Super Bowl – Sports finals each have an unique background as they are more than just a matchup between two teams.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs game is guaranteed to be exciting despite the NFL’s highs and lows this season.
In Super Bowl LVII, two Black quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes, will square off for the first time for the Lombardi Trophy.
Buildup
The bulk of players focus on tactics, game strategy, and training for a game of this caliber.
However, because they want to ignite a significant shift in the upcoming NFL player generation, Mahomes and Hurts are aware of how severe the situation is.
“It’s special,” said Patrick Mahomes, who makes his third Super Bowl appearance in Arizona this Sunday.
“There’s so many great ones that haven’t been recognized because of the stereotype of the Black quarterback not being able to have sustained success.”
“I’m glad that I’m able to be on this world stage with another quarterback in Jalen that’s able to play at a high level and prove that we’ve been able to do this the whole time.”
Jalen Hurts, 24, will participate in his first Super Bowl.
“It’s a historic moment,” said Hurts.
“To be on this platform and to give so many others so much inspiration moving forward, telling them that they can do it too. It’s a proud moment.”
NFL history made
In order to become the first Black quarterback to play in and win the Super Bowl, Doug Williams joined the game in 1988.
Since then, there have been six more Black quarterbacks in the game.
However, only Russell Wilson and Mahomes have taken home the Lombardi Trophy.
Jalen Hurts will become the seventh Black quarterback to play on such a renowned stage with Mahomes on the opposite side of the field.
For younger generations, the contest acts as a source of inspiration.
“I’ve learned more and more about the history of the Black quarterback since I’ve been in this league and the guys that came before me and Jalen set the stage for this,” said Majomes.
“I’m glad that we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now.”
“If we can continue to show that we can consistently be great, I think it’ll just continue to open doors for other kids growing up to follow their dreams and to be a quarterback of an NFL team.”
Read also: LeBron James Bags Highest Scorer in the NBA: A dominant force on and off the court
The quarterback myth
One of the reasons Black quarterbacks struggle in the NFL is the lack of diversity among owners and head coaches.
The notion that a Black quarterback could struggle in the job due to a lack of leadership capacity has emerged as a result of a lack of trust.
In an interview with National Public Radio, Doug Williams discussed it, saying:
“You know, as a Black quarterback, it was never about my ability to play the position. That wasn’t the question.”
“The question has always been leadership. Could you lead the team?”
Black quarterbacks received four of the top five highest-paying contracts in football, so it would seem that prejudice has been abolished.
Two examples are Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes.
For Mahomes, it was never in doubt that he could guide the team to a string of victories.
Even with an ankle injury, he continued to play and helped the Chiefs win their third Super Bowl in four years.
Hurt, on the other hand, secured his contract due to his physical dominance, convincing doubters with his precise throwing and 22 passing touchdowns.
The prototypes
In addition to creating history, Mahomes and Hurts are raising the bar for what an NFL quarterback should be.
They will both be successful due to their good running and throwing skills and high sports IQs.
“These guys are the new prototypical quarterback in the NFL,” said Robert Griffin III, summing up the two Super Bowl quarterbacks.
“A triple threat. As they beat you with their arms, they beat you with their legs and they beat you with their minds.”
“And the fact that they’re the first two Black quarterbacks to be going up against each other in the Super Bowl makes this even more sweeter for all the generations that are coming up after them.”
Play styles
Although Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes are both superb athletes, they play distinct styles of football.
Jalen Hurts is renowned for his agility, passion for scoring touchdowns, and capacity for making accurate throws.
Hurts has developed remarkably in his early seasons and distinguished himself for his excellent work ethic.
Currently, a lot of people think Patrick Mahomes is the most thrilling quarterback in the NFL.
He possesses a broad range of throws and is regarded as a magician.
Mahomes has furthermore demonstrated his ability to prevail by reaching the AFC Championship game in his debut season as the starting quarterback.
He has already participated in three Super Bowls at the age of 27, showcasing his NFL potential and providing opportunities for future Black quarterbacks.
Image source: Sporting News
