The NFL has reached a significant milestone as a record 15 Black starting quarterbacks took the field for Week 1 of the 2024 season. This progress stands in stark contrast to the days when pioneers like Warren Moon opted to join the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos after a stellar collegiate career at the University of Washington. Moon felt he would not receive a fair chance to lead an offense in the NFL. Similarly, Tony Dungy, who showcased his talents as a quarterback at the University of Minnesota, found himself converted into a defensive back by the NFL.
It wasn’t until 2001 that the NFL saw its first Black quarterback selected as the No. 1 pick in the draft, with the Atlanta Falcons choosing Michael Vick out of Virginia Tech. Vick’s journey reflects a desire to honor the legacy of Black quarterbacks who paved the way for him and those currently thriving in the league.
To that end, Vick is the executive producer of a three-part docuseries titled “Evolution of the Black Quarterback,” which premieres Tuesday on Amazon Prime Video. This series features conversations with trailblazers such as James “Shack” Harris, the first Black quarterback to start a season as the leading quarterback in professional football, and Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Vick also engages with contemporary stars like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Dak Prescott.
Reflecting on the Past
Vick acknowledges the challenges faced by those who came before him. “I learned I pretty much had it easy. Those guys (back then) had it rough,” he stated. “Shack, Doug, Warren, Donovan (McNabb) … they endured significant adversity, including hate mail. It wasn’t a smooth transition for them.”
The inspiration for the docuseries originated from Vick’s wife, Kijafa, and director Anthony Smith. Vick aimed to host the series not only as a tribute to his heroes but also to honor current players by visiting them across the country.
- In one poignant interview, Vick spoke with Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner who led Florida State to a national championship. Rather than pursuing a career in the NFL, Ward opted for basketball, enjoying an 11-season stint in the NBA with teams including the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets.
- Interestingly, Ward and Vick had never met in person before the filming of the docuseries. Vick credits Ward as a significant inspiration for his own football career, leading Ward to express his surprise at being recognized by younger players. “I didn’t understand it at the time,” Ward reflected. “Giving people hope that they could do the same thing that I was doing as a Black quarterback is rewarding.”
Ward’s success as a college quarterback was partly due to his coach, Bobby Bowden, who adapted his system to accommodate Ward’s mobile style. This flexibility was unfortunately not common in many programs, which often favored traditional pocket passers. Vick pointed out that even today, some Black quarterbacks face criticism for their playing style. An anonymous NFL defensive coordinator once characterized Mahomes’ play as “streetball,” while another coach remarked that Lamar Jackson struggled with reading defenses in a 2022 article published by The Athletic.
Progress and Challenges
Mahomes has been careful in his remarks regarding the evaluation of Black quarterbacks, suggesting that while race may play a role, Black quarterbacks are continuously proving their value. “I think we’ve been able to overcome a little bit of it from those times just because of the evolution of our culture,” Ward said. “Racism is still a part of our culture. We’re not going to put our heads in the sand and say that it’s not the case, but it has come a long way.”
The docuseries allows Vick to explore his own place in this evolving narrative. It opens with Vick acknowledging his reputation as a game-changer on the field. However, he is also acutely aware of his past mistakes, including his 2007 conviction for involvement in a dogfighting ring, which led to an 18-month federal prison sentence. This period was particularly difficult for Vick, as he grappled with the loss of his grandmother, Caletha, who had introduced him to football and passed away during his incarceration. Vick recounted how he lied to her about his situation, telling her he was attending NFL training camp when, in reality, he was in prison.
“That was probably one of the toughest times of my life,” Vick admitted. “Having to leave and go away and to lie to my grandmother was heartbreaking.”
The docuseries also covers Vick’s return to the NFL in 2009 when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles and became teammates with McNabb, who had inspired him as the No. 2 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Vick recalls watching McNabb play at Syracuse during his freshman year at Virginia Tech, which shifted his perspective on the quarterback position. At one point, Vick had thought that playing defensive back might be his best route to the NFL.
“I changed the game and fought for a right to be a dual-threat quarterback,” Vick said. “Now you can draft a quarterback with confidence, knowing he can contribute to winning every week.”
Ultimately, this docuseries serves as a tribute to those who came before Vick and a reminder of the ongoing struggles and triumphs of Black quarterbacks in the NFL.
(Photo of Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb: Len Redkoles / Getty Images)
