It provided a lot of the research for this episode. It is considered the definitive biography style history of the NFL.
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to say that baseball was the number one sport in America is to imply a hierarchy where none existed. Baseball towered above the sporting landscape like a colossus, the unquestioned national pastime, the only game that mattered. Most fans had come to accept baseball's primacy as something immutable, as much a part of the natural order of things as air and water.
outside of Oakland, it was not certain where Al Davis would finish in a popularity contest among sharks, the mumps, the income tax, and himself. If the voters were the other American League football coaches, Davis would probably be third, edging out the income tax in a thriller.
pro football robs the great American game of many of its greatest character building qualities. The ideals of generous service, loyalty, sacrifice and wholehearted devotion to a cause are all taken away. The game is robbed of the exhilarating inspiration of achievement merely for achievement sake.
This is something I've been aware of, and I anticipated the probability. But you don't make threats at a time like this. Our answer will be an action. This is not the time to speak.
walking up the stairs of the rotunda when the vote looked like a sure thing, Roselle was ever his usual humble self. Congressman Boggs, I don't know how I can ever thank you enough for this. This is a terrific thing you've done. What do you mean you don't know how to thank me? He said. New Orleans gets an immediate franchise in the NFL. Roselle says, I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen. At that, Boggs stopped and turned on his heels, heading back into the committee room. Well, we could always call off the vote. While you, Roselle took two giant strides after Boggs turned around him, gently and said, It's a deal Congressman, you'll get your franchise.
