Nebraskans ‘Totally Fine’ With Mexican Quarterbacks

Story by Alex Wunrow 

| Published Sep 21, 2010

Racial tensions in the state of Nebraska have been high since Fremont, Neb., voters passed a harsh anti-undocumented immigrant measure intended to keep paperless immigrants from working or owning property within the city of Fremont. But that hasn’t tampered the enthusiasm the entire state has for the emergence of Mexican-American quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Since his surfacing as the Huskers starting quarterback, Martinez has proven that Nebraskans are still fully capable of supporting non-white QBs.

The overwhelming support for Martinez mirrors that of similar minority Husker stars such as Turner Gill, who committed to come to Nebraska despite rumors that the Huskers were reluctant to start an African-American at quarterback.

Those fears were put to rest after Athletic Director Tom Osborne stayed true to his word and chose the best player for his team, regardless of race. And the move paid huge dividends to the Husker athletic program, as Gill never lost a game within what was then the Big 8.

But much like Gill, Martinez is being hailed as the next great Husker running quarterback, cementing Nebraska’s status as a place where minorities are welcome to come participate in athletics.

“We want people to know that true Nebraskans will not judge you by the color of your skin,” Osborne said, “so long as you can seriously ball.”

Osborne’s words resonated with Nebraskans, many of whom supported the Fremont measure.

“People just don’t understand. We don’t hate all Mexicans,” Fremont resident Earl Sweeney said. “It’s just all the lazy ones that live here that I utterly detest.”

Despite the animosity held for most “regular” Mexicans throughout Nebraska, most residents simply do not understand why people would care what color skin their athletes don.

“In Nebraska we care about three things,” sophomore Andy Barnes said, “Husker football, drinking and fair tax. You tell me where hating Mexican athletes fits in there.”