The Windy City and the Quarterback Quandary: Where Black QBs Throw Shade, Not Passes?
You'd think with a nickname like "Monsters of the Midway," the Chicago Bears would have a long and storied history of monstrous quarterbacks, right? Guys with cannons for arms and enough swagger to make Joe Namath blush. Well, when it comes to quarterbacks, the Bears have definitely had some… interesting choices. But one particular area has left fans scratching their helmets: Black quarterbacks.
Where'd all the Da Bears go?
Now, before you accuse the Bears of being stuck in the dark ages, let's clear something up. There have been Black quarterbacks on the Chicago roster. Just not exactly a stampede. We're talking more like a single-file trot.
In fact, you can count the number of Black quarterbacks to play for the Bears on one hand (and maybe have a finger or two leftover for rings, because let's be honest, championships have been a bit scarce too). We're talking about a grand total of five impressive athletes: Willie Thrower, Vince Evans, Henry Burris, Kordell Stewart, and Jason Campbell.
Willie Thrower gets major props for being the first Black quarterback in NFL history, taking a snap for the Bears back in 1953. Unfortunately, his NFL career was short-lived, but his impact on the league is undeniable.
The rest of the crew – Evans, Burris, Stewart, and Campbell – all had their moments, but none quite cracked the code to sustained success in Chicago. Maybe the Lake Michigan water just isn't friendly to pigskins in the hands of Black quarterbacks? Unlikely. But it does make for a head-scratching trend.
So, what's the deal?
There are a bunch of theories floating around. Some folks point to a history of the Bears favoring more traditional pocket passers, while others whisper about a lack of opportunities for Black quarterbacks in the Windy City. The truth is probably a mix of things.
Here's the good news: The NFL is a changing landscape, and talented Black quarterbacks are lighting it up across the league. Maybe, just maybe, the next superstar signal-caller to grace Soldier Field will be a young phenom who throws touchdowns and defies stereotypes.
Until then, Bears fans can reminisce about the brief but impactful tenures of these pioneering quarterbacks, and hold onto the hope that someday soon, a Black quarterback will lead the Monsters of the Midway to a championship run.
