You are mixing up two seperate arguemnets there. The FORCED hiring practices are a debatable subject. But saying that the only reason McNAbb is popular is becasue he is black is totally idiotic. Players become popular now-a-days in three ways. First - make great plays that can be shown a thousand times on sportscenter. Second - Break some record that is very impressive(like rich gannon's 10+ 300 yard passing games last year). Third - win baby win. I'll add a forth wildcard reason here - You can become a SUPERSTAR for doing any of the above while taking your team upon your shoulders, becasue the other people on your team are sub par.
Now, lets look at McNabb. McNabb has plenty of highlight real matterial that gets him plenty of play on Sportscenter. He also wins. He has taken his team to the NFC championship game two years in a row. Take into account that magical 4th reason, that he is surrounded buy a bunch of sub par players on offense, he gets elevated to superstar proportions.
If you don't agree with makes makes a star now-a-days, please tell me where I am wrong.