Synopses & Reviews
Few people have spent as much time around the National Football League as has Dick Whittingham. He has written more than 15 books mi professional football, including the definitive histories of the New York Giants, the Chicago Bears, the Washington Redskins, and the Dallas Cowboys. "Sunday's Heroes was bom our of Whittingham's many years of researching the league and its history, and from his hundreds ot interviews with players, coaches, owners, and journalists. The finished product is a compilation ot stories, vignettes, and first-person accounts that bring to life the blood, sweat, tears, triumph, laughter, and cheers that have defined the NFL for more than 80 seasons. Pat Summerall provides a thoughtful, reflective introduction about his more than 50-year association with the NFL, and then Whittingham's collection of essays and interviews introduce the reader to the human side of the league, beginning with the legendary figures that began the league, right up to today's players and the upcoming season. Through first-person accounts and recollections, toot bull tans are able to meet and laugh with such figures as Jim Thorpe and Red Grange, George Halas and Art Rooney, Grantland Rice and John Madden, Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke, John Unitas and Joe Montana, and so many more. Whittingham's access to so many NFL greats over the years provides us access to their own thoughts and stories, putting "Sunday's Heroes in a class by itselt.
Review
"Occassionally, a book sets itself apart with both its content and its graphic presentation. This is one of those books, and to boot, one of the few that adquately deals with the early history of the National Football League. Previous histories of the game's early years have recycled the same photographs time after time, but this work features several truly unusual and outstanding pictures that this reviewer has never seen before.Whittingham, who has written extensively about pro football, interviewed many of the early figures and gathered reports on many who have died to produce a collection of anecdotes that is one of the finest books about the history of the NFL to appear in the mass market. The author is particularly adept at weaving the personal anecdote and interview with the historical record. Professional fans, no matter what their age, and even younger followers will find this to be a fine introduction to the history and people who were so important in the formation of what is probably today truly America's national pastime. Enthusiastically recommended." ~ Library Journal
Review
"Whittingham spans most of the NFL's history and prsent a collection of observations and anecdotes about many of observations and anecdotes about many of pro football's legends, including John Madden, George Halas, Terry Bradshaw, Dick Butkus, Sam Huff and Red Grange. The numerous black-and-white photos show coaches, players and scenes from key games." ~ Sacramento Bee, Allen Pierleoni
Review
"If 'old school' is hot, then this book about the NFL is trying to teach the past couple generations that the NFL is more than just a cool jersey. This oversized book is a combination picture book and narrative history of the NFL from its 'legends.' It should say something that Paul Hornung wrote the foreword, Pat Summerall the introduction and Mike Ditka the afterword. It is in very easy-to-read format that allows you to start wherever you open it. If anything, it shows you that the NFL didn't used to be the polished, made-for-TV behemoth that it is now."~ Nashville Tennessean, Bill Bradley