How Many Black Starting Quarterbacks In The NFL?

The number of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL has been on the rise in recent years. Here’s a look at how many there are currently.

NFL History

The NFL has seen a lot of great black quarterbacks throughout its history. Names like Doug Williams, Steve McNair, and Donovan McNabb come to mind. However, there has only ever been one black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. That quarterback is Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks.

The first black starting quarterback

In the modern era of the NFL, which began in 1933 with the founding of the Pittsburgh Pirates (now the Steelers), there have been very few African American starting quarterbacks. The first black quarterback to start an NFL game was George Taliaferro, who played for the Chicago Bears in 1949. He was also the first black player to be drafted into the NFL, when he was selected in the 13th round by the Chicago Cardinals in 1949.

In the 1950s and 1960s, there were only a handful of black quarterbacks who saw any playing time at all in the NFL. Marlin Briscoe, James Harris, and Eldridge Dickey were some of the most notable black quarterbacks of this era. However, all three faced significant discrimination and racism during their careers.

It wasn’t until Doug Williams became the starter for the Washington Redskins in 1987 that a black quarterback started in a Super Bowl. Williams went on to have a stellar performance, leading his team to victory and being named Super Bowl MVP.

Since then, there have been a number of successful black quarterbacks in the NFL, including Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Russell Wilson, and Cam Newton.

The number of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL today

The number of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL has been on the rise in recent years. In 2016, there were eight black starting quarterbacks, including Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks. That number rose to nine in 2017, with Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans joining the ranks. And in 2018, there are 11 black starting quarterbacks in the NFL, including rookies Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.

This increase is significant because it represents a marked change from past decades. As recently as 2002, there were only two black starting quarterbacks in the NFL: Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles and Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings. In 2003, that number rose to four with the addition of Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons and Byron Leftwich of the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it wasn’t until 2012 that we saw more than six black starting quarterbacks in a single season ( seven, to be exact).

So what has caused this increase? It’s likely a combination of factors, including an increased focus on diversity in NFL coaching staffs and front offices, as well as a greater willingness by NFL teams to give African American quarterbacks a chance to succeed at the highest level. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that black quarterbacks are finally being given an opportunity to shine in the NFL.

Reasons for the Low Number

In 2020, there are only 4 black starting quarterbacks in the NFL out of 32 teams. This is the lowest number since 2002. There are a number of reasons for this low number. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why there are so few black starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

Lack of opportunity

The low number of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL is due to a lack of opportunity. There are a number of reasons for this, including the fact that most head coaches are white and they tend to hire offensive coordinators who are also white. This means that there are fewer black coaches in positions to groom quarterbacks for the NFL. In addition, the scouts who evaluate college players and recommend them to NFL teams are also predominantly white, and they may be more likely to rate white players higher than black players.

Black quarterbacks also face stereotypes that they are not intelligent enough to play the position, and that they are more suited to playing running back or wide receiver. These stereotypes can lead NFL teams to draft black players at other positions instead of quarterback, or to not draft them at all.

There is also evidence that racism plays a role in the low number of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Some studies have shown that NFL fans are less likely to want a black quarterback on their team, and that they perceive black quarterbacks as more likely to make mistakes than white quarterbacks. This can lead NFL teams to be reluctant to start black quarterbacks, even if they are talented.

Racism

A recent study shows that the number of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL is at an all-time low. This is a cause for concern among many because it seems to point to a larger issue of racism in the NFL.

There are a number of reasons why this may be the case. One reason is that black quarterbacks are often not given the same opportunities as their white counterparts. They may be relegated to backup roles or not given a chance to start at all.

Another reason is that racism may play a role in how quarterbacks are evaluated. Black quarterbacks may be seen as more athletic but less intelligent than white quarterbacks. This can lead to them being passed over for starting roles in favor of less-qualified white players.

Whatever the reasons, it is clear that something needs to be done to address this issue. The NFL needs to ensure that black quarterbacks are givenfair and equal opportunities. Otherwise, it risks alienating a large portion of its fan base.

The Future of Black Starting Quarterbacks

In the past decade, the NFL has seen a sharp increase in the number of black starting quarterbacks. In 2008, only six black quarterbacks started in Week 1 of the season. But by 2018, that number had jumped to 16. The trend appears to be continuing: this year, 13 black quarterbacks are set to start in Week 1. What’s behind this increase? And what does it mean for the future of the NFL?

The NFL’s changing demographics

The NFL’s demographics are changing. For the first time in league history, African Americans make up the majority of starting quarterbacks. In 2018, eight of the league’s 32 teams will start an African American quarterback, and many believe this is just the beginning.

African American quarterbacks have come a long way since the days of segregated football. In the past, they were often relegated to backup roles or converted to other positions. Today, they are some of the most celebrated players in the game.

This trend is not limited to the NFL. African American quarterbacks are also having success in college football and even high school football. It is clear that the face of quarterbacking is changing, and this change is only going to continue in the future.

The rise of black quarterbacks in the NCAA

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletes in the United States. According to a recent study, black quarterbacks make up only 2.5 percent of starting quarterbacks in the NCAA, while they make up over 50 percent of NFL quarterbacks. While this may seem like a small number, it represents a significant increase from previous years. In fact, in 2011, only 1.7 percent of starting quarterbacks in the NCAA were black. This increase can be attributed to a number of factors, including an increased focus on developing black quarterbacks at the collegiate level and an overall increase in the number of black athletes participating in collegiate football.

It is important to note that the numbers for black starting quarterbacks in the NFL are still low compared to other positions. For instance, black players make up 70 percent of NFL running backs and 58 percent of wide receivers. However, the increase in black starting quarterbacks in the NCAA is a positive sign for the future of the position.