NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles have set a standard in the NFL, possibly without even knowing they did such a thing. Take a look at their history over the years and what sticks out the most. Of course, there is Nick Foles leading them to their first-ever Super Bowl win but look deeper and you’ll find it. The Eagles have been the hot destination for black QBs in the NFL.
It’s really hard to believe that only 3 black QBs have led a team to a Super Bowl win. If you’re having trouble remembering their names, let me help you out real quick. Doug Williams, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes. That’s it, that’s the list. Now, for those saying not everyone was given a fair chance, that’s pure nonsense.
For every Wilson, there is an Akili Smith or JaMarcus Russell. Great QBs in college but could not get the job done in the pros. But wait, there are a few more. On the flip side of that coin, there are players like Warren Moon, Steve McNair, and Daunte Culpepper. The list can still go further with the likes of Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Kordell Stewart, Byron Leftwich, and others. But this is about the Philadelphia Eagles and what they have done to make sure the black QB stays relevant.
Before there was Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murry running and passing on defenses, there was a man named Randall Cunningham for the Eagles. From there, the Eagles would also draft Don McPherson out of Syracuse. So far that’s 2. That’s more than most teams had in their entire history. But the Eagles were not done there. Following those two, they would also pay for the services of Rodney Peete, Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Vince Young, and now Jalen Hurts. All in all, that’s 7 black QBs for one team. And that’s just the beginning of the story.
What makes this group so special, is despite not winning a Super Bowl among them (Hurts still has a chance), they have had great success while in an Eagles’ uniform.
How many QBs have played and started in 5 NFC Championship Games? McNabb is one of them. How many QBs have been labeled as one of the best mobile QBs to ever play the game? Well, Cunnigham, McNabb, Vick, and Hurts have been. The Eagles’ stable of black QBs was nothing short of trendsetting. What we’re seeing now with Jackson, Mahomes, Murray, Hurts, and Justin Fields is the foundation Cunningham, McNabb and Vick built their careers on.
The Philadelphia Eagles Built The Foundation
Cunningham spent 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and won 63 regular season games coupled with reaching the playoffs 5 times. Peete went 15-9 as an Eagles starter in 4 seasons while also leading them to the playoffs in 1995. McNabb, in 11 seasons in Philly won 92 regular season games coupled with 7 trips to the playoffs and one Super Bowl appearance. Vick, in 5 seasons with the Eagles won 20 games while leading them to the playoffs once. Young was mainly a backup during his tenure there and Hurts is still writing his place in the Eagles’ history books as we speak.
To say that these black QBs did not have success is a slap in the face to those who have come after them no matter what team they’re on now. There are 71,545 passing yards in the regular season between these players in an Eagles uniform (not their career but one team) and that’s not even counting what Hurts has done so far.
The stats are there. What’s missing are the championships. No other team has had this many black QBs leading them and have done so with much success. Yes, those Super Bowl rings make a player’s career stand above the rest but when directing the most important position probably in sports, the Eagles have done their job.
Cunningham was an unknown coming out of UNLV. McNabb was booed when he was drafted by the Eagles. Vick was given a second chance by the Eagles when every other team in the NFL turned their back on him after the dog-fighting scandal and prison time. Hurts was a 2nd round pick that many believed would not excel in the NFL and here he is leading the Eagles in just his 2nd full season as a starter to an 8-1 record as of 11/17/22.
What’s still staggering is that there is only 1 black QB in the NFL Hall Of Fame–Warren Moon. While the argument for McNabb, Vick, and Cunningham rages on, it’s worth noting that all of them played for the Philadelphia Eagles. There’s a shift in the NFL QB system now as some of the most prominent players at the position are players of color. From Mahomes to Jackson and now Murray, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, and Fields, the changing the guard is upon us.
You can still make the argument that out of 32 teams today, only 10 (Panthers keep flip-flopping with PJ Walker) of them have starting QBs who are of color. But look at those 10. Look at where their teams are at or heading towards the future. They are at the top of the list for the position.
In that bunch, the Hall should be calling a few of these names. Russell Wilson should get in. Maybe they will make room for Cam Newton and if all goes well, Jackson and Mahomes will be getting a call when their careers are done. Hell, if Hurts keeps winning, how can he be denied?
At the end of the day, the Philadelphia Eagles have forged a brotherhood and bond with not only some of the best QBs to ever play the game but they made sure that the black QBs always had a home.
