African American punters and kickers

[hoosier]

Greg Coleman with the Vikings was another black punter, and the Bucs had a place kicker (Igwebuike?) who was black.

The soccer connection doesn't explain the lack of black kickers in the NFL. US major league soccer has to be 25% black players by now.

Kicker probably doesn't generate a lot of passion for young urban kids who are looking for a ticket out of poverty. The only position less glamorous is long snapper (how many of them are black???). Kickers also have to struggle at their trade, most of them don't get drafted and get cut multiple times before they stick with a team. If you're a kid from the inner city looking to support yourself and your family, that is probably not going to be a very appealing career path.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Blacks are only 13% of the general population. Perhaps it is true that blacks have genetic advantages for most positions in football. But kicking is a talent developed equally well by all.

74% of NBA players come from 13% of the population. That is an incredibly lucrative sport. It pays well too. There must be something inherently different about that 13% group