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NFL century : the one-hundred-year rise of America's greatest sports league
2019
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Library Journal Review
Author Horrigan worked for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 42 years, serving as the executive director before his recent retirement. As such, he is intimately acquainted with the history of the NFL and here offers something of a swan song of his accumulated knowledge, recounting the league's first 100 years by primarily concentrating on ownership and league management, with less focus on games, seasons, teams, and players. Many of the stories and figures have been oft-told, but Horrigan includes unique connections and little-known facts to make the familiar seem new. With some tales, however, he casts new light on details forgotten with the passage of time. Horrigan does not deal with player health and aging concerns but identifies three recurring themes evident in the first century of the league: player salary demands, player movement restrictions, and college football player eligibility issues. These themes reverberate throughout. VERDICT This engagingly written chronicle of the most powerful and influential sports league in American history should be of wide interest.
Publishers Weekly Review
Horrigan, curator of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, delivers an expansive and celebratory history of the NFL. He takes readers from the rough and tumble origins of professional sports beginning in the 1890s, through the founding of the first football league in 1920, and on to current issues, including players' increasing salary demands and college eligibility, which determines when players can be considered for the NFL draft. Horrigan's work is expansive without being dry as he considers such sports notables as Red Grange, the "Galloping Ghost" who played halfback for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s, and Johnny Unitas and his historic Colts teams of the 1960s. He also delves with exacting detail into the controversies the league has faced, including how commissioner Pete Rozelle forced the Redskins to integrate in 1962 and how current commissioner Roger Goodell handled the New England Patriots "Spygate" saga of 2007, but Horrigan notably avoids current controversies involving concussions or players kneeling during the national anthem. Even so, sports fans will find plenty to sink their teeth into, as Horrigan provides detailed and lively depictions of stars and coaches from various teams, including Joe Namath and the Jets' legendary Super Bowl III triumph, the successes of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins, and the recent Patriots dynasty. This fast-paced history will thrill football fans of all allegiances. (Aug.)
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