Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts acknowledge ‘special moment’ in making history as first two black quarterbacks start Super Bowl as Chiefs star admits they’re ‘lucky’
Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts know the importance of making history Sunday night as the first two black quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl.
The game in Arizona pits two of the NFL’s most dynamic stars against one another. Kansas City’s Mahomes, who won his second MVP award and is chasing a second Super Bowl, takes on the Hurts of Philadelphia, whose side went 16-1 earlier this season.
Seven black quarterbacks have started a Super Bowl, three of which — Doug Williams, Russell Wilson and Mahomes — cost victory on the NFL’s biggest stage.
“I think about it a lot,” said Mahomes, 27. “The quarterbacks that came before me — Shack Harris, Doug Williams — who laid the groundwork for me in that position. It runs through all sports. When you think of Jackie Robinson and the people who broke the color barrier in baseball, I wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for them.
“To be lucky enough to be in this position – and to play against another great guy like Jalen – will be a special moment. I’m glad we’re here today, but how can we move forward? How can we motivate younger kids who want to follow their dreams of becoming a quarterback?’
Patrick Mahomes (right) and Jalen Hurts (left) will make history as the first two black quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl Sunday night
Three Black QBs – Doug Williams, Russell Wilson (above) and Mahomes won the Super Bowl
Hurts, 24, added: “I think it’s history. I think it’s something worth mentioning and it’s history. It’s come a long way. I think there were only seven African American quarterbacks that played in the Super Bowl, so being first for something is pretty cool. I know it will be good.’
In a sport where 70 percent of the players are black, of the NFL’s 32 starting quarterbacks at the start of the season, 11 were black. There are four black head coaches with one vacancy.
When asked why it took so long to reach the milestone, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, “There’s probably a multitude of reasons, probably not a good one, because the reality is there’s so much talent in this position there – black and white .’
Both men sustain injuries. Mahomes suffered a severe sprain to his right ankle in the divisional round win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It hampered his mobility in the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he unwrapped it to reach a third Super Bowl in four years.
Hurts is still feeling the effects of a sprain to his right throwing shoulder that he sustained in December.
It’s likely that both men will need their ability to dodge. The Eagles led the NFL with 70 sacks; Kansas City finished second with 55.
If Mahomes wins, he will become the first black quarterback to win multiple titles, while Hurts may become the fourth youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid — who oversaw the Eagles from 1999 to 2012 and is the only coach to have over 100 wins for two different NFL teams — paid tribute to Hurts.
The Chiefs star claimed they were “lucky”, while Hurts, 24, insisted it was going to be “a good one”.
“He’ll only get better with time,” he said. “That’s how it works in this position. It looks like he has this offense completely under control. A real tribute to the child.”
Nick Sirianni, who reached the Super Bowl in his sophomore year as the Eagles head coach, said, “I’m really excited for both quarterbacks for what they can represent to a lot of kids.
“Not only are they two black quarterbacks, they’re also the top two quarterbacks in the NFL this year. First Team All-Pro, Second Team All-Pro. Both play at the highest level.”