The story of two pioneering Black NFL football players that changed the face of America’s game for generations to come.
There is no position in pro sports more important than an NFL quarterback. But quarterbacking was the exclusive domain of white players for many years, and when Doug Williams and Vince Evans arrived in the league in the late 1970s, they got death threats, faced racist questions, and knew that a single mistake could end their careers. The Great Black Hope tells the twin stories of Vince Evans,an electrifying dual-threat quarterback ahead of his time, and of Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to become a champion. Moore shows how easily Williams' triumphant story could have gone wrong and how his success changed the game and the country.
A skillful blend of game-time drama and social commentary, this book captures unheralded heroes of the NFL and all that they meant, both on the field and off.
Title alpha The Great Black Hope: Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and the Making of the Black Quarterback
Category Sports and Recreation High
Pages Count 304
Genre Nonfiction
Topics Doug Williams (1955- ). Vince Evans (1955- ). African American football players. Twentieth-century history of US football. Quarterbacks. Racism in sports.
Trim Size 9 1/2" x 6"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2024-09-23
JLG Release Date Jan 2025
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
Sports and Recreation High (Grades 9 & Up)
Sports and Recreation High
Sports and Recreation High (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection includes exciting books focused on athlete experiences, competition, and the broader culture of sports and recreation. Featuring a mix of fiction and nonfiction, selections explore sports through personal stories, real-world perspectives, and a range of activities that reflect the different ways teens engage with sports. Some selections are written for adults but are thoughtfully chosen for their relevance and appeal to teen readers.