Blazing Trails: Coming of Age in Football's Golden Era

by John E. Mackey and Thom Loverro

Book Overview

Blazing Trails chronicles John Mackey's life as a lightning rod for attention throughout the 1960s. Mackey refused to remain silent on any topic he felt strongly about--especially anything dealing with justice. As one of Baltimore's first famous African Americans, he fought for racial and battled for legal equality for pro football players of all color as the first president of the newly merged NFL and AFL National Football Players Associations. More...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572435380
• ISBN13: 9781572435384
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Triumph Books (IL)
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The Godfather of Tight Ends

John Mackey revolutionized how the tight end position was played and for those of us that remember his on field exploits this book fills in the holes that many may not know. But, it is a surface book that does not go deeply into any issues. You learn that he was Ernie Davis' roommate and the trauma of watching him die. 70% of the book concerns his pro career. But probably the most controversial section is about his negotiating as the President of the Players Union. Some of the tricks the owners pulled were amazing and evidently Mackey did a great job slowing their process. Overall this is a good story of a very good man. And while it mentions all family members in a positive way, the book really doesn't delve deeply into the mind of Mackey. It's a great, short read if you like him as a football player and that was enough for me.