6 Black NFL Quarterbacks Who Dispelled The Myth That They Can’t Play The Position

Warren Moon In 17 NFL seasons, Moon took the quarterback position into the stratosphere. He threw for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns. Four times he passed for more than 4,200 yards in a season. No telling what his numbers would have been if he hadn’t been forced (by incompetent general managers) to play the first six years of his career in the Canadian Football League, where he, by the way, shattered all passing records. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Doug Williams He not only was the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl, but he was the MVP of the game, throwing four touchdown passes in overwhelming Denver and John Elway. Even better, Williams handled the spotlight with class and dignity. He languished on bad teams early in his career in Tampa Bay, but stayed the course and was stellar in leading the Washington Redskins to the 1988 title. James Harris Harris was the first Black player to start a season at quarterback in the history of pro football with the Buffalo Bills of the old AFL in 1969. His running back? O.J. Simpson. Harris endured the drama and pressure that came with manning the position whites believed was reserved only for whites. The Grambling product, like Doug Williams, threw for 8,149 yards in his career, but his significance was not about that. He showed that Blacks had the acumen to play what’s called the most important position in sports, opening the way for many others. Steve McNair From 2001 to 2006, McNair was among the top quarterbacks in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. He was the NFL’s MVP in 2003 and was a three-time Pro Bowler who led the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. He completed a pass on the game’s last play, but the receiver, Kevin Dyson, was tackled a yard short of the goal line, preserving St. Louis’ Super Bowl title. Tragically, he was killed on the Fourth of July, 2009, when he was shot by a young woman in his Nashville condo. Donovan McNabb Playing in one of sport’s toughest markets in Philadelphia, McNabb overcame boos from fans when he was selected in the NFL Draft to become one of the city’s favorite athletes. He was class personified in leading the Eagles much of his 13-year career. He made the Pro Bowl six times and was the 2004 NFC Player of the Year. Under his direction, Philly advanced to the Super Bowl in 2004, losing to the New England Patriots. He directed Philadelphia to three straight NFC Championship games before his game deteriorated with age. Russell Wilson In only his third season, Wilson has handled the league and success admirably. He is the second Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, leading Seattle to a Super Bowl championship in February. His poise on and off the field and leadership qualities have been an integral part of his success. He’s a solid young man and already setting examples for young Black quarterbacks to come.

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