BLACK QUARTERBACKS HEADLINE THE SUPERBOWL
2023-02-07 · 2 min read · NFL/Football
Chris Unger and Mitchell Leff via Getty Images
One of the most hectic weeks in sports began on Monday, and there is never a shortage of storylines and talking points heading into the Super Bowl.
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Fans in Arizona will be treated to a historic matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, including Sunday’s big game being the first time two Black quarterbacks will start.
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The matchup comes as we celebrate Black History Month and it features two pivots in Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes, both of whom are on the ballot for NFL MVP.
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It’s the first time heading into the Super Bowl that a Black QB will be assured of winning the Lombardi Trophy, and it seems like a forgone conclusion that one of them will also be the regular season MVP.
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Sunday will be the first appearance in the big game for Hurts, while it will be the third for Mahomes, who is 1-1 with his only postseason defeat in regulation time coming in Super Bowl LV, while he was named Super Bowl MVP in their victory a season earlier.
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A couple of weeks ago it was the 35th anniversary of the Washington Redskins triumph at Super Bowl XXII when Doug Williams became the first starting Black quarterback to win the Lombardi trophy.
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We would have to wait another 26 years before someone followed in the Louisiana native’s footsteps when Russell Wilson emerged victorious in Super Bowl XLVIII as the Seattle Seahawks’ won their first and only world championship to date.
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Hurts will become just the eighth Black QB to play in the big game and only the second with the Eagles, following Donovan McNabb, who featured in Super Bowl XXXIX when they lost to the New England Patriots.
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The significance of what Hurts and Mahomes have achieved has not been lost on either star QB.
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When speaking about it, Hurts said, “I think it’s something that’s worthy of being noted, and it is history. It’s come a long way. I think it’s only been seven African-American quarterbacks to play in the Super Bowl, so to be the first for something is pretty cool. I know it will be a good one.”
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Mahomes, meanwhile, says it is indeed a special moment.
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“I’ve learned more and more about the history of the Black quarterback since I’ve been in the league. The guys that came before me and Jalen set the stage for this, and now I’m just glad we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now. It’ll be a great game against two great teams and against another great quarterback. I’m excited to go out there and do what we can against a great team,” says Mahomes.
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The two quarterbacks will tussle on Sunday, with the kick-off scheduled for 6:30 pm Eastern time.
By: Joel Lefevre
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