“I Matter…But on the Football Field Most”: How School Sports Participation Shapes Black Adolescent Boys’ Sense of Mattering

“Mattering”—or feeling noticed, significant, and valued for the value we add—is central to adolescent self-concept development. School sports teams often provide spaces that cultivate this sense of mattering. In this qualitative study, conducted over two academic years (2019–2021) at a U.S. high school, we examined the nexus of mattering and athletic participation with 17 Black adolescent boys through individual interviews and focus groups. Participants highlighted the importance of athletic involvement for feeling valued for adding value, particularly by teammates and coaches, which extended to a broader sense of significance within the school community. Yet mattering sometimes coexisted with feelings of being used or exploited by teachers and coaches—what we call forms of “partial mattering”—when the physical talent of Black boys garners celebration and appreciation while their intellect and humanity remain overlooked. We conclude with insights for theory, research, and practice, emphasizing strategies to bolster Black boys’ self-concept by fostering their “comprehensive mattering.”