Mahomes-Hurts, two African American quarterbacks to conquer the Super Bowl, never happened before

The first was Fritz Pollard. A lifetime ago. Year 1923. Since then it has been a long way to get to what we will see in Super Bowl: two quarterbacks African Americans to contend for the top trophy in professional American football. The phenomenal Patrick Mahomes leading the attack of the Kansas City Chiefs on the one hand, the revelation Jalen Hurts in command of operations for i Philly Eagles. Never happened before.

Appointment with history

And it should be noted. In a historical moment where racial prejudices are rampant everywhere and in an America that, with impressive frequency, comes to terms with gunslinging and violent policemen who do not hesitate to fire on black men. A few days ago the latest chilling episode with the victim amputated and in a wheelchair. For this reason those two young quarterback leaders of the finalist teams have a meaning that goes beyond the mere competitive event. And while the American media almost with relief certify the “historic” figure of two to taste African Americans at the Super Bowlhowever, it is worth remembering that all this takes place within a sports system that has effectively canceled the career of Colin Kaepernick“sentenced” never to play again in any of the 32 teams in the league because he knelt down to protest against those executioners… And Colin also played a Super Bowl (and lost), let’s not talk about a nobody.

But let’s go back to the long road of the black qbs towards the leadership of their teams. A path, of course, not without prejudices in this field as well. Black athletes, in football, have been seen (and in part still are) primarily as wide receiver, running backs or defenders because of their physical overwhelming power, their natural speed and coordination, their strength and endurance. Not much like a quarterback, a key role in the game that requires a set of not indifferent qualities: the ability to be an authentic leader and therefore to be followed by others, to think quickly and clearly in difficult and complicated situations, to remain cool in the line of fire , to make the right choices at the right time, to give your parents the belief that they can always win. To be authoritative and credible, a guide for the team.

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Over time, however, African American players have begun to fill that role and do it very well. But they always had to overcome prejudice. Donovan McNabb, historic and still idolized qb of the Eagles, a player who played 5 times in the Conference Finals and was selected for the Pro Bowl 6, said that several college scouts insisted that he play running back or wide receiver and not quarterbacks. He resisted, didn’t change positions and went to Syracuse to be able to play quarterback.

Kind of the same thing happened to Lamar Jacksontoday to taste Ravenswith a scout of the Chargers (“play the running back”). And Jalen Hurts himself recently reminded everyone that he wasn’t well received when he was signed by the Eagles to play backup. Carson Wentz. In the first year he played little and only in the final and, before the last games, he was used more as a running qb than as an authentic director of the game, In the first nine games he counted in the statistics just 3 throws, 12 runs and a reception …

The cigar and the Gospel

But in short he convinced everyone of his qualities (and there are those who believe that he has not yet completed all his competitive technical growth, that he still has margins). Today that, with Mahomes (favorite) is among the candidates for mvp of the season, takes off a few pebbles from his shoes: “I know I’ve been through a lot, from college to today, but now I only think about how good this team has been to get here. Maybe initially here they didn’t even want me to be caught. But do you know what my favorite passage from the Gospel is? John 13:7 says: You may not know it now, but you will understand later”.

Got the guy? A underdog, “a hungry dog ​​because our coach says that the hungrier the dogs are the faster they run and we are so hungry”, he defines himself and thus identifies his Eagles. On the other hand he will find another African American who shone, like him, coincidence in Texaswhen he was still a kid and attended the high school:Patrick Mahomes. Someone who knows how to win (he already boasts a Super Bowl) and who, unlike Jalen, hasn’t even smoked the classic post-victory cigar and explained why: “There’s nothing to smoke, you have to go to the Super Bowl and find a way to win it…”.

Already 4 African American qbs have lifted the highest football trophy, one of them is Mahomes. The first was the guide of the Washington Redskins, Doug Williams season 1987. Most recent (February 2, 2014) the success of Russell Wilson then ai Seahawks (now play with Broncos). Then it was the turn of the leader of the Chiefs (February 2, 2020). Who would like to sign a double full of meanings. Objective that obviously contrasts with Hurts’ ambitions. His goal, needless to say, is to become the fourth African American qb to celebrate a Super Bowl. Two African Americans to conquer the Lombardi Trophy winshowever it goes, it will be a historic sporting event of its kind.