It’s been a long time, but change has come to the National Football League.

Ever since Marlin Briscoe suited up for the Denver Broncos in 1968, becoming the first Black quarterback to start in the NFL, young men began to dream what was once thought impossible on the gridiron, to lead their compatriots in the huddle as the leader of the team. Briscoe, who played under legendary Grambling University Coach Eddie Robinson, was drafted in the 14th round, started when Steve Tensi suffered a broken collarbone. Briscoe’s play led to the possibility of other Black QB’s being able to run the offense under center. Briscoe gave way to James Harris of the Oakland Raiders, the first Black QB to be named to the Pro Bowl. He then gave way to the Houston Oilers’ Warren Moon, who shattered passing records in both the CFL and NFL. Finally, on January 31, 1988, America and the rest of the world got to witness something extraordinary: a Black QB leading his team to the ultimate glory: the Vince Lombardi Trophy, given to the Super Bowl Winner. Doug Williams of the then-Washington Redskins defeated the Denver Broncos in dominating fashion.

Despite Williams’ brilliance, there were still outdated stereotypical mindsets that forced Black players to change roles when they went to the NFL. Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy, who was a star QB at the University of Minnesota during the 1970s, went undrafted and told that he had to switch positions if he were to make it in the NFL. He played as a defensive back for both the Steelers and 49ers. Dungy went on to orchestrate the foundation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl winning team, ultimately winning the Lombardi trophy in 2008 with the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the first Black head coach to win the title.

Since 1990, there have been at least five Black QBs on an NFL roster each year, but yesterday when the 2020 season kicked off, the progress that began back in 1968 came to fruition, as 10 Black QBs suited up for their rosters. They are:

Cam Newton, New England Patriots

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers

Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Dwayne Haskins, Washington Football Team

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

In addition to these Black QBs running the huddle, Watson, Wilson and Mahomes are also the highest paid players in the league, with Mahomes recently winning last year’s Super Bowl and Jackson being the league’s youngest ever Most Valuable Player in 2019.

While there is still much progress to be made both on and off the field, no longer are Black QBs held in the same lens as they once were. Now the next young Black QB who dreams of being in the NFL can look at these examples and know that it is possible.