It's been a question on my mind for a few years now: Where do the Bears rank among NFL franchises in terms of Black starting quarterbacks?
I've spent about a year crunching the numbers. Here are my findings.
A thread.
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
I've spent about a year crunching the numbers. Here are my findings.
A thread.
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
Starting in 2017, when the Bears chose Mitch Trubisky, Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez over either Pat Mahomes or Deshaun Watson plus Colin Kaepernick, I started looking at our franchise's history with Black QBs.
https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1195737393254608896
The question of why the Bears seem to consistently make the wrong choice at quarterback has been alive since at least the 1940s, when Papa Bear brought in two brilliant QBs as heirs to Sid Luckman's throne, and managed to lose both of them within 4 years.
https://twitter.com/readjack/status/1196284059657392130
But whether our history with Black quarterbacks was a problem unto itself is a matter of debate among Bears fans. We've had four starters in our 101 seasons: Vince Evans, Henry Burris, Kordell Stewart, Jason Campbell.
I wanted to see what the total numbers said, leaguewide.
I wanted to see what the total numbers said, leaguewide.
My methodology is explained in the story, but I'll note here that this piece would have been impossible without:
🏈 @greghoward88's two-part feature at Deadspin, "The Big Book of Black Quarterbacks"
🏈 The ongoing, exemplary work from @TheUndefeated
🏈 @pfref
🏈 @_newspapers
🏈 @greghoward88's two-part feature at Deadspin, "The Big Book of Black Quarterbacks"
🏈 The ongoing, exemplary work from @TheUndefeated
🏈 @pfref
🏈 @_newspapers
The article includes short, detailed histories about each franchise's Black quarterbacks, as well as the executives and coaches who brought the players to the team.
And I look into the story of Willie Thrower, and his one game with the Bears in 1953.
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
And I look into the story of Willie Thrower, and his one game with the Bears in 1953.
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
Here are the numbers, with teams ranked in order of most games started by Black QBs, regular season and playoffs combined.
The list begins in 1953, for reasons explained therein.
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
The list begins in 1953, for reasons explained therein.
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
2. Tennessee Titans / Houston Oilers – 336 games
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
#BlackQuarterbacks
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
#BlackQuarterbacks
I'm going to pause here to encourage everyone to read @greghoward88's 2014 two-part feature:
https://twitter.com/readjack/status/935733944607232000
I'm going to pause here to encourage you to read everything on Black QBs by @TheUndefeated. That staff is leading this research. It's incredible work.
theundefeated.com/features/the-r…
theundefeated.com/features/the-r…
Also, a big thank you to @loumoore12 for his work, talks, and making me aware of the Geno Smith - Giants history.
https://twitter.com/loumoore12/status/935624406830862337
My year of research on Black starting quarterbacks in the NFL is complete.
I learned a lot. I hope you do too.
#BlackQuarterbacks #NFL
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
I learned a lot. I hope you do too.
#BlackQuarterbacks #NFL
readjack.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/the…
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misidentified Jordan Love as white. I regret this error. Thank you @jtwashin.
I have updated the article; this marks the first time that the Packers have drafted a Black QB in the 1st round.
I have updated the article; this marks the first time that the Packers have drafted a Black QB in the 1st round.
https://twitter.com/jtwashin/status/1307404959714029570?s=20
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