Dave Zirin, the sports editor for The Nation magazine, narrates a stark portrayal of the National Football League, better known as the NFL. Using recent film clips, interviews, and historical videos, Zirin posits the NFL has always been associated with politics. Following the Vietnam War, the NFL aligned itself with the government in reinforcing militarism couched in patriotism with flyovers and military color guards. Compared to other sports, Zirin football is the one sport that widely influences American culture.
The Super Bowl continues to have a wide following on television and online—even larger than a generation ago. As the film points out, we may even think of football and the NFL as a national language or even religion. A sports fan himself, Zirin analyzes the influence of the values and ideas the NFL endorses in this impactful sports documentary.
Beginning with some history, Zirin points out football originated in America in the early 1900s to harden elite college men. “Real men” should be physically sound, tough even, and be able to take punishment; they should learn how to take a fall and get back up again. The documentary considers football as a substitute for war: brutal, violent, and ferocious. Zirin states even today, football is a way of displaying masculinity, strength, and toughness.
The fearless clashes elicit excitement in the crowd, and injuries are overlooked. Interviews with former football players attest to the fact that injuries do not go away over a lifetime. According to Zirin, the NFL kept under wraps for a long time traumatic brain injuries known as CTE.
The NFL’s brand is the shield, and Zirin uses the analogy of militarism to show that the NFL uses the football stadium as a way of promoting national pride and endorsing the military machine. Beginning with President Nixon, football games have become a source of support for war efforts.
During the Super Bowl in 1991, President Bush spoke about the brave military soldiers during the first Gulf War and the halftime show reflected patriotic displays. Zirin also discusses racial disparities within the NFL. When football quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee at a game to oppose racial injustice, the NFL accused him of disrespecting the flag and dropped this outstanding player from the team.
Following the horrific incident with George Floyd, the NFL had to reverse its stance as more and more players took a knee during the national anthem at their games. Recently, a Miami coach entered a lawsuit regarding the discrepancy in the number of black coaches versus white coaches in the NFL. With insight and commentary, Zirin points out both the NFL’s corporate culture, its values, and the struggles to improve the NFL in this critical documentary. Recommended.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
Behind the Shield is suitable for business, sports medicine, football history, social justice, and racial inequities in sports.
What type of college/university professors would find this title valuable?
College/university professors would find this title useful in discussing American culture and sports, racial and gender disparities in sports, corporate culture and values in the documentary Behind the Shield.