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Docuseries led by Michael Vick pays homage to Black quarterbacks past and present

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Docuseries led by Michael Vick pays homage to Black quarterbacks past and present

The NFL has evolved to a point where a record 15 Black starting quarterbacks started Week 1 of the 2024 season.

That’s a far cry from when Warren Moon chose to sign with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos after a standout college career at Washington because he felt he wouldn’t get a fair opportunity to run an offense in the NFL. Similarly, Tony Dungy’s college days as a quarterback at Minnesota were for naught — as were others — as the NFL converted him into a defensive back.

It took until 2001 for the NFL to have its first Black quarterback selected No. 1 in the draft, when the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Vick out of Virginia Tech. Fittingly, Vick wanted to find a way to highlight the Black quarterbacks who came before him and those who now are excelling.

The result is a three-part docuseries, “Evolution of the Black Quarterback,” which premieres Tuesday on Amazon Prime Video. The 13-year NFL veteran and current analyst for Fox Sports chatted with trailblazers such as James “Shack” Harris, the first Black quarterback to begin a season as the starter in professional football, and Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Vick also spoke with contemporaries such as Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott.

“I learned I pretty much had it easy. Those guys (back then) had it rough,” Vick said. “Shack, Doug, Warren, Donovan (McNabb) … in a lot of ways, the hate mail, it wasn’t a smooth transition.”

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Vick, who is an executive producer on the projects, says the idea of the docuseries stemmed from his wife, Kijafa, and director Anthony Smith. He wanted to host the series to not only honor many of his heroes but also pay homage to the current players by visiting them around the country.

He interviewed Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner who led Florida State to a national championship. Ward, a two-sport athlete in college, opted to go to the NBA and played 11 seasons with the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.

Prior to the filming of the docuseries, Vick and Ward had never met in person. Vick credits Ward for being a big inspiration on his football career. Ward said he’s still “blown away” when players like Vick talk about how he meant so much to them.

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“I didn’t understand it at the time,” Ward said. “Giving people hope that they could do the same thing that I was doing as a Black quarterback, or just inspiring people that you can do what you want to do. Making decisions based on what you feel is best for you at that time. It’s great to hear that you were able to be an inspiration to those that were watching.”

Ward said he was able to excel in college as a quarterback because his coach, Bobby Bowden, changed his system to suit Ward’s style, which wasn’t the case in many other programs. Ward was a mobile quarterback. There was a time when critics found fault in those who didn’t stay in the pocket. An anonymous NFL defensive coordinator said Mahomes played “streetball,” and another league coach said Lamar Jackson struggled to read defenses in a 2022 article on quarterback tiers published by The Athletic.

Mahomes wouldn’t go so far as to say Black quarterbacks are evaluated differently because of race. In 2022, he said Black quarterbacks daily are “proving that we should’ve been playing the whole time.” Having nearly half of the league with a starting Black quarterback shows progress.

“I think we’ve been able to overcome a little bit of it from those times just because of the evolution of our culture, the mindset,” Ward said. “Racism is still a part of our culture. We’re not going to put our heads in the sand and say that it’s not the case, but it has come a long way.”

Telling the story of Black quarterbacks allowed Vick to examine his place in history. The first episode begins with Vick acknowledging he is viewed as a game-changer on the field. Many, however, will never forget Vick pleading guilty to charges related to a dogfighting ring in 2007 and spending 18 months in federal prison.

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Vick said the ordeal was especially tough as he reflected on his grandmother, Caletha, who introduced him to football and died while he was incarcerated. Caletha had dementia when Vick went to prison, so he lied to her about his whereabouts. Before his sentence, he told her he was going to NFL training camp — even though it was during the fall.

“That was probably one of the toughest times of my life,” Vick said. “Having to leave and go away and to lie to my grandmother and tell her I was going to training camp when I was going to prison camp.”

Vick’s return to the NFL in 2009 also is covered in the docuseries. He ended up with the Philadelphia Eagles and became teammates with McNabb, who he drew inspiration from as the No. 2 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Vick was a freshman at Virginia Tech when McNabb was drafted. Seeing McNabb play college ball at Syracuse gave him a new perspective, as Vick, while in high school, once thought playing defensive back — not quarterback — would be his ticket to the NFL.

“I changed the game and fought for a right to be a dual threat and to make it a real thing,” he said. “Now you can draft a quarterback knowing that he’s going to be your dual threat, and you can feel comfortable knowing you’ve got a quarterback that’s going to give an opportunity (to win) every week.

“This project is about paying homage to those who came before me who allowed me to have that confidence to keep doing what I do.”

(Photo of Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb: Len Redkoles / Getty Images)

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ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd

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ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd

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Danhausen’s curse may be real after all – just ask Stephen A. Smith and the New York Mets.

While the latter dropped their 10th game in a row, Smith got his share of the curse on Saturday night during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. Smith was in attendance for WWE’s premier event of the year and heard massive boos from the crowd.

Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)

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Smith was sitting ringside to watch the action. The ESPN star appeared on the videoboard above the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He appeared to embrace the reaction and smiled through it.

The boos came after Danhausen appeared on “First Take” on Friday – much to the chagrin of the sports pundit. Smith appeared perplexed by Danhausen’s appearance. Smith said he heard about Danhausen and called him a “bad luck charm.”

Danhausen said Smith had been “rude” to him and put the dreaded “curse” on the commentator.

WWE STAR DANHAUSEN SAYS METS ‘CURSE’ ISN’T EXACTLY LIFTED AS TEAM DROPS NINTH STRAIGHT GAME

Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)

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Smith is far from the only one dealing with the effects of the “curse.”

Danhausen agreed to “un-curse” the Mets during their losing streak. However, he told Fox News Digital earlier this week that there was a reason why the curse’s removal didn’t take full effect.

“I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect,” Danhausen said. “Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation.”

Danhausen enters the arena before his match against Kit Wilson during SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on April 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

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On “Friday Night SmackDown,” WWE stars like The Miz and Kit Wilson were also targets of Danhausen’s curse.

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After 55 years as a broadcaster in L.A., Randy Rosenbloom is leaving town

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After 55 years as a broadcaster in L.A., Randy Rosenbloom is leaving town

It’s time to reveal memories, laughs and crazy times from Randy Rosenbloom’s 55 years as a TV/radio broadcaster in Los Angeles. He’s hopping in a car next Sunday with his wife, saying goodbye to a North Hollywood house that’s been in his family since 1952 and driving 3,300 miles to his new home in Greenville, S.C.

“When I walk out, I’ll probably break down,” he said.

He graduated from North Hollywood High in 1969. He got his first paid job in 1971 calling Hart basketball games for NBC Cable Newhall for $10 a game. It began an adventure of a lifetime.

“I never knew if I overachieved or underachieved. I just did what I loved,” he said.

Randy Rosenbloom (left) used to work with former UCLA coach John Wooden for TV games.

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(Randy Rosenbloom)

John Wooden, Jerry Tarkanian and Jim Harrick were among his expert commentators when he did play by play for college basketball games. He called volleyball at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games for NBC and rowing in 2004. He’s worked more than 100 championship high school events. He did play by play for the first and only Reebok Bowl at Angel Stadium in 1994 won by Bishop Amat over Sylmar, 35-14.

“There were about 5,000, 6,000 people there and I remember thinking nobody watched the game. We ended up with a 5.7 TV rating on Channel 13 in Los Angeles, which is higher than most Lakers games.”

He conducted interviews with NFL Hall of Famers Gale Sayers and Johnny Unitas and boxing greats Robert Duran, Thomas Hearn and Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s worked with baseball greats Steve Garvey and Doug DeCinces. He called games with former USC coach Rod Dedeaux. He was in the radio booth for Bret Saberhagen’s 1982 no-hitter in the City Section championship game at Dodger Stadium. He was a nightly sportscaster for KADY in Ventura.

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Randy Rosenbloom, left, with his volleyball broadcast partners, Kirk Kilgour and Bill Walton.

Randy Rosenbloom, left, with his volleyball broadcast partners, Kirk Kilgour and Bill Walton.

(Randy Rosenbloom)

He was the voice of Fresno State football and basketball. He also did Nevada Las Vegas football and basketball games. He called bowl games and Little League games. He was a public address announcer for basketball at the 1984 Olympic Games with Michael Jordan the star and did the P.A. for Toluca Little League.

Nothing was too small or too big for him.

“I loved everything,” he said.

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He called at least 10 East L.A. Classic football games between Garfield and Roosevelt. He was there when Narbonne and San Pedro tied 21-21 in the 2008 City championship game at the Coliseum on a San Pedro touchdown with one second left.

Probably his most notable tale came when he was doing radio play-by-play at a 1998 college bowl game in Montgomery, Ala.

“I look down and a giant tarantula is crawling up my pants,” he said. “My color man took all the press notes, wadded them up and hit the tarantula like swinging a bat.”

Did Rosenbloom tell the audience what was happening?

“I stayed calm,” he said.

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Then there was the time he was in the press box at Sam Boyd Stadium and a bat flew in and attached itself to the wooden press box right next to him before flying away after he said, “UNLV wins.”

Recently, he’s been putting together high school TV packages for LA36 and calling travel ball basketball games. He’ll still keep doing a radio gambling show from his new home, but he’s cutting ties to Los Angeles to move closer to grandchildren.

“I’m retiring from Los Angeles. I’m leaving the market,” he said.

Hopefully he’ll continue via Zoom to do a weekly podcast with me for The Times.

He’s a true professional who’s versatility and work ethic made him a reliable hire from the age of 18 through his current age of 74.

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He’s a member of the City Section Hall of Fame and the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He once threw the shot put 51 feet, 7 1/2 inches, which is his claim to fame at North Hollywood High.

One time an ESPN graphic before a show spelled his name “Rosenbloom” then changed it to “Rosenblum” for postgame. It was worth a good laugh.

He always adjusts, improvises and ad-libs. He expects to enjoy his time in South Carolina, but he better watch out for tarantulas. They seem to like him.

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.

Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.

Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.

Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.

Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.

Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.

Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.

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