Depicting the Quarterback in Black and White: A Content Analysis of College and Professional Football Broadcast Commentary

Abstract

Previous scholars (J. Rada, 1996; R. E. Rainville & E. McCormick, 1977) have analyzed televised football, finding that there are stark differences in the ways that White and Black players are depicted in terms of innate athletic skill and perceived intelligence. This study analyzes 162 hours and 3,800 descriptors of White and Black quarterbacks in collegiate and professional football games, finding that although Blacks are still characterized as succeeding because of athletic skill and Whites are depicted as failing because of their lack of innate ability, many of the other stereotypes have improved. Using an 18-item coding scheme, the researchers uncover differences by ethnicity of athlete and ethnicity of sportscaster, ultimately arguing that although equality in depictions of athletes has not fully been achieved, progress in many areas has been found.

Keywords:

• ethnicity
• race
• sport
• television
• football

Notes

^aχ² = 6.69;df = 1;p = .01.

^bχ² = 3.91;df = 1;p = .04.

Note. 105 descriptors were not included in this table because the ethnicity of the announcer could not be determined.

^aχ² = 3.86; df = 1; p = .04.

Note. 105 descriptors were not included in this table because the ethnicity of the announcer could not be determined.