LESSONS IN BLACK HISTORY
Mahomes, Hurts hope other QBs follow their example
When Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts take the field Feb. 12, they will be the first two Black quarterbacks to start against each other in the Super Bowl. It’s an accomplishment both quarterbacks fully embrace.
“It is history. It’s come a long way. I think there has only been [eight] African American quarterbacks to play in a Super Bowl. To be the first for something is pretty cool. I know it’ll be a good one,” Hurts, the Eagles quarterback, told reporters Thursday. “It’s history.”
There will be eight Black quarterbacks to start in a Super Bowl once the championship game kicks off: Doug Williams, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb, Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Mahomes and Hurts.
Williams, Wilson and Mahomes are the only three Black quarterbacks to have won a Super Bowl. Mahomes, the Chiefs QB, aims to become the first Black starting quarterback to have multiple Lombardi Trophies.
“To be on the world stage and have two Black quarterbacks starting in the Super Bowl, I think it’s special,” Mahomes said Thursday. “I’ve learned more and more about the history of Black quarterbacks since I’ve been in this league, and the guys that came before me and Jalen [Hurts] set the stage for this. I’m glad we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now.”
Mahomes acknowledged he wouldn’t be in this position without former Black quarterbacks who paved the way for him. The Chiefs quarterback hopes he’ll have the same effect on young Black kids who aspire to be NFL quarterbacks.
“Over time, a guy like Doug Williams, Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb go out and play great football, it gives other guys like me and Jalen chances to have this platform and have this spot on an NFL team,” Mahomes said. “If we can continue to show that we can consistently be great, I think it will continue to open doors for other kids growing up to follow their dreams and be a quarterback of an NFL team.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid called the feat
“unique” earlier this week, but he admitted one day he hopes the color of the quarterback’s skin won’t be a significant topic.
“The biggest thing is they are really good. I think it’s a tribute to [Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts]. That’s unique. It is unique,” Reid said. “I don’t ever look at it that way. I look at, I don’t really care what color you are. You are a good player. At that position, it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. I can really appreciate that. I’ve never been one to look at the color part of it. Where I grew up, we had everybody. Everybody was a part of the equation. Someday I hope that’s the way it all works.”