Former Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer told a Nashville radio station Thursday that he wouldn "never recruit a white quarterback."
In an appearance on sports talk radio station WNSR Thursday, the 76-year-old Switzer was asked if he would want a team he coached to draft
2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, Fox Sports reported.
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"I love his ability; Johnny can play," Switzer said on the show, according to Fox. "I've always said I'd never recruit a white quarterback. The only way I'd ever recruit a white quarterback to play for me was if his mom and daddy would have to both be black, and that's the only way I would do it."
Switzer used a few former Oklahoma quarterbacks, all of whom are black, to describe the type of passer he desires.
"My offense is a quarterback-fullback offense," Switzer said. "I'd have to have a Jamelle Holieway, J.C. Watts [or] Thomas Lott. Those guys are gonna be my quarterbacks, they're great runners, they're great ball carriers and ... able to pass, complete some, and those guys could. Those guys could throw and run."
Former NFL quarterback Troy Aikman, who is white and was recruited by Switzer at Oklahoma — and also played for him in Dallas — wasn't sure about that.
Earlier this week, Switzer described 21-year-old Manziel as a top talent, but also criticized his off-the-field persona.
"I don't like his antics. I think he's an arrogant little pr—, I've said that, I'll say it again,"
Switzer told CBS Sports Radio 920 AM in St. Louis.
"He's a privileged little kid. He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed his teammates, his program, he's embarrassed his coach," Switzer continued. "And they'll all have to defend him because they have to coach him. I know how it works. I spent 40 years in the game so I know how it works."
After espousing his recruiting philosophy, Switzer returned to the WNSR question regarding Manziel specifically.
"I would go to Johnny and I would spend time with him, and I'd find out and base my decision on what he has to say in my interview and my gut feeling about him then," Switzer told the radio station. "This guy has got a little crap in his neck, but I've had a lot of renegades ... every football team does. That doesn't mean he ain't going to be a good player and help win you some championships."
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