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Super Bowl 57 was looking mighty colorful this year
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. (Photograph of Jalen Hurts by Seth Wenig / Associated Press; photograph of Patrick Mahomes by Ed Zurga / Associated Press; by Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)My two favorite quarterbacks are Peyton Manning and Michael Vick (a legendary and talented career cut short, which is a whole different conversation).
If you ask the general football fan population who their favorite quarterbacks are, it’s probably a white male.
Let’s talk about it, though…
Most quarterbacks have historically been white males, which is why white quarterbacks have dominated the NFL Superbowl stage.
Sports writers have discussed how Black quarterbacks often have their intellectual and leadership qualities as a quarterback minimized. Due to “racial stacking” in sports, in which players are typecast into certain on-field positions based on racial stereotypes, Black players were rarely granted opportunities as quarterbacks, as it was considered a “thinking” position. Martenzie Johnson of The Undefeated wrote, “Black quarterback success is more likely attributed to superior athletic skill by football broadcasters, research has shown, while white quarterbacks are deemed successful more because of their intellect.” (Source)
Not saying that quarterbacks aren’t athletic because they most certainly are, but other positions tend to require more athleticism, and black people have tended to fill those roles more than the quarterback (leader) role because black people are known to be “athletic;” it’s one of our primary stereotypes.
A lot of us aren’t viewed as passers – we’re viewed as athletes. I think it’s unfair and unfortunate.
– Michael Vick
A perfect example of this is I’m tall for a female. Hence, people automatically think I run track or play basketball. But those have never been my thing, but writing was and is my sport, but people would never guess that based on looking at me.
Google tells the truth
Google shows you who the greatest football players of all time include.
If you do a quick google search for the greatest all-time quarterbacks, you will see a group of white men.
The further you go down the list, you will notice a sprinkle of men who are people of color, but the list is primarily deluged with white men.
As we saw in the Super Bowl yesterday, we had our first Super Bowl with two black quarterbacks, which is f*cking amazing.
Two black men who are not only exceptionally talented but are great leaders helped bring their teams to the most prestigious NFL event:
The Superbowl.
And we saw them fight for that win; it’s definitely one of the best games I’ve ever watched, and I’m excited to see what both teams bring to the next season.
Are Black men leaders?
An astounding yes! As we saw in this recent game, two black men led their teams to a close win with a beautiful depiction of leadership.
My favorite depiction was of Jalen Hurts; he nailed down emotional regulation and stability in leading his team when they were in the lead and when they started falling behind.
I’m excited the world finally saw two legendary quarterbacks in the Superbowl championship game.
Yes, black males can think and be athletic at the same time.
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