Since 2023 has been stuffed with highs for Black quarterbacks, 2024 would possibly as smartly stay the celebration going. And if issues dangle secure, Patrick Mahomes gained’t be the one one anymore.
After his Christmas Day efficiency, Lamar Jackson — who already has a unanimous MVP on his resume — might be on his strategy to successful his 2d MVP, becoming a member of Mahomes as the one Black quarterbacks to carry that honor.
“I assumed Lamar had an MVP efficiency this night,” mentioned Ravens head trainer John Harbaugh, as his quarterback accounted for 297 yards of offense and a couple of touchdowns. “It takes a workforce to create a efficiency like that, but it surely takes a participant to play at that degree, to play at an MVP degree, it takes a participant to play that method. Lamar was once everywhere the sector.”
Jackson is within the motive force’s seat for the award — months after “no one sought after him.” By no means fail to remember that prior to he signed his five-year, $260 million contract in April to stick in Baltimore, groups and house owners have been making it recognized across the league that they have been out on arguably the most productive participant within the recreation.
If Jackson can snag the award it’ll be his 2d in 5 seasons, as he gained his first in 2019. Mahomes gained his first the 12 months prior to Jackson did, which means that we’re weeks clear of historical past repeating itself, as Mahomes and Jackson may just move back-to-back for a 2d time.
In 2003, Steve McNair turned into the first Black quarterback to win MVP. Twelve years later, Cam Newton turned into the primary to win it outright, as McNair break up his award with Peyton Manning. Newton was once adopted by way of Mahomes, Jackson, Mahomes, and possibly Jackson, once more.
Originally of the 12 months, Mahomes and Jalen Hurts made historical past because the first two Black quarterbacks to ever face each and every different within the Tremendous Bowl — becoming a member of the small record of Black quarterbacks who’ve performed within the recreation’s greatest recreation. By the point the draft rolled round, extra historical past was once made as Bryce Younger, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson turned into the primary 3 Black quarterbacks to be taken within the Most sensible 5. Months later, any other feat was once completed when 14 Black quarterbacks began all over Week One of the crucial 2023 season — essentially the most ever. And in October, Tyrod Taylor turned into the primary Black quarterback to win a recreation for the New York Giants — an indication that issues haven’t modified up to they seem.
Marlin Briscoe turned into the primary beginning Black quarterback in professional soccer historical past in 1968. He died in 2022, six months prior to arguably the most productive 12 months Black quarterbacks have ever skilled within the NFL. It’s a stat that highlights historical past and is proof of ways sluggish growth may also be.
