Three Black QBs Make History in 2023 NFL Draft with Top Five Selections
2023 NFL Draft witnesses historic moment as three black quarterbacks, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, get drafted within the top five picks, signifying progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in the league. We discuss it here!
Former Ohio State Quarterback C.J. Stroud winds up to throw a pass at practice
Credit: Oho State Dept. of Athletics
By: Joshua Martin
The 2023 NFL Draft witnessed a groundbreaking moment in the history for the culture as three black quarterbacks, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, were drafted within the first five picks. This is a significant achievement for the black community, especially given the challenges that African American quarterbacks have faced in the past.
THE moment. pic.twitter.com/MrOwKr52eT
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 28, 2023
Ultimately, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the number 1 overall pick. Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, is a talented quarterback who possesses excellent leadership skills, agility, and a strong arm. His exceptional performance in college football, coupled with his incredible work ethic, made him a prime candidate for the top pick.
C.J. Stroud, who played for Ohio State, was drafted as the second overall pick by the Houston Texans. Stroud is a skilled quarterback who is known for his accuracy and ability to read defenses. He had an outstanding college career, and his selection in the top five picks is a testament to his talent and hard work.
Lastly, Anthony Richardson, who played for the University of Florida, was drafted as the fourth overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson is a dual-threat quarterback who is known for his speed and agility. His incredible performance in college football, coupled with his impressive physical attributes, made him an attractive prospect for the Colts. The selection of these three black quarterbacks in the top five picks is a significant achievement for the NFL and a sign of progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in the league.
More from the 2023 NFL Draft
The Texans were eager to acquire top level prospects on both sides of the ball. After making a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to move up to pick 3, Houston acquired who many feel was the top overall prospect in this year's class, edge rusher from the University of Alabama Will Anderson Jr. A monster of an athlete with quick hands and an extremely high motor.
Rounding out the top 5 was the Seattle Seahawks selecting Devon Witherspoon, defensive back from the university of Illinois. With the attitude and athletic profile scouts gush over, Witherspoon has a chance to become a high impact player immediately.
The middle of the draft saw teams focusing on interior lineman and defensive difference makers. The Philadelphia Eagles continue to knock this drafting thing out of the park with their selection of Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia at pick 9. A disruptive force in the interior who fell due to off the field concerns.
All for this moment@breadmanjalen | #NFLDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/g6YVlxGDgH
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 28, 2023
“Grinding all my life for this moment.”
After 19 consecutive picks to begin the draft without a wide receiver, four in a row came off the board to start the 20s.
The bottom of the draft usually spots pretty good teams who simply are looking to add depth or crazy value. With no topflight prospect still on the board at 26, The Cowboys selected Mazi Smith, DT, University of Michigan much to the delight of Dallas’s All Pro edge rusher Micah Parson.
Micah Parsons got his wish, he texted Cowboys DC Dan Quinn earlier in the day that he wanted Mazi Smith
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 28, 2023
(Video: @BleacherReport) pic.twitter.com/LUCjQsCwMt
To round out the first round, the two participants in last season’s Super Bowl added to their defense with Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State respectively at 30 and 31.
KEY NOTES from the Draft
The running back position saw a slight resurgence with 2 players chosen within the top 12 picks. (Pick 8 - Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson,Texas; Pick 12 - Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama)
The selection of Gibbs at pick 12 was probably the most surprising selection on Day 1. With Gibbs even being surprised by the pick.
"I feel great," Gibbs said. "I didn't know I would get picked as high as I did because running backs don't get picked as high in this new age and new era of the NFL draft, but it was pretty shocking to me.” - Jahmyr Gibbs, ESPN
Alabama also sets a NFL Draft record with 15 consecutive seasons with a draft pick in the first round. This is also the third time in the last four years a Alabama QB was taken in the first round.
Congratulations to all of the young men drafted on opening day. It's an honor to be a first round pick and potentially life altering for them and their families for generations. Now that their draft fates are sealed, it's time for these guys to live up to the hype!! We’ll be watching!!
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Deshaun Watson Wants Out Of Houston: The Series Of Events Leading To A Trade
A culmination of several years worth of frustration and front office let downs for Deshaun Watson has him demanding a trade. We discuss the series of events leading to an inevitable break-up in Houston.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Texans 32-30. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
By: Prince Hakeem
Throughout our lives from an early age, we’re socialized and encouraged to believe that those in positions of power always have our best interest at heart. Whether it’s parents, bosses, or even the police, there’s an expectation to operate in good faith within these social contracts. While we may not understand or even agree with some of the methods or decisions made, the general consensus is that everything is done for the greater good. This usually is true…until it isn’t.
When organizations and entities turn around and end up operating in bad faith or outright lying, it’s a big wake up call to reality. At that point, it’s time to take these organizations and institutions not at their word, but rather by their actions displayed and move accordingly. As the late great Maya Angelou once famously asserted, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Unfortunately in the case of 25-year-old Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, he’s now having to learn this the hard. It’s taken a couple of instances for him to believe who the Texans are and now he’s involved in an on-going dispute with the team. Watson’s good faith in the organization has been ruined and is now trying to move in his best interest. Sadly the current story surrounding Deshaun now serves as a cautionary tale, particularly for those who operate at the intersections of being black within a high profile and professional position.
How It Happened.
These series of events didn’t just happen overnight. It’s been culmination of several years worth of frustration and let down for Watson. Most recently, it started in March when former Texans head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien traded Deshaun’s former Clemson teammate and best wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a couple of future draft picks. Watson, being the franchise quarterback, was made aware of the deal after it happened. While frustrated of course, Watson moved forward with leading the team. Months later, the frustration came back with more intensity when Texans management went back on a “good faith” promise made to Watson in November 2020.
Deshaun Watson signals for a first down against the Miami Dolphins
A month after Bill O’Brien was fired, Texans CEO Cal McNair had dinner with Watson to discuss the future of the team. McNair, the son of late Texans owner Bob McNair, expressed to ESPN that he wanted Watson’s input on the next head coach, general manager, as well as real action towards social justice initiatives. Watson and his agent David Mulugheta later spoke to McNair again over Zoom to discuss potential candidates.
In regards to the general manager job, the Texans paid search firm Korn Ferry hundreds of thousands of dollars to help in their search. They recommended Pittsburgh Steelers vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan or Monday Night Football analyst Louis Riddick — both minority candidates. Watson was strongly campaigning for Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, one of the few black candidates, to become the next head coach. In the end, none of those recommendations were taken seriously, as the Texans went on to hire former Patriots executive Nick Caserio. Deshaun was left very unhappy. He learned of the hire on social media like the rest of the world.
“Watson offered input on potential general manager candidates, but the Texans neither considered nor consulted with those endorsed by their franchise quarterback,” said ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Watson was under the impression that his voice was going to be integral during the hiring process. Those “good faith” promises of him being involved were nothing more than just lip service it turned out, leaving him incensed.
What It All Means:
Let’s put thing into perspective. Watson just wrapped up his 4th year in the NFL. The former 12th overall pick from 2017 racked up 4,823 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, only 7 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 70%. Despite the personal success and numbers, his Texans team went 4-12 on the year. It was extremely disappointing to see given the commitment he gave, signing a 4-year extension worth $156 million. Both his teammates and the fan base know how valuable he is to the Houston Texans organization. Now Watson is leveraging that good faith and public capital. He wants out of Texas and is trying to force a trade.
It’s now all unraveling. When Watson found out on social media that Caserio was hired, that became the straw which broke the camel’s back. Caserio was brought in by Jack Easterby, who also spent time in New England. Watson said after the season that the organization needed “a whole culture shift.” However Easterby hiring Caserio in the same manner other Patriots alumni Bill O’Brien was hired has reportedly left Watson believing "some things never change …”.
Sources close to Deshaun stated that his anger level was "a 2. ... This time, it's a 10.” The franchise QB hasn't been returning any of Cal McNair’s phone calls as well. He’s dropping cryptic sub tweets, and there are reports that he plans on sitting out if he is not traded. Deshaun is finally believing who the Houston Texans are, and his actions prove he’s moving in HIS best interest. To see a black quarterback, in their prime, boldly stand on their convictions shows how much empowerment has shifted towards the athlete. The days of the black athlete being gaslit to just “shut-up and play” are long gone, and we’re better off for it.
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Deshaun Watson Is Handling Racist Views On Black Quarterbacks With Class
Black quarterbacks are always under fire and judged at a higher standard than their white counterparts. Deshaun Watson responds to a recent comment about the play of black quarterbacks with pure class!
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports - Deshaun Watson
“When you need precision decision making you can’t count on a black quarterback”
By: Omar Cook
Black quarterbacks are always under fire and judged at a higher standard than their white counterparts. One of the biggest stereotypes of black quarterbacks is that they are only good as athletes and not for their arm talent. And now you can add lack of “precision decision making” to the list of black quarterback stereotypes.
After the Houston Texans week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Lynn Redden, the superintendent of the Onalaska Independent School District in Onalaska, Texas, took to facebook to give his racist opinion on Deshaun Watson’s play. “When you need precision decision making you can’t count on a black quarterback” said Redden. When asked about the post he said he regretted but “Over the history of the NFL, [black quarterbacks] have had limited success.” What??
This has to be one of the most casually racist things to say, and it’s crazy that people just let things like this “slip” out of their mouth so easily, better yet on social media. But this is a school superintendent. These are the people that are in positions of influence that feel this way about black athletes and black people. And of course they always regret or feel bad after they get caught saying it.
Being a black quarterback in the NFL has to be the toughest job there is because people will judge your every move, and wait for the moment you mess up to criticize you, as if they could do the job better. Deshaun Watson has been awesome since entering the league, so to judge him off of a bad play in a game because of his skin color is extremely low.
But of course, Deshaun Watson responded back with class:
"But I'm all about love, [so] I don't focus on [any] of that. I love all people. And that's what I focus on. It's part of life. I can't control other people and what their beliefs are. I can control what I can control, so I just focus on me, and that's it."
Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien also came to Watson’s defense.
"I really don't want to waste a lot of time responding to outdated, inaccurate, ignorant, idiotic statements," O'Brien said. "I'll just let Deshaun's proven success on the field, his character off the field, speak for itself. He's one of the greatest guys I've ever coached. He represents everything that's right about football, about life…His teammates respect him, his coaching staff respects him, and in this day and age, it's just amazing that this B.S. exists. But it does. But we're moving forward."
It’s 2018 and we’re still dealing with the stereotypes on black players as quarterbacks. At what point do we come to an understanding that race has nothing to do with being able to play a position, and that black quarterbacks are just as capable if not more capable of playing the position than their white counterparts? Who would’ve predicted that in 2018, racism would still exist? But here we are.
Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com