American Kings. Seth Wickersham.
A Biography of the Quarterback.
It is no secret that the most important, perhaps difficult position
to play in all sports happens to be the most important position in the game of
football as well. We are talking about
the quarterback. With the responsibilities,
and for those that can master the many challenges, comes a kind of “magic” that
is nearly indescribable to those that have never played the position. Magic was a key word used to articulate, for
lack of better description, the ability to perform at a high level for some of
the quarterbacks throughout this manuscript.
Recent travels in Europe noted beautiful castles ensconced high in the
distance off of the Rein River. Those
structures had their caste system in place.
In America, we do not have the same history of venerable buildings. However, on the grid iron one we could argue
that the leaders on the field are a sort of neo royalty in the US. Hence, that is what esteemed ESPN writer
and NFL guru Seth Wickersham purports in his latest book, American Kings. This is a book that shares the emotion and
the aura of what it’s like to play not only the sport but the most important
position itself.
There is a lot to like in this three-hundred-and-ninety-page
manuscript. Wickersham interviews and
introduces numerous quarterbacks to the mix.
A handful, though, serve as the main characters of this story. Readers will learn more about Hall of Famers
like John Elway, Warren Moon, Steve Young, Joe Montana, Tom Brady and several
others whose careers have long passed. Some
of the newer or younger quarterbacks include Caleb Williams, Arch Manning and
Colin Hurley, the latter two were covered while still in high school and in
their brief college years. Wickersham puts
on an impressive display of access to some insightful stories and captures the
mood and aura of so many accomplished players. What is more, there are noted depths of
investigation that seemingly took place to tell the stories. An example was explained when discussing
legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas’s battle with mortality. It was compelling to read how it happened
and his likely last words just before the former Colts gunslinger
unceremoniously left this world. One such example involved the last
conversation legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas had with a close friend at a
Baltimore fitness center including his last words before unceremoniously passing
away in 2002 and the age of 69 during the middle of his exercise routine.
Some sections shift abruptly from one idea or example to
another, which can make it challenging for the reader to follow the overall
flow. The book tends to share a swath of information about the player and then switch
to another quarterback. This happened throughout
the book pertaining to all of the main characters documented in the book. To their credit the publisher carefully
placed a border line from one break to another. However, readers will have to prepare for
this frequent occurrence in each of the very lengthy chapters. The upside to this presentation method is
that the reader will not be overwhelmed with content for any one athlete
throughout the opus. The challenge for
some may be remembering what was already covered in past pages for each
quarterback. Smoother transitions would help guide
readers through the different themes and observations of the author.
One particular section of the book garnered attention and
intrigue. In talking with former
Saints, and current Broncos, head coach Sean Payton, Wickersham shares a rating
system for college quarterbacks available for draft purposes. The lower the score the more likely they
will have success at the next level. One
quarterback had a uniquely and surprisingly low score. That was the player that Payton selected in
the first round of the 2024 draft. After
a season and half to date, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, a player not
heavily featured in this collection of biographies, has worked out for Payton
and the franchise perhaps giving credence to a lesser-known QB rating
system.
Another noteworthy point of observation was the frequent
pensive and melancholy tone of the impact that being a famous and successful
quarterback had on the individual.
Elway and Young both seem to express near remorse that the feelings and
sensation experienced during their glory days on the grid were slowly
fading. Elway in particular has endured
a harder life with lost relationships and loved ones. Wickersham seems to hint at the notion that
life was good but yet unfulfilled as it seems many former gridiron kings were
still looking for something to fill that void in their lives.
Although the book is lengthy and heavily segmented there is
something to this novel. Wickersham,
author of It’s Better to be Feared: The New England Patriots Dynasty has
a direct, easy writing style that is easy to take in from one section to
another. It was noted that this book
has already reached the New York Times non-fiction best seller list shortly
after its book release. It is helpful
to know about and have some familiarity of what the quarterback does during the
game, but sports background is not necessary to read about their emotions, the
pensive, wistful thoughts about their experiences and how the position shapes
and consumes their lives. The quote
on the cover of the books suggests this is an instant classic and we find no
objection to that assertion. This book
is a biography of revered, and possibly tormented, individuals but as the
saying goes it is good to be king and the author honors one of the greatest and
most coveted roles in the world.
You might like to read this book if you like to
read about both old and new quarterbacks.
You might like to read this book if you seek
stories about both NFL and college football players.
You might like to read this book if you covet
history of the NFL and specific individual football players.
You might like to read this book if you simply
enjoy reading books about the game of football.
Read more about the author on X: https://x.com/SethWickersham
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