African Americans and college football, Part 4: The “black” quarterback

African American quarterbacks have had a journey to prove they could play. Here’s a brief history of the “black” quarterback in college football.

For a very long time, there were three positions African Americans were not “allowed” to play on an integrated football team: center, middle linebacker and quarterback. It was said that blacks could not play these positions because they were not “smart” enough to make the calls needed to play those positions.

After that theory was proven wrong and black quarterbacks proved they could win, it was then said that they could not play from the pocket. When Andre Ware won the Heisman Trophy in 1989, that theory was proven wrong; Ware put up passing records that would stand for years. It was then said, there would never be a black quarterback that could both pass and throw. Enter, Michael Vick, who had sprinter speed coupled with a John Elway-like arm.

Whether it was black quarterbacks couldn’t lead or their style of play was too “wild,” there was always a reason why they weren’t viewed equal to their white counterparts. The term “dual-threat” was coined to define quarterbacks like Vick and those who would evolve from the type of game he played at Virginia Tech.

When black quarterbacks are evaluated, you don’t hear about how heady or smart they are, but their athleticism is emphasized. Where when their white counterparts are evaluated, you hear first how smart they are or how well they process information or — most importantly — what great leaders they are.

Blacks in the position have come a very long way. It was a historic moment with Tony Rice and Major Harris played in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl. Fast forward to the 2016 College Football Playoff and three of the four quarterbacks playing were black.

It has been quite the journey for acceptance, respect and belonging. Here is some of that story.