Evolution of the Black Quarterback is a tale of two halves. The series is hosted by former Falcons and Eagles quarterback, Michael Vick. He travels around the country interviewing Black NFL icons but asks them the same question every time, “What do you think about the evolution of the Black quarterback?” The older subjects are introspective and thought-provoking, and the result is an uneven experience that won’t grab your attention immediately but will certainly make you think.

Vick takes us through Black quarterback history from the very beginning. With the help of everyone from Tony Dungy to Jalen Hurts, the sacrifices and territories gained by Black quarterbacks are explored in depth. Evolution of the Black Quarterback features a combination of stock footage, talking heads, and new interviews that weave the story of the most important position in sports and how Black men helped shape it.

Evolution Of The Black Quarterback Needed More History & Less Traveling

In Vick’s defense, there’s no real expectation for him to be amazing in this role, but the lack of diversity in the questions he asks drags down Evolution of the Black Quarterback. Whether it’s the writers or the director, no one thought about making Vick’s life easier, but it’s not all bad.

While telling the amazing story of Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl as a starter, the clips stop at their climax, and we are back with Vick. However, in this instance, he is talking with Williams himself, and the insight Williams gives about how — even as he was at the apex of the position — it still wasn’t enough. It's a solid moment.

Evolution Of The Black Quarterback Ponders The Question Of What Makes A Football Movie Black

What Evolution of the Black Quarterback has, that nothing else like it does, is history. Outside of NFL Films, there is no other definitive story about football’s legacy, and that’s just in of the league.

When it comes to Black football players, they often appear on the big screen, but to the detriment of their role in the story. For every the Titans there is a Blind Side. Films like Friday Night Lights and Any Given Sunday succeed at putting Black football players in a position of power but are certainly not considered Black films.

Evolution of the Black Quarterback delves deep into the league's complicated past, rooted in racism and a relentless need to maintain the status quo.

The history of Black football players in the American media is gaining traction but is still stuck in a perpetual cycle of dire straits and glossed-over inequalities. Consider the three football roles Cuba Gooding Jr. took on throughout his career. All were written and directed by white men and all hide a lack of humanity behind a veneer of empathy.

Evolution of the Black Quarterback delves deep into the league's complicated past, rooted in racism and a relentless need to maintain the status quo. In some cases, these barriers were broken before the civil rights movement, but throughout the '70s and beyond, Black quarterbacks were still not considered for the position. Even avid football fans won’t know about Marlon Briscoe and his journey from unknown to superstar to unknown again, only to find himself as the first starting quarterback the league has ever seen. The Prime Video docies, however, allows us to learn more.

Evolution Of The Black Quarterback Isn't Very Engaging

But It Has Enough History That Fans Will Want To Watch

The main issue with Evolution Of The Black Quarterback is the paint-by-numbers approach to the docies. Compounded by the fact that Vick is just not up to the task of being an engaging interviewer, the show has issues that could have been solved in the edit. And in moments where white men are given credit for putting Black quarterbacks in a position to succeed, like Joe Gibbs fighting for Doug Williams, it's clear his only stipulation was that the interview had to take place at his place of business as a means of promotion.

But those like Van Lathan do a great job setting up the Kurt Menefees of the world to speak about something they never get a chance to do during a halftime show. All in all, Evolution of the Black Quarterback is not particularly engaging but is jam-packed with history NFL fans will want to know.

Evolution of the Black Quarterback is now streaming on Prime Video. The series consists of three episodes.