On August 9, 1955, Doug Williams was born in Zachary, LA, to Laura and Robert Williams, and was number six of eight children. A young, multi-talented athlete, he focused on football and was later offered a scholarship to Grambling State University where he would be one of ten quarterbacks who were on the team. Williams eventually earned the starting spot during his freshman season and had a starting record of 36-7 making him a finalist in the Heisman Trophy chase.

In 1978, he was the 17th overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one year later, in 1979, Williams led the team to victory in the NFC championship game and Tampa’s first NFC Central title.

He then left the Bucs and signed with the Oklahoma Outlaws in the U.S. Football League. However in 1986, the USFL disbanded and Williams returned to the NFL.

Williams ended up playing for the Washington Redskins as a backup QB to Jay Schroeder who later got injured. In 1987, the Redskins made it to the post-season and Williams was named as the starter.

That same year, Williams led the team to Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos. This was the first time a black quarterback would start and play in a Super Bowl. The Redskins defeated John Elway’s Broncos team 42-10 and Doug Williams became the first black QB to win the Super Bowl and be named an MVP.

In 1989, Williams retired and began his high school coaching career which evolved into a college coaching career at schools like Morehouse College, the US Naval Academy, and his own alma mater, Grambling State University.

Off the field, he has served as a mentor to many young people and has awarded college scholarships through the Doug Williams Foundation. He remains well-respected for his accomplishments and service and his Super Bowl win remains a milestone.

Doug Williams currently serves as a senior advisor to Jason Wright, who is the president of the Washington Commanders. He earned his BS in Health and Physical Education from Grambling State University in 1977.

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Did You Know?

Since Williams, only two other black quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl – Russell Wilson (Seahawks, 2014) and Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs, 2020).

This year, Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Jalen Hurts (Eagles) will face off against each other in Super Bowl LVII — this will be the first time that both Super Bowl teams will have a starting black quarterback.

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