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Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

An eye-opening look at the history of politics and propaganda in the NFL.

20221h 34m

Overview

Celebrated author and Nation magazine sports editor Dave Zirin tackles the myth that the NFL was somehow free of politics before Colin Kaepernick and other Black NFL players took a knee.

Directed by Jeremy Earp
Written by Dave Zirin, Jeremy Earp
Produced by Jeremy Earp, Loretta Alper
0

Top Cast

D

Dave Zirin

Self

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Self (archive footage)

Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh

Self (archive footage)

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick

Self - San Francisco 49ers Quarterback (archive footage)

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Self (archive footage)

M

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

Self (archive footage)

Bill Russell

Bill Russell

Self (archive footage)

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Self (archive footage)

Tommie Smith

Tommie Smith

Self (archive footage)

John Carlos

John Carlos

Self (archive footage)

Themes & Keywords

police brutalitypropagandaamerican footballpatriotismnationalismconcussionracial segregationright wing extremismdomestic violenceracismmilitarismprofessional sportsus militarypolitical protestbrain injurymasculinitynfl (national football league)alsmedia & politicssports politicsculture war

About Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL is a documentary film released in 2022 exploring themes of police brutality, propaganda, american football, patriotism, nationalism, concussion. Directed by Jeremy Earp, it stars Dave Zirin, Marco Rubio, Rush Limbaugh. Celebrated author and Nation magazine sports editor Dave Zirin tackles the myth that the NFL was somehow free of politics before Colin Kaepernick and other Black NFL players took a knee.

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