Despite losing Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, Peyton Hillis became the first white running back to rush for a 1000 yards since New England's Craig James did so in 1985.
Amongst NFL running backs, 1000 yards rushing for a season has become a benchmark for success. Mr. Hillis deserves praise for his efforts this season with the Cleveland Browns not because he is white, but because he overcame anonymity whilst playing with the Denver Broncos, to find his niche in Cleveland.
As much as I'd like to think race does not matter, let's face it - white running backs are less common on a professional stage than are black hockey players in the NHL. There are certain positions on a football team, often called the 'skilled positions', that are dominated by African-American athletes. Where speed and agility is required, such as in the case of running backs and wide receivers, most often these positions are held by black players.
This is not a forum on the ethnic and physiological reasons for why certain races excel at certain sports, while others seem to struggle in comparison, however the fact remains that the numbers don't lie.
Odds are, parents of children playing amateur football are aware of the percentages and motivate their kids to play other positions, or even other sports such as lacrosse.
The dissenting opinions of naysayers and those that told him it couldn't be done are no different than those that criticized black quarterbacks 25 years ago for lacking the cerebral qualities and leadership skills required to lead a team. The likes of Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick would be quick to point out that things change, and stereotypes do nothing but motivate the hungry.
Kudos to Peyton Hillis for overcoming such stereotypes, succeeding on the field and inspiring kids across America, not only white ones, but children of all ethnicities, that labels mean nothing and molds are made to be broken.
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