Tracie Canada

Tracie Canada, an Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University, shines a light on the hidden struggles of Black college football players. She discusses how these athletes navigate a system that commodifies them, revealing the painful discrepancies between the sport's glamorous image and their harsh realities. Through exploring themes of race, familial support, and the everyday resistance to exploitation, Canada emphasizes the strong kinship bonds among players and critiques the misleading narratives surrounding college football.

Cultural anthropologist Tracie Canada sheds light on the complexities of race, labor, and power within football. She discusses how Black players are often funneled into demanding positions from a young age, affecting their health and career longevity. Canada highlights disparities in athletic scholarships and the hidden costs faced by student-athletes. The conversation also addresses the precarious nature of NFL contracts and systemic barriers that contribute to the undervaluation of players, emphasizing the urgent need for reform and accountability in the sport.