Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes Set to Make History in Super Bowl LVII
Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts
By: Joshua Martin
For the first time in NFL history we have two African American quarterbacks starting in the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes is on the cusp of history as his attempts to become the first two-time winner if the Kansas City Chiefs can knock off the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12th at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Jalen Hurts can become only the fourth Black quarterback in league history to bring home the Lombardi trophy, alongside Russel Wilson, Doug Williams and Patrick Mahomes.
Steve McNair with NFL MVP trophy
Despite suffering losses, Steve McNair, the first Black QB to win MVP in ‘23, Cam Newton - MVP ‘15, and Colin Kaepernick have also started Super Bowls.
Doug Williams | Super Bowl XXII via Bettmann
In 1987, Former Grambling State Quarterback Doug Williams led the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl victory against the Denver Broncos and at the time he was the first ever to start and win the game. His victory paved the way for more quarterbacks of color to gain more opportunities to lead NFL franchises. Opportunities that are still being realized today. In an interview with FOX29/Philadelphia, Williams spoke about progress for Black quarterbacks in the league.
“You got two black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl, to me, I thought we made some progress, but we made a lot more progress last night”
The game has officially changed!! That was evident by 11 squads having Black QBs start week 1, the most ever. 19 different African Americans started games overall during the ‘22 season.
There was a time however, where dynamic, extremely athletic quarterbacks weren’t considered to be winners in this league. Stigmatized as not having the mental fortitude to lead a group of men to the big game and win. Oftentimes being coerced into changing positions.
Mike Vick | Mitchell Layton via Getty Images
Micheal Vick, the first Black quarterback selected number one overall in 2001, dispelled many of those stereotypes. His success made Black quarterbacks more boisterous in their beliefs that they belong and can succeed in this league.
Lamar Jackson | Scott Taetsch via Getty Images
Lamar Jackson was being pushed to switch positions during his pre Draft workouts in 2018. He stood on his in beliefs and let the world know he was a quarterback.
“Wherever I can go as a quarterback, that’s where I’m going. That’s strictly my position. I’m not going to be a wide receiver at all. I’m a quarterback.”
The late first round pick in 2018 backed those words with an electrifying 2019 season which saw him win the MVP that year. To date there have been 25 total Black quarterbacks selected in the first round, with Bryce Young - Alabama, and C.J. Stroud - Ohio State, almost certainly being high draft picks this spring. That's progress!!
I'm proud of my community for finally getting the opportunities and capitalizing!
Hopefully this progress on the field will lead to more Black coaches on the sideline. In a league that's predominately black only 3 coaches were African Americans in ‘22.
One step at a time…
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