After attending three different youth football camps this year, Michael Vick noticed a lack of lefty quarterbacks. When around 25% of MLB pitchers are left-handed, what is the reason for this disparity?
One theory is that baseball actually steals away left-handed sportsmen. Southpaw pitchers are prized by coaches because an opponent’s unfamiliarity can lead to a tactical advantage. Last season, 26% of MLB pitchers were left-handed, against only 12% of the total US population.
But whereas being left-handed is an advantage in baseball, it can be a hinderance in football. Team schematics and receivers have to adjust to having a left-handed quarterback on the team. Whilst the receivers of a left-handed throw in baseball are opponents, in football they are teammates, which can disturb a team dynamic.
“If you’re not a prototypical quarterback who can do some exceptional things, and you’re left-handed, then you’re probably going to get overlooked,” Vick said.
In the aftermath of the 2017 season, the number of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL dropped to zero when Kellen Moore retired to coach the Dallas Cowboys.
But in spite of this, there has been a whole host of high-ranking left-handed quarterbacks. Ken Stabler, Steve Young, Boomer Esiason and Vick were all lefties.
The next left-handed NFL quarterback could rise to stardom as early as next season, with Tua Tagovailoa. The Alabama quarterback was born right-handed, but taught to play left-handed by his father, Galu.
It seems there is still plenty of opportunity for lefties in football!
For more NFL news, check out the 2019 NFL Draft In Nashville Sets New Records.
