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When Doug Williams became the first black quarterback to start a Super Bowl 19 years ago, the buildup to the game between his Washington Redskins and the Denver Broncos was "all Williams all the time."
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Including a question that has always been considered No. 1 on the list of wacky Super Bowl queries and has generated a controversy of its own: "How long have you been a black quarterback?"
The racial angle will be back twofold next week as close friends Tony Dungy of Indianapolis and Lovie Smith of Chicago become the first black coaches in the game. That theme overshadows all others, including Peyton Manning's pursuit of his first Super Bowl ring and Dungy's quest for validation as one of the best coaches of the last decade.
Still, it's likely the coaches will be asked more about their skin color than about football. And given the 24/7 nature of news these days, the Dungy-Smith matchup could be the biggest Super Bowl sideshow since Williams' trailblazing appearance, one in which he led the Redskins to a 42-10 victory.
"Nobody said the Washington Redskins against the Denver Broncos, which is what it really was," says Williams, who threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns and was the game's MVP. "It was me, a black quarterback, against the great John Elway." Full story
Freeney thinks NFL needs tougher steroid policy
INDIANAPOLIS -- Put Dwight Freeney in the Jason Taylor camp when it comes to banned substances.
The Indianapolis defensive end endorsed the NFL's tougher steroids policy Thursday, called for Olympic-style testing and said players who test positive should be ineligible for any postseason awards including the Pro Bowl.
"It's a shame guys get rewarded for that, and Shawne (Merriman) is a prime example," Freeney told the Associated Press. "I got to know him at the Pro Bowl, and I know he's a good guy. But what kind of message is that if you get away with cheating and you still reap the benefits?"
Taylor, a defensive end for Miami, won the NFL's defensive player of the year award after making similar comments last month on a conference call with Indianapolis reporters. Taylor edged Denver cornerback Champ Bailey and Merriman, the San Diego linebacker who was suspended for four games because of a failed steroids test.
Texans add Bush
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans hired Frank Bush as their senior defensive assistant.
Bush spent the last three seasons as the Arizona Cardinals' linebackers coach, and was also their assistant head coach in 2006. He held various positions as an assistant with the Denver Broncos from 1995-2003. In that span, he coached linebackers, the secondary and special teams.
Bush, a fifth-round draft pick in 1985, played linebacker for the Houston Oilers for two seasons before a spinal cord injury ended his career. He then joined the Oilers as a scout from 1987-92 and was their linebackers coach from 1992-94.
Perry quits Steelers
PITTSBURGH -- Darren Perry, the Steelers' defensive secondary coach since 2003, resigned following a meeting with new coach Mike Tomlin.
Ray Horton, the assistant defensive backs coach the last three seasons under coach Bill Cowher, may remain on the staff.
Perry, a former Steelers safety, was an assistant defensive backfield coach in 2003, then took over as the defensive backs coach in 2004 with Horton as his assistant. Perry returned to Pittsburgh from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Wednesday night after giving his resignation to Tomlin earlier in the day.
Perry starred at Penn State, then started at safety for seven consecutive seasons with Pittsburgh after being taken in the eighth round of the 1992 draft. He finished his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2000.
Bears' Brown added to Pro Bowl roster
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears left guard Ruben Brown was added to the NFC's Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for injured Philadelphia Eagles guard Shawn Andrews.
This will be the ninth Pro Bowl for Brown and his first since signing with the Bears in April 2004. He was an eight-time selection with the Buffalo Bills between 1995 and 2003.
Andrews suffered a neck injury in the Eagles' second-round playoff loss to New Orleans.
San Diego's Binn selected to Pro Bowl
SAN DIEGO -- Long snapper David Binn was added to the Pro Bowl roster as the AFC's "need" player, making him the 11th Chargers player selected for the game in Honolulu.
Binn, the longest-tenured Chargers player with 13 seasons, will be playing in his first Pro Bowl. He has played in a team-record 207 straight games.
Although quarterback Philip Rivers was named to the Pro Bowl team, he won't play because of a foot injury. Tackle Marcus McNeill was added as an injury replacement last week.
