Black leadership at head coach, QB to be more visible than ever during NFL playoffs

By Cliff Brunt AP Sports Writer Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans celebrates on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) This year’s NFL playoffs will feature a record number of Black men who have thrived in leadership positions they rarely had the opportunity to hold in previous generations. Three Black head coaches have reached the playoffs — Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles and Houston’s DeMeco Ryans. Miami coach Mike McDaniel, who has a Black father and identifies as biracial, also is in the playoffs. No more than three Black coaches have reached the playoffs in any previous season. An all-time high of six Black quarterbacks are starting among the 14 playoff teams — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, Dallas’ Dak Prescott, Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Houston rookie C.J. Stroud. “It’s great to see,” Jackson said of the Black quarterbacks. “Life’s just different now. Stuff is evolving. Guys are just being great and just showing off their true talent.” Having so many Black men succeed in two of the most visible cerebral leadership positions...