Unscripted: Black Quarterbacks in NFL Draft
Unscripted (Commentary) By Keith Edmonds Ink Spot Contributing Writer
NFL Draft History is made, as 3 Black QB’s are selected in the Top 5 picks!
The 2023 NFL draft was held recently and it turned out to be a historic evening with Alabama’s Bryce Young going #1 to Carolina, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud going #2 to the Houston Texans, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson going #4 to our Indianapolis Colts as these 3 young men became the first trio of black quarterbacks to ever be selected in the Top 5 of the NFL draft! This comes just months after witnessing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes become the first black quarterbacks to compete against each other in the Super Bowl in February. In today's UNSCRIPTED: I just wanted to take a moment to point out how/why this drafting of black quarterbacks was so significant, and how the Colts selection of Richardson could be the key to them returning to the level of prominence they once enjoyed with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
I’m not a huge fan of watching professional sports drafts because I find them boring and unappealing (especially the NFL draft because it lasts 3 full days)! I just have better things to do than sit and listen to people step to a podium and randmonly call out names of players that either I’ve never heard of, or care to engage in (don’t judge me). But this NFL draft was interesting because it had a buzz leading up to it that made me think that THIS draft could be something very special. As I listened to all of the “experts” predict who would be drafted by what team, and the order that they could be drafted I kept seeing, reading, and listening to the same 3 names being rumored: Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson. It made me realize that something unprecedented could happen on April 27th 2023 and lo and behold… IT HAPPENED!
Now drafting quarterbacks is not anything new as teams that draft early are usually coming off terrible season’s and have quarterbacks that have either proven themselves unreliable, or underpreforming. NFL franchises entrust their quartebacks to not only be leaders, and the “face of the franchise” but remarkably skilled as well and when neither is happening, they find themselves continually in search of that “key” person in the collegiate ranks that can turn things around for them. As you take a look at this position in drafts gone by, to see 3 black players getting drafted this high has to let you know that because of the success of a Mahomes, Hurts, Newton, and others before them, owners are starting to see that it doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white if you can play then you can play! Traditonally Black quarterbacks were seen as not being smart enough or having the leadership skills necessary to command a team. To add insult to injury, Black quarterbacks like Doug Williams, (who came out Grambling University a Historically Black College) were told they had to play another position if they wanted to make it in the NFL.
Things have really changed… This past NFL season, 21 Black quarterbacks attempted at least one pass, and a record ten started games! Black passers are among the most coveted and celebrated players in the NFL. Look at what Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Justin Fields (Bears), Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Dak Prescott (Cowboys) and Russell Wilson (Bronchos) are doing to make their teams not only competitive, but Super Bowl caliber ready!
And what about us as fans? Don’t we deserve to see our favorite teams play more than five hundred level football? If teams are asking us to pay more than $50.00 dollars a ticket, then don’t we deserve the most bang for our buck? I for one am excited to see how these young men will do in their rookie seasons, and think that if given time, they will rise to the level of expectations we place on them at the premier position in the NFL. Let’s be honest, for the Indianapolis Colts to draft a Black quarterback in THIS state after the successes of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, says that even THEY are aware that this young man (Richardson) has the tools to be something special, and is more than worth what the millions that he will be paid.
The traditional tide is starting to turn in the NFL and it’s a good thing! These young men will continue to be the standard that their predecessor’s were/are and will make us proud of them. Let’s go NFL you have done yourselves good, and Colts fans, get ready to see an exciting future beginning next fall!