There was a great article today in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. It was about David Sutton, who’s trying to make it as an undrafted rookie wide receiver with the Dolphins. Sutton’s in camp with Miami despite having a less-than-stellar college career. In two years at UTEP, Sutton caught just six passes for 30 yards and one touchdown. Makes you wonder how he even got invited to camp. But once you learn a little bit about Sutton’s background, you’ll come to realize there’s a reason why he wasn’t an accomplished collegiate athlete. His story also makes you appreciate the likes of Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby. From the Sun-Sentinel:
As the lone black player on his Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School volleyball team, Dolphins undrafted rookie receiver David Sutton was subject to racial taunts at visiting gymnasiums. It was so hurtful, that he ignored a potential volleyball scholarship to Penn State and decided to give football a try in junior college.
Sutton bounced from Lincoln (Mo.) University to Compton (Calif.) Community College before ending up at Texas-El Paso, where he barely played for coach Mike Price.
…
“There weren’t a lot of brothers in volleyball, and I learned that the hard way,” Sutton said in between practices this week. “People would say racial things toward me and after that I just couldn’t deal with it too much more so I ended up going to football.”
Man, now tell me that doesn’t suck. That has to be part of what’s going on in baseball these days — not that there’s racial taunts in the game, just that black athletes must feel more comfortable playing in leagues where they’re in the majority. I think it’s great to have all sports be integrated through all cultures and races, and I’m saddened when I read stories like this. The story also serves as an excellent reminder about the hardships men like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby endured. Clearly, it’s not easy to be in the minority in any situation, much less on an athletic playing field. It’s really unfortunate to read a story like this.
