CAUSAL ATTRIBUTIONS OF PERFORMANCE FOR BLACK AND WHITE QUARTERBACKS IN THE NFL: A LOOK AT THE SPORTS PAGES

Abstract

To examine the impact of race on attributions of a player's performance, 273 passages from the print media for six National Football League quarterbacks (three White, three Black) were subjected to content analyses. Three dimensions were examined for each passage: locus, stability, and controllability. Results indicated that performance by a Black quarterback was described by the print media as being due to internal, stable, and uncontrollable factors (natural ability). Performance by White quarterbacks was described by the print media as being due to internal, unstable, and controllable factors (hard work). Implications of resolving schemainconsistent information and the images of Black athletes portrayed by the print media are discussed.