WeSport looked at a somewhat sensitive subject specific to American football: the place of the colored quarterback in a sport considered traditional. From Marlin Briscoe to Lamar Jackson, we will try to understand the problems that can affect those that Cam Newton defines as “quarterblacks”.
If basketball is the favorite sport of minorities living in the United States, it is a little less the case for US football. American football is rather considered the sport of “traditional” America! It is, for example, the king sport in Alabama, Texas or Carolina. States which are not necessarily at the forefront of modernity on racial issues.
The quarterback position is the symbol of the traditionalist side of the sport. If today 70% of players in the NFL are black, the position of quarterback remains the preserve of whites. In this position which is by far the most prestigious, 79% of the players in the big league are white.
A cliché with hard skin
The quarterback position is one of the most legendary positions in US sport. It’s a special job that requires a lot of responsibility and intelligence. In a country where segregation was abolished in the 1960s, it is therefore a position that it is difficult to imagine entrusted to a black player… It was even forbidden in the early 1900s! Obviously things have changed, although a large majority of quarterbacks in the NFL are white. The few quarterbacks of African American descent who have been successful in the NFL have almost always been stigmatized. They are not really seen as equals with their white counterparts.
To put it simply, and exaggerating a little, the white quarterback in the image of a quarterback tactician therefore intelligent. He’s a sober quarterback who throws from his pocket. We obviously think of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees who are currently playing in the NFL. This pattern also applies to old legends like Brett Favre, Dan Marino or Joe Montana.
Double threat quarterback, a derogatory term?
For the black quarterback, the main thing is to know how to run. He is anyway a whimsical player who must compensate for his lack of rigor with his physique! Lamar Jackson, Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Russell WIlson or even Deshaun Watson are considered above all as athletes rather than pure quarterbacks.
Patrick Mahomes is the exception that proves the rule. Considered a classic quarterback despite his African-American origins, Chiefs quarterback, MVP in 2018 and winner of the last Superbowl escapes this cliché.
A few years ago, Cam Newton used the term “Quarterblack” to define this shot of the running quarterback. In College Football and the NFL, a capable quarterback is a “double threat” quarterback. By way of exaggeration, the term “double threat” is often associated with colored quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson has also refused to be placed in this category to stop feeding this cliché and change mentalities.
A little history
If the clichés remain theoretical and therefore questionable, things are different for the figures. Difficult to dispute the figures and concerning quarterbacks of color in the NFL, the data is edifying …
Nothing to report before 1968 …
As the NFL celebrated its 100th birthday last season, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that a black quarterback took on this prestigious position. It was Marlin Briscoe who had “the privilege” of becoming the first colored quarterback to hold the NFL. It was with the Denver Broncos. Yet his team wanted him to play cornerback in his debut. He insisted and on October 6, 1968, following the injury of the starting quarterback, he definitely made history! Yet author of a superb season that earned him the title of rookie of the year, the Broncos were not counting on him. Transferred to Buffalo then to Miami (with whom he won two Superbowls), Marlin Briscoe had a superb career… but as a receiver!
If Marlin Briscoe will remain the pioneer, James Harris is considered to be the first true colored quarterback. He began his career in Buffalo in 1969. Drafted at 8e turn by the Bills, he will start from the start of the season. Transferred to the Rams after three seasons at Buffalo, he clings to his post despite many threats. He will become the first colored quarterback to play in the Pro Bowl and also the first to win a playoff game.
Other quarterbacks played in the NFL during the 1970s. However, it was not until 1984 to see another black quarterback make history. Despite a forced exile in the Canadian league in his early days, Warren Moon managed to make a name for himself in the NFL. With nearly 15 seasons and more than 200 games on the clock, he notably marked the history of the Houston Oilers. Nine times pro-bowlers, he became the 1is colored quarterback to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006!
Incredible arm. Field general. Surgical on the field.
“Warren Moon paved the way… and it’s not said enough.” @ WMoon1
????: #NFL100 GREATEST GAME CHANGERS | Continues Friday at 8pm ET on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/vWuDA6cJDI
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2019
More visibility but few rings!
Although a large minority, more and more quarterbacks of African-American origin are playing in the NFL. If it was not until 2003 and the late Steve McNair to see a black quarterback become MVP, everything has accelerated in recent years. Cam Newton (2015), Pat Mahomes (2018) and Lamar Jackson (2019) are proof that things are changing!
MVP in 2018, Patrick Mahomes won the title with Kansas City this season. As surprising as it may seem, he is only the third colored quarterback to win the Lombardi Trophy. It was Doug Williams who first won a Superbowl in 1988 with the Washington Redskins. He was even elected MVP of this meeting. 26 years later, Russell Wilson also inscribed his name on the prize list of the precious Lombardi Trophy.
Other quarterbacks weren’t so lucky, but at least they made it into this grand finale. Between 1999 and 2015, four colored quarterbacks (Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton) played and lost a Superbowl.
Three winners and four losers, the ratio is very low while this year we played the 54e Superbowl. 108 quarterbacks had the opportunity to play the most important game of the NFL season. Out of 108, there are therefore only seven colored quarterbacks, or less than 7% …
Lamar Jackson silences the critics
This season was the advent of Lamar Jackson. His early career has yet proved that this problem of “quarterblack” was indeed topical. Winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2016 with Louisville, Lamar Jackson had statistics far from ridiculous in passing. Yet it was his physical qualities that were highlighted before the draft. Many specialists doubted his ability to become a good quarterback in the NFL. He was even advised to convert to a receiver.
Not bad for a running-back !
To go against his stereotypes, Lamar Jackson even refused to participate in the speed test during the draft combine. He preferred to focus on workshops dedicated to the quarterback so as not to fuel speculation! Selected in 32 positions by the Baltimore Ravens, he is only the 5e quarterback of this 2018 draft …
Rather, it was his legs that spoke at the start of his NFL career last year. He mainly used his physical qualities to perform well during the half-season played with Baltimore. After a quick and brilliant apprenticeship, he returned at the start of the 2019 season with the firm intention of showing that he was a true quarterback. If he certainly broke the ground yard record for a quarterback (1206 yards), he is the player who threw the most touchdown with 36 units! Small detail, he was also elected MVP of the season. « Not bad for a running-back ».
Meanwhile, powerful but “clumsy” quarterback Josh Allen was picked in 7th position of the same draft by the Bills (23 places ahead of the fresh MVP). Strangely, no one asked him to change positions to play tight-end or linebacker …
—Lamar Jackson throws 4th TD.
—32 TDs and only 6 INTs in 2019
—39 TDs when including rushing???? Not bad for a running backpic.twitter.com/EqOOPHGm8m
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) December 13, 2019
