The Dilemma: Career Transition Of African American Male Football Players At Division I Institutions

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore and understand perceptions of African American male football athletes at Division I institutions that also played professional football, regarding their collegiate experiences and transition from athletics to post-playing careers. The study examined issues of race and social interaction, academic preparation, economic status, leadership opportunities, and the transitions from collegiate and professional sports. The participants in this study consisted of six former NFL players who attended college and played collegiately at NCAA predominately white Division I institutions in the Southern Regional Education Board member states in the United States. Using qualitative interview methods (pre-interview, focus group, individual interview), data was collected and analyzed using critical race and transition theories. The results of the analysis of the interview data identified six major themes: 1) The Importance of Football, 2) The Academic Smokescreen, 3) Issues of Race, 4) Economic Hardships, 5) Student-Athlete Rights, and 6) Difficult Transitions and Identity Issues.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. in Higher Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Leadership and Counselor Education

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Northcutt, Kellen Jamil

Contributors dc:contributor

• Timothy D. Letzring
• Brandi Hephner-LaBanc
• John Holleman

• African American
• Career Transition
• Football
• Nfl
• Student-Athlete
• Transition
• Sports Management

Repository record dc:identifier

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/626

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:egrove.olemiss.edu:etd-1625