Sixteen years after Lovie Smith and the Chicago Bears confronted off towards Tony Dungy and his Indianapolis Colts in Tremendous Bowl XLI, making historical past as the primary two Black head coaches to succeed in that recreation, Jalen Hurts and his Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are making historical past of their very own as the primary Black quarterbacks to ever matchup within the NFL’s crown jewel.
What began with Marlin Briscoe — the primary Black beginning quarterback in NFL historical past — and Doug Williams — the primary Black quarterback to start out in a Tremendous Bowl MVP — has developed to a second through which persons are celebrating the second with out being confused about how we acquired right here.
“It was 11 Black quarterbacks that began the season, and we’re lucky sufficient to get two within the Tremendous Bowl,” stated Williams in a latest interview. “That’s a factor in itself. However in my estimation, I’m pondering within the subsequent 5 to 10 years, half of the quarterbacks within the Nationwide Soccer League shall be Black.
“They [younger Black quarterbacks] respect what has occurred. They respect historical past. That’s crucial factor.”
As society, and the sport, have modified with time, it’s provided extra alternatives for Black quarterbacks to showcase their abilities. Gone are the times of their ceilings as sign callers being restricted to the highschool and school video games, the place many have been pressured to alter their pure place to “make the most of their athleticism.” Now, the factor that was used towards them is lastly being seen as an asset, as cellular quarterbacks of all races are phasing the previous prototypical pocket passers out of the sport.
Earlier than the massive recreation begins, or whereas it’s taking place — relying on if you learn this — right here’s a take a look at the Black quarterbacks which have performed within the Tremendous Bowl.
