Michael Vick has a docuseries focused on the Black quarterback's evolution in America
It’s no offense to my guys Daniel Jones and Eli Manning but my goodness if the Black quarterback doesn’t truly run the NFL. From what Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson have brought to the game to the icons like Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick brought to the culture? Epic. So it’s only right there’s a new production in the works for what the evolution of the Black quarterback has been in American sports.
Details are still coming together but by the looks of it - especially with Michael Vick involved - expectations should be high for this must-see docuseries gearing up for the world to see. Peep the details.
SMAC Productions, a division of SMAC Entertainment, creator of premium scripted and non-scripted content, and Fubo Studios, the original production arm of FuboTV Inc. (NYSE: FUBO), the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform, have announced plans to co-produce an eight-part documentary series on the evolution of the Black quarterback in America. Through a series of conversations with former and current players and coaches, cultural figures, celebrities and journalists, all led by Michael Vick – a quarterback who changed the way the position was played – the series will examine how on-field commanders changed the game and led off-field movements. It is expected to be an entertaining, insightful and immersive journey through the past, present and future of the world’s most lucrative sport, as told through the experience of Black quarterbacks.
Since the early days of play, from discrimination to celebration, from being marginalized to becoming nationwide heroes, Black quarterbacks have long found themselves as gamechangers both on and off the field, redefining the position and the game while also leading social movements. From Fritz Pollard and Doug Williams to Colin Kaepernick and Patrick Mahomes, these men who play the position have become catalysts and voices for changing currents in society. The series will provide equal parts history, context, and a glimpse into where the game and the country are going.
Vick will guide the documentary series from a first-person POV, through multiple one-on-one conversations with a range of football figures, including Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton, Tony Dungy, Andy Reid and Doug Williams. Vick will also meet with journalists, tastemakers and entertainers who provide a unique perspective to the changing game and evolving culture.
Serving as executive producers are Michael Vick and Kijafa Vick; Constance Schwartz-Morini of SMAC Productions; and David Gandler and Pamela Duckworth for Fubo Studios. FredAnthony Smith – director and producer of “NFL 360: The L.A. Marathon,” “NFL 360: Fritz Pollard: A Forgotten Man” and “The Story of 9/12” – will serve as executive producer and director of the series.
“I’m excited to be a part of this project because as a kid, I just wanted to have a shot at playing in the National Football League. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be the first African American quarterback drafted #1. I know that was a big step for us in society,” said Michael Vick. “I was always told that I revolutionized the quarterback position, but I also like to give credit to the ones who I idolized as a kid and who paved the way like Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb. When you look at the evolution of the Black quarterback, it’s because of the people that came before us. And now, I’m thankful for the dual threat concept that has changed the game for the better.”
“At SMAC, we tell stories that go beyond the headlines and dig deep into our culture; this project is no different,” said FredAnthony Smith, vice president of nonscripted, SMAC Entertainment, who will also serve as an executive producer and director of the docuseries. “The story of the evolution of the Black quarterback is the story of how a group of men fought for the chance to play a position, revolutionized the game, and impacted and shaped culture off the field. I couldn’t think of a better guide to take us on this journey than Michael Vick, someone who grew up watching so many of the groundbreakers of the 80s and 90s, and who himself has inspired so many of today's greatest players.”
“I couldn’t imagine a better first project for the launch of Fubo Studios than this powerful docuseries in partnership with my dear friends at SMAC,” said Pamela Duckworth, head of Fubo Networks and originals, FuboTV. “At Fubo, we are dedicated to featuring the voice of the athlete on and off the field and this series will spotlight iconic voices through a new lens. I’m honored to work with the impressive SMAC team and Mike Vick to bring this important story to life as Fubo Studio’s inaugural production.”
This documentary series is the first production under the newly-formed Fubo Studios, FuboTV’s original production division dedicated to sports and entertainment programming across multiple formats. Led by Pamela Duckworth, Fubo Studios is the new production home of existing Fubo original programming including series that showcase the voice of the athlete. The Studio will also partner with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Productions to create content for the forthcoming Maximum Effort Channel, a linear channel on FuboTV. Select content created by Fubo Studios will stream non-exclusively on Fubo Sports Network, FuboTV’s live free-to-consumer TV network.
