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.
Writing
Zirin's archival receipts hit harder than any linebacker.
Direction
Earp weaves military-NFL propaganda footage with devastating precision.
Editing
Juxtaposition of 'Support the Troops' ads with concussion science—brutal.
Director
Jeremy Earp
Marco Rubio
Self (archive footage)
Rush Limbaugh
Self (archive footage)
Colin Kaepernick
Self - San Francisco 49ers Quarterback (archive footage)
Donald Trump
Self (archive footage)
Bill Russell
Self (archive footage)
Muhammad Ali
Self (archive footage)
Tommie Smith
Self (archive footage)
John Carlos
Self (archive footage)
Jackie Robinson
Self (archive footage)
Billie Jean King
Self (archive footage)
John Lennon
Self (archive footage)
Shakira
Self (archive footage)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'paid patriotism' scandal forced the Pentagon to return over $700,000 to taxpayers after this film's research went public.
Zirin became the first sports writer in 50 years to address the NFL's racial labor history with this level of archival specificity—no wonder they don't invite him to press conferences.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
