Gridiron Gauntlet: The Story of the Men Who Integrated Pro Football In Their Own Words

I am savoring this book, reading a chapter on occasion to keep my hand in the game. Each chapter is the life of an African American professional football player who came to the game following World War II. This is actually the second wave; African Americans played prior to the Depression but then lost their jobs and were banished until years later. What makes this book unique is that the story is a first person interview with the player which gives the added dimension of their voice. As I read it I am continually amazed that these men were not bitter at their treatment. What comes through is the love of the game and of the other players. Other than Marion Motley, these names are new to me and that also made the book enjoyable and one show more that I want to keep. What I would like to see now is a book about the first African American players of the game, the real pioneers that are totally forgotten. show less

As a sometime NFL fan, I thoroughly enjoyed Andy Piascki's "Gridiron Gauntlet: The Story of the Men Who Integrated Pro Football". It's about African-American men of outstanding grace, athletic and otherwise, who had the strength of character to overcome Jim Crow to become players in a very segregated National Football League.

Written as a series of oral histories, these 12 men talk about what it was like to be a highly talented athlete denied the opportunity to play professionally. They were born in the 1920's and 1930's, their families and backgrounds were varied, but they all shared a burning pride and desire to succeed. None said they wanted to play to break any color line; they just wanted to show they could play the game at the show more highest level.

They discuss having to eat, sleep, and sometimes travel away from their team members. They mention the racially charged taunts and insults, from fans, locals, opposing players, and even some of the players on their own team. If they were injured, they were cut or traded.

Almost all of them were college graduates, mostly at traditionally black colleges. I was impressed by how many were highly successful businessmen after their usually short careers ended.

A very good read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the desegregation of professional sports, or the ability of men to overcome daunting obstacles to reach the heights of their chosen profession. show less

This is a librarything early reviewers book. Spoilers don't seem possible. I found this book quite moving. It almost isn't a book, there is a short introduction and then the different players tell their stories. The editing is unobtrusive, and there aren't explanatory notes. But the stories are fascinating, these are men who have overcome huge obstacles; many of them are athletes of great accomplishment who were not allowed to play the position they were best at, or even at all. Even the "best"of the owners, like Paul Brown, had prejudices about what positions black men could play, and expected them to act in safe & nonthreatening (to white people) ways.

Definitely an interesting read and I love how it's all done by interviews, so it's first-person and through the eyes of the participants themselves. It goes beyond football and into life itself and I'm impressed by the overall articulateness of these men as well as by their maturity and perspectives.

However--and this is a big however--there needed to be photographs to link the players with a face. If the idea is to personify the struggles of those who integrated pro football, placing a few photos, not connected with names, on the cover and none near the chapter headings or anywhere else in the text doesn't do it.

A sports book for history buffs is a great way to describe this book. Though I am only now trying to "understand" and become interested in football this book appealed to the story lover in me. Twelve men share their stories of playing football during the time of segregation, describing the difficulties, but also sharing the triumphs. Whether you are a huge football fan, a fan of history or african american history this book is a good read.

Interesting to be able to read the stories as told from the players themselves, but unfortunately it's somewhat difficult to get through. The interviews were long and drawn out at times. Since they seem to have been printed in their entirety, there was minimal structure or fluidity and many times strayed away from being about football altogether. Other than writing the forward and the chapter introductions, there is little to review in the way of the author's style. Overall, I would recommend the book to anyone with an interest of early NFL history at least.

Once you begin too understand what took place before the NFL merger, the real stories in this book take you back too when men earned it, they lived it, and they saw it. Life is very tough on young men just starting out in the work place. But, back in the 40's and early 50's the work place was just that WORK--they had to earn respect on the field and off the field for it was very unfamiliar territory in those times--I learned not only about football, but about sacrafice, commitment and the sheer willingness never too give into what other people have to say--This book layed the foundation for me, to understand what it takes to overcome adversities and hold values dear to ones heart, back in the days when people were aggressive towards show more other people for no other reason but because, they were different, or they thought they were--great book. I learned a ton about what makes up the NFL today, and the leaders and the atheletes that paved the way. show less