Before there was Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, there was Wisconsin’s Pat O’Dea. Before Miami and Auburn found themselves embroiled in controversy, so did Yale and Princeton. Before the endless coverage of ESPN, the New York Sun had seventeen reporters at a game. In Dave Revsine’s fascinating read, The Opening Kickoff, we learn that college football’s nascent seasons were as wild, unpredictable, and controversial as the ones that unfold in front of us now. Revsine’s meticulous research and crisp storytelling bring us back to a long-ago era, where the themes and storylines are familiar.” |
“With the industry of college football currently at the center of questions about priorities, purity, and purpose, Dave Revsine’s lovingly-crafted The Opening Kickoff is a remarkable and engaging account of the heroes, villains, successes, and scandals in the early years of this sport. The passion and the people of those early years, their feats, their foibles—all contribute to this game taking root in the American heart. No other sport matters as much to fans of each team—and Revsine’s keen eye for detail, and clear love of the game make this a fascinating journey through an important time. And with messages that resonate today.”
—Bob Ley, host of ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning Outside the Lines
