Rooting For Everybody Black: 16 Black Quarterbacks Will Start Week 1—A First In NFL History
When the NFL kicks off Week 1 this year, fans (and even non-fans) across the country will witness something extraordinary. A record 16 Black quarterbacks (yes, you read that correctly, […] The post Rooting For Everybody Black: 16 Black Quarterbacks Will Start Week 1—A First In NFL History appeared first on Essence.
Black News 
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 16: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Preseason 2025 game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cleveland Browns defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 22-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) 
By Kimberly Wilson ·Updated September 4, 2025 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… When the NFL kicks off Week 1 this year, fans (and even non-fans) across the country will witness something extraordinary.
A record 16 Black quarterbacks (yes, you read that correctly, 16!) are slated to start Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, breaking last year’s record of 15. That means half of the league’s starting quarterbacks will be Black for the first time in NFL history. So if you weren’t planning to tune in before, it might just be time to change your mind.
Because we’re always rooting for everybody Black, here are the 16 players to root for this week (and all season long): Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers), Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints), C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), Cam Ward (Miami Dolphins), Justin Fields (Pittsburgh Steelers), Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers), Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons), Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), and Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals).
These quarterbacks represent the culmination of decades of struggle and gradual change in a league that once systematically excluded Black athletes from football’s most important position.
The journey traces back to 1968, when Marlin Briscoe became the
The post Rooting For Everybody Black: 16 Black Quarterbacks Will Start Week 1—A First In NFL History appeared first on Essence.
