Super Bowl LVII presented a historic matchup for several reasons Sunday night, but one of the most relevant story lines leading up to the Big Game was the fact that it was the first NFL championship game to feature two Black starting quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. Naturally, the subject was discussed across the sports media landscape before and during the game, but one reference didn’t go over well.
ESPN’s Chris Berman strangely brought up Abraham Lincoln while discussing the historic matchup.
“Two African American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time,” Berman said. “Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln’s birthday. Here we go with the highlights in case you missed it.”
Berman presumably found a connection because of Lincoln’s role in issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in the states “in rebellion” to be free during the Civil War. He also promoted the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
The connection was not received well online not only since there is no real link between Lincoln and football, but also since many feel Lincoln’s role in ending slavery was overblown.
