Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts enjoy and appreciate making history as two black quarterbacks who will face off in Super Bowl LVII.
They will do so 35 years after Doug Williams became the first to win in the Super Bowl with the then Washington Redskins. Mahomes and Hurts are enjoying the moment, but know they have a social commitment to this move and recognize it has been an accomplishment many have fought for.
"To be on the world stage and have two black quarterbacks starting in the Super Bowl, I think it's special, and I've learned more and more about the history of black quarterbacks since I've been in this league," Patrick Mahomes said in his media appearance after Kansas City Chiefs practice.
Williams led Washington to the NFL championship by defeating the Denver Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII following the 1987 season. He threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns that day.
"The players before Jalen and I set the stage for this, and now I'm glad we can do the same for the guys and kids that are coming up now," Mahomes said.
After Williams, six black quarterbacks have started in the Super Bowl, including Mahomes, who has already played two in his career, winning one and losing the other. But the LVII edition will be the first time they will face each other.
"I think it's historic," said Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. "It's something worth noting. It's come a long way. I think there's only been four African-American quarterbacks that played in the Super Bowl. To be the first at something, it's great. So it's going to be good."
Both Mahomes and Hurts acknowledged those who opened doors and generated opportunities for them, mentioning Williams himself, Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair.
And they are both aware that it is now up to them to continue to break down barriers and generate opportunities for the generations that come after them.
