Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL (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.

Documentary

Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

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Dave Zirin
Dave Zirin
as Self
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
as Self (archive footage)
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
as Self (archive footage)
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick
as Self - San Francisco 49ers Quarterback (archive footage)
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
as Self (archive footage)
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
as Self (archive footage)
Bill Russell
Bill Russell
as Self (archive footage)
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
as Self (archive footage)
Tommie Smith
Tommie Smith
as Self (archive footage)
John Carlos
John Carlos
as Self (archive footage)
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
as Self (archive footage)
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King
as Self (archive footage)
John Facenda
John Facenda
as Self (archive footage)
John Lennon
John Lennon
as Self (archive footage)
Shakira
Shakira
as Self (archive footage)
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
as Self (archive footage)
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
as Self (archive footage)
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
as Self (archive footage)
Alvin Roy
Alvin Roy
as Self - NFL Strength Coach (1968-77) (archive footage)
Tucker Carlson
Tucker Carlson
as Self (archive footage)
Josh Hawley
Josh Hawley
as Self (archive footage)
Laura Ingraham
Laura Ingraham
as Self (archive footage)
Boomer Esiason
Boomer Esiason
as Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage)
Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck
as Self (archive footage)
Wesley Walker
Wesley Walker
as Self - Former NFL Wide Receiver (archive footage)
Brad Leggett
Brad Leggett
as Self - Former NFL Center (archive footage)
Ray Lucas
Ray Lucas
as Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage)
Greg Gaines
Greg Gaines
as Self - Former NFL Linebacker (archive footage)
Jeremy Newberry
Jeremy Newberry
as Self - Former NFL Lineman (archive footage)
Steven Silverman
Steven Silverman
as Self - Attorney for NFL Players (archive footage)
Ann McKee
Ann McKee
as Self (archive footage)
John Conyers
John Conyers
as Self (archive footage)
Roger Goodell
Roger Goodell
as Self - NFL Commissioner (archive footage)
Gavin McInnes
Gavin McInnes
as Self - Founder, Proud Boys (archive footage)
Ray Rice
Ray Rice
as Self (archive footage)
George Carlin
George Carlin
as Self (archive footage)
Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
as Self - Green Bay Packers Coach (archive footage)
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
as Self (archive footage)
Dwight L. Chapin
Dwight L. Chapin
as Self - Deputy Assistant to Pres. Nixon (archive footage)
Joe Namath
Joe Namath
as Self (archive footage)
Dave Meggyesy
Dave Meggyesy
as Self (archive footage)
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
as Self (archive footage)
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
as Self (archive footage)
Kevin Mawae
Kevin Mawae
as Self (archive footage)
Paul Tagliabue
Paul Tagliabue
as Self (archive footage)
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
as Self (archive footage)
Bono
Bono
as Self (archive footage)
Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman
as Self (archive footage)
John McCain
John McCain
as Self - Vietnam War Veteran (archive footage)
Deacon Jones
Deacon Jones
as Self - Former NFL Defensive End (archive footage)
Kenny Washington
Kenny Washington
as Self (archive footage)
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
as Self (archive footage)
H.E.R.
H.E.R.
as Self (archive footage)
Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison
as Self - Former NFL Safety (archive footage)
Tom Brady
Tom Brady
as Self (archive footage)
Harry Reasoner
Harry Reasoner
as Self - CBS News Correspondent (archive footage)
Warren Moon
Warren Moon
as Self - NFL/CFL Hall of Fame Quarterback (archive footage)
Jemele Hill
Jemele Hill
as Self - Sports Journalist (archive footage)
Couy Griffin
Couy Griffin
as Self - Founder, Cowboys for Trump (archive footage)
Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
as Self - Hillary Clinton VP Running Mate (archive footage)
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
as Self - Former LA Lakers Guard (archive footage)
Tomi Lahren
Tomi Lahren
as Self - Political Commentator (archive footage)
Jay-Z
Jay-Z
as Self (archive footage)
Chris Kluwe
Chris Kluwe
as Self - Former NFL Player (archive footage)
Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones
as Self (archive footage)
William C. Rhoden
William C. Rhoden
as Self - Sports Journalist (archive footage)
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
as Self (archive footage)
Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton
as Self (archive footage)
Howard Bryant
Howard Bryant
as Self - ESPN Senior Columnist (archive footage)
Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
as Self (archive footage)
Randy Moss
Randy Moss
as Self - Hall of Fame NFL Receiver (archive footage)
LeBron James
LeBron James
as Self (archive footage)
Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe
as Self - National Womens Soccer League Player (archive footage)
Carl Nassib
Carl Nassib
as Self - Las Vegas Raiders (archive footage)
John Amaechi
John Amaechi
as Self - Former NBA Player, Author (archive footage)
Chris Long
Chris Long
as Self - NFL Defensive End (archive footage)
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