How Many White Running Backs Are In The NFL?

The NFL is a league that is predominantly populated by black running backs. However, there have been a few white running backs that have made an impact in the league. In this blog post, we will take a look at how many white running backs are currently in the NFL.

There Are Only 32 Starting Running Back Spots in the NFL

In the NFL, there are only 32 starting running back spots. This means that, on any given Sunday, there are only 32 running backs who are getting the lion’s share of carries for their respective teams. And, of those 32 starters, only a handful are white. In fact, according to a recent study by FiveThirtyEight, less than 10 percent of all NFL running backs are white.

So, if you’re wondering how many white running backs are in the NFL, the answer is somewhere between 3 and 4 (depending on how you count guys like Reggie Bush and Shane Vereen who occasionally line up in the backfield but aren’t considered “starters”). That’s not a lot. But it’s also not as low as some other positions in the NFL. For example, less than 2 percent of all NFL quarterbacks are black.

The good news for white running backs is that they appear to be trending up. In 2012, there were only 2 white starting running backs in the NFL (Pierre Thomas and Mike Tolbert). But in 2013, that number jumped to 4 (Toby Gerhart, Steven Jackson, Shane Vereen, and Reggie Bush). And this season, there could be as many as 6 white starting running backs if guys like Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints), Ryan Mathews (San Diego Chargers), and Joique Bell (Detroit Lions) can hold onto their jobs. So while they’re still hugely outnumbered by their black counterparts, it looks like white running backs are slowly but surely carving out a bigger role in the NFL.

White Running Backs have been steadily declining in the NFL

Since the 1970s, the number of white running backs in the NFL has steadily declined. In 1978, nearly 60 percent of running backs in the NFL were white. By 1988, that number had dropped to just over 40 percent. And by 1998, only 22 percent of running backs in the NFL were white. Today, that number is less than 15 percent.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the decline of white running backs in the NFL. The first is the increasing popularity of passing offenses. In the 1970s, running the ball was still the predominant way to move the ball down the field. But as passing offenses have become more prevalent and successful, teams have been more likely to use running backs who are skilled in pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. And since most quarterbacks in the NFL are now African American, they tend to prefer throwing to African American running backs who they have a better rapport with.

Another factor is that many African American running backs are simply faster and more athletic than their white counterparts. In a sport where speed and athleticism are increasingly valued, this gives African American running backs a leg up on their competition.

Finally, it should be noted that while the number of white running backs in the NFL has declined over time, there are still some very successful white running backs in the league today. Players like LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte, and Arian Foster have all had great success in recent years, proving that race is not necessarily a barrier to success in the NFL.

In the last 5 years, the number of white running backs has decreased by 50%

Since 2014, the percentage of white running backs in the NFL has decreased by 50%. In 2014, white running backs made up 21% of the NFL’s running back population. In 2019, that number had decreased to 10.5%.

There are only 7 white running backs currently in the NFL

There are only 7 white running backs currently in the NFL. This number has been declining over the past few years, as the league has become more diversified. White running backs used to be the norm, but now they are becoming increasingly rare. This is due to the changing demographics of the league, as well as the changing preferences of coaches and scouts.

The NFL is becoming increasingly diverse, with running backs of all races

In recent years, the NFL has seen an influx of running backs from all backgrounds and races. While white running backs have always been a part of the league, they are becoming increasingly more common.

As of the 2019 season, there are 32 white running backs in the NFL. This is up from 27 in 2017 and 23 in 2016. The number of black running backs has remained relatively constant over the same time period, with around 60 players per season.

The increase in white running backs can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, the overall number of players in the NFL has increased in recent years, meaning that there are simply more players to choose from. Secondly, the league has become increasingly diverse, with players from all backgrounds and racial groups being given opportunities to succeed. Finally, the popularity of fantasy football has led to a greater interest in running backs as a whole, regardless of race.

Whether or not this trend will continue is yet to be seen. However, it is clear that the NFL is becoming increasingly diverse, with players of all races and backgrounds being given opportunities to succeed.