The African American Experience in Professional Football

Since the end of World War II, African Americans have made some significant gains in professional football, particularly in the labor force. Previous scholars have suggested that the increased agitation for black political power, international circumstances, the changing attitude of whites towards blacks, and the quest for additional profits by sports entrepreneurs facilitated the process of desegregation of professional team sports. Furthermore as historian Jules Tygiel points out, the team sports industry, particularly Organized Baseball in the 1950s and 1960s, destroyed many racial barriers without the use of mass protest and federal intervention. While these forces were significant in the integration of team sports, in conjunction with the elimination of racial barriers in American society, they are generally more stated than substantiated. This paper analyzes the existing research on professional football and suggests avenues for future research.