Super Bowl LVII is set to become a part of football history, as this year the NFL’s biggest stage will feature a pair of big game firsts. Among them, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles are poised to be the first two Black starting quarterbacks to square off against each other in a Super Bowl.
“To have two Black quarterbacks start in the Super Bowl, I think it’s special,” said Mahomes. “I’ve learned more and more about the history of the Black quarterback since I’ve been in this league. The guys that came before me and Jalen set the stage for this and now I’m just glad we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now. It’ll be a great game against two great teams and against another great quarterback. I’m excited to go out there and do what we can against a great team.”
Mahomes also has the chance to make even more history for the sport, as a win over the Eagles would make him the first Black signal caller to achieve multiple Super Bowl victories. Meanwhile, if Hurts is the one hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, it would make him just the fourth Black starting quarterback to bring home a championship, joining Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Doug Williams.
“I think it’s history,” Hurts said. “I think it’s something that’s worthy of being noted and it is history. It’s come a long way. I think it’s only been seven African American quarterbacks to play in the Super Bowl, so to be the first for something is pretty cool. I know it will be a good one.”
Additionally there will be a second set of players bringing fans another never before seen Super Bowl moment, with a pair of siblings readying to play each other with a championship ring on the line for the first time in NFL history. Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce will take be taking the field against his brother, Eagles’ center Jason Kelce, during the big game in a matchup that Travis said their mom “can’t lose.”
“We’re both highly competitive individuals,” said Jason. “Right now, we’re still pretty good. We’re being like brothers. My mom was at the media night with cookies. So, it’s been a pretty normal family affair up until this point. But obviously, the closer we get to game time, the more the competitive nature’s going to come out.”
Prior to this Super Bowl sibling showdown, the brothers played together in college for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2008-2010. Travis started his collegiate career as a quarterback recruit before transitioning to tight end, while Jason joined the program as a walk-on running back until he was eventually moved to the center position.
“It’s going to be an amazing feeling playing against him,” Travis said of his brother. “You won’t see me talking too much trash because of how much respect and how much I love my brother. But it’s definitely going to be an emotional game.”
