Relive the Greatest Moments in Saints Football—Newly Updated! The New Orleans Saints own a rich history that reflects the unique character of their hometown—always colorful, sometimes sinful, and utterly unpredictable. In recent years, the Saints have shaken off their reputation as the NFL’s lovable Fleur de Losers and have risen to become a dangerous gridiron competitor once again. Despite the struggles of their early years, the Saints are adored and worshipped by their fans like few other teams in the league. Their diehard followers are resilient, passionate, and eternally optimistic. In this newly revised edition of Tales from the New Orleans Saints Sideline, author Jeff Duncan chronicles the flamboyant history of the franchise, its highs and lows, the great coaches and players, and the colorful characters that have made it one of the most interesting clubs in NFL history. Tales from the New Orleans Saints Sideline details the franchise’s journey from the bumbling early years under freewheeling owner John Mecom, through the misguided and madcap three seasons under Coach Mike Ditka, and the return to respectability under the wise Sean Payton. Primed and ready to achieve the glory that has thus far eluded them, the New Orleans Saints have hundreds of stories to be told, and thousands of moments to share. Now fans will relive all the greatest triumphs and most devastating defeats, and get the inside story from former Saints greats like Mora, Archie Manning, Morten Andersen, Pat Swilling, Drew Brees, and more. Without a doubt, Tales from the New Orleans Saints Sideline is a must-have for any football fan.
LSU football, a program steeped in tradition, where the fan really does come from the word “fanatic,” has a rich history, including 11 SEC championships and three national championships, the most recent of which came in 2003 and 2007. Award-winning sportswriter and Baton Rouge television personality Lee Feinswog captures the Louisiana flavor of why they say, “There’s nothing like Saturday night in Tiger Stadium,” with a book filled with stories and anecdotes about football on the Bayou. Feinswog includes tales of legendary coaches Cholly Mac (Charles McClendon), Paul Dietzel, and Nick Saban. Catch up with on-campus mascot Mike the Tiger, a real live Bengal tiger, and relive Gerry DiNardo’s best moments as head coach through these pages. Tales from the LSU Tigers Sidelines offers a unique look at the game they play in one of the largest on-campus stadiums in the country. From the spiciest tailgating to the loudest fans, LSU football is a culture unto itself, and this book is the perfect addition to any LSU fan’s bookshelf.
With roots that go back to 1953, the Indianapolis Colts are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. But the modern legacy of achievement began in 1984 when the Colts arrived in Indianapolis after a midnight escape from Baltimore. More than thirty years later, the Colts have forged an identity as one of the most dynamic, power-driven teams in football today. Now diehard Colts fans can relive all the struggles, all the passion, and all the glory of Indianapolis football in this newly revised edition of Tales from the Indianapolis Colts Sideline. Indiana sportswriters Mike Chappell and Phil Richards take readers inside the Colts’ Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center; onto the Lucas Oil Stadium sidelines; into the huddle; and inside the decisions, the strategies, the players, and the personalities that have made the Colts one of the NFL’s most exciting teams. They pay homage to Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney, and all the players who propelled the team to its Super Bowl victory following the 2006 season. And they look ahead as Andrew Luck and company attempt to bring home another title. This is the book for football fans that bleed Colts blue
The 466 men who have held the increasingly demanding and prestigious position of Head Coach in the National Football League and the two leagues that merged into it (the All America Football Conference of the 1940s and the American Football League of the 1960s) form an exclusive club. This book essentially answers three questions about every professional head coach since 1920: Who was he? What were his coaching approach and style, in terms of both leadership and gridiron tactics? How successful was he? Every entry begins with standard background information, followed by each coach's yearly regular season and postseason coaching record, and then his statistical tendencies toward scoring, defense and play calling. The entry then addresses the three questions noted above.
A continuing and on-going drama, LSU football is a string of improbable victories and sometimes valiant defeats, and within Game Of My Life: LSU Tigers the players responsible for perpetual story lift the curtain on their greatest acts. Here are the accounts of almost three dozen of the most remembered Tiger games of the last eight decades, as seen through the eyes -- and from the memories -- of some of LSU's most remembered athletes.Award-winning author and Louisiana-native Marty Muli takes you from the jumpy Ken Kavanaugh, a decorated bomber pilot who, in 1939, was nervous on his first plane ride en route to his four-touchdown day against Eastern-power Holy Cross; to the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina and JaMarcus Russell's last-gasp, game-winning touchdown pass against Arizona State for the displaced Bayou Bengals. In between, you hear from Billy Cannon as he decided to break a team rule and return a deep punt against Ole Miss. Run with Devery Henderson as he took a tipped pass out of the air to complete a 75-yard game-winning Hail Mary play with no time remaining against Kentucky. Shine with Tommy Hodson and Eddie Fuller on "The Night the Tigers Shook the Earth," as they deprived Auburn of a shot at the national title. Hold the fort with Max Fugler as he single-handedly stopped Ole Miss on four straight plays from inside the LSU 2-yard line. Carlos Carson's stunning NCAA-record five straight receptions for touchdowns against Rice; Kevin Faulk's 376 all-purpose yards to spearhead an amazing comeback against Houston; Ronnie Estay's 17-tackle game against Notre Dame; and Jim Taylor's 1957 heroics on offense and defense against Tulane to save Paul Dietzel's job -- and perhaps the '58national championship -- all appear in this volume of LSU history. Players such as Matt Mauck, Rohan Davey, and Marcus Spear also add their words to this storied collection that becomes a must-have for any true Tiger fan and Bayou football lov
Famed defensive end Bubba Smith menacing opposing quarterbacks while wearing a New Orleans Saints uniform. Bruising running back Larry Csonka breaking tackles on his way to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Future Hall-of-Fame defensive back Ken Houston returning an interception for a touchdown as the New Orleans defense sparks a victory for the Saints. All could have been possible had the New Orleans Saints front office had the scouting competence and foresight to draft the likes of Smith, Csonka and Houston. Instead, trades and draft selections for the likes of soon-forgotten players such as Gary Cuozzo, Les Kelley and Kevin Hardy helped to set a tone for futility that haunted the NFL franchise for many years. Unlike previous books about the New Orleans Saints that have either been an ode to the team or anecdotes about some of the team's more colorful characters, When the Saints Came Marching In: What the New Orleans NFL franchise did wrong (and sometimes right) in its expansion years is a comprehensive look at the crucial first five seasons of the New Orleans NFL franchise and how early decisions impacted the team. The book also takes a look at what the Saints might have done differently from 1967-1971 that could have taken the team in an alternate direction.
Even in their worst of seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles maintained their tradition of toughness. This toughness is exemplified by the greats who have put on the Eagles uniform-from legends like Chuck Bednarik and Steve Van Buren to modern-day heroes like Reggie White and Donovan McNabb.In Tales from the Eagles Sidelines, veteran football writer Gordon Forbes profiles the individuals who have thrilled Philadelphia fans since the team's inception in 1933 through its recent return to glory with McNabb at the helm. Forbes details how these men become legendary heroes, not only because of the championships they won but because of their hard-knocking style.They were relentless athletes playing in a city that has always appreciated hard, tough performers more than fancy steppers. And when the winter winds arrive and the Eagles are playing for something more than their paychecks, there is a wonderful love affair that spirals in the frosty air between the fans and their "iggles," as the team is called.Tales from the Eagles Sidelines recalls the great players and some of the not-so-great characters told in the form of flashbacks to another time. Some of the stories, like Vince Papale's Rocky-like adventures, are stirring to the soul. Others, like Fred Hill's courageous fight to save his leukemia-stricken daughter, sadden the mind. All of the individual tales, however, share a common bond. They are all about Eagles who wore the green, silver, and white and played in a very special city.
A de facto American national holiday and phenomenon, the Super Bowl claims a spot as one of the most significant sporting events in the world and the most widely celebrated, feasted and feasting event of the year— with $14+ billion at stake, commercials costing $7 million for a 30-second spot, record-setting broadcast ratings, and 113+ million viewers. More avocados (105 million pounds) are consumed, and more beer is drunk (325 million gallons) on the single day of Superbowl Sunday. But there is much more at play than partying at our annual sports extravaganza, as this scholarly researched yet readable volume demonstrates: Here you will read a historical perspective that includes discussions of the meta-event’s economics (stakeholders, host cities, advertising, gambling, and media), fandom, ratings, halftime entertainment, the roles of mythic spectacle and religion, football’s sexist, militaristic language, gender issues like cheerleaders and sex trafficking, the Puppy Bowl, medical concerns like concussions and violence, tailgating and foodie ideas—all along with tidbits about your favorite team(s) and player(s). Touchdown!
No single element or ingredient has the power to absolutely define the lasting enchantment of Oklahoma football. Decades of great successes and occasional heartbreak have spawned generations of faithful disciples, who treat fall Saturdays like sacred holidays dedicated to their heroes donning the crimson and cream. Tales from the Oklahoma Sooners Sideline offers these fans a glimpse, often with a behind-the-scenes perspective, into the tradition surrounding Oklahoma football. Dozens of stories and details describe the individual and team triumphs that commenced with the hiring of legendary coach Bud Wilkinson and continue today. This newly revised edition of Tales from the Oklahoma Sooners Sideline captures the stories from OU greats such as Pop Ivy, Bud Wilkinson, Tommy McDonald, Eddie Crowder, Billy Vessels, Prentice Gautt, Joe Don Looney, Granville Liggins, Steve Owens, Barry Switzer, Greg Pruitt, the Selmon brothers, Billy Sims, Joe Washington, Brian Bosworth, Keith Jackson, Thomas Lott, Bob Stoops, Roy Williams, Josh Heupel, Rocky Calmus, Adrian Peterson, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and many, many more. This treasure trove of history, anecdotes, and stats is sure to satisfy any Sooners fan.