Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott share one similarity. They are franchise quarterbacks for their respective teams.
Each is African American. They are, in 2019, pioneers of their position group, a position group that, historically, has been white.
They are the faces of multi-billion dollar organizations which don’t hope to win, but expect to win.
On Sunday, the NFL will get the joy of seeing two of the aforementioned play: Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson vs. Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.
Watson and Jackson enter Sunday as bonafide MVP candidates. Watson with his 23 total touchdowns, 6-3 record and 107.1 passer rating; Jackson with his 21 total touchdowns, 7-2 record and 101.7 passer rating.
The two aren’t just talk of B’more and H-town, they are the talk of the nation — in doing so, breaking barriers.
Watson takes pride in that.
“It’s awesome to be a part of it and be one of those guys,” said Watson on Wednesday. “It’s something that we take pride in and continue to change that narrative and just continue to do it the right way.”
Watson can attest to a specific message: it doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, if you can play, you can play.
Watson and Jackson can play.
“It really doesn’t matter what race you are, what color you are. If you can go play football, you can play football,” Watson said. “If you’re smart, you’re smart, and if you have the right coaching you can go out there and perform, especially playing quarterback.”
Sunday’s matchup between Watson and Jackson could contain never-ending thrills. Watson shines with his escapability, decisiveness and an ability to make the improbable probable; Jackson dazzles with his electricity, ankle-breaking footwork and his pursuit of greatness.
This anticipated showdown is a reminder of one grand truth: football is for everyone.