The Undefeated Reports: NFL Fans and the Racial Divide

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The Undefeated Reports: NFL Fans and the Racial Divide

New SurveyMonkey poll commissioned by The Undefeated reveals deep split over national anthem protests and Rooney Rule

The Undefeated, ESPN’s content initiative exploring the intersections of sports, race and culture, published the final installment of its season-long “State of the Black NFL Fan” series today. The results of the SurveyMonkey poll commissioned by The Undefeated revealed a ‘deep racial divide over how the National Football League is viewed’.

Poll results of note:

  • Among black respondents, 45 percent strongly support the policy of having a rule intended to promote diversity. Only 26 percent of white respondents do.
  • Eleven percent of black respondents consider NFL players who kneel during the singing of the national anthem as unpatriotic. Among whites, the number is 44 percent.
  • Among black respondents, 59 percent strongly support NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and economic inequality. Only 24 percent of white fans do.

Click here for the full report.

The Undefeated began reporting the “State of the Black NFL Fan” in August 2018. The series featured an in-depth examination of black NFL fans and their reaction to the league’s handling of protests for social justice by the players, including the impact of the national debate on fans.

The Undefeated’s senior NFL writer Jason Reid reported the series. Some highlights:

 

Other notable NFL pieces reported recently by The Undefeated:

 

The Undefeated is ESPN’s multiplatform content initiative exploring the intersections of sports, race and culture. The digital hub, TheUndefeated.com, which launched in May 2016, combines innovative long-form and short-form

In addition to its cutting-edge content, The Undefeated seeks to be a thought-leader on race, sports and culture in the country – convening insightful forums to discuss and debate topical issues affecting sports and race in America.

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