This book carefully examines the careers of the 50 men who made the greatest impact on the New York Giants of the National Football League. Including iconic figures such as Lawrence Taylor, Mel Hein, Frank Gifford, Harry Carson, Michael Strahan, and Eli Manning, the top 50 ranking is sure to fuel debate among Giants fans. A fascinating collection of bios, stats, quotes from opposing players and former teammates, photographs, and recaps of memorable performances and seasons, this book is a must-read not only for Giants fans, but for all fans of professional football.

The New York Giants joined the National Football League back in 1925, and have since been one of the league’s flagship franchises. The Giants have appeared in nineteen NFL championship games—more than any other team—and have won eight league championships. Iconic figures such as Eli Manning, Phil Simms, Harry Carson, Michael Strahan, and Frank Gifford have all played for the Giants. Twenty-five players who spent at least one full season with the Giants have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, and fifteen of those men spent the majority of their careers playing for the team. This book carefully measures the careers of those players who made the greatest impact on the team. The ranking was determined by such factors as the extent to which each player added to the Giants’ legacy, the degree to which he impacted the fortunes of his team, and the level of dominance he attained while wearing the Big Blue uniform. Features of The 50 Greatest Players in New York Giants Football History include: Each player’s notable achievements Recaps of the player’s most memorable performances Summaries of each player’s best season Quotes from former teammates and opposing players Football fans will find The 50 Greatest Players in New York Giants Football History a fascinating collection of bios, stats, recaps, quotes, and more. And with such iconic figures as Lawrence Taylor, Emlen Tunnell, Roosevelt Brown, and Mel Hein leading the list, this book is sure to inspire debate and controversy among true Giants supporters.

The 50 Greatest Players in San Francisco/New York Giants History examines the careers of the 50 men who made the greatest impact on one of the National League’s most iconic and successful franchises. Using as measuring sticks the degree to which they impacted the fortunes of the team, the extent to which they added to the Giant legacy of excellence, and the levels of statistical compilation and overall dominance they attained while wearing a Giants uniform, Cohen ranks, from 1 to 50, the top 50 players in team history. Quotes from opposing players and former teammates are provided along the way, as are summaries of each player’s greatest season, most memorable performances, and most notable achievements. All the great Giants are here, from Willie Mays to Juan Marichal to Bobby and Barry Bonds to Buster Posey. Robert W. Cohen ranks the best of the best in The 50 Greatest Players in San Francisco/New York Giants History.

Perhaps even more than the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots are the team of the entire northeast from Rhode Island to Canada. Here, sports historian Robert W. Cohen ranks the 50 best players to ever take the field for the Patriots. Who can forget Wes Welker, Troy Brown, Jim Nance, Ted Bruschi, and Tom Brady. They're all here in this fascinating collection of bios, stats, quotes from opposing players and former teammates, photographs, and recaps of memorable performances and seasons. This book is a must-read not only for Patriots fans, but for all fans of professional football.

One of professional basketball's most iconic franchises, the Boston Celtics—along with the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, both of whom have been the subject of "50 Greatest" treatments by sports historian Robert W. Cohen—represent a multistate region rather than just a city or state. Many of the sport's very best have played for the Celtics, including Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Paul Pierce. But who is the greatest of them all? In The 50 Greatest Players in Boston Celtics History, Cohen attempts to determine just that. Using as measuring sticks the degree to which these players impacted the fortunes of the team, the extent to which they added to the Celtics legacy, and the levels of statistical compilation and overall dominance they attained while wearing a Celtics uniform, this book ranks, from 1 to 50, the top 50 players in team history. Quotes from opposing players and former teammates are provided along the way, as are summaries of each player’s greatest season, most memorable performances, and most notable achievements.

A de facto American national holiday and phenomenon, the Super Bowl claims a spot as one of the most significant sporting events in the world and the most widely celebrated, feasted and feasting event of the year— with $14+ billion at stake, commercials costing $7 million for a 30-second spot, record-setting broadcast ratings, and 113+ million viewers. More avocados (105 million pounds) are consumed, and more beer is drunk (325 million gallons) on the single day of Superbowl Sunday. But there is much more at play than partying at our annual sports extravaganza, as this scholarly researched yet readable volume demonstrates: Here you will read a historical perspective that includes discussions of the meta-event’s economics (stakeholders, host cities, advertising, gambling, and media), fandom, ratings, halftime entertainment, the roles of mythic spectacle and religion, football’s sexist, militaristic language, gender issues like cheerleaders and sex trafficking, the Puppy Bowl, medical concerns like concussions and violence, tailgating and foodie ideas—all along with tidbits about your favorite team(s) and player(s). Touchdown!

Part history, part biography, this study examines the Black athlete's search to unify what W.E.B. DuBois called the "two unreconciled strivings" of African Americans--the struggle to survive in black society while adapting to white society. Black athletes have served as vanguards of change, challenging the dominant culture, crossing social boundaries and raising political awareness. Champions like Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Wilma Rudolph, Roberto Clemente, Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Serena Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James make a difference, even as many in the Black community question the idea of athletes as role models. The author argues the importance of sports heroes in a panic-plagued era beset with class division and racial privilege.

In The 50 Greatest Players in Chicago Bears History, sports historian Robert W. Cohen ranks the top 50 players ever to perform for one of the NFL's most historic franchises. This work includes quotes from the subjects themselves and former teammates, photos, recaps of memorable performances and greatest individual seasons, as well as a statistical summary of each player's career with the Bears. The Bears' best are profiled here in what is bound to be a much discussed book among the team's broad fan base. An added bonus are the "honorable mentions," the next 25 players who have contributed to the Bears' astounding run as one of America's great sports teams.

The 50 Greatest Players in Philadelphia Eagles History examines the careers of the 50 men who made the greatest impact on one of the NFL's most iconic and successful franchises. The author ranks, from 1 to 50, the top 50 players in team history. Quotes from opposing players and former teammates are provided along the way, as are summaries of each player's greatest season, most memorable performances, and most notable achievements.

The 50 Greatest Players in Denver Broncos History examines the careers of the 50 men who made the greatest impact on one of the National Football League’s most successful franchises. Using as measuring sticks the degree to which they impacted the fortunes of the team, the extent to which they added to the Bronco legacy of excellence, and the levels of statistical compilation and overall dominance they attained while wearing a Bronco uniform, The 50 Greatest Players in Denver Broncos History ranks, from 1 to 50, the top 50 players in team history. Quotes from the players themselves and former teammates are provided along the way, as are summaries of each player’s greatest season, most memorable performances, and most notable achievements. From Hall of Fame players such as John Elway, Floyd Little, and Shannon Sharpe to forgotten greats such as Rulon Jones and Lionel Taylor, the Broncos’ best are profiled here in what is bound to be a much-discussed book among the team’s broad fan base.