"I think the hiring of Marvin Lewis is great," said the Rev. Damon Lynch III, president of the Cincinnati Black United Front. "African-Americans for too long have been excluded from positions in coaching and management.
"I think African-Americans have proven themselves time and again in positions where traditionally they have been perceived as `not able' or `not intelligent enough.' All of the stereotypes that have been traditionally put upon African-Americans are being broken down as blacks succeed in every aspect of American life."
Lewis, who directed the Baltimore Ravens' defense that won the Super Bowl two years ago, became the third active black head coach in the NFL and the eighth in history. Other active coaches are Tony Dungy of the Colts and Herman Edwards of the Jets.
Calvert Smith, president of the Cincinnati branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he prefers to believe Lewis was hired because he was "the best man for the job," not because he was black. But given the circumstances in the NFL right now, he said the hiring was not a surprise.
"The critical question is: Can he succeed given the status of everything else in the organization?" Smith said. "As many people have observed, other changes are needed, regardless of race or ethnicity, for this team to be successful.
"The present signs would say that it is going to be very difficult for him."
Peter Robey, director of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, said the Bengals could risk alienating African-American fans if Lewis isn't given the time and tools to turn around a floundering team.
"Will he get the same treatment as all the other guys? That is the big question," Robey said. "All people of color have asked is that African-American coaches be judged in the same way that white coaches are judged.
"It has seemed historically that has not happened."
Robey pointed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owners who alienated some African-American fans last year by firing Tony Dungy, who had coached the team to three straight playoff appearances. The team's owners further angered black fans by "stringing along" Lewis as a possible replacement before opting for Jon Gruden, the former Raiders head coach, who is white.
"The firing seemed to be unfair," Robey said. "The great thing is that other teams felt the same way and (Tony Dungy) quickly found another job. What will ultimately signal progress is when these guys get the job or they lose the job and color is not even mentioned."
Marsha Watts, vice president of the Urban League of Cincinnati and a self-professed diehard Bengals fan, said Lewis' arrival has the chance to bring not only the team new life, but the community as well. Watts said she hopes Lewis will forge a partnership between the Bengals and the black youth the Urban League services.
"If he is allowed to become community-oriented, he could do a tremendous amount for the community," Watts said. "I would hope that Lewis would make himself and his players more available to the community."
The Rev. Peterson Mingo, of Evanston, coaches the Evanston Bulldogs, a team of 5- and 6-year-olds that has a record of 28-5 over the last four years. He said the hiring of Lewis would be a boost for African-American youths.
"In the black community, the kids are always in need of positive role models," Mingo said. "Especially if he can come in and have an impact, I think it would do a whole lot for the kids who are watching football, especially in Cincinnati."
Mingo said he believes black coaches have a different perspective on the game.
"It's commitment. We are more success-oriented, and we push harder, our kids are pushed harder," he said. "A black coach has to prove something. He has to prove it at all times. He cannot afford to fail in his mission, because the next black coach that comes to the organization will have to wear him around his neck."
Former federal court Judge Nathaniel Jones said team president Mike Brown has followed in his father's footsteps with the hiring of Lewis. Jones recalled how the late Paul Brown broke the color barrier in high school football by allowing black players on his Massillon teams.
"The Bengals are not the first team to hire a black coach, but to do so at this time and in this community is highly significant," Jones said. "The timing is wonderful, and I have to applaud Mike Brown for stepping up to the plate."
E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com
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