Directed by Darius Clark Monroe and produced by Spike Lee, this film chronicles the courageous stand taken by a group of young college athletes from the Wyoming Cowboys Football Team. Faced with racial discrimination during a prior game against Brigham Young University (BYU), a prominent Mormon institution, these African American players decided to protest by wearing black armbands during a subsequent match.
The decision to protest stemmed from the belief held by Mormons that black individuals are cursed with the mark of Cain, leading to their exclusion from full membership in Mormon congregations. Refusing to play against BYU’s team again, these athletes became known as the Black 14.
Their protest, however, came at a significant cost. By challenging the status quo, they risked their college education and potential careers in professional football. Their principled stance garnered widespread attention and sparked controversy across the state.
Ultimately, the players were dismissed from the team for violating their coach’s rules against participating in student demonstrations and forming a faction within the team. While the coach maintained that his decision was based on team morale rather than race, the administration, students, and many in the state supported his actions.
Despite facing adversity and backlash, the Black 14’s protest serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against racial injustice and the sacrifices made in pursuit of equality.
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