Jim Brown, arguably the greatest running back in NFL history and certainly one of the most outspoken activists for African American rights, told The Post Friday he did not believe race played a role in West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith’s fall to the second round of the NFL Draft
“I don’t think there’s any racial overtones or anything like that,’’ said Brown. ‘I think it’s simply a matter of this is a year that a lot of people have decided on their quarterbacks.
“I look for everything but that because I find it’s too easy to fall back on that,’’ Brown said of the race factor. “And I also find that could be a trap. Just because you’re African American doesn’t mean that you did the right thing and just because you’re African American doesn’t mean you did the wrong thing.’’
Smith, who the Jets took with seventh pick in the second round, put up astonishing stats his senior season, throwing 42 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. He was criticized by a Pro Football Weekly as not being a student of the game.
Former NFL quarterback Warren Moon was one of many who reacted passionately to that assessment.
“It just shows that there are a lot of people in society who have the biases and stereotypes,’’ Moon said.
But Brown pointed out that last year the 49ers promoted a Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith, though Smith was third in the league in passer rating and completed 70 percent of his passes.
Brown will be honored as a hometown hero on Monday at his alma mater, Manhasset High School on Long Island, by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Alltate. He said his message to the students there will be one they can relate to.
After moving to Long Island when he was eight, Brown, 77, grew up without a father figure and a mother who worked domestic jobs to make ends meet. But the support of the community and the opportunities afforded by athletics gave Brown a chance to play at Syracuse and then the NFL where he rushed for 12,312 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
The first two quarterbacks taken were African America. FSU’s E.J. Manuel was the 16th player taken by the Bills. Buffalo immediately gave Manuel an NFL-ready receiver in USC’s Robert Woods with the ninth pick in the second round.
Alabama’s Eddie Lacy was the most highly publicized running back in the draft but North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard was the first running back taken by Cincinnati with the fifth pick. He immediately will push former Patriot BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
The Eagles came up with best early pick of the second round by snagging Stanford tight end Zack Ertz. Eagles tight end Brent Celek had one touchdown catch last season.