Thirty-five years ago, Doug Williams made history by becoming the first black quarterback to start in, and win, a Super Bowl.

It was a significant moment for the league, as it challenged the racial stereotypes of the time that suggested a black man was incapable of succeeding at the quarterback position.

In the following decades to come, more barriers were broken by black quarterbacks.

Michael Vick was the first overall pick in 2001, becoming the first black QB to ever go at the top of the draft.

In 2003, Steve McNair became the first black QB to take home NFL MVP, paving the way for Cam Newton, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson to win the award in later seasons.

As we look ahead to February 12, a Super Bowl showdown between Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will also write a chapter in history. It will mark the first time two black QBs have ever faced off in the NFL’s championship game.

While only one of the star signal callers can come out victorious, it is still an important testament to how far black quarterbacks have come over the past three decades.