In 2001, the NFL Draft scouts, analysts, coaches, general managers, and franchise owners were still wondering if a Black man could play quarterback (QB) when Michael Vick was being considered a top prospect. Today, however, that’s no longer a question.
When Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott signed his 4-year $160 million contract on Wednesday, it will mean the four highest-paid players in the league’s most important position are all Black men.
Prescott will join 2020 Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes (league record 10 years $450 million), Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson (4 years $156 million), and Seattle Seahawks QB Russel Wilson (4 years $140 million) as the highest-paid players in the NFL. All four are Black men, setting a new standard for the sport.
Although the NFL still has issues with hiring minority talent in coaching and front-office positions, on the field, things are different. Black QBs have experienced slow but steady growth since the early 1960s. When Doug Williams became the first Black QB to win a Super Bowl in 1988, things were still slow for Black quarterbacks.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Steve McNair, and Kordell Stewart become established Black QBs and pave the way for the next generation.
Vick, Donovan McNabb, Byron Leftwich, Quincy Carter, Daunte Culpepper, and others saw opportunities to start for multiple teams. McNabb led the Philadelphia Eagles to three straight NFC Championship games and their first title game since the 80s in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Last year, 10 black signal-callers started their team’s first game, marking a league record. Several other QBs of color also ended up playing later in the season including Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts. Both are expected to start next season for their teams.
With Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Kellen Mond entering the league this year as rookies after the NFL draft the future looks bright.
