I mean didn't Dr. King preach equality; however, if you look at the sporting world, there isn't much equality among the races. With that said, there is still time for youngsters to surf the web, come across the I'll Be Frank blog, see the list of greatest white athletes, become enthralled and motivated by the daunting and unrealistic task of becoming a white professional athlete, and subsequently thrive off of the challenge.
I have a dream that someday my children will have the same opportunities to sell their bowl game memorabilia as the African-American child, with the 4.3 40, that lives down the street.
Originally I had intended on doing a top-10 list for every sport, but it turns out that there aren't 10 white American people in sports other than golf, so the list was reduced to 5 per. This list is based on the top athletes as of today.
NFL
5. Peyton Hillis - The only white starting RB in the league. The waiver-wire stud was traded to the Browns for Brady Quinn. Brady and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman had nearly the exact same stats for the Broncos this season. The Avalanche; however, accounted for over 1600 yards and 13 TDs
4. Clay Matthews - Hard to believe that this guy had to walk on at USC. How didn't the Trojans have the best D ever, with Matthews, Matt Cushing, and Rey Malaleuga? Anyways, the heart of the Pack D single handidly ruined Winston Justices' Eagles career and has his team facing a shaky Jay Cutler in the NFC Championship game.
3. Tom Brady - On the heels of another Patriots playoff collapse (those words were unthinkable 5 years ago) Brady drops a few spots. He did play poorly, although his numbers were decent and his receivers didn't exactly help him out. However, can't overlook the season he put up, no INTs since week 5, and an almost guarenteed MVP award. I bet Brady will pout about this loss until he calls his accountant and checks his bank account, then rolls over in the morning and sees his supermodel wife naked in bed next too him. I'm sure Tommy will be ok.
2. Ben Roethlisberger - Say what you want about the guy off the field, and we have had plenty of things to say on this blog, but the guy is one hell of a quarterback. He just wins games. He does what is best for the team: takes a pounding behind an offensive line that is decimated by injury, hands the ball off without complaint, and can throw the timely deep ball that will seal a game. The guy wins, and has his team on the precipice of a third Super Bowl trip. In a suspension shortened season, he still managed to throw for 3200 yards, 17 TDs and only 5 picks. Not too shabby. As predicted, everyone in Pittsburgh loves him again.
1. Aaron Rodgers - The last post says all that needs to be said. However, next year in our fantasy draft I have the #7 pick and was greedily eyeing up Rodgers at that spot. After a season of QB roulette, I will never not take a top-tier signal caller again. I figured Rodgers would fall nicely in my lap and I could just reap the benefits. Now after this postseason I feel it will be difficult to expect him to be around for the 7 pick.
NBA
This was a tough one. The only good white players are foreigners, so they can't be featured on the list. The top-2 are actually decent players, but the rest of this NBA list is a bunch of jokesters.
5. Troy Murphy - He's white, has decent numbers, so he makes the list.
4. Chris Kamen - He's white, has decent numbers, is tall, at one point had the worst long, stingy, crypt-keeper-like hair, so he makes the list.
3. Mike Miller - He hit a buzzer beater for Florida in the tourney so he makes the list. Also took his talents to South Beach.
2. David Lee - 15/9/3 isn't a shabby statline for a white guy in the NBA. Not the numbers we are used to from Lee during his Knick days, but still solid enough to make the top-2. Playing on a Golden State team that would have trouble competing in the Big East, doesn't help his cause.
1. Kevin Love - A no-brainer. Was tagged by some after 2 average years as a bust, but after a 30/30 showing earlier this season he is officially a stud. A 21/15 per game statline has him as one of the best forwards in the league and easily the best white guy in the Association.
MLB
5. Tim Lincecum - Coming off a World Series victory, and a dominant playoff showing, Lincecum regains the credibility that makes him one of the most feared pitchers in the league. Over the past 3 seasons he has averaged 16 wins, 2.80 ERA and 250 Ks in a hitter friendly park.
4. Ryan Braun - Arguably the top Jewish athlete in sports.
3. Troy Tulowitzki - With his remarkable late August, earlier September run, he single-handedly won me my Fantasy Baseball league for the 2nd time in as many years. If this guy can stay healthy, playing in Coors Field, with a decent lineup around him, the sky could be the limit.
2. Evan Longoria - Still not even 25, but his 3 year average is .283/27/110/88/10.
1. Roy Halladay - For some reason I guess all of those years spent in Toronto made me think that Halladay was a Canadian, nope he's from Denver. Anyways, with a 3-year average of 245 IP, 19 wins, 2.64 ERA, 211 K, he is easily the best pitcher in baseball. With the staff surrounding him in 2011, the Phils will be extremely difficult to hit.
NHL
5. Jonathan Quick - In a league full of whites, most are from the Great White North or Russia. With 19 wins, a 2.21 GAA, and 4 shutouts, Quick should be in the discussion for the Vezina. If he continues to improve, the Kings will be a tough out come playoff time.
4. Patrick Kane - In sort of a post-Cup slump, but still near the top as far as American hockey players go.
3. Bobby Ryan - The big New Jersey native is probably best known for being the consolation prize to Sidney Crosby in the 2005 draft, but with 21 goals on the season, he has the Ducks in contention out West.
2. Ryan Miller - Not the season he was looking for after a Vezina winning run last year, but he still ranks high because of his Olympic heroics. His team stinks and gives him no help.
1. Tim Thomas - Big Fat Tim Thomas is somehow back. 2 years ago he was the leagues best goalie, last year he sucked and was replaced throughout the season and playoffs by Tukka Rask. Now this season he is the best netminder in the league with 20 wins compared to 4 losses, a 1.88 GAA, a .943 save %, and 6 shutouts, he has regained his form from 2 seasons ago.
PGA
So golf was pretty easy to find 5 Americans to fill out a list so here it is:
5. Matt Kuchar - The PGAs top money winner in 2010, had a career year and vaulted up the rankings.
4. Steve Stricker - Quietly had another dominant year raking in more than $4 mil in winnings.
3. Phil Mickelson - Had to deal with a lot of family medical issues, so his year wasn't quite up to Lefty's expectations. He still managed to win a little tourney in Georgia and bring in almost $4 mil in earnings.
2. Dustin Johnson - The fact that he is possibly dating Natalie Gulbis is enough reason for him to be on this list. The big hitter almost won 2 majors in 2010, before collapsing tragically on the final day. He still has plenty of game to make numerous runs at the majors in the years to come.
1. Jim Furyk - In what seemed like a down year for Furyk turned into a Fed Ex cup win, Player of the Year honors and almost $15 mil in winnings. I had a down year last year as well and all it got me was a t-shirt and a round with Bobby Frye at the Greensburg Masters.
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