After Deion Sanders Becomes Latest Hero, Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens Set a Historic Example in Diversity

Colorado’s victory against last season’s runner-ups is nothing short of historic. The credit definitely falls on the African-American coach, Deion Sanders. Many eyebrows were raised when the retired defensive back was brought on board. However, the franchise went above and beyond to lock in the coach, even when his salary package strained the franchise. However, all traces of doubt were washed away when the Buffaloes notched the victory against TCU, 45-42, signaling a return to the team’s past glory.

Sanders is not the first Black coach to lead the Colorado football team. However, the ‘confident Black man,’ as he himself says, has achieved a historic milestone. And the streak continues in the sports world with Lamar Jackson’s Ravens hitting another historic feat.

Ravens achieve a historic milestone

The Ravens proudly stand as the first league franchise to possess an exclusively Black quarterback group, including players and coaches, this year. This feat has never been recorded in the history of the NFL. The Black powerhouse consists of quarterback coach Tee Martin, assistant coach Kerry Dixon, and players Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, and Josh Johnson.

“We are definitely standing on the shoulders of those in the past,” said Coach Martin. “I do think it’s a step forward for people like us, but we’ve got to do a good job.”

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This is a feat that marks a major milestone, erasing the embarrassing period in history when discrimination against Black players kept them from ascending to major positions in sports, like quarterbacks. Warren Moon, the only Black QB who is enshrined in the Hall of Fame has his bitter experience of being sidelined due to his race. When Lamar Jackson broke into the NFL scene, he faced treatment similar to Moon’s. The QB himself has opened up about the persistence of racial discrimination in sports.

Signaling a new change

The Ravens’ historic feat is just the beginning as the NFL starts to have more Black quarterbacks and players. “Throughout NFL history, there have been relatively very few starting Black quarterbacks, and even fewer quarterback coaches,” said Jason Reid, the author of “Rise of the Black Quarterback: What It Means for America.” “The significance of it is that we are now in the era of the Black quarterback in the NFL,” he added.