Synopsis
Well-illustrated profiles of the 50 greatest professional football players -- the original heroes and 80's superstars to future Hall of Famers, as well as 32 NFL franchise profiles and 3 essays that assess aspects of the NFL popularity.
John Maxymuk - Library Journal
This book attempts to profile the top 50 stars of the last 50 years of professional football, as chosen by a 25-year veteran sportswriter from Canada. The 50 selections are divided into two sections, Top 20 and Next 30, and are arranged alphabetically within those groupings. Of the Top 20, eight are quarterbacks, five are running backs, and only five are defensive players; the proportions for the Next 30 are similar. The profiles themselves are knowledgably written but take a back seat to the well-chosen illustrations-135 color photographs mixed with scores of black-and-white ones in a very striking layout. The book also features, e.g., "Legends in the Making" and "Franchises" (one-page summaries of all 32 teams). In short, a beautiful if not essential book that would be at home in any public library.