Dumb Football Player Stereotypes

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College is a fun, exciting and challenging time for young adults. Trying to figure out who you are, what you want to be when you grow up and ultimately how to make it through life can be an overwhelming ordeal. In today's world with social media, movies and the news, student athletes tend to be grouped together and all given the same stereotype. African American males and white males are the most common of these athletes to have to overcome the pressure of society and their stereotypes. These different stereotypes can hinder identity development and academic success. I spoke with two different football player who have had their fair share of stereotypical obstacles throughout their college careers. Ben Hunter, 25, Birmingham, has attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham for the past 4 years. Being a football player who is also majoring in kinesiology, he has ran into several of the typical football player stereotypes. "Playing football and being in rigorous time consuming classes took a lot of work and the fact I was classified as just a dumb football player, pushed me to …show more content…

“Being an African American male starter for the football team, it is assumed that I am the best of the best.” Best attended Hillcrest-Evergreen high school where his team won the 2017 3A state championship game against Randolph County. Being from a championship winning program, his abilities are assumed for him and it is something that he has struggled with for a long time. “Being a well-known athlete from my small town has put a lot of pressure on me to succeed and if I don’t, then it feels like I am just a disappointment.” Best went on to explain that he has been in situations where he has had a bad snap or block and has beaten himself up about it due to the pressure society puts on him which ultimately leads to him putting pressure on

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