Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

94 mins | Documentary | Sept. 23, 2022

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.

Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

94 mins | Documentary | Sept. 23, 2022

Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL
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.
Producers Media Education Foundation
Original title Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL
Directors Jeremy Earp
Writers Dave Zirin, Jeremy Earp

Cast

Dave Zirin

as Self

Marco Rubio

as Self (archive footage)

Rush Limbaugh

as Self (archive footage)

Colin Kaepernick

as Self - San Francisco 49ers Quarterback (archive footage)

Donald Trump

as Self (archive footage)

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

as Self (archive footage)

Bill Russell

as Self (archive footage)

Muhammad Ali

as Self (archive footage)

Tommie Smith

as Self (archive footage)

John Carlos

as Self (archive footage)

Jackie Robinson

as Self (archive footage)

Billie Jean King

as Self (archive footage)

John Facenda

as Self (archive footage)

John Lennon

as Self (archive footage)

Shakira

as Self (archive footage)

Snoop Dogg

as Self (archive footage)

Dr. Dre

as Self (archive footage)

Mary J. Blige

as Self (archive footage)

Alvin Roy

as Self - NFL Strength Coach (1968-77) (archive footage)

Tucker Carlson

as Self (archive footage)

Josh Hawley

as Self (archive footage)

Laura Ingraham

as Self (archive footage)

Boomer Esiason

as Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage)

Andrew Luck

as Self (archive footage)

Wesley Walker

as Self - Former NFL Wide Receiver (archive footage)

Brad Leggett

as Self - Former NFL Center (archive footage)

Ray Lucas

as Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage)

Greg Gaines

as Self - Former NFL Linebacker (archive footage)

Jeremy Newberry

as Self - Former NFL Lineman (archive footage)

Steven Silverman

as Self - Attorney for NFL Players (archive footage)

Ann McKee

as Self (archive footage)

John Conyers

as Self (archive footage)

Roger Goodell

as Self - NFL Commissioner (archive footage)

Gavin McInnes

as Self - Founder, Proud Boys (archive footage)

Ray Rice

as Self (archive footage)

George Carlin

as Self (archive footage)

Vince Lombardi

as Self - Green Bay Packers Coach (archive footage)

Richard Nixon

as Self (archive footage)

Dwight L. Chapin

as Self - Deputy Assistant to Pres. Nixon (archive footage)

Joe Namath

as Self (archive footage)

Dave Meggyesy

as Self (archive footage)

George H.W. Bush

as Self (archive footage)

Whitney Houston

as Self (archive footage)

Kevin Mawae

as Self (archive footage)

Paul Tagliabue

as Self (archive footage)

George W. Bush

as Self (archive footage)

Bono

as Self (archive footage)

Pat Tillman

as Self (archive footage)

John McCain

as Self - Vietnam War Veteran (archive footage)

Deacon Jones

as Self - Former NFL Defensive End (archive footage)

Kenny Washington

as Self (archive footage)

John F. Kennedy

as Self (archive footage)

H.E.R.

as Self (archive footage)

Rodney Harrison

as Self - Former NFL Safety (archive footage)

Tom Brady

as Self (archive footage)

Harry Reasoner

as Self - CBS News Correspondent (archive footage)

Warren Moon

as Self - NFL/CFL Hall of Fame Quarterback (archive footage)

Jemele Hill

as Self - Sports Journalist (archive footage)

Couy Griffin

as Self - Founder, Cowboys for Trump (archive footage)

Tim Kaine

as Self - Hillary Clinton VP Running Mate (archive footage)

Kobe Bryant

as Self - Former LA Lakers Guard (archive footage)

Tomi Lahren

as Self - Political Commentator (archive footage)

Jay-Z

as Self (archive footage)

Chris Kluwe

as Self - Former NFL Player (archive footage)

Jerry Jones

as Self (archive footage)

William C. Rhoden

as Self - Sports Journalist (archive footage)

Alicia Keys

as Self (archive footage)

Al Sharpton

as Self (archive footage)

Howard Bryant

as Self - ESPN Senior Columnist (archive footage)

Jon Gruden

as Self (archive footage)

Randy Moss

as Self - Hall of Fame NFL Receiver (archive footage)

LeBron James

as Self (archive footage)

Megan Rapinoe

as Self - National Womens Soccer League Player (archive footage)

Carl Nassib

as Self - Las Vegas Raiders (archive footage)

John Amaechi

as Self - Former NBA Player, Author (archive footage)

Chris Long

as Self - NFL Defensive End (archive footage)