The Ultimate Super Bowl Rematch: How Mahomes and Hurts Made History Again
On February 9, 2025, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes will meet again in Super Bowl LIX, two years removed from their first historic showdown in Super Bowl LVII. Back then, they had become the first Black quarterbacks to ever face off in a Super Bowl. Now, they will become the first Black quarterbacks to ever face off in a Super Bowl rematch, and only the fourth pair of QBs to ever face one another in a Super Bowl more than once.
Quarterbacks Who Faced Each Other in Multiple Super Bowls:
- Terry Bradshaw (Steelers) vs. Roger Staubach (Cowboys)
- Super Bowl X (1976): Steelers won, 21-17
- Super Bowl XIII (1979): Steelers won, 35-31
- Troy Aikman (Cowboys) vs. Jim Kelly (Bills)
- Super Bowl XXVII (1993): Cowboys won, 52-17
- Super Bowl XXVIII (1994): Cowboys won, 30-13
- Tom Brady (Patriots) vs. Eli Manning (Giants)
- Super Bowl XLII (2008): Giants won, 17-14
- Super Bowl XLVI (2012): Giants won, 21-17
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) vs. Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
- Super Bowl LVII (2023): Chiefs won, 38-33
- Super Bowl LIX (2025): TBD
The First Hurts vs. Mahomes Matchup
In 2023, Hurts and Mahomes made history as the first Black quarterbacks to face off in a Super Bowl. The game was an instant classic, with Mahomes leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a thrilling 38-35 victory over Hurts' Philadelphia Eagles. But even in a loss (on iffy grass), Hurts delivered one of the greatest individual performances in Super Bowl history, tallying three rushing touchdowns, throwing for 304 yards, and was perhaps one controversial defensive holding penalty away from an epic game-winning drive.
The Rematch: What’s at Stake
Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be just as monumental. Mahomes is aiming for his fourth Super Bowl title and a ‘three-peat’—a third consecutive championship with the Chiefs—a feat no team has accomplished since the Super Bowl era began. Hurts, on the other hand, is seeking redemption and his first Lombardi Trophy after falling just short in their previous encounter. (Hurts reportedly once used a photo from his loss to the Chiefs as his iPhone wallpaper for motivation.)
Both quarterbacks have continued to dominate since their last Super Bowl meeting. Mahomes led Kansas City to its fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years behind timely playmaking, while Hurts has focused on playing mistake-free football while allowing Philadelphia’s dominant run game and defense to lead them back to The Big Game.
Black Quarterbacks in Super Bowl History
Here is a complete list of every Black quarterback who has started in a Super Bowl:
- Doug Williams (Washington) – Super Bowl XXII (1988)
- Steve McNair (Tennessee Titans) – Super Bowl XXXIV (2000)
- Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) – Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)
- Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) – Super Bowl XLVII (2013)
- Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) – Super Bowls XLVIII (2014) and XLIX (2015)
- Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) – Super Bowl 50 (2016)
- Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) – Super Bowls LIV (2020), LV (2021), LVII (2023), and now LIX (2025)
- Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) – Super Bowls LVII (2023) and LIX (2025)
A Dramatic Shift in Representation
In 2024, a record-breaking 15 Black quarterbacks started in Week 1 of the NFL season, accounting for nearly half (47%) of all starting quarterbacks across the league. This is a stark contrast to just a decade ago when only five Black quarterbacks began the 2014 season as starters. Twenty years ago, in 2004, that number was even lower, with only three Black quarterbacks starting in Week 1. The steady increase reflects a significant shift in attitudes and opportunities at the NFL's most scrutinized position, which for decades appeared plagued by racial biases that limited opportunities for Black players.
Black Quarterbacks Leading Playoff Teams
This season’s playoffs highlighted the increasing prominence of Black quarterbacks. Seven of the 14 playoff teams—50%—were led by Black quarterbacks, including stars like Hurts and Mahomes, Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), and rising stars like C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) and Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders). This marks the highest number of Black quarterbacks ever leading teams into the postseason, breaking last year’s record of six.
The upcoming rematch between Hurts and Mahomes can be seen as more than just a battle for football glory; it's a celebration of how far Black quarterbacks have come in breaking barriers and reshaping the narrative surrounding one of sports' most prestigious positions.