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Black male college athletes historically have endured racial mistreatment, particularly at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Yet research examining how these athletes, particularly football players in Power Five conferences, experience such mistreatments and the effects they have on their psychological health and well-being has been sparse. Thus, we interviewed 13 current Black male college football players to document their experiences. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we determined that the athletes (a) believed that football defined and limited them, (b) felt misunderstood and isolated on campus, (b) were dehumanized and criminalized, and (d) were physically and psychologically exhausted from chronic racial mistreatments. There remains a clear need for clinical, policy, and systemic changes to support the mental health needs of Black male college athletes.

Conforming to masculine norms can lead to depression and anxiety in men. Athletic identity may affect conformity to masculine norms, specifically in college football players. This study explored the relationships among conformity to masculine norms, athletic identity, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being in 110 male college football players. The main findings convey as football players' conformity to masculine norms increase, their athletic identity increases while their personal growth, life satisfaction and positive relationships decrease. This was specifically true for the areas of conformity to norms related to sexual relationships, winning, and emotional control/expression; as conformity scores to these norms increased, experiences with positive relationships and personal growth decreased. Furthermore, athletes who played football longer and older were less likely to conform to the norms around emotional control, than athletes with less football experience or younger in age. No group differences were found.