<P> Harris was drafted in the eighth round of the 1969 Common Draft by the American Football League 's Buffalo Bills , and would soon join fellow rookie O.J. Simpson in the starting backfield . Continuing the American Football League 's more liberal ( than the NFL 's ) personnel policies , the Bills made Harris the first black player to start a season at quarterback in the history of pro football . Harris was also just the second black player in the modern era to start in any game as quarterback for a professional football team . Wide receiver Marlin Briscoe , of the AFL 's Denver Broncos , had been the first to start a game at quarterback in 1968 , and a few of Harris 's completions in 1969 went to Briscoe , who , by that time , had been traded to the Bills and had been converted to the position of receiver . After three years with the Bills , Harris was released by the team and signed by the Los Angeles Rams in 1972 . </P>
<P> Harris was drafted in the eighth round of the 1969 Common Draft by the American Football League 's Buffalo Bills , and would soon join fellow rookie O.J. Simpson in the starting backfield . Continuing the American Football League 's more liberal ( than the NFL 's ) personnel policies , the Bills made Harris the first black player to start a season at quarterback in the history of pro football . Harris was also just the second black player in the modern era to start in any game as quarterback for a professional football team . Wide receiver Marlin Briscoe , of the AFL 's Denver Broncos , had been the first to start a game at quarterback in 1968 , and a few of Harris 's completions in 1969 went to Briscoe , who , by that time , had been traded to the Bills and had been converted to the position of receiver . After three years with the Bills , Harris was released by the team and signed by the Los Angeles Rams in 1972 . </P>
who was the first black quarter back in nfl
who was the first black quarter back in nfl
Harris
Harris