This isn't a question of racism by the general meaning that people will read from it... which implies a sense of judging inferior based on race. Using the word even when applicable is likely to put up people's backs. Using it when it isn't the case is like shooting yourself in the foot if you want good discussion.Do people often find a comparison of the same race? Yes. Does it make sense they do? Given how our minds work in making a comparison, yes it makes sense it happens sometimes, even if it doesn't make for the best comparison. We look for something in our memory that reminds us of what we're seeing. Since race is something we notice, along with body style, speed, etc, it is going to be something that is going to play a role in many people's comparisons unless one is conscious to not do so.Just think about how many comparisons there were between Laurence Maroney and Steven Jackson, and then consider if as many would have been made if one of them never had dreadlocks. But when it comes down to appearance, seeing those dreads flying behind them is a very significant visual factor and so when we go looking for a comparison their names often pop up together.So it makes sense it happens based on how our brains are wired. Is it wrong, racism, for you to think white receivers are slower in general? Not unless you only think so because you believe it's one sign of a race being wholly inferior to another. If you've come to that conclusion because you know West African physiques tend more than European ancestries towards mesomorphic body types that are best suited for the speed and power of offensive skill positions (or if you intuitively know this is the case even if you never thought of it in such explicit terms), then there's nothing racist about it. Your belief in a general trend is based in a biological trend that is factual. And similarly you should probably expect that a black QB on average would be a better scrambler than a white QB, though like with anything else, specific individuals don't always follow the general trend and you would be wrong to ascribe that to every individual.Are we at a point where we should expect there to be no racially biased thought? Hell no. We're not even close to a society yet where actual racism isn't rampant, let alone something more minor like the kind of comparison bias you're talking about here. The major change in our society regarding racism is that we no longer openly accept displays of racism. But it's still very much there, it's just not as openly visible. The positive thing is now that it is not openly accepted, there should be fewer people embracing racism each generation. But we're nowhere near a color blind society. Just because we hold public figures accountable for displays of racism doesn't mean it isn't there. The number of people with racist views is still staggering. There are racists everywhere, but I came to realize how widespread it is when I moved to Texas, where people seem more likely to display their racism, though mainly in private. I've heard some things said, and by surprising people, where I was staggered that they thought that was something they could say in front of me without it negatively impacting my view of them. And that's just the people I've heard speak about it openly. There are a lot of closet racists who make comments about racial topics - like the double standard in using the N word, or the Rooney Rule - and think they are clever in couching their racist-motivated comments in a way that someone won't call them on it openly. And likely no one will call them on it because they aren't blatant enough for a confrontation. Yet it's still not hard to discern after a few conversations on such topics if their views on them stem from racist roots.
I saw someone compare RGIII to Steve Young. I saw someone compare Russell Wilson to Drew Brees.
