“Between the Lines,” a five-part miniseries from The Athletic, explores what it means to be Black in the N.F.L. The first episode premieres on February 14.a new podcast series from The Athletic, dives into what it means to be Black in the N.F.L. and explains how race impacts each level of the league’s organization chart., a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Las Vegas Raiders, interviews more than two dozen current and former N.F.L.
From coaches who have quit their jobs due to a lack of advancement to players who have struggled to speak out for fear of being cut, Tashan takes us through the N.F.L.’s past and present issues with race, as well as the changes that may be possible to make America’s biggest game more equitable. “The N.F.L. is far from the only entity with a diversity problem — the media industry is another prime example — but it’s one of the most successful, prominent and influential businesses in America,” said Tashan. “If it allows the issue to persist, it’s culpable in helping maintain the structure of systemic racism, discrimination and oppression that’s held this country in its grip for centuries. But if it’s able to cultivate some sustained progress, it could become a beacon for change.
“Through several revealing and emotional interviews, Tashan takes listeners deep inside the N.F.L. and the diversity issues it grapples with,” said Mike Smeltz, The Athletic’s executive producer of narrative podcasts. “Tashan imbues the series with his own life experiences, making ‘Between the Lines’ a unique and essential listen for football fans.”
Tashan Reed joined The Athletic in the summer of 2018. A native of Ferguson, Mo., he covered the Florida State football program in Tallahassee, Fla., for two seasons before relocating to Las Vegas to become the Raiders beat writer in 2020. Tashan graduated summa cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia in the spring of 2018.” feed. New episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays, with the final two episodes dropping on March 7.