A Virginia newspaper reported this week that star quarterback Michael Vick of Virginia Tech will skip his final two seasons of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft. Most experts project Vick as a top five pick, most likely going as the top choice overall to the San Diego Chargers. Vick is without a doubt the most exciting and athletic player in the college game right now. His running and passing ability have dazzled fans and competitors alike, and most have him pegged as next year's Heisman favorite. He can throw with his left or right hand. He's big. He's led Tech to two straight 11-1 seasons. And he's African American.
You may be asking what that has to do with anything. Well, nothing really. But twenty years ago, even ten years ago an athletic, African-American QB like Vick would never have been a top pick. Ask Warren Moon, a black quarterback who had to go to the CFL after taking the Washington Huskies to a Rose Bowl win in the late seventies. Moon finally ended up in the NFL, and set numerous passing records on several teams throughout the '80s and early '90s.
For years however, the stereotype was that blacks, who dominated every other skill position, could not start as quarterbacks in the NFL. Many black QB's were viewed as "athletes," meaning that although they had strong arms and could scramble well, the could not succeed as drop back passers. This completely ignored white quarterbacks like Steve Young, John Elway, and Fran Tarkenton who made their living as scramblers and passers. No one in the NFL every explicitly stated it, but clearly a type of unspoken racism was preventing African-Americans from playing the position.
Slowly but surely, the black quarterback has made a place for himself in the NFL. In the NFL this year, five playoff teams (Tampa, Philadelphia, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Tennessee) had an African-American as their field general. Clearly, things are changing. Much of the credit goes to trailblazers such as Moon, Randall Cunningham of the Eagles and Vikings, and Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams of the Redskins. Despite these men's success, it was not until the late'90s that black quarterbacks became commonplace. Several young superstars are changing all that.
Steve McNair was a first round pick out of tiny Alcorn State in 1995. Although he had set numerous NCAA records, including total career yardage, many questioned him because of the small college competition he played against and because he was an "athletic" quarterback, not a typical drop back passer. Last season he led the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl. This season he led them to a NFL best 13-3 record before they were upset by Baltimore in the second round of the playoffs.
Kordell Stewart was drafted late by Pittsburgh and used as a receiver his first few seasons before he became a full-time starting quarterback. Although he has struggled in recent seasons, Stewart helped proved that athletic, black quarterbacks could play.
Jeff Blake had tremendous individual success in Cincinnati on several losing teams before taking over the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints. Even though Blake injured himself before the end of the season, his ability has silenced any critics.
Then came the class of 1999. Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, and Daunte Culpepper were all drafted in the first round. McNabb and Culpepper led their teams, the Eagles and the Vikings respectively, to the playoffs this season. Both put up MVP-like numbers. Shaun King of Tulane was a late round pick that same year. Midway through his first season, he took over the starting job in Tampa Bay. This season and last he lead the Bucs into the playoffs. Aaron Brooks of Virginia was unnoticed and drafted in the late rounds. After Blake went down this year, Brooks took over for New Orleans and dazzled the league with his passing and running ability.
The success of the black quarterback has had an effect throughout the league. Mobile quarterbacks, white or black, are in demand. NFL coaches and GMs aren't looking for stiff, strong-armed quarterbacks who can't move. They want an athlete, someone who can make things happen on every play.
So, Michael Vick, whether you go to the NFL this year or next, when you sign your multi-million dollar contract and become the next superstar NFL quarterback, I'm sure you'll make sure to thank your family, your friends, your coaches, and whoever else made an impact on your life. But make sure to thank the pioneers that came before you as well. Without older players like Warren Moon and Doug Williams, and even younger ones like Shaun King and Donovan McNabb, you would have never had the opportunity that lies before you.
