Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL (2022)

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.

Cast (76)CrewGenresDetailsReleasesMediaAwards

D

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)

M

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)

J

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)

A

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)

W

Wesley Walker

Self - Former NFL Wide Receiver (archive footage)

B

Brad Leggett

Self - Former NFL Center (archive footage)

R

Ray Lucas

Self - Former NFL Quarterback (archive footage)

G

Greg Gaines

Self - Former NFL Linebacker (archive footage)

J

Jeremy Newberry

Self - Former NFL Lineman (archive footage)

S

Steven Silverman

Self - Attorney for NFL Players (archive footage)

A

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)

R

Ray Rice

Self (archive footage)

George Carlin

Self (archive footage)

V

Vince Lombardi

Self - Green Bay Packers Coach (archive footage)

Richard Nixon

Self (archive footage)

D

Dwight L. Chapin

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

Joe Namath

Self (archive footage)

D

Dave Meggyesy

Self (archive footage)

George H. W. Bush

Self (archive footage)

Whitney Houston

Self (archive footage)

K

Kevin Mawae

Self (archive footage)

P

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)

R

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)

C

Couy Griffin

Self - Founder, Cowboys for Trump (archive footage)

Tim Kaine

Self - Hillary Clinton VP Running Mate (archive footage)

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