Mavericks, Money, and Men

The AFL, Black Players, and the Evolution of Modern Football

By: Charles Ross

Narrated by: Jim Woods

The American Football League, established in 1960, was innovative both in its commitment to finding talented, overlooked players - particularly those who played for historically black colleges and universities - and in the decision by team owners to share television revenues.

In Mavericks, Money and Men, football historian Charles Ross chronicles the AFL's key events, including Buck Buchanan becoming the first overall draft pick in 1963, and the 1965 boycott led by black players who refused to play in the AFL All Star game after experiencing blatant racism. He also recounts how the success of the AFL forced a merger with the NFL in 1969, which arguably facilitated the evolution of modern professional football.

Ross shows how the league, originally created as a challenge to the dominance of the NFL, pressured for and ultimately accelerated the racial integration of pro football and also allowed the sport to adapt to how African Americans were themselves changing the game.

The book is published by Temple University Press.

©2016 Temple University-Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

A complete history of the AFL

Charles Ross does a superb job breaking down the color line in professional football in "Mavericks, Money, and Men." The NFL closed the door to black athletes, and gradually (and reluctantly) changed their policy over time. The last team to include a black player on their roster was the 1962 Washington Redskins. Attorney General of the U.S. Robert F. Kennedy issued an ultimatum: unless Marshall signed a black player, the government would revoke the Redskins' 30-year lease on D.C. Stadium.

The rival AFL debuted with black players on all of their team's rosters in 1960. Future hall of famer and Super Bowl champion Buck Buchanan was selected in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, however, he wasn't drafted by a NFL team until the 19th round. Buchanan attended Grambling State, a historically black college, and his draft status demonstrated the difference in priorities of the two leagues.

The AFL/NFL rivalry would finally come to an end, as the leagues agreed to a merger, allowing all existing AFL teams to join the NFL's sixteen existing franchises. in 1970. The NFL would adopt some of the AFL innovations such as the two point conversation, revenue sharing, and adding player's names of jerseys. Ross provides a definitive history of the AFL, with the formation of the league at the hands of Lamar Hunt and Bud Adams.

The author documents the black player's fight for equal rights, as many were not allowed to stay at the team's hotels, access Taxis, or dine at restaurants. Due to backlash on civil rights, the 1964 AFL all star game in New Orleans was boycotted. Ross lays out the AFL's timeline overlapping with the ever changing social fabric of the country, and the sport of football becoming the nation's national pastime.

"Mavericks, Money, and Men" is a welcomed addition to this NFL fan's library.

Great history of the AFL and black players

Subject matter was excellent. Narrator was a bit stiff however. The lack of emotion in his tone takes away from the really great stories.

Oooooowwwwweeeee!!!!

It was captivating from the beginning all the way to the last word spoken. Motivating!