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On this episode of Our American Stories, for decades, Black athletes were welcomed in nearly every position in professional football, except one. Quarterback was considered a “thinking man’s” role, and many coaches and owners believed Black players did not belong there.

That belief collapsed in 1988 when Doug Williams, a backup QB who had been out of the leauge for a few years, led Washington to a Super Bowl victory over the John Elway–led Denver Broncos, becoming the first Black quarterback to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Sports historian John Eisenberg, author of Rocket Men, shares the story of the barriers Williams faced, the racism he endured, and the performance that permanently changed the NFL.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, for decades, Black athletes were welcomed in nearly every position in professional football, except one. Quarterback was considered a &ldquo;thinking man&rsquo;s&rdquo; role, and many coaches and owners believed Black players did not belong there. That belief collapsed in 1988 when Doug Williams, a backup QB who had been out of the leauge for a few years, led Washington to a Super Bowl victory over the John Elway&ndash;led Denver Broncos, becoming the first Black quarterback to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Sports historian John Eisenberg, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRocket-Men-Quarterbacks-Revolutionized-Football%2Fdp%2F1541600401&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cdd96638817c4499750dc08de5abb894e%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639047958698908843%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=KiMSaC0xbL1SXn%2FkDJkGXAS3sbNj4fCL46i%2FJKDBWoc%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Rocket Men</a>, shares the story of the barriers Williams faced, the racism he endured, and the performance that permanently changed the NFL.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Doug Williams and the Super Bowl That Changed the NFL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0f38f692-b4b8-411d-abe1-b3db0167f63e/transcript