By the Numbers: African-Americans in the Super Bowl
Black players are making NFL history.
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NFL Black History - In the 90 years-plus since the NFL started, African-Americans have never been more present in professional football than today. The 2013 season kicked off with nine starting African-American quarterbacks and four Black head coaches. While African-Americans continue to make NFL history on a whole, there are areas for improvement. Take a look at how African-Americans have fared in the Super Bowl. — Dominique Zonyéé (@DominiqueZonyee)
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From None to One - When the NFL was founded in 1920, African-Americans were lacking in the sport. It would take more than 20 years before the first African-African, Wally Triplett, a halfback from Penn State, was picked by the Detroit Lions in the 19th round of the 1949 draft. (Photo: Public Domain)
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The One and Only - Doug Williams made NFL history in 1988 when he became the first Black (starting) quarterback to play in the Super Bowl and the first Black QB to win a Super Bowl. Williams lead the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII to a 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos and subsequently was awarded the game's MVP. Williams is still the lone Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl and its MVP honor.
Photo By Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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Nine and Counting - African-American quarterbacks are finally getting their time to shine. For the first time in NFL history, out of the 32 teams in the league, nine teams have African-American starting quarterbacks in 2013.
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Four and Counting - NFL fans will witness more Black history at Super Bowl 48 on Feb. 2 as Russell Wilson will become the fifth Black starting quarterback to play in the Super Bowl since it was created 49 years ago. Wilson’s appearance in the Super Bowl comes after Colin Kaepernick, Doug Williams, Donovan McNabb and Steve McNair.
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Blacks Coaches Are on the Rise, Too - While the NFL is illustrating diversity among quarterbacks in 2013, there are also more Black coaches in the league than ever. There are currently four Black coaches: Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lovie Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jim Caldwell of the Detroit Lions.