Kaepernick vs. Newton: Changing the Future for Black QBs

The two quarterbacks face off for spot in the Super Bowl.

Cam Newton on Kaepernick's Contract: 'Last Thing on My Mind' - Cam Newtown says he’s not concerned with Colin Kaepernick’s newly signed six-year, $126 million deal with $61 million guaranteed. The Carolina Panthers quarterback says he’s more concerned with fully recovering from the left ankle surgery he had in March. "For me, that's the last thing on my mind,'' Newton told ESPN, speaking of Kaepernick’s contract. "The first thing is trying to get little anky right. I'm not worried about no money. I'm not worried about things I can't control.'' Newton is likely to receive an extension of similar worth at the end of the 2014 season. (Photos from left: Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images,CSM /Landov

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The Road to Super Bowl - When the NFL season started, there were a total of nine Black quarterbacks for the first time in the history of the NFL. As Super Bowl XVLIII draws near, there are only two Black QBs left in the running, San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick and the North Carolina Panthers Cam Newton. As the 49ers prepare to take on the Panthers in the first round of 2014 playoff games on Jan. 12, let’s check out why Kaepernick and Newton are two of the best in the league. — Dominique Zonyéé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos: Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images; CSM/Landov)

Started in 2011, Now We’re Here - Kaepernick and Newton were both drafted in 2011, and in less than five years in the league, both young quarterbacks have made names for themselves as forces to be reckoned with against vets like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and more.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Started in 2011, Now We’re Here - Kaepernick and Newton were both drafted in 2011, and in less than five years in the league, both young quarterbacks have made names for themselves as forces to be reckoned with against vets like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and more.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

“This Ain’t My First Time at the Rodeo” - Although it may be Cam Newton’s first playoff game, Sunday’s game will be Colin Kaepernick’s third year starting in the playoffs.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

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“This Ain’t My First Time at the Rodeo” - Although it may be Cam Newton’s first playoff game, Sunday’s game will be Colin Kaepernick’s third year starting in the playoffs.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

Nine and Counting - African-American quarterbacks are finally getting their time to shine. For the first time in NFL history, out of the 32 teams in the league, nine teams have African-American starting quarterbacks in 2013. 

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Big Games Are Nothing New for Newton - Newton may be playing in one of the first major games of his career on Sunday, but he is no stranger to big game pressure. Before being drafted, he accounted for six touchdowns in the SEC championship game and led the Auburn Tigers to the 2010 national championship with 329 total yards against Oregon in the Bowl Championship Series.(Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Heisman Recognition - Newton received the 76th Heisman Trophy in 2010, becoming the third Auburn Tiger to do so, after Pat Sullivan in ’71 and Vincent “Bo” Jackson in ’85. His impressive college record of throwing 185 of 280 passes for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns with a mere seven interceptions led him to the 2011 NFL Draft. (Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) 

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Heisman Recognition - Newton received the 76th Heisman Trophy in 2010, becoming the third Auburn Tiger to do so, after Pat Sullivan in ’71 and Vincent “Bo” Jackson in ’85. His impressive college record of throwing 185 of 280 passes for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns with a mere seven interceptions led him to the 2011 NFL Draft. (Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) 

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Breaking Records - Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's NFL record for most yards in a player's first two seasons with 7,881 passing yards in 2012. The following year, Kaepernick broke Michael Vick’s NFL record of 119 rushing yards by a quarterback in a playoff game in January 2013 against Green Bay. He threw for 163 yards on 12 carries, setting a 49ers franchise record for the postseason.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Breaking Records - Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's NFL record for most yards in a player's first two seasons with 7,881 passing yards in 2012. The following year, Kaepernick broke Michael Vick’s NFL record of 119 rushing yards by a quarterback in a playoff game in January 2013 against Green Bay. He threw for 163 yards on 12 carries, setting a 49ers franchise record for the postseason.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Newton’s Claim to Fame This Season - Newton led all quarterbacks with 585 rushing yards in the regular season.(Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Newton’s Claim to Fame This Season - Newton led all quarterbacks with 585 rushing yards in the regular season.(Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Kaepernick’s Claim to Fame This Season - Kaepernick ranked fourth among all passers with 528 rushing yards.(Photo: Norm Hall/Getty Images)

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Kaepernick’s Claim to Fame This Season - Kaepernick ranked fourth among all passers with 528 rushing yards.(Photo: Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Norm Hall/Getty Images

Touchdown - Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers scored a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against Ed Reed, #20 of the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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What’s the Difference? - Besides Kaepernick leading the Niners to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, in which they lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 34-31, there are other big differences between the two big franchise players. This season, Newton had 111 attempts with 5.2 yards per rush, while Kaepernick had 92 attempts and 5.7 yards per carry.(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

What’s at Stake on Sunday? - As the 49ers hit the road on Sunday to take on the Panthers, it will not only put the pressure on Newton to win his first playoff game, but also on the 49ers as they have never won back-to-back road playoff games in the postseason.(Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/LANDOV)

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What’s at Stake on Sunday? - As the 49ers hit the road on Sunday to take on the Panthers, it will not only put the pressure on Newton to win his first playoff game, but also on the 49ers as they have never won back-to-back road playoff games in the postseason.(Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/LANDOV)