Breaking through the Glass Ceiling: 1st Black Starting QBs for Different NFL Teams

(Photo by Nate Fine/Getty Images)

For decades, NFL teams resisted using black quarterbacks. Amazing black players who played QB at the college level were often labelled simply as 'Athletes' and they were moved to different positions like defensive back and wide receiver at the pro level. Even when I was growing up watching NFL football in the 1970s, it was very rare to see a team use a black QB. Thankfully nowadays, things have changed dramatically. Let's see how well you can do identifying the 1st black QB to start a game for different NFL teams.

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Dave is an accomplished economics instructor with over two decades of experience in the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. His students have consistently ranked in the top 10% annually, and one year they achieved the highest overall class average in the world. This outstanding achievement led a UK publisher to request that he write a textbook, an offer he declined in favor of creating sports quizzes, which he found more engaging.

In addition to his teaching career, Dave is also a former high school football coach, having won a couple of local championships. While he wishes he had won more, he continues to be deeply involved in football as a scout, recruiter, and social media creator for a university football team.

Dave's passions extend beyond the classroom and football field. He is an avid fan of live music and international travel, often combining these interests. He has traveled to Spain, England, Iceland, and Chile to see bands perform. His greatest pride and joy is his daughter, who has recently excelled in powerlifting. In just a few years, she has become the Canadian record holder for the bench press in her weight class and finished second overall in the combined national event (bench, deadlift, and squat) in Moose Jaw in March 2024. She will be representing Canada at the World Bench Competition in Austin, Texas, in May 2024.

A die-hard fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, Dave has experienced his share of sports heartache, having seen them play in seven NFL cities with six losses. His all-time favorite athlete is Don Mattingly, reflecting his deep love for sports that spans many arenas.

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In 1973, for what team did Joe Gilliam play QB?

Jeff Blake was Cincinnati's 1st black starter. In what year was he named to the Pro Bowl?

Who was New Orleans' 1st black starting QB?

Who was the 1st black QB to start a game for the Raiders?

How many games did Michael Vick start in his rookie season in 2001 (1st black starter in Atlanta)?

For how many teams was Warren Moon the franchise's 1st ever black starting QB?

In 1976, Parnell Dickinson started one game for what NFL team?

For what NFL team did Vince Evans start 29 games from 1979 to 1981?

In 1986, for what NFL team did Reggie Collier make one start after playing in the USFL?

For what team did Josh Freeman become their 1st black starting QB in 2015?

In 1975, J.J. Jones had his only career start for what NFL team?

In 1977, Dave Mays started 4 games for what NFL team?

For what team did former Heisman Trophy Winner Troy Smith become their 1st black starting QB?

For what team did Seneca Wallace become their 1st black starting QB in 2013?

James Harris was the 2nd black QB to ever start in the NFL. For what team did he play?

In 1999, for what team did Tony Banks become their 1st ever black starting QB?

What long-time NFL backup QB was the 1st black QB to start a game for the Detroit Lions?

In what year did Randall Cunningham make his 1st start for the Philadelphia Eagles?

For what team did Ray Lucas start 6 games in 2002, becoming that franchise's 1st black starting QB?

In 1974, what NFL team started James Harris 12 times?

For what NFL team did Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon begin his NFL career?

When Geno Smith started for the_________in 2017, it meant that every team had now finally had one starting black QB.

For what NFL team did James Harris start 11 games over 3 years near the end of his career?

Martin Briscoe was the 1st black QB to ever start in the NFL. For what team did he play?

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