football players

After two electrifying seasons, the 2019 National Football League (NFL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Lamar Jackson has become a household name, inspiring a generation of future quarterbacks (QBs) who can manage the position with their arms, legs, and intellect. Jackson's ability to glide and slice through defenders by rushing the ball has garnered comparison to former Pro-Bowl QB Michael Vick. His cannon-like arm strength has likened him to 2018 NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion QB Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City. Meanwhile, Jackson's remarkable 19-3 record as a starter through his first two regular seasons has caused some to mention him in the same breath as a young Tom Brady. However, the more Jackson plays, the more one thing becomes abundantly clear-he is in a class all his own. Jackson's journey to NFL stardom began in South Florida where, at just eight years old, he tragically lost both his father and grandmother on the same day. His strong and resilient mother, Felicia Jones, raised Jackson on her own. Jones introduced Jackson to football, and she even put on the pads in the backyard of their childhood home to train Lamar and his brother Jamar. It was during these formative years that Jackson learned his mother's core values and built the character along with the skills he needed to be successful. After transferring to the Boynton Beach Community High School for his junior year, Jackson turned in a pair of high school seasons that caught the attention of several Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs. However, scouts questioned Jackson's ability to play QB at the next level. He no doubt had elite speed and agility skills, and programs like those at the Universities of Florida and Nebraska could envision Jackson as a top-tier running back (RB) or wide receiver (WR). Jackson had his convictions though-he was a quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers arrived in the NFL in 2005 - selected 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers - and after watching and learning from the great Brett Favre for several seasons he has gone on to put together a spectacular career. Aaron Rodgers tells the story of the four-time NFL MVP who has thrown for more than 55,000 yards and 449 touchdowns. Rodgers also led the Packers to a win over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV, picking up MVP honors in the big game. An incredibly accurate passer with marvelous scrambling ability, his spot in the NFL Hall of Fame is assured. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

"Linebackers are the leaders of a football team's defense. They lead by example when they lay . . . hits on opposing players. Learn about the . . . hardest-hitting linebackers in NFL history"--Provided by publisher.

"From legends like Jerry Rice and Joe Montana to current superstars like George Kittle and Trey Lance, the San Francisco 49ers have had some of the NFL's biggest stars. Explore the team's past, present, and future"--Provided by publisher.

When his best friend is unfairly arrested and kicked off the team, Russell Boudreaux kneels during the national anthem in an effort to fight for justice and, in an instant, falls from local stardom to become a target of hatred.

In 2019, R.K. Russell broke the mold when he came out as bisexual in an essay for ESPN that ignited the sports world. Now, in his powerful memoir, THE YARDS BETWEEN US, he shares his story and explores his love of football, men and women, walking the devastating tightrope of keeping his sexuality secret, the tension between his private and public lives, and the importance of crashing through barriers. One part inspirational journey and one part coming of age as an athlete struggling to break a mold, THE YARDS BETWEEN US follows in the footsteps of moving, impactful sports memoirs like Agassi's OPEN, Misty Copeland's LIFE IN MOTION, and Megan Rapinoe's ONE LIFE. Told through the people and moments that have shaped him, Russell traces the highs and lows of his life in and out of football, from his early life as a shy kid struggling with the expectations on a Black boy and the pull between his quiet nature and his athletic ability, to being drafted by his hometown team the Dallas Cowboys, and then on to seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills. And as his time in the sport comes into full bloom, Russell realizes that keeping his secret in the NFL is easier than in college when life and football are so much more connected to social worlds. Through being cut, injured, and frustrating setbacks, Russell's confidence lags as the secret of his sexuality weighs heavier and heavier. And when that frustration is combined with the devastating loss of his best friend and sole confidant, the darkness that follows also brings a deep understanding that perhaps it's time to make a change. In Los Angeles, against the backdrop of the swaying palm trees and warm sands of Malibu, Russell falls in love and it's the final push he needs to stand up for every part of himself?a professional athlete, a writer, a son, a friend, a lover, a bisexual Black man. In THE YARDS BETWEEN US, R.K. Russell shows us the life-changing power of embracing who you are and fighting to make space so others can do the same.

"For almost twenty years now, the NFL has been simultaneously an athletic, financial, and cultural powerhouse-and a league that can't seem to go more than a few weeks without stumbling into a scandal. Whether it's about domestic violence, performance-enhancing drugs, racism, or head trauma, the NFL always seems to be in some kind of trouble. Yet no matter the drama, the TV networks keep showing games, the revenue keeps going up, and the viewers keep tuning in. How can a sports league-or any organization-operate this way? Why do the negative stories keep happening, and why don't they ever seem to affect the bottom line? In this wide-ranging book, Mike Florio takes readers from the boardroom to the locker room, from draft day to Super Bowl night, answering these questions and more, and showing what really goes on in the sport that America can't seem to quit. Known for his constant stream of new information and his incisive commentary, Florio delivers again in this book. With new insights and reporting on scandals past and present, this book is sure to be the talk of the league"--.

"Jack is at the top of his game. He's a senior running back on the football team, dominating every opponent in his way. To everyone else, Jack is totally in control. In reality, he struggles with an eating disorder that controls every aspect of his daily life. When Jack starts using steroids, he feels invincible, but will the steroids help him win the big game, or will he lose everything he's ever worked for?"--Provided by publisher.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a legendary NFL team. Their six Super Bowl wins are tied for the most in league history. Read about the team's history, great players, and plans for winning another Super Bowl.

Presents readers with information on the training and experience needed to become a professional football player.