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Bucs Black QB Set For Extra Attention iBy DAN SEWELLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) ~ Doug Williams isn’t out to debunk myths or become a role model. But the first black quarterback ever drafted in the National Football league’s first round knows extra attention — and pressure — will b e inescapable.Williams ended a well-publicized holdout over the weekend by signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said Monday that the controversy his holdout aroused is typical of what he expects.“Really, the criticism is because I’m the first black quarterback drafted this high. There’s been so much emphasis on that. A black playing quarterback in the NFL is something you very seldom see,” he said.1 The former Grambling star* said he doesn’t feel he’s far behind the Bucs’ four otherr quarterbacks. Williams said* he’s not in a hurry to prove 1 anything, either for himself r or blacks, who historically 3 have not fared well as NFL a quarterbacks.“Why? I can’t answerwhy,” he said.“Joe Gilliam didn’t fail p because of ability ~~ he had rlt; personal problems. (James) ^ Harris led the league a couple a years. There haven’t been as a many black quarterbacks given the chance,” he said. p Williams figures that v\ unlike many black quar- v terbacks in the past who were s quickly converted to flanker 0 or defensive back, he will be g given the time to develop with the Bucs as a quarterback.“Anywhere you go, your firstround draft pick will be given more time. It takes time to develop in the league. Everybody who comes into the league has a lot to learn.“1 would like to play a lot this year. But I can’t say how much I will play. If I were the coach, I’d start Gary Huff (who directed the Bucs’ two seasonending .biflies) come Sept. 2. Then, if 1 come along and improve, then I’m sure ; I’ll get a chance later in theseason.“I know that a lot of people around the U.S. are going to watch what Doug Williams does this year,” he said. “But I can’t let that bother me.”
Newspaper Details
Clearfield Progress
Clearfield, Pennsylvania, US
Tue, Jul 25, 1978
Page 51
Full Page
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Los A.
CA, USA 25 Jan 2024
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