why are tight ends white

Tight ends in the NFL tend to be predominantly white due to a combination of physical, genetic, cultural, and positional trends. Generally, white tight ends are often characterized by a body type with height around 6'5" and weight near 250 pounds, plus moderate speed (40-yard dash times in the 4.6-4.7 second range), which suits the dual roles of blocking and receiving that tight ends perform. On the other hand, black athletes tend to have physical traits that suit positions requiring more speed and agility, like cornerbacks and wide receivers. The explanation involves "comparative advantage" in physical attributes, with white athletes more likely to be stockier and stronger, qualities beneficial for blocking and the tight end position's skill set. There are also sociological factors: white tight ends often come from regions or colleges that produce more players for this position, and youth-level position assignments tend to follow established positional stereotypes and opportunities, feeding the trend seen at professional levels. In short, tight ends are more often white because the position requires a combination of size, strength, and moderate speed that aligns with the typical physical profile of many white athletes, combined with cultural and developmental patterns in football recruitment and training from youth through college to the NFL.