1. Warren Moon (1984-2000)
Passing Stats: 49,325 yards, 291 TDs-233 INTs Rushing Stats: 1,736 yards, 22 TDs
Moon is without a doubt the most decorated player on this list. In 2006, the nine-time Pro Bowler became the first African-American quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He ranks fifth all-time in passing yards and sixth in passing touchdowns. Moon’s greatest season came in 1990 when he won the AP Offensive Player of the Year and led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. From 1987 to 1996, Moon led the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings to nine playoff appearances in 10 seasons. He never appeared in a Super Bowl.
2. Donovan McNabb (1999-Present)
Passing Stats: 36,250 yards, 230 TDs-115 INTs Rushing Stats: 3,400 yards, 28 TDs
Despite criticisms in Philadelphia McNabb has amassed an impressive career. In 11 seasons with the Eagles, he went to six Pro Bowls, eight playoffs, five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl in 2004. After one miserable season with the Redskins, the former Eagle will try to revive his career in Minnesota. McNabb and Moon are the only two African-American quarterbacks in the NFL’s top 25 career passing yards and touchdowns.
3. Randall Cunningham (1985-2001)
Passing Stats: 29,979 yards, 207 TDS-134 INTs
Rushing Stats: 4,928 yards, 35 TDs
Cunningham is arguable the most complete player on the list. He threw like Moon and ran like Vick. In 1990 with the Eagles, Cunningham filled up the box score like no other player has. The four-time Pro Bowler passed for 3,466 yards, 30 touchdowns and rushed for 942 yards, 5 touchdowns. After a knee injury and a one year retirement, Cunningham joined the Vikings. In 1998, he led the high-powered Minnesota offense to a 15-1 regular season record and a shocking NFC championship loss. Following another injury Cunningham never started consistently again.
4. Steve “Air” McNair (1995-2007)
Passing Stats: 31,304 yards, 174 TDs-119 INTs
Rushing Stats: 3,590 yards, 37 TDs Throughout “Air” McNair’s career he has demonstrated all the characteristics of a great quarterback. He was a tough, athletic and smart leader. In 11 seasons with the Titans McNair was elected to three Pro Bowls and became the only African American quarterback named AP NFL MVP. But his most famous moment was losing to the St. Louis Rams on the last play by inches at Super Bowl XXXIV. McNair never returned to the Super Bowl.
5. Michael Vick (2001-Present)
Passing Stats: 14,606, 93 TDs-58 INTs
Rushing Stats: 4,630 yards, 32 TDs
Vick is one of the most electrifying players in NFL history. But the former Atlanta Falcon will forever be known for his dog fighting scandal and its effect on his career publically and statistically. If the four-time Pro Bowler didn’t lose four starting seasons due to the scandal, he would have been higher on the list. Vicks’ rushing ability is unmatched, he holds the records for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a game (173), most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,039), most career rushing yards by an active quarterback (4,630) and second all-time behind Cunningham.
6. Daunte Culpepper (1999-2009)
Passing Stats: 24,153 yards, 149 TDs-106 INTs
Rushing Stats: 2,652 yards, 34 TDsCulpepper, an underrated quarterback, had his once promising career dashed by injury and scandal. In his first five seasons as the Minnesota starter, Culpepper passed for over 18,000 yards and 129 touchdowns. After a knee injury and a boat sex scandal in 2005 Culpepper’s record was 5-22. The three-time Pro Bowler now plays in the i nsignificant United Football League.
7. Doug Williams (1978-1989)
Passing Stats: 16,998 yards, 100 TDs-93 INTs
Rushing Stats: 884 yards, 15 TDs
Williams is the only African American quarterback to a win Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP. He was a mediocre QB at best, but Williams made his mark in Super Bowl XXII. On football’s biggest stage, the Grambling State alumni passed for 340 yards and 4 touchdowns.
8. Jeff Blake (1992-2005)
Passing Stats: 21,711 yards, 134 TDs-99 INTs
Rushing Stats: 2,027 yards, 14 TDs
Over 13 seasons with seven teams, Blake has put together a nice NFL career. The peak of Blake’s career was in Cincinnati during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, he passed for 7,446 yards and 52 touchdowns. Blake was just average from 1997 until the end of his career, he threw 68 touchdowns and 58 interceptions in that span. Blake and Freeman are the only players on the list who haven’t participated in a playoff game.
9. David Garrard (2002-Present)
Passing Stats: 16,003 yards, 89 TDs-54 INTs
Rushing Stats:1,746 yards, 17 TDs
Garrard doesn’t get much recognition in Jacksonville, although he puts up some Pro Bowl numbers. In the last four seasons, Garrard has passed for 12,460 yards and completed nearly 63 percent of his passes. The former Pro Bowler’s main criticism is his lack of touchdowns. He only averages 18 TDs a season, which won’t cut it in the NFL. During Garrard’s best season in 2007, he passed for 2,509 yards, 18 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. That season is a perfect capsule of his career, good accuracy and production but average scoring.
10. Josh Freeman (2009-Present)
Passing Stats: 5,306 yards, 35 TDs-24 INTs
Rushing Stats: 525 yards, 0 TDs
Freeman was the sixth highest rated passer in the NFL last season, and he’s only 23 years old. He led the Bucs to 10 wins and passed for 3,451 yards, 25 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Many might think Freeman doesn’t deserve to be in the top 10, but all the other players couldn’t duplicate his 2010. The Buccaneer quarterback is one of the best young play-callers and could join the elite class in 2011.
All stats were provided by www.pro-football-reference.com/