The second theme I developed from my content analysis was minority representation. What I mean by this is that in the media coverage of quarterbacks, minority analysts tend to represent minority quarterbacks in the NFL. My data showed that there was a total of ten minority speakers for minority quarterbacks as opposed to seven white speakers for the minority quarterbacks. This allows for the possibility for ESPN to appear as equitable, as if a minority analyst criticized a Black quarterback, accusations of racism and bias could be less plausible. This could also create the possibility for Black quarterbacks to receive less favorable coverage from minority analysts who may feel that they must be more critical as opposed to praising Black quarterbacks to avoid claims of bias. This has been reflected in my data analysis, as analysts such as Stephen A. Smith have put high frequencies of criticism on Black quarterbacks. Interestingly, more minority analysts have also been covering white quarterbacks, with twelve minority analysts and nine white analysts covering them.
The first image I would like to present is a segment on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. In this image there are three Black analysts, and one white analyst, with only one speaker, Booger Mcfarland (Black), having spoken in the segment. This segment led to a negative back pedaling incident having occurred, such as that passing the football should be easy for Jackson due to his elite athleticism that makes for a great running game. This also led to a high frequency to stereotypical remarks. This included talking points of Jackson’s potential for explosion and physical dominance (Black physicality), but his tendency to be predictable (lack of intelligence).
Title: McFarland: Ravens Offense Needs Philosophical Change to be Elite
Author: ESPN, https://www.espn.com/
Source: https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/31651108
License: Unknown
The next image is interesting as it shows a direct comparison of the coverage of a white and Black Quarterback by a minority analyst, and how racial stereotypes can result from this type of coverage. This segment featured both Tom Brady and Cam Newton. The segment was covered by two minorities analysts, with one main speaker, Ryan Clark. Clark gave both quarterbacks a high vote of confidence, but for two different reasons that could fall in line with stereotypes. Clark said that Brady will excel in an unfamiliar environment after signing with a new team for the first time in his high twenty-year career, as he will throw many touchdowns as he done in the past. Newton’s coverage was also in a positive tone, but it was for a different reason, as Clark said that Newton will help his new team’s offense evolve because of his impact on the run game. While both remarks were in a positive tone, Clark pointed out Brady’s intelligence with his ability to score points with his brain and arm (intelligence), while Newton can score points with his ability to run with the football (athleticism). These remarks were misleading on their own as they appear to be compliments to both quarterbacks, but they follow racial stereotypes of white intelligence and Black physicality. These remarks are also relative to one of my literature review’s themes of racial representation in sports.
Title: Which QBs in New Places Will Thrive and Struggle?
Author: ESPN, https://www.espn.com/
Source: https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/29831656
License: Unknown
The final image may be misleading based upon its appearance. This is a segment was about Kirk Cousins and his Covid-19 stance. In this segment Cousins was represented by four analysts, as three were white and one was black. The Black analyst is the only one to speak on Cousins during the segment even though there are four analysts in total. Cousins received criticism for his lack of empathy towards the virus, which was then surrounded with an environment of positive back pedaling, as our Ryan Clark goes back on his original critical statement when he said that Cousins is a good football player and that it is not time to criticize his political stance. He also engaged in positive back pedaling when Clark first said that Cousins is not a tough guy, but he is a good quarterback. Both of these forms of back pedaling possibly took attention away from his criticisms. The white analysts did not make mention of Cousins, allowing themselves to remain neutral on the subject.
Title: Clark Frustrated by Lack of Empathy in Cousins’ Coronavirus Comments
Author: ESPN, https://www.espn.com/
Source: https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/29793557
License: Unknown