The 2016 Draft Quarterbacks Overwhelmingly Came From Wealthy Backgrounds, Got Expensive Training Early
By Jason Lisk
Robert Klemko, of the Monday Morning Quarterback, has a fascinating piece on the backgrounds of the 15 quarterbacks drafted in this year’s NFL draft. The over-arching results shouldn’t be surprising. The quarterback position is one where being from a wealthy background, with parents who can support (both in hours and money) is a decided advantage.
Of the 15 quarterbacks, 13 grew up in homes above the median home value in their state, and nearly half (seven) grew up in homes worth more than double the median home value. Thirteen came from two-parent homes during their early childhood, and 12 received individualized quarterback tutoring/instruction, beyond their team structure, before leaving high school.
The two cited from backgrounds outside the norm were Carson Wentz and Cardale Jones. Jones, from a single-parent family in Cleveland, was supported by Ted Ginn, Sr. and got his break through knowing the elder Ginn, who coached Glenville High School. Wentz grew up in North Dakota, where camps and resources were not as readily available (though Wentz came from a parental background and economic background more in line with the group).
Christian Hackenberg’s dad flew him to meet a QB guru in Missouri, where he would spend weekends. Connor Cook’s dad – recently in the news with claims his behavior affected team opinions of his son–paid for him to workout at Raw Talent, and he went on a bus tour of one-day camps in the Big Ten as a result. Mark Harris, owner of that company, said “Connor’s parents are crazy. They’re very supportive. I love them to death. They were about helping all these kids out, not just their own.” Nate Sudfeld’s parents would drive him two hours to the Bay Area, sit around while he got instruction for six hours, and drive him back. Jared Goff’s dad started a 7-on-7 team so he could participate, when there wasn’t one available.
“When you have two parents and you have wealth and you have structure, you have more access and you’re exposed to more things,” Whitfield is quoted in the piece. “Then you know when to get on that circuit. To know when to get some highlight tapes—you need an institution behind you.”
This is not to say that simply having parents that support the athlete is a golden ticket – genetics, personal drive, athletic ability are key too – but it certainly provides advantages. As Klemko puts it, “playing quarterback is a meritocracy within an aristocracy unlike any other position in football.”
In this way, the quarterback position is a lot like the issues we see baseball grappling with on a larger scale. Training matters, and those that have the support system and access to that training are at an advantage. In my youth baseball piece from last year, I detailed how MLB is funding things like the Urban Youth Academies to close some of that training gap and reverse socio-economic trends in the sport. It is doubtful the NFL would have an interest in something similar specific to quarterbacks.
Given the current state of training and commitment when it comes to quarterback development, there’s another lingering issue. The NFL has always been a quarterback’s league in terms of the top teams succeeding. It is becoming even more so with rule changes that protect the top passers and promote passing offense. If those that have the parents who invest substantial practice hours and travel time, and have the luxury to do so, are making up the majority of the showcase quarterbacks, what happens if those parents start going to other sports in greater numbers? Given the current salaries of the top position in the league, it likely won’t happen in the near future, but it’s something to watch in the next generation.
[photos via USAT Sports Images]