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Behind the Line of Scrimmage: Inside the Front Office of the NFL
Former collegiate star, sports agent, and NFL Executive Michael Huyghue recounts his journey in professional sports and the challenges that remain for minorities to success as front office executives in the multi-billion dollar sports industry.
The author's journey as an athlete and lawyer provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes on behind closed doors in the world of professional sports and collegiate athletic programs. It is also a not often told chronicle of growing up black and male in white suburban America.
While black athletes are ubiquitous on the playing field and front pages of tabloids, the challenge remains to gain true power in the multibillion-dollar sports industry. Huyghue details that struggle play by play.
The author's journey as an athlete and lawyer provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes on behind closed doors in the world of professional sports and collegiate athletic programs. It is also a not often told chronicle of growing up black and male in white suburban America.
While black athletes are ubiquitous on the playing field and front pages of tabloids, the challenge remains to gain true power in the multibillion-dollar sports industry. Huyghue details that struggle play by play.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published August 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 24, 2018
I enjoyed this book way more than I expected to. Huyghue essentially focuses on two storylines: his rise as an executive in the NFL and the circuitous path he takes as he tries to become commissioner, and the structural racism which pidgeonholes NFL employees, limits opportunities, and explains, among other things, why there are so few black coaches in the league, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, at the "thinking positions."
This book was clearly not ghostwritten, which I a little bit expected from this genre of book? Instead, I came away impressed with Huyghue's authoritative voice and measured, often ironic use of euphemism. Reading this, you are very aware your listening to somebody who is very successful and deserving of that success. I felt like I was an insider not just to how the NFL is run behind the scenes, but also into the habits and general approach of a man with an obvious level of genius, both as a business person and inter-personally.
This book has been one of my favorites I've read this year. If you have even a passing interest in the NFL, or what kind of person it takes to rise the ranks of such a prestigious and closed-off organization, I recommend this book very highly.
This book was clearly not ghostwritten, which I a little bit expected from this genre of book? Instead, I came away impressed with Huyghue's authoritative voice and measured, often ironic use of euphemism. Reading this, you are very aware your listening to somebody who is very successful and deserving of that success. I felt like I was an insider not just to how the NFL is run behind the scenes, but also into the habits and general approach of a man with an obvious level of genius, both as a business person and inter-personally.
This book has been one of my favorites I've read this year. If you have even a passing interest in the NFL, or what kind of person it takes to rise the ranks of such a prestigious and closed-off organization, I recommend this book very highly.
November 21, 2018
Michael Huyghue was among the first black executives in charge of football operations in the League. A standout college athlete, attorney and so much more. Michael shares his knowledge of thirty years inside the NFL. Thankyou Goodreads for this free book!!!!!
August 25, 2020
This is an important book to read.
June 30, 2018
I received this book as an advanced reader's copy due to the love our library has for football and the NFL. We always know what the NFL is like on the field but some don't realize that it takes just as much work off the field as it is on the field. Behind the Line of Scrimmage is a good insider on what is required through the business end of running a football team and developing a successful NFL franchise. I also enjoyed the biographies and stories of former and current owners and the stories they shared from their days of running the football team. I always love the NFL and this book solidified the reason why. This is why we give this book 5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews