Experience of Media and Race in the National Football League: An Existential Phenomological Study

Over 70% percent of the current National Football League (NFL) population is of African-American descent (Lapchick, 2007). Moreover, there is a disparity between sport analyst with 74% of the radio and television announcers being White, and 12% being Black (Lapchick 2006). Thus, the purpose was to examine African-American NFL players on their experiences of media interaction from a phenomenological perspective and veteran NFL reporters experiences of interacting with African-American NFL players. This study consisted of one open-ended question for each population. Data was transcribed and analyzed, and themes were identified. Themes for the NFL players consisted of a) how media coverage affects the player, b) perceptions of media personnel, c) Black quarterbacks. Identified themes for the veteran sport reporters consisted of a) how the media covers the NFL, b) interrelationships between the media and African-American NFL players, c) pressures of being a media professional, d) playing quarterback in the NFL