During his 27-year tenure with the Chargers, beloved equipment manager Sid Brooks kept more than 5,000 football players from appearing naked before their cheering fans. The first African American to hold the job of equipment manager in the NFL, Brooks was tasked with seeing that each player left the locker room in uniform. But the means to that end was far more complicated—and outrageous—than one would believe. In Tales from the Chargers Locker Room, Sid recounts stories unique to a life spent working behind the scenes in the Chargers locker room. He features stories about Chargers greats like Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow, Louie Kelcher, John Jefferson, Rodney Harrison, and Junior Seau. With an eye for detail, he recounts tales of spies sent out to capture the opposing team’s playbooks; the night the lights went out on Don Shula; wild cab rides; the zany pregame rituals and idiosyncrasies; rivalries born not on the playing field, but at the dominoes table; and plenty of pranks and good-natured ribbing. Brimming with hilarity, insight, and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, Tales from the Chargers Locker Room is a must-read for every Chargers devotee.

During his 27-year tenure with the San Diego Chargers, equipment manager Sid Brooks kept more than 5,000 football players from appearing naked before their cheering fans. The first African American to hold the job of equipment manager in the NFL, Brooks was tasked with seeing that each player left the locker room in uniform. But the means to that end was far more complicated—and outrageous—than one would believe. This reissue of Tales from the San Diego Chargers Locker Room takes the reader aboard the elevator to B2, the basement of Qualcomm Stadium, where the Chargers locker room is housed. In that basement, the equipment department and trainers, affectionately known as "dungeon rats," ran the Chargers locker room. There, Sid Brooks became caretaker for all who crossed its threshold. In this book, Sid recounts stories unique to a life spent working behind the scenes in the Chargers locker room. He features stories about Chargers greats like Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow, Louie Kelcher, John Jefferson, Rodney Harrison, and Junior Seau. With an eye for detail, he recounts tales of spies sent out to capture the opposing team’s playbooks; the night the lights went out on Don Shula; wild cab rides with Fouts, Joiner, and Winslow; the zany pre-game rituals and idiosyncrasies of Russ Washington, Wilbur Young, Pat Curran, Woodrow Lowe, and others; rivalries born not on the playing field, but at the dominoes table; and plenty of pranks and good-natured ribbing. Rarely does a book offer more than a passing glance at what makes a football team a family. But Sid Brooks not only introduces the family here—he also invites the reader over for dinner. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

During his 27-year tenure with the San Diego Chargers, equipment manager Sid Brooks kept over 5,000 football players from appearing naked before their cheering fans. The first African-American to hold the job of equipment manager in the NFL, Brooks' job was to see that each player left the locker room in uniform. But the means to that end was far more complicated -- and outrageous -- than one would believe.Sid Brooks' Tales from the Chargers Locker Room takes the reader aboard the elevator to B2, the basement of Qualcomm Stadium, where the Chargers locker room is housed. In that basement, the equipment department and trainers, affectionately known as "dungeon rats," ran the Chargers locker room. There, Sid Brooks became caretaker for all who crossed its threshold. The locker room would be damp, dark, and quiet before the coffee and doughnuts arrived, before the arrogant swagger of the players and boom boxes, high-fives, and back-slapping brought the joint to life. Here Sid recreates that environment with tales from within the locker room, the team hotel, and the field of play, featuring stories about Chargers greats like Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow, Louie Kelcher, John Jefferson, Rodney Harrison, and Junior Seau. Sid recounts stories unique to a life spent working behind the scenes in the Chargers locker room. With an eye for detail, he recounts tales of spies sent out to capture the opposing team's playbooks; the night the lights went out on Don Schula; wild cab rides with Fouts, Joiner, and Winslow; the zany pre-game rituals and idiosyncrasies of Russ Washington, Wilbur Young, Pat Curran, Woodrow Lowe, and others; rivalries born not on the playing field, but at thedominoes table; and plenty of pranks and good-natured ribbing.Rarely does a book offer more than a passing glance at what makes a football team a family. But Chargers fans can rejoice, because Sid Brooks not only introduces the family, h

The San Francisco 49ers shaped the NFL throughout the 1980s with their unique blend of precision, panache, and preparation. Three decades later, NFL teams are still copying the system and the methods that made the 49ers unlike any other organization in professional sports. Now fans of this dynamic franchise will relive all the action and thrills of 49ers football through the eyes of one of the greatest San Francisco legends of all time: Roger Craig. Star of three of the 49ers Super Bowl wins, Roger Craig was one of the most productive players in franchise history. The first player in NFL history to top 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season, he used his kneechurning, eyes-wide-open style to earn four trips to the Pro Bowl and score a Super Bowl–record three touchdowns in one game. In this newly revised edition of Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline, Roger Craig uses his trademark vision to capture some of the moments that defined the organization during its glory years, and up to its recent return to greatness. Included are stories about all of the men who shaped the direction of the franchise, including such luminaries such as Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, George Seifert, and more. Fans will relive all the great moments and read some never-before-told stories from a man who kept his eyes open to everything during his fascinating career.

Since their founding in 1959, the San Diego Chargers have tackled their way into the hearts of devoted SoCal football fans. In Game of My Life San Diego Chargers, fans can immerse themselves in all the greatest moments in Chargers history. Die-hard Chargers fan and award-winning sports writer Jay Paris expertly chronicles all of the greatest Charger moments, including the team’s thirteen playoff appearances, their heart-breaking loss in the 1995 Super Bowl, and their glory runs in the mid-2000s. Chargers fans can experience all the glory of their favorite team with first-hand interviews from over a dozen legendary players, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Dan Fouts, Ron Mix, Burt Grossman, Phillip Rivers, and Nick Hardwick. Each former great shares his most memorable game as a Charger, from the pregame jitters to the on-field glory, to the postgame locker room celebration. Game of My Life San Diego Chargers is the perfect gift for Chargers fans! Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Led by coach Sid Gillman, the San Diego Chargers won division championships in five of their first six seasons! With their gold bolt proudly showing, the Chargers take the field and face off against the Oakland Raiders, a rival since 1960! Struggling readers can take charge and learn more about the San Diego Chargers in this fun title.