The NAACP is asking some of the nation’s most sought-after Black college athletes to think beyond football stadiums and consider the political implications of where they choose to play.
The civil rights organization recently launched its “Out of Bounds” campaign, an initiative aimed at encouraging elite recruits to reconsider attending flagship public universities in Southern states that have taken steps to weaken Black voting power through congressional redistricting.
The Root spoke exclusively with NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who said the campaign is a direct response to what the organization views as a coordinated effort across former Confederate states to diminish the ability of Black communities to elect candidates of their choice.
“As a result of the Supreme Court decision (Louisiana v. Callais), we recognized that many Southern states began taking immediate actions to redraw congressional district lines so African Americans could not elect candidates of choice,” Johnson told The Root in an interview. “It’s a direct attack on Black political power and our ability to fully engage.”
The “Out of Bounds” campaign specifically targets flagship state-funded universities that generate significant athletic revenue, particularly through football programs. Johnson argues that many of these institutions benefit financially from Black athletic talent while operating in states that are simultaneously restricting Black political influence.
“We’re saying to recruits that if Alabama is recruiting you, if LSU is recruiting you, there are likely schools outside of these states recruiting you as well,” Johnson said. “We’re not asking any young person or family to miss out on opportunities. We’re simply saying you have options.”
While some critics have characterized the initiative as a boycott, Johnson rejects that description.
“We never called for a boycott. That’s news language,” he said. “We’re asking young people and families to consider their options.”
The campaign has generated significant discussion within sports and political circles, particularly regarding its potential impact on student-athletes and their families. Johnson emphasized repeatedly that the NAACP is not asking athletes to sacrifice scholarships, NIL opportunities, or professional aspirations. In fact, he argues that many of the elite athletes being recruited by Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools have opportunities elsewhere that could be equally, if not more, lucrative.
“If a child leaves an SEC school and decides to go to a Big Ten school, it’s more money, not less,” Johnson said. “Nothing that we’re asking a child or a family to do requires a sacrifice. We’re simply saying they have options.”
Johnson said the NAACP deliberately avoids recruiting teenagers into political advocacy efforts without first consulting their families, adding that the organization is working with families and experts to ensure their decisions are informed.
“I’m a parent,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t want an organization talking to my 17, 18, or 19-year-old child without consulting me. We’re talking to parents because ultimately they’re helping inform these decisions.”
“Out of Bounds” arrives at a time when the intersection of sports, politics, and social activism is evolving. Johnson pointed to historical examples of athletes using their platforms to advocate for civil rights, including Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Colin Kaepernick.
“Sports have always been a tool to make critical political points when needed,” Johnson said. “All we’re saying is you have a platform, you have a voice, and you can choose to use that voice.”
The NAACP’s concerns come amid ongoing legal and political battles over congressional district maps across several Southern states. Johnson specifically referenced Alabama, where the Supreme Court ruled in favor of adopting a Republican led congressional map, after a back-and-forth between courts for several years.
For Johnson, the “Out of Bounds” campaign represents just one part of a broader strategy to address what he sees as a long-term challenge to Black political participation.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said. “A Supreme Court decision can be in place for 10 years or more. However long it takes to restore our ability to elect candidates of choice, that’s how long this fight will continue.”
While the campaign’s ultimate impact remains to be seen, Johnson believes the conversation itself is necessary. He argues that Black communities cannot afford to ignore what he describes as a pivotal moment in the struggle for voting rights. As recruiting seasons continue and families weigh scholarship offers from across the nation, the NAACP hopes its message resonates beyond the playing field.
“We are in the fight,” Johnson said. “People are trying to retrofit us into a reality that we fought hard to get out of. We cannot be distracted or delayed in our response. We are all that we have. We must stick together, stay together, and fight together.”
Cody D. is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, producer, and media personality with over a decade of experience shaping the narrative of the modern South. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, her career spans digital news, radio, and TV production. A Syracuse University Master of Science in Communications graduate, Cody has built a reputation for sharp commentary and sophisticated storytelling.
She currently works as the host of the ‘Beyond the Timeline’ podcast and as a contributor to The Root.
