Photo: Getty Images
Super Bowl LVII is set to be a historic one.
Following wins on Championship Sunday (January 29), Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes punched their tickets to the 57th Super Bowl. It will be the first time in history that two Black quarterbacks square off for the title game, which is set for Sunday, February 12, per NBC News.
The history of Black quarterbacks in the NFL dates back to 1923 when Fritz Pollard broke the color barrier and was the first to play in the league. Doug Williams was the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl following the 1987 season.
Hurts looks to join the ranks of just three Black quarterbacks — Williams, Russell Wilson, and Mahomes — who have won a Super Bowl. Mahomes could become the first Black two-time Super Bowl champion if he can defeat the Eagles.
On Sunday, Hurts puffed a victory cigar after the Eagles secured the NFC title, winning 31-7 against the San Francisco 49ers, who were plagued with quarterback injuries.
“I don’t really know how to feel to be honest. You work really hard to put yourself in this position and I’m forever grateful,” Hurts said after the win. “Only God knows the things that each individual on this team has been able to overcome for us to come together as a team and do something special as a group. That’s what means the most. I always want to go out there and give my best regardless of what’s going on because I don’t want to let down the guy next to me. That makes us all go harder.”
In the AFC, Mahomes fought through an ankle injury to help defeat Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.
The winning QB said he had no intention of partaking in a victory cigar.
“I don’t think we have any cigars, but we’ll be ready to go at the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said after beating the Bengals.
Though only one can win, having two Black quarterbacks face off in the Super Bowl is a history-making victory for the culture.
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