Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL

An eye-opening look at the history of politics and propaganda in 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.

Documentary

Dave Zirin

(Self)

Marco Rubio

(Self (archive footage))

Rush Limbaugh

(Self (archive footage))

Colin Kaepernick

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

Donald Trump

(Self (archive footage))

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

(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 Facenda

(Self (archive footage))

John Lennon

(Self (archive footage))

Shakira

(Self (archive footage))

Snoop Dogg

(Self (archive footage))

Dr. Dre

(Self (archive footage))

Mary J. Blige

(Self (archive footage))

Alvin Roy

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

Tucker Carlson

(Self (archive footage))

Josh Hawley

(Self (archive footage))

Laura Ingraham

(Self (archive footage))

Boomer Esiason

(Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage))

Andrew Luck

(Self (archive footage))

Wesley Walker

(Self - Former NFL Wide Receiver (archive footage))

Brad Leggett

(Self - Former NFL Center (archive footage))

Ray Lucas

(Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage))

Greg Gaines

(Self - Former NFL Linebacker (archive footage))

Jeremy Newberry

(Self - Former NFL Lineman (archive footage))

Steven Silverman

(Self - Attorney for NFL Players (archive footage))

Ann McKee

(Self (archive footage))

John Conyers

(Self (archive footage))

Roger Goodell

(Self - NFL Commissioner (archive footage))

Gavin McInnes

(Self - Founder, Proud Boys (archive footage))

Ray Rice

(Self (archive footage))

George Carlin

(Self (archive footage))

Vince Lombardi

(Self - Green Bay Packers Coach (archive footage))

Richard Nixon

(Self (archive footage))

Dwight L. Chapin

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

Joe Namath

(Self (archive footage))

Dave Meggyesy

(Self (archive footage))

George H. W. Bush

(Self (archive footage))

Whitney Houston

(Self (archive footage))

Kevin Mawae

(Self (archive footage))

Paul Tagliabue

(Self (archive footage))

George W. Bush

(Self (archive footage))

Bono

(Self (archive footage))

Pat Tillman

(Self (archive footage))

John McCain

(Self - Vietnam War Veteran (archive footage))

Deacon Jones

(Self - Former NFL Defensive End (archive footage))

Kenny Washington

(Self (archive footage))

John F. Kennedy

(Self (archive footage))

H.E.R.

(Self (archive footage))

Rodney Harrison

(Self - Former NFL Safety (archive footage))

Tom Brady

(Self (archive footage))

Harry Reasoner

(Self - CBS News Correspondent (archive footage))

Warren Moon

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

Jemele Hill

(Self - Sports Journalist (archive footage))

Couy Griffin

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

Tim Kaine

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

Kobe Bryant

(Self - Former LA Lakers Guard (archive footage))

Tomi Lahren

(Self - Political Commentator (archive footage))

Jay-Z

(Self (archive footage))

Chris Kluwe

(Self - Former NFL Player (archive footage))

Jerry Jones

(Self (archive footage))

William C. Rhoden

(Self - Sports Journalist (archive footage))

Alicia Keys

(Self (archive footage))

Al Sharpton

(Self (archive footage))

Howard Bryant

(Self - ESPN Senior Columnist (archive footage))

Jon Gruden

(Self (archive footage))

Randy Moss

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

LeBron James

(Self (archive footage))

Megan Rapinoe

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

Carl Nassib

(Self - Las Vegas Raiders (archive footage))

John Amaechi

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

Chris Long

(Self - NFL Defensive End (archive footage))