Russell Wilson, the talented quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has long been admired for his skill and leadership on the field. Recently, however, his influence on the trajectory of black quarterbacks in the NFL has come under scrutiny, with some likening his impact to that of another notable player, Brock Purdy.

In a conversation with American sports analyst and commentator Chris Broussard, the discussion turned to Wilson’s role in shaping perceptions of black quarterbacks in the league. Broussard acknowledged Wilson’s accomplishments and compared him to a game manager but suggested that they may not elevate him to the status of a trailblazer for black quarterbacks.

Broussard on Russell Wilson: Breaking stereotypes

“Um he was Rob G and I were talking about it and Rob G was like well he was a game manager. Now of course there’s no big deal to see a black quarterback drafted number one but I look Russell is not taking anything away from him he is the second quarterback to win the Super black quarterback to win the Super Bowl”, Broussard remarked. 

Broussard’s comparison of Wilson to a “game manager” reflects the idea that Wilson’s success, while impressive, may not have completely shattered stereotypes about black quarterbacks. He further added, “I don’t think of him as a trailblazer for black quarterbacks.”

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He also noted that Wilson’s style of play was more conservative than other quarterbacks, saying, “But that was progress.” Broussard emphasized. “Before, they weren’t going to have a black quarterback as the game had to be some super, superhuman athlete like Michael Vick.”

However, Broussard’s statement is similar to Cam Newton’s about Brock Purdy.

Newton’s game manager theory

Cam Newton, known for his outspoken nature, sparked controversy during the 2023 NFL season with his comments about 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Despite Purdy’s solid performance, Newton didn’t believe he deserved MVP consideration, labelling him and others as “game managers” in a podcast appearance.

“Brock, they’re not winning because of him,” Newton remarked, referring to Purdy and the 49ers. “He’s managing the game. Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, and really, Dak Prescott — these are game managers. They’re not difference-makers.”

Newton clarified that being a game manager doesn’t necessarily mean scoring every time, but also avoiding turnovers. He drew a distinction between game managers and game changers, categorizing quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson as the latter.

The reaction to Newton’s comments was mixed among NFL fans. Some agreed, pointing out Purdy’s talented supporting cast, including Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle. They argued that Purdy’s role was primarily to manage the game with such a strong team around him. Others countered, highlighting Purdy’s accuracy and impact on the field. 

The debate over Purdy’s performance and potential greatness will likely continue, especially as he gains more experience in the league.