‘Evolution of The Black Quarterback,’ A Night Of Celebration

Prime Video’s Evolution of the Black Quarterback examines the cultural and historical implications of what it means for Black men to play the coveted position in the NFL.

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The docuseries, narrated by one of the most dynamic QBs in NFL history, Michael Vick, aimed to educate, illustrate, and celebrate Black quarterbacks’ contributions to the sport and the position. And on Tuesday (Sept. 24), the cast and crew of the new series descended upon Harlem’s Apollo Theater to do just that.

Many high-profile attendees were among the sea of stars, including Fred Anthony Smith (Director), Andrew Whitworth, Harry Carson, Dale Moss, Markuann Smith and Jamila Mustafa, Michael Strahan (Executive Producer), Constance Schwartz-Morini (Executive Producer), Kijafa Vick (Executive Producer), and, of course, Mike Vick.

Many of the series’ contributors talked to VIBE about the importance of having a piece of media that acknowledges how far the league has come. In fact, most of the comments shed light on myths debunked in real time as Black athletes took the helm of the QB position and revolutionized the sport as we know it.

“I see a lot of people that come up to [Michael Vick] and tell him that he revolutionized the position of quarterback,” Kijafa Vick, Mike Vick’s wife, exclusively tells VIBE. “He [told] me a story about guys that came before him and it was really intriguing. I wanted to know more about it, and the more we dug into it, the more we found out that Blacks weren’t allowed to play this position and people didn’t think they were smart enough…And now, almost half the league is full of Black quarterbacks. It was a position of leadership they didn’t want African Americans having that type of power.”

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Jalen Hurts, who recently became one of the highest-paid players in the league’s history , also stopped by the premiere. Hurts is featured in the docuseries, where he speaks of his experience as a quarterback and what it means to play the position. Much like his time in Prime’s new project, the Philadelphia Eagle offered insights into his journey as a Black leader on the gridiron. Jalen specifically showed love to some of his childhood heroes that showed him that a Black man could be a quarterback—and a damn good one.

“I have so many, and it went through phases as I got older,” Jalen told VIBE. “I value the position, but the guy that stands out to me [is] Randall Cunningham, who was before my time, but I was able to do research the older I got. Michael Vick—I was able to watch him as I grew as a kid—Donovan McNabb, and another guy [is] Steve McNair, the late Steve McNair. I love his game and in many ways, I mirror my game around his, with the body type and how we play the game. Rest in peace to him, but just great examples for me to follow.”

The Q&A occurred within Apollo Theater’s historical auditorium, where Black icons built their legacies one performance at a time. Taylor Rooks, Thursday Night Football reporter and journalist, led the panel featuring accounts from the gridiron legends. Conversations about breaking down barriers in sports were probably the main theme of the night as hope, determination, and pride underscored the event, a moment that was long overdue.

Watch VIBE’s red carpet experience above.

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