First Black QB MVP

Jet, Jan 26, 2004

FIRST BLACK QB MVP: Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair smiles while speaking in Baltimore after winning the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award, which he shares with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. In just the third tie since the award began in 1957, McNair and Manning each received 16 votes from a panel of 50 sportswriters.

McNair, who guided the Titans to a 12-4 record and to the playoffs this season, led the league with a 100.4 passer rating. McNair, the first Black quarterback to win the award, acknowledged the trailblazers at the position. "I would like to thank the guys who paved the way for myself and a lot of other guys," said McNair, a Mississippi native. "The Warren Moons, the Doug Williamses, the Randall Cunninghams. Those guys paved the way for us as Black quarterbacks to come into the league and be successful. Those guys had great careers, made the ultimate path for myself."