Black Athletes Face Harsher Penalties for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

You've seen the touchdown dances and the back flips after an athlete scores points. However, researchers argue that Black athletes face penalties more frequently than other players in professional sports leagues.



Roddy White celebrating a touchdown.

A Northwestern University study notes that although only 62% of NFL athletes are Black, 92% of all unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are called against Black players. The researchers believe that because Black people are from traditionally defined 'low-status' groups, when they display behavior more typical for "high-status" groups, such as acts of arrogance and confidence, they are judged more harshly.  

The concept of excessive reprimanding of Black players is known as the 'hubris penalty.' The theory behind the 'hubris penalty' is that behavior is judged based on a combination of the type of act performed and the type of person performing the act. And in the NFL, it seems that Black players face harsher referees.

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