Hillis fallback.