Former NFL Players Greg Scruggs & Michael Lehan Discuss BLM & Racial Discrimination Within & Outside of NFL

This episode of Pro Mindset Podcast, hosted by Craig Domann, a NFLPA licensed football agent, is focused on the Black Lives Matter movement, which challenges systemic racism and white supremacy. This podcast features guests Michael Lehan (former 5th rounder who played for the Browns, Dolphins & Saints) and current assistant superintendent of 5th largest school district in the state of Minnesota and Greg Scruggs (former 7th rounder who played for the Seahawks, Bears & Patriots) and current defensive line coach for the University of Cincinnati.

This episode of Pro Mindset addresses some very challenging, but important topics regarding the generational and systemic discrimination that naturally results in trauma for the black community.

Domann starts off the podcast by asking Michael and Greg about their experiences as a young black man where they were mistreated by the police force or people of authority. Michael shares several experiences where he was discriminated against and made to feel like “the other” and felt like people treated him to be “less than.” Greg expresses how racism is undeniably real, proven by many experiences that he has had over his lifetime.

Domann switches the conversation over to the NFL realm, asking both players if they had ever experienced discrimination or racism on their teams. Lehan expresses how the business structure of the NFL creates rankings of players, making it a dehumanizing culture.

Both Michael and Greg talk about the hardships of intergenerational racial trauma, which is integrated into the NFL player experience. Bringing up current events and the death of Rayshard Brooks, the players share how racial trauma is deeply rooted in black communities.

This podcast, addressing topics such as the mental, psychological influences of racial violence in life and in the NFL, the athletes express their frustration that these problems are passed down through generations, continuing a toxic pattern of making black communities feel “less than.”