How Black Athletes are Exploited
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The black athlete is an iconic image of masculinity in America, and in many communities, black or otherwise, the men who find success at the highest levels of professional athletics are idolized. However, the space that these athletes inhabit is much more complex and perilous than the celebrity image of pro sports lets on. In fact, from the time that many of these men were children, they have had to build up a mindset to harden them against the inconceivable challenges that they need to go through to make it to the highest levels.
In this video, F.D examines what that process looks like and dives into some of the uglier parts of prep, collegiate, and pro sports to unearth what is happening off the court and away from the field for black male athletes.
00:00 Opening thoughts
07:42 Childhood and Prep Sports
25:20 College Sports
47:57 Pro Sports
1:02:06 Final Thoughts
Flem Lo Raps- https://www.youtube.com/c/FlemLoRaps
Arian Foster- https://www.youtube.com/c/bobbyfeeno
Elvian Brule- https://alviannebrule.com/
Crazy College Football Stories- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4AhABManTw
NCAA Scandals- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qm-P2foSE4
Other NFL Nonsense- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q-iN8LZ7Yo
David Bliss Scandal- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YevE6R5Pw_Y
Song- Matt Large, The Marathon Will Continue- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQQjomDUO1Y
@bslick216
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
It’s crazy, because as a kid who loved sports, particularly basketball, I never thought about things this way. In fairness to other races, I think this is a class issue. The super tall white guys are being looked at the same way super tall black guys are. Personally I saw a kid who literally never played basketball until he was 10, that was super tall for his age. He was white. His dad (who I’m assuming didn’t have custody prior to this age), had him in basketball all day everyday from that time forward. When he started I was much better than him. He got better than me and good enough to get a scholarship to the university of San Diego. He never panned out. Never made the nba, and barely played in college. I saw him in high school. He was a cocky jock type of dude. That being said, I’m not sure if he really wanted to pursue playing the sport or if it was solely due to him being put in it by his dad because he was tall. I do agree that by the numbers this issue affects black kids more than any other race. That being said, I think this is 100% on the parents. They’re the ones encouraging it, and the ones the kids look up to in the end for approval. Definitely understandable why parents would feel it’s their ticket out of poverty to have their son pursue sports. At the same time I think it’s all based on class factors regardless of race. This problem exists despite what race of child is involved.
@Nate-er4pn
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
❤
@Alexandria.Washington
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
NFL and NBA Player’s IQ < 65
@esmeraldalopez4684
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
Thank u for this video 👍🏼
@joecobb1796
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
Coming back to the topic, how do you feel NIL’s play a factor now?
@rapsteelo2621
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
“The real challenge is how we look at CAPITALISM”
@bluecat124-h6y
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
😊
@QTNksport15
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
The NCAA system isn't designed to for athletes to focus on academics. Even if you're a student-athlete on scholarship but have strong academic goals, practice and travel schedules dictate the courses you can take which can limit what majors you can study.
@Msegura18
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
Dude. We went to the same high school. Eddy Curry was was a Junior or Senior when i was in. Thats crazy.
@tfottanks4015
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
one of my favorite content creators <3
@pensarebasketball
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
I think this is the most important channel on YouTube. Thank you for everything you do.
@marshatacaradine9459
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
"Today the NCAA Presidents Commission is preoccupied with tightening a few loose bolts in a worn machine, firmly committed to the neo-plantation belief that the ENORMOUS proceeds from college games belong to the overseers (administrators) and supervisors (coaches). The plantation workers performing in the arena only receive those benefits authorized by the overseers." Walter Byers, Former NCAA President (From His 1997-Memoir)
“Our presence in this country terrifies every white man walking,” Baldwin said to the crowd. “They needed us for labor and for sport, now they can’t get rid of us. … We cannot be exiled, and we cannot be accommodated. Now, something’s got to give.” James Baldwin
@Lamont4D
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
I didn’t care much for sports as a black kid bc I was “supposed” to like sports. I like sports now that I don’t have the pressure to, but I’m still not big on it.
@HarliQuinzel
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
I'm late because I'm not into sports, but this played today, and I got sad over Eddie's story. It's similar to my brother's. He just wants to play his video games and do security. But tha doesn't stop people from coming up to him, wondering why he's not on the Eagles or Sixers😂
@royaljuiice3185
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
“You cant be putting on camera” bro what😂😂😂
@e.s.693
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
at 41:22 did you meant Michigan STATE University? Nassar was their sports doctor. Plus, from what I know, he targeted women gymnast.
@chip1464
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
We all here for michael jordan right
@Crucifixow
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
6:33 TEXANS LFG
@hjl3557
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
Kirkwood appearance ❤
@franksherman9187
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
Its really surprising that he has never talked about Jon jones
@forestcult7780
August 10, 2026 at 9:28 am
I knew something about Fantasy Football felt off