Black and white athletes play all kinds of sports, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, golf, wrestling, and martial arts. However, black athletes tend to stick with only half of these sports. Whether it is related to preference or culture, black athletes are not keen on all American sports. In fact, there are more than a few type of sports that black athletes stay clear of for one reason or another. With this said, black athletes are fond of football, basketball, running, and rugby. Below, you will discover more information about predominately black sports.
Why Are Black Athletes Faster Than White Athletes?
According to a 2010 study, black professional runners were faster than white runners. The study showed that out of the last 38 “world record holders,” 28 were black. The authors, Howard University researchers, determined the speedier capability of black runners was related to their body structure and center of gravity.
The researchers claim blacks have a higher center of gravity, which allows them to perform quicker than white athletes. It was also determined that black athletes tend to have shorter torsos compared to whites and Asians. The longer torso results in a lower center of gravity, according to Howard University researcher Adrian Bejan.
Basketball
Black children begin playing basketball at a very young age. These children generally know how the basic basketball moves by the time they turn 10. Basketball is accessible to all black children living in the United States. It is available through public schools, YMCA, and other public programs. It also not unusual for public basketball courts to be installed in predominately black neighborhoods. These facilities are designed to help black youth stay focused on their futures and less on what is going on in their neighborhoods.
In 2018, it was reported that 74.4 percent of black players made up the National Basketball Association (NBA). These numbers were slightly down from 2014, which was reported to be 77 percent. In 2018, the NBA was comprised of only 23.3 percent of white players.
Boxing
Boxing is another sport enjoyed by African Americans. This sport is very unique, as it is designed to help black youth stay off the streets, where crime runs rampant. There are approximately 298 black professional boxers in the United States. Some of America’s most notable professional boxers are black. Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Joe Frazier, Floyd Mayweather, and Sugar Ray Robinson are just to name a few. Most of these boxers grew up in rough neighborhoods. They found boxing to be a positive outlet from all the negative going on all over the world.
Boxing offers an outlet for anger and stress. It also enhances self-image, burns calories, and improves hand-eye coordination. There are several boxing and training gyms that are accessible to black youth. Many of these facilities offer free boxing training to its local community. One example is the Golden Gloves Boxing & Training Center. The boxing organization has multiple gyms located throughout the United States, including Indianapolis, Indiana; Knoxville, Tennessee; and San Jose, California.
When many professional boxers are not practicing and battling it out in the ring, they spend their time with family. They are also notable for playing video games on online casino and other gaming forums. Earning cash on the side is not so bad when you are doing something you love. At least, this is what most professional athletes say about online gaming.
Football
The most popular professional football organization in the United States is the National Football League, better known as the NFL. The organization has undergone major transitions over the past 100 years. The NFL has gone from having no black players to being predominately black, with approximately 68 percent of African-American players. In 2014, the organization reported nearly 68 percent of black players, 28 percent white players, and 4 percent of Pacific Islanders and Asians.
Some of the most popular NFL players are black. Antonio Brown, Julio Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and Aaron Donald. And, this is not to mention the many former black NFL players, including Alonzo Spellman, Nate Newton, Terrell Owns, Rodney Harrison, Dion Sanders, and Michael Thomas.
Afterword
Sports take black youth off the streets and out of danger. There are many organizations that have set up safe places for black children.
