Rocket Men. John Eisneberg

 

Rocket Men.  John Eisneberg.

The Black Quarterbacks Who Revolutionized Pro Football. 

February is recognized as black history month.   It only seems fitting to read and review a book that commemorates the struggles and success of football players attempting to conquer the most challenging position in all of sports.    While the subject of this book is not exactly unprecedented literature anymore the topic is still of much importance among the world of athletes and sports fans alike.

Michael Eisneberg, a renowned columnist for the Baltimore Sun and author of several sports classics, explores this theme in his latest book Rocket Men.  Inside, the author takes the reader back in time and introduces several characters that set out to break barriers and accomplish the unexpected.  

The content is presented in chronological order making it easy for the reader to get a sense of how history unfolded the chain of events.   Each chapter makes a strong connection to the poor ethos of the owners of the teams in their unwillingness to admit black players to the league.    In addition, the fallout of pathos particularly pointed towards the dogged reluctance of the owners and coaches to play black quarterbacks is clearly reflected throughout the chapters as well.    History shows that black quarterbacks did not really get a shot to steadily lead an NFL team until the 1970’s.  Eisenberg relays the frustration of the former players such as Doug Williams and Warren Moon that were able to break through but not before ardent struggles with racism and discrimination along the way.

The stories get more interesting and naturally more in-depth as they get closer to the current day of football.    Eisenberg delves more into the draft experiences such as the one in 1999 where three black quarterbacks were taken in the top 10 picks.    From that point it was no longer a matter of if a black quarterback would be drafted and asked to move to another position.   Instead, it was a matter of how early in the draft they might be taken possibly even as the #1 overall pick.   Also noted was the footage the author took from several players college experiences as well.   In fact, Eisenberg provides a pretty good case study of how the college game actually influenced the pro game over the years since it was not uncommon for blacks to lead an NCAA team at the most important position.    What is more, Eisenberg notes, is that the NFL coaches and organizations started to not only warm up to the idea of drafting and investing in black quarterbacks but also changing the offense to fit their new talents abilities.   This is fairly evident with players like Randall Cunningham in the 1980’s but especially true for more recent players such as Michael Vick and currently Lamar Jackson of the Ravens.  

As one may imagine in sports-related books dealing with the topic of race and the NFL, the author included several scathing comments of the league owners and their bigoted ways.  The points made are all valid and worthy of inclusion.   At times, though, perhaps it felt a bit overdone.   Admittedly there is likely good reason for it.  The slights and narrow mindedness of the NFL and organizations should be called out by the media but the reader should be aware that the book takes many liberties in just about every chapter to perpetuate this narrative. 

The book is well written and researched.  Eisenberg composed an organized and well thought out manuscript that gives a pretty good account of players impacted by this history and how the tide is finally changing in their favor.    This book is very similar to another reviewed in this blog—Jason Reid’s Rise of the Black Quarterback.   Both are excellent and effective books.   Neither is necessarily a priority over the other but for those interested in these topics, Rocket Men is a good way to reflect on the history of the black quarterback and perhaps see where it is headed, too. 

 

·         You might like to read this book if you are a studying the history and plight of black quarterbacks in the NFL.

·         You might like to read this book If you are a professional football fan.  

·         You might like to read this book if you have a love of reading any football related book. 

·         You might like to read this book if you enjoy reading about black history and sports. 

Read more about the author on Twitter:    https://twitter.com/BmoreEisenberg/header_photo