20-50
A01=Andrew O'Toole
African American History
African American Studies
Age Group_Uncategorized
Age Group_Uncategorized
Author_Andrew O'Toole
automatic-update
Bobby Mitchell
Boston Braves
Category1=Non-Fiction
Category=SCBT
Category=SCX
Category=SFBD
Category=WSBT
Category=WSBX
Category=WSJS
Cheerleaders
Civil Rights
Congress
COP=United States
Delivery_Delivery within 10-20 working days
Discrimination
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_sports-fitness
Fight Song
Football History
Football Studies
Halftime Show
Language_English
Major League Sports
Marching Band
National Football League
NFL
NFL Championship
PA=Available
Pete Rozelle
Price_€20 to €50
Professional Football
PS=Active
Segregation
softlaunch
Sports
Sports entertainment
Sports History
Sports Studies
Telecast
Televised Football
Televised sports
Product details
- ISBN 9780803299351
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 01 Nov 2016
- Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
- Language: English
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
In 1932 laundry-store tycoon George Preston Marshall became part owner of the Boston Braves franchise in the National Football League. To separate his franchise from the baseball team, he renamed it the Redskins in 1933 and then in 1937 moved his team to Washington DC, where the team won two NFL championships over the next decade. But it was off the field that Marshall made his lasting impact. An innovator, he achieved many “firsts” in professional football. His team was the first to telecast all its games, have its own fight song and a halftime show, and assemble its own marching band and cheerleading squad. He viewed football as an entertainment business and accordingly made changes to increase scoring and improve the fan experience.
But along with innovation, there was controversy. Marshall was a proud son of the South, and as the fifties came to a close, his team remained the only franchise in the three major league sports to not have a single black player. Marshall came under pressure from Congress and the NFL and its president, Pete Rozelle, as league expansion and new television contract possibilities forced the issue on the reluctant owner. Outside forces finally pushed Marshall to trade for Bobby Mitchell, the team’s first black player, in 1962. With the story of Marshall’s holdout as the backdrop, Fight for Old DC chronicles these pivotal years when the NFL began its ascent to the top of the nation’s sporting interest.
But along with innovation, there was controversy. Marshall was a proud son of the South, and as the fifties came to a close, his team remained the only franchise in the three major league sports to not have a single black player. Marshall came under pressure from Congress and the NFL and its president, Pete Rozelle, as league expansion and new television contract possibilities forced the issue on the reluctant owner. Outside forces finally pushed Marshall to trade for Bobby Mitchell, the team’s first black player, in 1962. With the story of Marshall’s holdout as the backdrop, Fight for Old DC chronicles these pivotal years when the NFL began its ascent to the top of the nation’s sporting interest.
Andrew O’Toole is the author of numerous books, including Paul Brown: The Rise and Fall Again of Football’s Most Innovative Coach, Smiling Irish Eyes: Art Rooney and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Sweet William: The Life of Billy Conn.
