It makes sense that Black players in the NFL think Black head coaches feel extra pressure. According to an AP tally, eight of the league’s 19 head coaches — 42% — who were fired after their first full season since 2000 were Black.

An Associated Press survey of more than 65 Black players from 25 NFL teams found that about 36% were discouraged or disappointed by the number of Black coaches in the league.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin paused for a moment to think while speaking to a reporter after a practice this season. McLaurin, like the majority of NFL players, is Black, and, like some of his colleagues,