In the analyzed video, the Super Bowl matchup between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes is discussed. They are both star quarterbacks, have an 18-year age difference, and belong to different races: Tom Brady is white, and Patrick Mahomes is of African-American origin. The commentators of the GetUp crew also represent different racial groups. In the video, they compare the matchup between Brady and Mahomes with Michael Jordan playing against LeBron James in the NBA finals and the matchup between quarterbacks Joe Montana and Dan Morino.
This video was chosen because it addresses the matchup between the players of different races and compares it with other similar historic standoffs, which could provide the ground for racist comments. According to Alexander, “unconscious racial attitudes influence how sportswriters discuss sports issues involving race and ethnicity” (81). However, throughout the video, no racial framing devices have been detected. All commentators seemed to be neutral towards the players they discussed and the comparisons they made. Both Brady and Mahomes were presented in an equal manner, with Brady compared to Michael Jordan, “the all-time great,” and Mahomes to LeBron James, “the heir to Jordan’s throne” (“The Brady vs. Mahomes Super Bowl” 00:00:18-00:00:21). The commentators of African American origin gave no preference to Mahomes, what could have been expected.
When discussing which matchup the current one can be more adequately compared to, the commentators agreed that the Jordan against James matchup is the closest. The reasons they provided were not associated with race and referred exclusively to the facts, such as the age of players, the number of awards won, career statistics, and the style of play. Overall, the video can be deemed as neutral and free of racial framing devices.
References
Alexander, Lisa Doris. “I’m the King of the World?: Barry Bonds and the “Race” for the Record.” NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture, vol. 17, no. 2, 2009, pp. 80–89.
“The Brady vs. Mahomes Super Bowl is Like Jordan vs. Lebron in the NBA Finals – Greeny | Get Up.” YouTube, uploaded by ESPN, 2021. Web.
