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Article
The Paradox of Integration: Racial Composition of NFL Positions From 1960 to 2020
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
  • Guadalupe Marquez-Velarde, Utah State University
  • Rachel Grashow, Harvard Medical School
  • Christy M. Glass, Utah State University
  • Anne M. Blaschke, University of Massachusetts
  • Gary Gillette, Hidden Game Sports
  • Herman A. Taylor, Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Alicia J. Whittington, Harvard Medical School
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication Date
7-7-2023
Abstract

As highly visible organizations, professional sports teams provide a context to examine the reproduction of racial hierarchies over time. This study analyzes racial segregation/integration in the NFL between 1960 and 2020. Using data from 20,357 players, we examine the racial composition of positions in the field and how these patterns influence career length. Our analysis reveals three distinct patterns of segregation/integration over time: cumulative hyper-segregation in high-risk positions, durable segregation in high-prestige positions, and integration in hybrid positions. We consider the implications of these findings for theory and research on racialized organizations as well as for the lives of players.

Citation Information
Marquez-Velarde, Guadalupe, Rachel Grashow, Christy Glass, Ann Blaschke, Gary Gillette, Herman Taylor, and Alicia Whittington. 2023. “Racial Integration in the NFL? Analyzing Race and Position 1960-2020.” Sociology of Race & Ethnicity. https://doi.org/10.1177/23326492231182597