Jamie Foxx has all the time been vocal about his admiration for trailblazers, and this time, he’s utilizing Black Historical past Month to shine a lightweight on one of the crucial electrifying quarterbacks in NFL historical past—Michael Vick. The Oscar-winning actor, identified for his wide-ranging roles in movie, TV, and music, not too long ago took to social media to mirror on what the previous Atlanta Falcon QB’s influence meant to him and why illustration in sports activities issues. And in true Foxx style, he tied all of it again to his legendary sports activities culture-changing position of Willie “Steamin” Beamen from Any Given Sunday.
Taking to Instagram, the Soul voice performer shared a picture of himself standing subsequent to Vick from 2023, every holding up one another’s jerseys—Vick with Beamen’s No. 13 from the 1999 sports activities drama and the Again in Motion star with the enduring No. 7 Atlanta Falcons jersey. The Hollywood A-lister captioned his submit, opening up about why Vick was such an essential determine for him rising up, emphasizing how seeing a Black quarterback succeed within the NFL was inspiring.
Foxx’s connection to soccer runs deeper than simply fandom. His portrayal of quarterback Willie Beamen in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday, perhaps not one of many finest sports activities motion pictures, nonetheless grew to become one in every of his most iconic roles, depicting a younger, flashy, and unconventional participant who disrupts the league’s old-school system. In some ways, Beamen’s rise within the movie mirrored what Vick did in actual life—bringing a dynamic, never-before-seen type to the quarterback place and proving that Black QBs might dominate within the NFL.
Vick’s influence on the sport is plain, and the Collateral star made it clear simply how a lot he respects the previous quarterback’s affect. In his Instagram caption, he wrote:
@mikevick I commented on somebody’s web page concerning the significance of a black quarterback.. they didn’t perceive what I used to be saying as a result of they don’t wish to perceive… the rationale you have been essential to me after I was developing is as a result of I noticed somebody who appeared like me taking part in quarterback simply made me blissful that’s all… once we had been instructed for therefore lengthy that the quarterback place was not for us… you got here alongside and made it thrilling and funky…. Biggups my identify is Willie… #blackexcellence #happyblackhistorymonth
The Dreamgirls alum’s tribute not solely honors the previous NFL star’s legacy but additionally emphasizes the significance of illustration in sports activities. Seeing somebody who appears to be like such as you succeed is usually a highly effective motivator, and Vick’s journey helped pave the way in which for the following technology of dual-threat quarterbacks, together with stars like Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes.
For these taken with diving deeper into this subject or are simply curious what to look at throughout Black Historical past Month, a three-part docuseries, Evolution of the Black Quarterback, dropped on one of many finest streaming companies and is now out there to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription. That includes Foxx himself, the documentary follows Vick as he explores the historical past of Black quarterbacks, reflecting on their struggles, celebrating their achievements, and discussing the way forward for the place with a few of the recreation’s most influential figures.
Jamie Foxx’s submit isn’t only a second of nostalgia—it’s a reminder of the ability of illustration. Seeing somebody who appears to be like such as you obtain greatness is usually a game-changer, whether or not in Hollywood, sports activities, or past. As he continues celebrating Black excellence this month, the Django Unchained actor is making it clear that moments like these matter.