This year’s Super Bowl will be more than a big game — it’ll make history.
Two Black quarterbacks will face off for the first time in the championship matchup, with Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs taking their teams to Super Bowl LVII.
Hurts and the Eagles have had a strong season with a 14-3 record. The 24-year-old quarterback clutched the spot for his team on Sunday with a 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Yahoo Sports reported that Hurts threw for 121 yards and ran for 39 yards. After winning the NFC championship, Hurts discussed his growth with the team that he’s taking to the big dance, according to ESPN.
“My first year here [people] probably didn’t even want [me drafted] here,” Hurts said, the outlet reported. “It was probably one of those things. But it always handles itself. It was a big surprise to many. My favorite [Bible] verse, I went through a lot of stuff in college and it kind of stuck with me, John 13:7: ‘You may not know now but later you’ll understand.’ Hopefully people understand.”
His counterpart, Mahomes, powered through the pain of an injured ankle, and the Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The 27-year-old threw a whopping 326 yards and landed two touchdowns.
In his postgame interview, Mahomes addressed his ankle injury and if he would be ready for the championship game.
He confidently answered, “To me, the job’s not finished.”
Within the 57-year history of the Super Bowl, Black quarterbacks have made it to the game and won.
According to Yahoo Sports, Doug Williams in 1988 became the first Black quarterback to both start and win a Super Bowl. He was named the MVP in the 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos. He threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns.
In January 2000, the late Steve McNair and Tennessee Titans lost against the St. Louis Rams. Five years later, Donovan McNabb led the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX, where they lost to the Patriots.
Colin Kaepernick made it in 2013. Russell Wilson made back-to-back appearances in 2014 and 2015. His 2014 win against the Denver Broncos made him the second Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Then Cam Netwon took the Carolina Panthers to the big game in 2016.
Mahomes has already etched his name in NFL history after his 2020 Super Bowl win against the 49ers. He tried for a repeat in 2021 but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mahomes wants to add another trophy to his mantle to claim also slot four for Black quarterback Super Bowl wins.
Hurts is headed to the championship for the first time but has the same goal of victory.
While only one can come out on top, this is a big win for the culture.
Super Bowl LVII will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12.
