The examination of sport media's negative framing of black athletes that use marijuana.

What is it about?

This article examines the ways marijuana use in connection to black masculinity is framed within sport media. More specifically, this study examines newspaper coverage and two documentaries featuring former National Football League (NFL) player, Ricky Williams. This paper uses the narratives surrounding Williams's marijuana use to discuss the difficulties in understanding the usage of the plant by a black athlete outside of negative attributes. In doing so, it makes connections to the ways in which the War on Drugs disproportionately impacts poor communities of color. It advocates that a re-reading of the case of Williams can be used to expand our understandings of black masculinity and marijuana use.

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Why is it important?

This work is of increasing importance as the US, Canada, Uruguay and other countries have begun to legalize marijuana at both the recreational and medicinal level. Historically, marijuana prohibition in the US has been based on racism, xenophobia, and sexism. These historical tropes in part help perpetuate the disproportionate impact of the War on Drugs on poor communities of color. This work seeks to reveal and challenge these historical narratives by examining how athletes of color are framed by the media when using marijuana.