The Chiefs’ and Eagles’ victories in the AFC and NFC title games proved to be a historic moment for the NFL.
With teams led by Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts advancing to Super Bowl 57, the league will see its first matchup between Black quarterbacks in the history of the big game — a milestone that was not lost on those who follow the sport.
That includes Hall of Famer Warren Moon, a pioneering quarterback whose incredible play in the Canadian Football League (1978-83) and NFL (1984-2000) discredited the racist notion that only white players could succeed at the position.
I’m so proud to see Jalen and Patrick as the first 2 African American QBs to face each other in the Super Bowl!
We have come a long way. 🙌🏽
— Warren Moon (@WMoon1) January 30, 2023
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The 2023 Super Bowl will be the first to feature two Black quarterbacks, 55 years after Marlin Briscoe became the first Black starting quarterback for the AFL’s Broncos in 1968 and 35 years after Washington’s Doug Williams became the first Black QB to start and win the Super Bowl, in 1988.
Indeed, Williams reportedly fought back tears as he spoke about the historic upcoming game between Mahomes’ Chiefs and Hurts’ Eagles:
“That’s what I’m talking about! Yes! Yes! We’ve got two Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl!” Williams told ESPN’s Jason Reid over the phone. “Man, after Jalen won earlier, I was pulling for Patrick. I was sitting here on pins and needles to see if it would happen.
“I’ve got such a smile on my face right now, but I’ve got water in my eyes, too. I’m talking, but I don’t think I can even explain what this means. We have come such a long way. It has been so hard, so many barriers, but we did it. Two Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl!”
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It’s appropriate that both Mahomes and Hurts are NFL MVP candidates who have been driving forces for their teams’ success this season. Both the Chiefs and Eagles enter Super Bowl 57 on Feb. 12 with 16-3 records.
Mahomes has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in the regular season, adding 358 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Hurts has a 66.5 completion percentage, 3,701 yards and a 22-6 touchdown-interception ratio. He also has 760 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Here is a sampling of athletes across the sports world who reacted to the Super Bowl’s first Black quarterback matchup:
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It’s crazy that this will be the first Super Bowl with 2 starting Black QBs.
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) January 30, 2023
What a historic moment, this will be the first time two Black starting quarterbacks will face each other in the Super Bowl, and they both are leading candidates for NFL MVP! I can’t wait to watch!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 30, 2023
Two Black QBs in the Super Bowl 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eUJH7PebdR
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) January 30, 2023
The Super Bowl will feature two Black starting QBs for the first time ever. If you want to fully understand the significance of that, you should definitely read @JReidESPN‘s excellent book “The Rise of the Black Quarterback.”
Terrific read on how we got here & why it matters.
— Patrick Allen (@RPatrickAllen) January 30, 2023
entering Black History Month with TWO Black QBs in the Super Bowl >
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) January 30, 2023
For the first time:
1️⃣ Two Black starting QBs will face each other in the Super Bowl.
2️⃣ A Black woman agent (@AgentNicoleLynn) will represent an NFL QB (@JalenHurts) in the Super Bowl
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) January 30, 2023
16 years after Tony Dungy & Lovie Smith made history by becoming the first two Black head coaches to face off in Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes become the 1st two starting Black QBs to face off in Super Bowl. Gloryyy pic.twitter.com/ppYTB0OJjM
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) January 30, 2023
2 black QBs in the Super Bowl. First time ever. Glorious. Advancements. Don’t let anybody tell you that’s not important!
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 30, 2023
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