How Many NFL Quarterbacks Are Left-Handed?
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How many NFL quarterbacks are left-handed? It’s a question that seems to come up every year, and the answer may surprise you.
The History of Left-Handed Quarterbacks
The first left-handed quarterback in the NFL
The first left-handed quarterback in the NFL was Earl Morrall, who played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1956. He was followed by Billy Kilmer, who played for the New Orleans Saints in 1967. Left-handed quarterbacks were few and far between until the 1990s, when they began to become more common. In the past decade, left-handed quarterbacks have become even more prevalent, with several lefties currently starting in the NFL.
The most successful left-handed quarterbacks in NFL history
While lefties make up only about 10 percent of the population, they have had a significant impact on the NFL. In fact, some of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history have been lefties. Here are some of the most successful left-handed quarterbacks in NFL history:
-Steve Young: Young was a lefty who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1987 to 1999. He was a two-time MVP and led the 49ers to victory in Super Bowl XXIX.
-Ken O’Brien: O’Brien was a lefty who played for the New York Jets from 1983 to 1992. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and led the Jets to the AFC Championship game in 1986.
-Michael Vick: Vick was a lefty who played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2001 to 2006. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and led the Falcons to the NFC Championship game in 2004.
-Bart Starr: Starr was a lefty who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971. He was a five-time champion and led the Packers to victories in Super Bowls I and II.
The Current State of Left-Handed Quarterbacks in the NFL
The number of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL today
As of the 2019-2020 NFL season, there are 7 quarterbacks who identify as left-handed: Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Schaub, and Tyrod Taylor. Out of 32 starting quarterbacks in the league, that means that lefties make up just over 21% of the QB population.
While that may seem like a relatively small percentage, it’s actually a pretty significant increase from where things were even just a decade ago. In 2009, only 2.5% of NFL quarterbacks were left-handed (1 out of 40). So what’s behind this surge in southpaw signal callers?
Some experts have suggested that the rise in popularity of spread offenses at the collegiate level has made left-handed quarterbacks more attractive to NFL scouts. Because these offenses often utilize quick, short passes instead of deep downfield throws, they play to the strengths of many lefties (who generally have an easier time throwing across their bodies than righties do). In fact, 4 out of the 7 left-handed QBs currently starting in the NFL got their first taste of football in a spread system in college.
Whatever the reason for their increase in numbers, one thing is clear: lefties are taking over the NFL one quarterback position at a time!
The success of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL today
There is no doubt that left-handed quarterbacks have made a big impact in the NFL in recent years. The likes of Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins have all had great success, and there are a number of other lefties making a name for themselves too.
But how many quarterbacks in the NFL are actually left-handed? The answer may surprise you…
According to a recent study, there are currently only 13 left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL. That’s just over 4% of all quarterbacks!
So why are lefties so successful in the NFL? One theory is that they have an advantage over right-handed quarterbacks because they can “hide” the ball from defenders when they throw. This makes it harder for defenders to intercept the ball.
Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that lefties are having a big impact on the NFL today. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a Super Bowl won by a left-handed quarterback!
The Future of Left-Handed Quarterbacks in the NFL
With the recent successes of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL, there has been a lot of talk about the future of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL. There are a few left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL, but they are not as common as right-handed quarterbacks. Left-handed quarterbacks have a few advantages over right-handed quarterbacks. Let’s take a look at a few of those advantages.
The potential for left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL
The National Football League has seen a significant increase in the number of left-handed quarterbacks over the past few decades. In the 1990s, only about 1% of NFL quarterbacks were lefties. Today, that number has increased to about 10%.
There are several reasons for this increase. One is that lefties have become more accepted in society. With more lefties in positions of power, there are more role models for young lefties to aspire to. Lefties are also now better represented in the media, which has helped to change public perception of them.
Another reason for the increase in left-handed quarterbacks is that the game has changed. The rise of the passing game has made quarterbacking a more cerebral position, one where intelligence and creativity are prized over pure physicality. Lefties tend to excel in these areas, which gives them a natural advantage.
Finally, left-handed quarterbacks have simply gotten better at playing the position. In the past, most lefties were converted from other positions; today, there are several academies and programs specifically for developing left-handed quarterbacking talent. As a result, there are more polished and refined left-handed quarterbacks entering the NFL than ever before.
The future looks bright for left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL. With their improved representation and talent level, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to compete with right-handers at the highest level of the game.
The likelihood of more left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL
In the NFL, there has historically been a lack of left-handed quarterbacks. In fact, since the league’s inception in 1920, there have only been 14 left-handed quarterbacks who have attempted at least one pass. In a league with over 32 teams and hundreds of players at the quarterback position, that number is quite tiny.
However, that number may be on the rise in the coming years. In the college ranks, there are currently 23 starting left-handed quarterbacks, which is the most in history. With more and more lefties playing the position at a high level, it seems likely that we will see more of them in the NFL in the near future.
One reason for this uptick may be that left-handed quarterbacks have a bit of an advantage when throwing deep passes. Because they can arced their passes more than righties, lefties can throw tighropes over defenders and drop dimes into tight windows. This was on full display last season when Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won MVP after completing 36 of his 58 deep passes (20+ yards in air) for 1,338 yards and 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
With lefties having this weapon in their arsenal, it’s no wonder that we are seeing more of them playing quarterback at all levels of football. And as we see more lefties having success in the NFL, it seems likely that even more will be given an opportunity to play quarterback at the highest level.