It’s a big week for NFL history and progress in pro football.
Come Sunday and the kickoff of Super Bowl 57, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will become the first pair of Black quarterbacks to start in the NFL’s biggest game. It’s a massive moment for the sport and a great sign of how far the game’s most important position has come.
After the young Justin Fields weighed in on how he thinks Black QBs will continue to push pro football forward, a pioneer has shared some of his insights.
In an interview with Harold P. Kuntz of FOX4 News Kansas City, Doug Williams, the first Black QB to win a Super Bowl (22 with the Commanders in 1987), was so thrilled to sing the praises of players like Mahomes and Hurts. Williams clearly loved seeing Black QBs continue to gain prominence as faces of the league.
And he doesn’t see that ending any time soon:
Interviewed Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams, the 1st Black QB to win a SB. He's incredibly impressed with Patrick Mahomes ("He's not about Patrick, he's about the #Chiefs"), very high on future of black QBs and "the biggest fan" of the QB that build on his legacy. pic.twitter.com/qL5wsn1exD
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 6, 2023
You know you’ve won a legend over when they happily talk about how talented and selfless you are.
In an assertion in line with Fields’ thoughts, having more multi-faceted passers in the game — guys who can make defenders pay with their arms and legs — will only give offenses more options to succeed. As defenses get more innovative and more athletic, the days of the “statue” signal-caller seem numbered.
And it’s thanks in part to trailblazers like Williams.
