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A twitter thread on the history of black quarterbacks in the NFL. You can read the full article here: http://www.footballperspective.com/the-101-year-history-of-black-quarterbacks-in-the-nfl/
It begins with Fritz Pollard, who was the "QB" and eventual coach of the Akron Pros. They won the first NFL championship.
It begins with Fritz Pollard, who was the "QB" and eventual coach of the Akron Pros. They won the first NFL championship.
There were a handful of black (and other minority) players in the NFL in the '20s, tho Pollard was the only real passer in the group. But beginning in '34, the league had an informal ban on black players. At all positions. That lasted until 1946, thanks to external forces.
The external forces: the creation of the AAFC, a rival league that would soon house the best team in pro football in Cleveland, with a pair of black future Hall of Famers. And the Los Angeles Coliseum, which required the NFL's Rams to have a black player if they wanted the lease.
George Taliaferro, who played at Indiana at a time when the Big 10 footprint schools were relatively welcoming to black players, was the next black QB. He was a good player in the late '40s/early '50s.
In '55, the first HBCU QB arrived: Charlie Brackins from Prairie View A&M.
In '55, the first HBCU QB arrived: Charlie Brackins from Prairie View A&M.
But then we have over a decade of no black QBs. Many good black college QBs either changed positions or went to the CFL to play quarterback. This was at some of the more tense racial times (the '60s) in our country's history, which I suppose is saying something. Then, 1968 came!
That year there were 3 notable black QBs: Tennessee State’s Eldridge Dickey went in the first round, but he was not used as a QB. In the 12th round, another HBCU QB (Henry Johnson, Fisk) was selected by the 49ers. And then, in the 14th round, Denver drafted Marlin Briscoe.
I wrote about Briscoe before -- https://twitter.com/fbgchase/status/1346867994996203523 -- he played very well at a time when pro football was not very welcoming to black QBs.
In 1969, Grambling QB James Harris was drafted. In 1974, he became first black QB to make the Pro Bowl. Grambling as a powerhouse...
In 1969, Grambling QB James Harris was drafted. In 1974, he became first black QB to make the Pro Bowl. Grambling as a powerhouse...
In 1977, Doug Williams got some Heisman buzz. In 1978, he became first black QB to get drafted in the first round; unfortunately for him, it was by the awful Bucs franchise. He played well given circumstances, but faced significant discrimination. Eventually, won a SBMVP w/ WAS.
The early 80s -- which, by the way, was not that long ago -- Tom Brady was alive! -- did not usher in any black QBs. Warren Moon faced intense discrimination and went to the CFL in the late '70s. Williams and Vince Evans left the NFL for the USFL and more money. But in '84...
Warren Moon became the first superstar black QB, signing a Joe Namath-like monster contract and changing the landscape in Houston. He would go on to become a HOF QB, and while he only played in the NFL from age 28 on, he ranks in the top 5 in passing yards from age 28+.
Randall Cunningham also joined the NFL in the '80s, and all he managed to do was revolutionize what a QB could do and win 3 Player of the Year awards ('88, 90, '98).
Beginning in 1990, there have been at least 5 black QBs in the NFL in every season.
Beginning in 1990, there have been at least 5 black QBs in the NFL in every season.
In 2000, Michael Vick broke the next big barrier: a black quarterback going with the first overall pick.
In 2006, Vince Young not only became the first black QB to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, he became the first *QB* to win the award since the early '70s!
In 2006, Vince Young not only became the first black QB to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, he became the first *QB* to win the award since the early '70s!
Since then, it's been more about repeat performances and quantity than new breakthroughs. Since Vick, 4 other black QBs have gone first overall. Since Vince Young, Cam, Wilson, and RG3 tore up the league as rookies, too. Lots of success in the 2010s for black QBs...
With 2019 being notable. Lamar Jackson won the AP MVP award, unanimously. Patrick Mahomes was the best QB in the NFL in the playoffs and won the Super Bowl MVP award. The top 4 leaders in passing TDs were all black QBs.
In 2020, in week 1, *TEN* of the starting QBs were black.
In 2020, in week 1, *TEN* of the starting QBs were black.
So that's part of the story of the history of black QBs in the NFL. This article took years to write -- especially since I wrote the first edition of it back in 2008! -- so if you enjoyed, or want to read more, click here. http://www.footballperspective.com/the-101-year-history-of-black-quarterbacks-in-the-nfl/
