20 Best American Football Books (2023 Update)

Are you ready for some football? new stadiums have been built, new stars have been born, and records have been broken since the last edition of football for dummies. this new edition is the fan's ultimate, up-to-date guide to all things pigskin. perfect for new and veteran fans of the sport alike, it covers everything you need to be the most knowledgeable spectator in the stadium. with deep explanations of every position, analysis of offense and defense, and detailed strategies for play, football legend howie long and established analyst john czarnecki present the nuts and bolts of football for fans of all ages and experiences. tackle football basics and enjoy america’s favorite sport grasp the rules and regulations, positions, plays, and penalties appreciate the different aspects of the game at the professional and college levels learn about the latest nfl stadium technologies football for dummies has something to offer fans of all ages, from peewees to the pros and everything between.

The authors of the new york times bestseller 50 years, 50 moments celebrate the first 100 years of the national football league, interweaving history, personal stories, memories, and observations of some of its greatest players, coaches, and advocates to chronicle football’s amazing evolution from a fledgling regional fly-by-night operation into a multi-billion global brand and one of america’s leading franchises. over the past century, professional football has transformed from a game played in leather helmets on cow pastures to one of the most high-tech, popular sports on the planet. in this entertaining and concise history, jerry rice and randy o. williams celebrate the nfl’s centennial, bringing together colorful memories, insights, and personal experiences and observations from the heroes, losers, innovators, and defining legends who have played the game at its highest level. america's game is filled with inside stories of the league’s fiercest rivalries, closest competitions, and most memorable characters, from the early days of red “the galloping ghost” grange and “slingin’” sammy baugh to jim brown and “broadway” joe namath to lawrence taylor, jerry rice, and tom brady.cowboy fans will never forget how roger staubach’s hail mary lifted his team to a last-second playoff victory over the vikings. patriot followers will always point to the tuck rule game as a franchise landmark where adam vinatieri’s two clutch kicks in deep snow propelled his team to victory over the raiders. generations of steelers fans will celebrate james harrison’s electrifying 100–yard interception return for a touchdown in super bowl xliii. all are among the most memorable moments in nfl history. divided by increments of twenty-five years, each section of america's game includes the authors’ selections for their “all star” players and teams.incorporating rice’s long-standing, insider knowledge with williams’ interviews with those who made it happen or witnessed it firsthand—from players and coaches to broadcasters and journalists—america's game is a unique tribute to this enduring cultural phenomenon, and will become the authoritative tribute to all that is great about the sport americans—and the world—loves.the book will include more than a dozen photos.

Football is america's most popular sport: the nation is obsessed with it, and the game has spawned millions of fans worldwide. filled with facts, figures, and formations, evolution of the game chronicles the why, when, and how the game of american football developed. with chapters such as "origins of the game," "the aerial circus," and "development of the contemporary game," this unique resource traces the growth of football from its chinese origins to the fast-paced, no-huddle game of the present. with over 345 annotations and 380 diagrams, author frank francisco expertly analyzes the most innovative and lasting offensive and defensive ideas in the history of the game. lively and informative, this text also explores the unique american design, the game's steady growth, and how technologies are changing the sport at every level. for admirers of works by bill arnsparger, allison danzig, vince lombardi, and fritz shurmur, this book is the perfect addition to the library of any fan of the gridiron, whether they're a veteran coach, sold-out fanatic, or casual spectator.

The new nfl centennial edition a multi-billion-dollar entertainment empire, the national football league is a coast-to-coast obsession that borders on religion and dominates our sports-mad culture. but today's nfl also provides a stage for playing out important issues roiling american society. the updated and expanded edition of nfl football observes the league's centennial by following the nfl into the twenty-first century, where off-the-field concerns compete with touchdowns and goal line stands for headlines. richard crepeau delves into the history of the league and breaks down the new era with an in-depth look at the controversies and dramas swirling around pro football today: tensions between players and commissioner roger goodell over collusion, drug policies, and revenue; the firestorm surrounding colin kaepernick and protests of police violence and inequality; andrew luck and others choosing early retirement over the threat to their long-term health; paul tagliabue's role in covering up information on concussions; the super bowl's evolution into a national holiday. authoritative and up to the minute, nfl football continues the epic american success story.

An authorized visual history of america's most popular sport timed to coincide with the national football league's 100th anniversary, nfl 100 celebrates the history of america's most popular and highly watched sport. from its humble beginnings in canton, ohio, to its emergence as a sport cherished by millions, all the key moments and famous athletes are honored within the pages of this handsomely produced book. in addition to the lively text, and action and portrait photography, the story of the game and the context in which it grew are animated by original lists, charts, creative statistics, and infographics, along with beautiful photos of the evolving equipment and artifacts essential to the story of the sport. a perfect gift, nfl 100 will be cherished by every football fan, new or old.

How football became football traces football's evolution from a version of rugby played before a handful of friends to a spectacle played in packed stadiums before television audiences of 100 million or more. organized by era, how football became football shows how football's rules, tactics, and equipment shifted over time, as did its coaching, officiating, and fan behavior. richly illustrated and written in a fun, engaging manner, readers learn why maul-ins, puntouts and quarterback kicks disappeared from the game, as well as how helmets, end zones, hash marks, and penalty flags became part of football. walter camp, paul brown, and sid gillman receive their due, while revealing the roles played by frank birch, john lockney, and other lesser-known men who impacted the game.

Si's team of experts answer once again tackle the questions pro football fans have been debating since the pigskin started flying. who's the greatest quarterback of all time? the most dominant linebackers? in 2012, sports illustrated sought to answer this question in football’s greatest. in the past five years, new players have come on the scene, coaches have come and gone and great games have been played. through it all, si has been there, analyzing, tracking, photographing and reporting on every game as only si can. now, in football’s greatest: revised and updated, an all-new team of experts comes together to debate everything that makes football, football – whether it’s the best players, the best on the defensive line, the cheerleaders, or the stadiums, our team of experts have ranked them. once again, this is the book that's sure to end many arguments, and help start some new ones.

Young sports fans are guaranteed to love the vibrant nfl photos from the sports illustrated collection and the insider knowledge of sports illustrated kids. age: 8 years.

It’s difficult to imagine today—when the super bowl has virtually become a national holiday and the national football league is the country’s dominant sports entity—but pro football was once a ramshackle afterthought on the margins of the american sports landscape. in the span of a single generation in postwar america, the game charted an extraordinary rise in popularity, becoming a smartly managed, keenly marketed sports entertainment colossus whose action is ideally suited to television and whose sensibilities perfectly fit the modern age. america’s game traces pro football’s grand transformation, from the world war ii years, when the nfl was fighting for its very existence, to the turbulent 1980s and 1990s, when labor disputes and off-field scandals shook the game to its core, and up to the sport’s present-day preeminence. a thoroughly entertaining account of the entire universe of professional football, from locker room to boardroom, from playing field to press box, this is an essential book for any fan of america’s favorite sport.

One of the most inclusive nfl football books on the market today, it's a treasure trove of sports stories, random facts, and the most in-depth tales of the most fascinating football players who have made the nfl what it is today. starting with the foundation of the fledgling nfl in the 1920s and leading right up the thrilling finish at the most recent super bowl, the great book of football highlights the best players of every era, the games that separated the boys from the men, and the off-the-field shenanigans and twists of fate that have seen the league go from midwestern distraction to international obsession. there are lots of football books out there, but the great book of football takes you inside the action from the huddle to the locker room to the draft room to the owner's box. and every chapter ends with trivia questions that are sure to stump your nfl-crazy friends at your next sunday afternoon watch party. from red grange and sammy baugh to tom brady and j.j. watt, the best of every era is highlighted, analyzed, and celebrated. learn the secrets of the unstoppable wing-t offense; relive broadway joe's namath legendary super bowl guarantee; go behind enemy lines to witness the birth of pittsburgh's steel curtain defense; and take pride in how players, owners, and fans have responded to america's greatest battles, from world war ii to hurricane katrina to september 11. it doesn't matter if it's super bowl sunday or the heart of the offseason, the great book of football is one of those nfl football books that you just won't be able to put down.

A gift for sports fans and football afficianadosprofessional football in the last half century has been a sport marked by relentless innovation. for fans determined to keep up with the changes that have transformed the game, close examination of the coaching footage is a must. in the games that changed the game, ron jaworski—pro football’s #1 game-tape guru—breaks down the film from seven of the most momentous contests of the last fifty years, giving readers a drive-by-drive, play-by-play guide to the evolutionary leaps that define the modern nfl. from sid gillman’s development of the vertical stretch, which launched the era of wide-open passing offenses, to bill belichick’s daring defensive game plan in super bowl xxxvi, which enabled his outgunned squad to upset the heavily favored st. louis rams and usher in the new england patriots dynasty, the most cutting-edge concepts come alive again through the recollections of nearly seventy coaches and players. you’ll never watch nfl football the same way again.

In 1958, journalist neil leifer took the picture that remains one of his most famous to this day. the day he got the shot–alan ameche's game-winning "sudden death" touchdown–was leifer's 16th birthday. this game, called "the greatest ever played," signaled football's emergence as america's new national pastime; formerly half-empty stadiums welcomed sold-out crowds seemingly overnight, while football surpassed baseball in national television ratings. starting then, on any given sunday leifer was most likely shooting a football game somewhere in america… while best known for his iconic photograph of muhammad ali towering over a fallen sonny liston, it is his football pictures leifer considers his best. this collection represents the best of his best, culled from over 10,000 rolls of film on the sport. with an introduction assembled from the best football columns of the era by famed sports columnist jim murray, and incisive captions detailing the legendary players, coaches, and games, this volume carries the guts and glory of the game into the end zone.

On the heels of the successful sports illustrated 50th anniversary book comes a spectacular celebration of professional football that will be treasured by fans of america's game. with the same kind of unforgettable photographs and award-winning writing that made the si's 50th anniversary book a best-seller, this lavish coffee-table volume brings to life the bone-rattling action of nfl football and the extraordinary athletes who have made it america's true national pastime. in 256 oversized pages, the football book commemorates the dynasties and the dominating players, the crucial plays and classic games, the personalities and performances that propelled the nfl during si's first 50 years of publication, from a marginal, ragtag league to the biggest game in town.

Four years after the publication of "the football book", the "sports illustrated" editorial team that created the "new york times" best seller returns with this revised and expanded edition. with over half a million copies in print, "the football book" is the perennial favorite in "sports illustrated" highly successful series of coffee-table books released every holiday season since 2005. and this revision brings the original edition up to the minute, with 80 pages of brand-new material – including a dozen stories from "sports illustrated" best writers and more than 60 pages of spectacular new photographs of nfl action through super bowl xliii in february 2009. with unforgettable photographs, and award-winning stories, this lavish volume brings to life the bone-rattling impact and the breath-taking 'athleticism that have made pro football america's true national pastime.

Dan marino: my life in football takes fans into the private life of arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. in addition to his own personal reflections, stories, and anecdotes from his playing days at the university of pittsburgh and the miami dolphins, marino shares some of his most private moments with his family, friends, and behind-the-scenes of some of the more exciting and unusual moments that he has enjoyed. the exclusive dvd that contains never-before-seen footage of marino's high school and college playing days in addition to interviews with former teammates and coaches that aims to explain the genesis of marino's amazing talent. with unprecedented access to the hall of fame quarterback's life—from hearing stories directly from marino to seeing how the quarterback lives with his family and friends—no other book offers the insight into marino's life that this one does.

Why is a football field sometimes called a gridiron? who are some of the best left-handed quarterbacks ever? who was the first black quarterback to win a super bowl? why do players form a huddle when plays are called? when did quarterback sacks become an official statistic? what is the record for the most passes thrown by a quarterback in a game? this book provides a slew of questions and in-depth answers concerning the traditions, rules, records, and history of pro football (and more). from the early days of football to the hugely popular game seen today, wayne stewart answers questions even the most knowledgeable fan may have pondered. whether the topic is quarterbacks or coaches, famous "firsts" or memorable moments, if a who, what, when, where, why, or how? question is on your mind, this is the book for you.

Hi and a very warm welcome to "nfl (american football)". i'm one of those people who loves to hear about extraordinary facts or trivia about anything. they seem to be one of the few things my memory can actually recall. i'm not sure if it's to do with the shock or the "wow" factor but for some reason my brain seems to store at least some of it for a later date. i've always been a great believer in that whatever the subject, if a good teacher can inspire you and hold your attention, then you'll learn! now i'm not a teacher but the system i've used in previous publications on amazon seems to work well, particularly with children. this edition includes a selection of those "wow" facts combined with some pretty awesome pictures, if i say so myself! at the end there is a short "true or false" quiz to check memory recall and to help cement some of the information included in the book. please note that if you're an expert on this subject then you may not find anything new here. matt.

The first 3 books ever written about american football — in 1 volume by 3 hall of fame coaches and the man who invented the flying wedge 1 – american football, by walter camp, 1891 2 – a scientific and practical treatise on american football for schools and colleges, by amos alonzo stagg and henry l. deland, 1896 these are the earliest and most influential books ever written about football by the men who pioneered the game. their publication introduced the sport to the first generation of players and coaches nationwide. they are primary sources from the birth of the game through its development into a modern scientific sport. they also provide a first-hand living history of the evolution of the sport from rugby to amerrican football. the authors are the legendary "father of american football" walter camp, the "grand old man of football" amos alonzo stagg, innovative coach henry l. williams, and the military genius who invented the "flying wedge," lorin f. not merely historical relics, these books are filled with valuable coaching insight and timeless wisdom for football players of all ages. the all-time greatest football minds will make you a more effective coach, a better player, and an informed fan. this volume contains the complete text and all illustrations from 3 vintage books – more than 900 pages of original material – including photos, charts, graphs, and 120 diagrammed plays. a comprehensive index encompasses all three books for easy referencing. anyone who loves football will cherish this book. celebrating america's sporting heritage.

A current pro player takes fans on a pseudonymous trip through one of the most infamous years of football—the very long, sometimes funny, often controversial 2013-2014 season—sharing raucous, behind-the-scenes, on-the-field, and in-the-locker-room truth about life in the national football league.“ well, to hell with being safe. i’m going to be honest.” johnny anonymous' life goal was to be nothing greater or less than the best nfl back-up of all time. for two years, he was content earning hundreds of thousands of dollars to stand on the sidelines doing absolutely nothing. but early in his third year, a starting lineman is injured, and he suddenly finds himself on the field.for most players, this moment is a dream come true. but not so for our author, one of the incredibly rare birds in football who reach the highest echelons, but who actually hate america’s favorite game. that’s right. he hates what it does to his body, his brain, his life. luckily, he can see the humor in his own situation, but also in the machinations of the nfl.part truth-telling narrative, part whip-smart commentary that only a true insider could bring, part hilarious, nfl confidential gives football fans a look at a world most would give anything to see, and gives non-fans a wild ride through the strange, and sometimes disturbing customs and realities of football today. here is a truly unaffiliated look at the nation’s biggest, most lucrative pastime over the course of one of its most transformative seasons.from hard-to-stomach diets, showdowns in the weight room, shenanigans in the locker room, the looming dread of being cut from the team, the racial issues that still exist in modern-day football, the rock-star lifestyle that players find themselves able to afford and sometimes enjoy a little too much, the notion of being lauded in a league plagued by controversy and the sharp contrast between the love/hate of the game and the reality of the job, johnny reveals a never-before-seen side of the nfl.

Get in on all the play-by-play action of professional and college football. eight-time pro bowl defensive end, award-winning tv commentator, and action-adventure movie star howie long takes you into the huddle and onto the playing field with football for dummies, a complete look at all the plays, positions, and penalties of the game, along with plenty of game-day insight and playing-field strategies. baseball may be america's favorite pastime, says howie, but football is america's passion. from the first kickoff of the preseason to the final seconds of the super bowl, you'll have a greater understanding of the game after you've read football for dummies. from the basics of the game (are footballs really covered with pigskin? and what's a gridiron," anyway?) to offensive and defensive plays, armchair quarterbacks, and the art of staying fit, long tells all.