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First Black Quarterback to Start for Every NFL Team

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For decades, the NFL resisted change at what many would argue is the most powerful position on the field. The quarterback role was long gatekept as the domain of white players, even as Black athletes dominated at every other level of football. But over time, the league evolved—and every single NFL franchise eventually started their first Black quarterback. This list is more than trivia; it’s a timeline of progress and change that mirrors modern American society.

Team-by-team breakdown of the first Black quarterbacks to start in NFL history:

YearQBTeam
1968Marlin BriscoeBroncos
1969James HarrisBills
1973Joe GillamSteelers
1974James HarrisRams
1975JJ JonesJets
1976Parnell DickinsonBuccaneers
1977Dave MaysBrowns
1977James HarrisChargers
1979Vince EvansBears
1984Warren MoonOilers ( now Titans)
1985Randall CunninghamEagles
1986Reggie CollierCowboys
1987Vince EvansRaiders
1987Doug WilliamsRedskins (now Commanders)
1989Rodney PeteLions
1994Warren MoonVikings
1997Warren MoonSeahawks
1999Akili SmithBengals
2000Warren MoonChiefs
2000Aaron BrooksSaints
2001Randall CunninghamRavens
2001Michael VickFalcons
2002Rodney PeetePanthers
2002Ray LucasDolphins
2002David GarradJaguars
2003Tony BanksTexans
2004Shaun King Cardinals
2012 Colin Kaepernick49ers
2013 Seneca WallacePackers
2015Josh FreemanColts
2016Jacoby BrissettPatriots
2017Geno SmithGiants

Which NFL Team Has Started The Most Black Quarterbacks?

The Philadelphia Eagles have a history as the NFL team that has started the most black quarterbacks.

YearsQuarterback
1985-95Randall Cunningham
1995-98Rodney Peete
1999-2009Donovan McNabb
2010-2013Michael Vick
2021-Jalen Hurts

RELATED: HISTORY OF ASIAN NFL PLAYERS

Final Thoughts

Whenever a Black quarterback took the field as a starter, it chipped away at an outdated narrative. This list isn’t just about who started where—it’s about why it took so long and what it means moving forward. The full story isn’t in these names alone. It’s in the evolution of trust, leadership, and opportunity in one of the most scrutinized positions in sports.

Want to explore how Black quarterbacks are changing the business of football?

Editor & Publisher

Jamie Freya Knott is a sports publisher, entrepreneur, and the executive editor of Sports Monetize , a digital platform dedicated to simplifying the business of football for athletes and their families. Follow along on X for daily insights into NIL, contracts, and career strategy.