What you don't see off camera before, during, and after the televising of a professional football game.

An account of the program and the people who introduced sports to primetime television. Also looks at some of the influential sportscasters and includes anecdotes.

Return once again to the enduring account of the Permian Panthers of Odessa -- the winningest high school football team in Texas history.

An almost unknown chapter of sporting—and American—history Tracing the history of the National Football League during World War II, this book delves into the severe player shortage during the war which led to the merging of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, creating the “Steagles.” The team’s center was deaf in one ear, its wide receiver was blind in one eye (and partially blind in the other), and its halfback had bleeding ulcers. One player was so old he’d never before played football with a helmet. Yet somehow, this group of players—deemed unfit for military service due to age or physical ailment—posted a winning record in the league, to the surprise of players and fans alike. Digging into the history of the war paralleled by the unlikely story of the Steagles franchise, both sports fans and history buffs will learn about the cultural significance of this motley crew of ball players during a trying time in United States history.

The history of black high school football in segregated Texas: “Though this book is long overdue, it is also right on time.” —Texas Observer At a time when “Friday night lights” shone only on white high school football games, African American teams across Texas burned up the gridiron on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Temple Dunbar, Austin Anderson, and other segregated high schools in the Prairie View Interscholastic League—the African American counterpart of the University Interscholastic League, which excluded black schools from membership until 1967—created an exciting brand of football that produced hundreds of outstanding players, many of whom became college All-Americans, All-Pros, and Pro Football Hall of Famers, including NFL greats such as “Mean” Joe Green, Otis Taylor, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Ken Houston, and Bubba Smith. Thursday Night Lights tells the inspiring, largely unknown story of African American high school football in Texas. Drawing on interviews, newspaper stories, and memorabilia, Michael Hurd introduces the players, coaches, schools, and towns where African Americans built powerhouse football programs under the PVIL leadership. He covers fifty years of history, including championship seasons and legendary rivalries such as the annual Turkey Day Classic game between Houston schools Jack Yates and Phillis Wheatley, which drew standing-room-only crowds of up to 40,000. In telling this story, Hurd explains why the PVIL was necessary, traces its development, and shows how football offered a potent source of pride and ambition in the black community, helping black kids succeed both athletically and educationally in a racist society. “[A] groundbreaking book.” —Houston Chronicle “In America’s current Colin Kaepernick-inspired moment, with sports once again taking on a conspicuous role in debates about black citizenship and the persistence of white racism, this book is especially timely and important.” —Great Plains Quarterly

During the day, high school teacher Steve Perez is a dedicated role model who wants the best for his students. When he discovers the well-liked football coach handing out illegal drugs to his players like candy on Halloween, Perez confronts the coach, having no idea that he has just set off a chain of disastrous events that may ruin his career, his reputatation and his future. After approaching the principal with his concerns, he receives nothing but humiliation in return. Perez stubbornly decides to take his accusations to the school board. Unfortunately, he is up against corrupt school officials and a seemingly untouchable coach because of a winning series of State Championships. As the season draws to a close and tensions mount, Perez relentlessly and unsuccessfully continues his attempt to obtain evidence. Then when the body of a popular cheerleader is found under the stadium bleachers with a small container of illegal drugs by her body, the team quarterback is suddenly overcome with guilt and joins forces with Mr. Perez.

Written for experienced programmers who need detailed explanations of the JFC libraries, this volume covers all aspects of the swing framework. Swing is the long-awaited successor to the AWT's heavyweight components.