Bloody Sundays
Inside the Rough and Tumble World of the NFL
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
An honest, uncensored look at the National Football League that captures the good, the bad, and the bloody. Award-winning sports reporter Michael Freeman goes were few civilians dare: inside the locker rooms, boardrooms, and everywhere in-between to offer an entertaining and provocative portrait of the National Football League.
In Bloody Sundays he dissects the NFL, spotlighting the personalities and the politics that shape the game on and off the field, exploring how the game has influenced American life and culture, and identifying the issues and challenges facing the game today—from violence on the field to the maniacal coaching methods of Super Bowl winner Jon Gruden, to physical injury and longevity, to race and labor relations. Here, too, are the legends, heroes, and plays that make the game what it is, including a groundbreaking exclusive interview with an active gay player.
Part investigative journalism, part critical analysis, and part tribute, Bloody Sundays uniquely captures the entirety of the league in all its greatness and ugliness.
What secrets lie behind the NFL’s shield?
An Active Gay Player Speaks Out: Read the groundbreaking, anonymous interview with "Steven Thompson," an active NFL player who reveals the fear, isolation, and prejudice he faces in the hyper-macho world of pro football.The Gruden Method: Step inside the 3:11 A.M. meetings and film sessions of coach Jon Gruden to understand the maniacal work ethic and obsessive genius that wins Super Bowls.Player Health in Crisis: Go beyond the official injury reports to explore the long-term impact of concussions, the abuse of painkillers, and the physical toll that breaks down the league’s toughest men.The NFL’s Unwritten Rules: From race and labor relations in the front office to the politics of the locker room, Freeman exposes the power structures and biases that truly shape the game.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Using a structure similar to George Will's Men at Work, Freeman dedicates sections of his new book to coaches, players and executives, employing their stories as jumping off points to discuss the inner working of the NFL. Employing his insider connections and investigative journalism skills, Freeman, who covers football for the New York Times, doesn't shy away from the critical issues facing the league, such as a financial system that can leave players with little money and tenuous job security or the high-profile domestic abuse cases that have become all too common among the league's players in recent years. He explores not only the health risks to players who use their bodies as battering rams but also the health issues facing workaholic NFL coaches. Given America's obsession with celebrities' personal lives, the book's most stunning revelation comes from Steven Thompson (an alias), a gay NFL player who claims there are currently "100 to 200 gay and bisexual" players in the league. Freeman reports on all these issues with passion and compassion, almost always giving thoughtful consideration to both sides of the story while also suggesting viable solutions to the league's problems. Freeman's only fumble is his "99 Reasons Why Football Is Better Than Baseball," an indication that ubiquitous list journalism has made the jump from magazines to books. Still, Freeman's courage to tackle the sport's biggest issues and his insider's expertise make this a must read for football fanatics coast to coast.
