TFG Pod: Inside the NFL’s History of Racism and Protest
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On a special Black History Month episode of The Football Girl Podcast, Melissa is joined by Dr. Louis Moore, a sports and race history professor at Grand Valley State University for a powerful lesson on the NFL’s history of integration, segregation, and reintegration.
Dr. Moore explains how the NFL we see today was built on Black activism from players and journalists, how Black athletes were horribly impacted by Jim Crow after they integrated in 1946, and how rising salaries and endorsements deals played a role in the lack of player activism from the 1970’s to the 2000’s.
Plus a look at what, if anything, can be done to remedy today’s lack of diversity in the NFL’s head coaching ranks.
Rundown
5:33: Dr. Moore Joins
6:47: The protests that sparked the NFL’s ‘Jackie Robinson moment’
11:36: How black players were treated in the newly reintegrated NFL
16:33: How the civil rights movement of the 60’s sparked player protest
22:22: Why Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling was the ultimate protest
27:53: Modern activism and how athletes like Drew Brees are getting an education on America’s segregated history
38:41: Will the NFL overcome its lack of diversity in the head coaching ranks?
Follow Dr. Moore on Twitter.
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