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African-American quarterbacks making an impact in NFL

Fred Jeter | 10/4/2019, 6 a.m.
Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray signed a lucrative four- year contract with the NFL Arizona Cardinals worth more than $35 million. ...
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, and Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, exchange jerseys after last Sunday’s game in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray signed a lucrative four- year contract with the NFL Arizona Cardinals worth more than $35 million.

Early indicators suggest he may be worth every penny.

An overnight success, Murray became only the second quarterback in NFL history — joining Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers — to pass for more than 300 yards in each of the first two games. Murray passed for 349 yards against the Baltimore Ravens and 308 yards against the Detroit Lions.

Through four games, Murray has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 830 yards and four touchdowns.

He also looms as among the league’s top dual-threat (run-pass) quarterbacks once the Cardinals unleash his considerable running skills. He raced for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns last season at the University of Oklahoma while passing for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns.

The Arizona brain trust, with first-year Coach Kliff Kingsbury, were sold on Murray despite some glaring red flags.

Murray was only a one-year starter at Oklahoma, waiting behind Baker Mayfield. He became the first quarterback shorter than 6 feet — he’s 5 feet, 101⁄8 inches — to be selected first overall in the NFL draft.

Until this past year, baseball — not football — appeared to be his athletic meal ticket. He previously signed as an outfielder with the Oakland Athletics.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Murray declined to sprint for time and scored a disappointing 20 on the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test.

For quarterbacks, 24 is average on the test. By comparison, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson scored 28 and Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston, 27.

The all-time high is a 48 in 2005 scored by Ryan Fitzpatrick, a quarterback out of Harvard University who is now with the Miami Dolphins.

So much for the Wonderlic.

In assessing Murray,Arizona chose its own eyeball test over NFL standardized guides. It goes to show that in making critical decisions, go with your gut.

Arizona never flinched, signing Murray for a base salary of $23 million-plus, with a signing bonus of $12 million.

Coming off a dreary 3-13 season, the Cardinals have chosen Murray to steer the franchise back on course.

Alphabetically, here are the NFL’s other African-American starting quarterbacks with background information:

Teddy Bridgewater of the New Orleans Saints: Age 26; Min- nesota’s first round draft choice (32nd overall) out of University of Louisville in 2014; became the Saints quarterback following a thumb injury to Drew Brees.

Jacoby Brissett of the Indianapolis Colts: Age 26; New England’s third round pick (91st overall) out of North Carolina State University in 2016; became the Colts quarterback following the retirement of Andrew Luck.

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens: Age 22; Ravens’ first round pick (32nd overall) out of the University of Louisville in 2018; became the starter during his rookie season following an injury to Joe Flacco.

Pat Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs: Age 24; Chiefs’ first round choice (10th overall) out of Texas Tech in 2017; became starter in second season when Alex Smith was traded.

Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers: Age 30; First overall pick by the Panthers in 2011; team starter from the outset, earning league MVP in 2015; three-time All-Pro selection. Newton is temporarily sidelined with a sprained left foot.

Dac Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys:Age 26; Cowboys’fourth round pick (135th overall) out of Mississippi State University in 2016; took over as rookie starter fol- lowing an injury to Tony Romo.

Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans: Age 24; Texans’ first round pick (12th overall) out of Clemson University in 2017; despite injuries, he has been the starter since joining team.

Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks: Age 30; Third round pick (75th overall) out of the University of Wisconsin in 2012; became rookie starter after beating out Matt Flynn during preseason.

Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Age 24; Overall top draft choice out of Florida State University in 2015; starter from outside, made Pro Bowl and named Rookie of the Year in 2015.'

The No. 1 Club

These African-American NFL quarterbacks were selected first overall in the NFL draft.

2001 - Michael Vick, by Atlanta Falcons, from Virginia Tech

2007 - JaMarcus Cousins, by the Oakland Raiders, from Louisiana State University

2011 - Cam Newton, by the Carolina Panthers, from Auburn University

2015 - Jameis Winston, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, from Florida State University

2019 - Kyler Murray, by the Arizona Cardinals, from the University of Oklahoma