Who Are The Black Quarterbacks In The NFL?
In the NFL, African American quarterbacks are still a rarity. Here’s a look at the black quarterbacks currently in the league.
Introduction
In the National Football League (NFL), a black quarterback is a rare thing. In the history of the NFL, there have only been a handful of black quarterbacks that have had any real success. The most successful black quarterback in NFL history is probably Doug Williams, who was the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He did this back in 1988, when he led the Washington Redskins to victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Wisconsin during the 2011 season, in which he set the single-season FBS record for passing efficiency.
Cam Newton
Born May 11, 1989, in Atlanta, Georgia, to a father who was a Wide Receiver in the NFL, Cam Newton grew up with football in his blood. Newton played football and baseball in high school, but he excelled at football and was recruited by several colleges. He chose to play for Auburn University.
As a freshman at Auburn in 2010, Newton led the Tigers to an undefeated season and a national championship. He became the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy, awarded to college football’s most outstanding player. After one more year at Auburn, Newton entered the NFL Draft and was selected by the Carolina Panthers as the first overall pick.
Newton had an immediate impact in his first season with the Panthers. He set franchise records for passing and rushing touchdowns and was named the NFL Rookie of the Year. The following season, he led the Panthers to a 12-4 record and their first ever NFC South division title. In 2015, Newton was named the NFL MVP after leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record and another NFC South championship. The Panthers made it all the way to Super Bowl 50 that year, but lost to the Denver Broncos 24-10.
Despite some early career success, Newton has not been able to get back to the Super Bowl since then and has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He missed most of 2019 with a foot injury but is expected to be healthy for 2020 training camp.
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)
Dak Prescott was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He became the Cowboys’ starting quarterback after Tony Romo was injured in the preseason. Prescott had an outstanding rookie year, throwing for 3,667 yards and 23 touchdown passes. He also ran for six touchdowns. Prescott was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson (born November 16, 1996) is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisville, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Jackson was selected by the Ravens with the 32nd pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, black quarterbacks in the NFL have come a long way since the days of segregated football. They are now some of the most talented and respected players in the league, and their achievements are a tribute to the progress that has been made in the sport. We can only hope that this trend continues and that more black quarterbacks are given the opportunity to shine on the biggest stage in American football.
