Historic QB milestone | Sports Daily Newsletter
It’s been a long road to this point.
Think back to the first quarterback hero you ever had. Depending on when you first became a fan of football, the options from which to choose that person were often limited in terms of diversity.
However, for decades, the Eagles have been at the forefront of NFL teams providing opportunities to Black quarterbacks.
It’s perhaps not surprising then that the Eagles and a former Eagles coach, Andy Reid, are now at a historic marker for the sport. Two Black quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, will start against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Eagles on Feb. 12.
Marcus Hayes assesses the moment.
— Andrea Canales, Inquirer Sports Staff, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
❓ Who is the first Black quarterback you recall and what qualities of that player were memorable for you? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
In a blowout win, it’s not always easy to pinpoint the crucial play that made all the difference, because it often seems like there are so many. Yet in the NFC championship game against the 49ers, it was clearly a turning point when Haason Reddick was able to sack quarterback Brock Purdy. The subsequent elbow injury for Purdy limited his ability to throw, all but dooming San Francisco’s hopes.
But Reddick almost didn’t make the play — not because he didn’t have the talent or heart, but because only a few years before, he was struggling to prove himself as one of the very best in his position. In Arizona with the Cardinals, he was moved to inside linebacker. Edge rusher was an NFL role he had to fight to keep and his eventual success there led to a return to the Philadelphia area where he’d been so successful while at Temple.
Josh Tolentino has an early analysis of some key matchups for the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, what’s owner Jeff Lurie’s secret for returning to the Super Bowl so soon with a different coach and quarterback than before? Mike Sielski digs for the answers.
Jeff McLane explains how one secret that’s worked for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is to embrace risk rather than run from it.
And Gus Elvin has the latest from Kansas City.
Next: The Eagles take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. (Fox29).
Purchase the limited-run print editions of Monday’s Inquirer and the Daily News, featuring all of the coverage from the Eagles’ big win in the NFC championship game.
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The 76ers have had the experience of watching the Phillies make it to the World Series, the Union make it to the MLS Cup, and the Eagles compete in the Super Bowl. For them, it just feels inevitable that they should add to what has been a fairy tale year for Philly sports. Said Matisse Thybulle on the subject: “I think we’re just going to be the next ones up after the Eagles win the Super Bowl.”
The Sixers’ lofty ambitions fell flat against the Magic, who battled back from a deficit of more than 20 points to win.
Next: The Sixers host the Magic in the second part of their two-game series at 7 p.m. Wednesday (NBCSP).
While the Flyers are technically past the midway point of the season, the All-Star break represents a good chance to gauge where the team stands.
With a recent 10-4-2 surge since the holiday pause, the Flyers are probably exceeding expectations. Giana Han has her five biggest takeaways from the Flyers at the break.
Next: The Flyers are off for the NHL All-Star break until they host the Islanders on Feb. 6.
As players stepped forward to reveal cases of abuse in professional soccer, the U.S. Soccer Federation vowed to investigate. The Yates report was the result and now there are concrete changes being implemented, beginning at the professional level but designed to eventually affect every level of soccer organized by the federation. Jonathan Tannenwald takes a closer look.
Tannenwald and soccer editor Andrea Canales also take stock of and debate where the USMNT stands after the first month of 2023.
Being a fan of MLS is going to be a lot different under the league’s new broadcast deal, but some familiar names will be involved.
Worth a look
Hear him roar: One Wildcat is making a difference for his team from the bench with his voice.
Celebrate safely: Some Eagles fans are passionate to the point of pain.
🧠 Trivia 🧠
Who had the highest total of receiving yards in Super Bowl XXXIX, when the Patriots beat the Eagles, 24-21? Answer here for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
A) Todd Pinkston
B) Deion Branch
C) Terrell Owens
D) Troy Brown
What you’re saying about Eagles-Chiefs
We asked you: How will the Eagles do against Andy Reid’s Chiefs in the Super Bowl? Among your responses:
The Chiefs are a great team. But I feel the Eagles are much better. The way they are playing right now, they look unstoppable. Mahomes and Company will give us a run for our money, but I’m confident the Eagles will prevail. Go Birds! — Kathy T.
The winner will be determined by which quarterback best overcomes his injury limitations. As of now, I’d pick K.C. because Hurts has problems (shoulder-related?) throwing the deep ball. — Karl Z.
Eagles 34-Chiefs 27 — Robert G.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jonathan Tannenwald, Andrea Canales, Jesse Bunch, Jeff Neiburg, Giana Han, Keith Pompey, EJ Smith, Mike Sielski, Josh Tolentino, Marcus Hayes, Jeff McLane and Gus Elvin.