At the start of the 2020-2021 NFL season, there were five black kickers in the league: Cairo Santos (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Daniel Carlson (Las Vegas Raiders), Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs), Younghoe Koo (Atlanta Falcons), and Greg Joseph (Cleveland Browns).
All five kickers had made significant contributions to their respective teams in the past. Cairo Santos has had a successful career so far, having been named to the Pro Bowl and leading the league in points twice.
Daniel Carlson is notable for having nailed a game-winning 35-yard field goal against the Saints in overtime in 2019. Harrison Butker has made a name for himself since his arrival in Kansas City in 2017, having earned two All-Pro selections and a Pro Bowl nod.
Younghoe Koo made waves in his rookie season with the Falcons in 2019, making 25 out of 29 field goal attempts. Finally, Greg Joseph experienced success in his first year with the Browns, going 19 of 22 on attempts.
Why are there no black punters in the NFL?
Historically, positions like that of a punter have not been viewed as a position of athleticism or great importance, leaving some coaches to accept the opinion that there isn’t great value in having a black punter.
Couple this with the lack of historical precedence of seeing a black NFL punter and the traditional emphasis on black athletes playing more high profile,higher scoring positions make it difficult to recruit black punters.
In addition, some coaches may be hesitant to try something different, even if a black recruit at this position may have the necessary skill set. There has been a growing need for racial equality and diversity within the NFL, which has started to break down cultural and traditional expectations of teams; however, little has been done to increase the number of black punters in the NFL.
Finally, the recruitment of kickers, punters, and specialists of all colors has never been as rigorous as other positions within the NFL due to the perceived lack of natural athleticism and skill that comes with this role.
Therefore, it becomes challenging to see any real progress in diversity at the most specialized position as there is often less competition and commitment to search for quality players outside of the traditional scouting process.
Which NFL team has a black punter?
The Seattle Seahawks have a black punter. His name is Michael Dickson, and he entered the NFL in 2018 as a fifth round pick of the Seahawks. Dickson has since become one of the top punters in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl selections in his first two seasons in the league.
In 2019, he set a franchise record for the longest punt in Seahawks history (77 yards). He is also a two-time first-team All-Pro selection and has been consistently rated among the top-five punters in the NFL throughout his career.
Are any NFL kickers black?
Yes, there are several current NFL kickers who are black. In the 2020 season, notable black NFL kickers included Cairo Santos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Greg Joseph of the Las Vegas Raiders, Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, Younghoe Koo of the Atlanta Falcons, and Aldrick Rosas of the New York Giants.
While kickers, like other players in the NFL, historically have been predominantly white, the league has seen an increase in black kickers over the past decade or so. This is in part due to the development of professional kicking camps, where aspiring kickers can learn and hone the skill needed to be successful in the NFL.
Additionally, teams are becoming increasingly open to the idea of signing black kickers, as the perception of their level of play has changed.
Has a black QB ever won a Super Bowl?
Yes, a black quarterback has won a Super Bowl. The first to do so was Doug Williams, who won Super Bowl XXII with the Washington Redskins in 1988. Since then, five other African-American quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl: Steve McNair, with the Tennessee Titans (1999); Donovan McNabb, with the Philadelphia Eagles (2004); Russell Wilson, with the Seattle Seahawks (2013 and 2014); Cam Newton, with the Carolina Panthers (2016); and Patrick Mahomes II, with the Kansas City Chiefs (2020).
Additionally, Super Bowl LIII was won by the New England Patriots with Tom Brady at quarterback, who has part African-American heritage. Thus, seven Super Bowl victories have been led by black quarterbacks.
What percent of kickers are black?
It is impossible to accurately say what percentage of kickers in the National Football League (NFL) are black because the NFL does not release such information. However, as of 2019, there were only three black kickers in the NFL: Josh Lambo, Greg Joseph, and Cairo Santos.
According to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), black players make up 68. 5% of the league’s players. Therefore, black players account for less than 0. 5% of NFL kickers.
The percentage of black kickers could be higher at the collegiate and high school levels, but again, accurate data is unavailable. Generally, kicking is considered to be a predominantly white position, and some believe there are inherent cultural and racial biases that impact why so few black players pursue the position.
There is a shift occurring, however, with some coaches and organizations working to increase opportunities for youth of color to learn how to kick and to realize that there are professional opportunities available if they are willing to work hard.
It is difficult to precisely determine the number of kickers – black or otherwise – at any level of play, but we can say with certainty that black kickers remain the vast minority in organized football.
How many black NFL punters have there been?
There have been numerous black punters in the NFL throughout its history. According to Pro Football Reference, there have been at least 30 different black punters who have played in the NFL since 1948.
Five of the most notable black punters in NFL history include Reggie Roby, who spent 16 seasons in the league (1983 – 1998); Craig Hentrich, who played for 14 seasons (1994 – 2007); Brian Moorman, who was in the league for 12 seasons (1999 – 2011); Marquette King, who was active for 8 seasons (2012 – 2019); and Donnie Jones, who played for 15 seasons (2004 – 2018).
Other noteworthy black punters include Sean Landeta, Eddie Johnson, Michael Koenen, Rodney Williams, Tom Tupa, Tom Rouen, and Ryan Plackemeier.
Was there ever a black punter?
Yes, there have been black punters in the National Football League (NFL). The first African-American punter in the NFL is said to be Karl Sweetan, who played for the Chicago Bears in 1967. However, there have also been other African-American punters in the NFL over the years.
For example, Reggie Roby and Greg Coleman both played in the NFL during the 1980s, and Reggie Roby continued to play until the early 2000s. Furthermore, Marquette King recently played in the NFL from 2012-2018.
Other African-American punters currently playing in the NFL includes Tress Way (Washington Redskins), Johnny Hekker (Los Angeles Rams), and Rigoberto Sanchez (Indianapolis Colts). In conclusion, there have been, and continue to be, African-American punters in the NFL.
Does the NFL have any black kickers?
Yes, the NFL has had several black kickers over the years. The first black kicker in the NFL was Donald Igwebuike, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1985-1991. Since then, other notable black kickers have included Olindo Mare, Lawrence Tynes, and Josh Scobee.
In 2013, Cecil Shorts III became the first black college kicker to be drafted into the NFL when he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2018, Jason Myers became the first African American kicker to be named the Pro Bowl Kicker of the Year.
Myers is currently a free agent, so he’s hoping to find a new team in 2021. Overall, there have been a number of African American kickers who have made it to the NFL, showcasing the skill and talent of black athletes at every position.
How many punters in the NFL are black?
According to the NFL’s 2018 Racial and Gender Report Card, 44% of punters in the NFL are African American. The total number of black punters has increased from 12 in 2014, to 16 in 2018. There are currently 32 punters on active rosters in the NFL, which means that 16 of them are African American.
Other reports suggest that the NFL’s black punting population is around 20%, as opposed to the 44% that the NFL’s 2018 Racial and Gender Report Card presents. The highest concentration of black punters is in the NFC South, with 50% of the punters in that division African American.
The lowest concentration of black punters is in the AFC North, with just 15%.
What black person owns a NFL team?
The only majority African-American owned NFL team is the Carolina Panthers, which is owned by David Tepper. Tepper, a self-made billionaire, bought the team in 2018 and is the first African American owner of a majority ownership of an NFL franchise.
Prior to Tepper, the Seattle Seahawks were the first franchise to have an African-American minority owner with Jody Allen, sister of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, holding the stake. The Los Angeles Chargers also have a minority ownership stake held by Faye Richardson-Smith.
Including Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers, and Jay-Z, who recently purchased an ownership stake in the NFL’s newest franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.