Super Bowl LVII will be historic for both men starting for their respective teams at quarterback.
Patrick Mahomes will look for the number 2 ring as he guides the Kansas City Chiefs while the Philadelphia Eagles hope Jalen Hurts can lead them to glory at State Farm Stadium on February 12. But regardless of the result, Mahomes and Hurts will be making history right out of the field.
It will be the first time that a Super Bowl matchup will feature two black starting quarterbacks. Doug Williams was the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, followed by Russell Wilson for the Seattle Seahawks more than two decades later. Mahomes earned a ring during the 2020 season.
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Pat Mahomes Sr., father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, looks on after the Chiefs defeated the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Pat Mahomes Sr., the former MLB pitcher and father of the Chiefs’ star quarterback, recognized the importance of his son becoming a part of history.
«It’s historic. It’s special. I couldn’t be more proud to see where the game came from,» he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. «I’m a huge football fan, always have been. And I remember Doug Williams when he won the Super Bowl. I remember some of the other black quarterbacks, Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb and all those guys, and how hard what was». to have the opportunity to play in his position. And for Patrick and Jalen to be part of the first two to play in a Super Bowl just shows how far we’ve come. And I’m so happy that Mahomes does it. be one of them. And that makes me very proud.»
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images/File)
Before even taking a snap in the 2022 season, the Chiefs star had to deal with some adversity. The team traded its top receiver, Tyreek Hill, to the Miami Dolphins. It seemed like a hit for offense on paper, but the quarterback didn’t miss a beat.
Mahomes still played incredibly well. He led the NFL with 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes. He was named a finalist for the NFL MVP award. His father praised his ability to overcome all the noise and put together an incredible season.
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«I just know what he is like, his competitive nature,» Mahomes Sr. told Fox News Digital. «He knew that once people started saying he wasn’t going to be able to do this and that, he was going to go out there and push himself and make sure he was as prepared as possible and get out there.» and trying to prove some people wrong.»
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hugs his father before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 26, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas City finished the season with a 13-4 record and was the best team in the AFC. But even during the good times and celebrations this season, Mahomes was faced with another major issue: injury.
He suffered a high ankle sprain against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a divisional round playoff game on January 21, but managed to overcome it. He, too, was limping through the AFC Championship Game, but Mahomes Sr. hopes his daughter is ready for Super Bowl LVII.
«He doesn’t have a choice,» Mahomes Sr. said when asked if his son would be ready to go and produce the same magic he had in the past. «It’s like he said in a couple of interviews: if you can’t get fired up and ready to play in this game, then you’re playing the wrong game.»
«He’s a competitor and I know what he’s made of and what he wants to do,» he continued. «The ankle most likely won’t be anywhere near 100%, but it will be good enough for him to get up there, get out there and move around and hopefully make some plays and do his best. That’s all you can ask anybody. «.
Mahomes Sr. went viral for celebrating his victory cigar after Kansas City won the AFC Championship. It appeared to be a small jab at Joe Burrow, who lit up cigars to celebrate winning the national championship and winning the AFC North.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (Michael Owens/Getty Images/File)
However, he said he will keep the cigars at home for this one.
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«I think I removed the cigarettes,» he told Fox News Digital. «I think I’ve retired them for now. Hopefully we can go inside and we can have some champagne and have a good time. That’s probably going to be a little better scenario.»