Since 2023 has been crammed with highs for Black quarterbacks, 2024 may as nicely preserve the occasion going. And if issues maintain regular, 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 option to successful his second MVP, becoming a member of Mahomes as the one Black quarterbacks to carry that honor.
“I believed Lamar had an MVP efficiency tonight,” stated Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, as his quarterback accounted for 297 yards of offense and a pair of touchdowns. “It takes a staff 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 means. Lamar was all around the subject.”
Jackson is within the driver’s seat for the award — months after “no one wished him.” Always remember that earlier than he signed his five-year, $260 million contract in April to remain in Baltimore, groups and homeowners have been making it recognized across the league that they have been out on arguably one of the best participant within the sport.
If Jackson can snag the award it will likely be his second in 5 seasons, as he gained his first in 2019. Mahomes gained his first the yr earlier than Jackson did, which means that we’re weeks away from historical past repeating itself, as Mahomes and Jackson may go back-to-back for a second time.
In 2003, Steve McNair turned the first Black quarterback to win MVP. Twelve years later, Cam Newton turned the primary to win it outright, as McNair break up his award with Peyton Manning. Newton was adopted by Mahomes, Jackson, Mahomes, and perhaps Jackson, once more.
In the beginning of the yr, Mahomes and Jalen Hurts made historical past because the first two Black quarterbacks to ever face one another within the Tremendous Bowl — becoming a member of the small checklist of Black quarterbacks who’ve performed within the sport’s largest sport. By the point the draft rolled round, extra historical past was made as Bryce Younger, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson turned the primary three Black quarterbacks to be taken within the High 5. Months later, one other feat was achieved when 14 Black quarterbacks began throughout Week One of many 2023 season — essentially the most ever. And in October, Tyrod Taylor turned the primary Black quarterback to win a sport for the New York Giants — an indication that issues haven’t modified as a lot as they seem.
Marlin Briscoe turned the primary beginning Black quarterback in professional soccer historical past in 1968. He died in 2022, six months earlier than arguably one of the best yr Black quarterbacks have ever skilled within the NFL. It’s a stat that highlights historical past and is proof of how gradual progress will be.
