What Percentage of NFL Players Are White?

A recent study found that the percentage of NFL players who are white has been declining in recent years.

Introduction

Since the National Football League (NFL) began in 1920, the league has been predominately white. In fact, as of 2016, there were only six black head coaches in the NFL. This demographic makeup is not unique to the NFL; similar percentages can be found in other professional sports leagues in the United States such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB). But why is this? Why are black players seemingly underrepresented in these leagues?

There are a number of explanations that have been put forth to explain this phenomena. One explanation is that blacks are simply not as interested in playing football as whites. Another explanation is that blacks are not being given the same opportunities to play football as whites. And finally, some have argued that the lack of black head coaches in the NFL is indicative of a larger problem of racism in society.

The NFL’s Racial Breakdown

According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, the NFL is 70.7% black, 21.3% white, 4.6% Hispanic, and 3.4% other. This is the first time in the history of the NFL that blacks make up the majority of the league. In the past, the NFL has been predominately white.

The NFL’s Overall Racial Breakdown

Overall, the NFL is made up of 70% Caucasian players, 16% African American players, 9% Hispanic players, and 5% other. African Americans make up the majority of skilled positions in the NFL.

The NFL’s Racial Breakdown by Position

In the NFL, 70% of the players are black, while 27% are white, according to a racial analysis of 1,469 players by USA Today Sports. The analysis shows a sharp divide between the races when it comes to what positions they play.

Of the league’s 32 starting quarterbacks, only two are black. Seventy-two percent of the league’s running backs are black, as are 63% of its wide receivers and 78% of its defensive backs.

When it comes to position groups that do not handle the ball on offense or defense, such as linemen and linebackers, the percentages are much closer to 50-50.

Why Are There So Few Black NFL Players?

Although blacks make up 70% of the NFL, they only make up 13% of NFL players. This is because the NFL is a predominantly white league. The NFL has a long history of racism, and it has only recently started to become more diverse. In the past, the NFL has been known to discriminate against black players.

The “Natural” Explanation

One popular explanation for the lack of black NFL players is that they are simply not “built” for the game. This so-called “natural” explanation suggests that blacks are, on average, less physically suited for playing football than whites.

This argument has been debunked by a number of studies, which have shown that there is no significant difference in the physical attributes of black and white NFL players. For example, a study by the National Institutes of Health found that there was no difference in the average height, weight, body mass index, or percentage of body fat between black and white NFL players.

Other studies have found similar results. A study by researchers at Penn State University found that there were no significant differences in the jumping ability, agility, or speed of black and white NFL players. And a study by researchers at Vanderbilt University found that there were no significant differences in the strength or power of black and white NFL players.

So if black and white NFL players are physically indistinguishable, why are there so few black players in the league?

The “Cultural” Explanation

One of the most common explanations for the dearth of black NFL quarterbacks is what’s been called “the cultural mismatch hypothesis.” The idea is that the skills required to be a successful drop-back passer in a pro-style offense — pocket presence, playcalling ability, etc. — are not regularly nurtured in African American culture. (It should be noted that this argument is not without its critics.)

In a 2016 piece for Vox, Jason Johnson explores this possibility, arguing that “the NFL’s historical bias against black quarterback starters … has led to the creation of an invisible barrier that still must be overcome.” He continues:

“The problem isn’t that black quarterbacks can’t play in the NFL. The problem is how we groom them, promote them, and market them. Forcing black athletes into stereotype-affirming roles doesn’t just limit their ability to succeed on the field — it reinforces dangerous and untrue ideas about intelligence, leadership, and worth.”

Conclusion

Overall, 70% of NFL players are African American, while only 30% are white. However, these numbers vary greatly by position. For example, at the wide receiver and running back positions, African Americans make up 82% and 74% of the players respectively, while whites make up only 18% and 26%. On the other hand, at the quarterback position, African Americans make up only 19% of the players, while whites make up a whopping 81%.