Like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby in major league baseball, Marion Motley and his teammate, Bill Willis, of the Cleveland Browns were the first two prominent black players to break the color barrier in the modern NFL.

This book tells the story of the lesser known trials and tribulations Motley went through, similar to his Major League Baseball counterparts. This was a fast-paced history chronicling his high school career in Canton, Ohio, through hiss NFL career with the Cleveland Browns.

Although not known well among the modern era football fans, Motley is seen by his former teammates and peers as one of the greatest football players of all time.

Despite the horrendous discrimination he experienced, he persevered and eventually made it back to his hometown of Canton, Ohio, as only the second black player inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.

It's a great story of following your dreams, having determination, overcoming challenges, and achieving your goals.

This is an excellent sports biography. It is well researched and well written. The author included photographs and statistics from Motley's football career. I had not heard of Motley before, though I have only recently taken an interest in the history of football. This book makes the reader want to know more. In my opinion, that defines high quality nonfiction.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in sports biographies, history of football, Black history, and civil rights. This would make a good book club selection, as this biography contains plenty of information to spark discussion.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A quick and concise read on the life and career of one of the most prolific football players ever to touch the turf, Marion Motley.

Morgan covers from Motley's early career to his eventual induction into the hall of fame. The interviews used and the information presented is useful and fitting for the topic. I learned so much about this amazing football player, as well as the times in which he played. I have a greater understanding and respect for how difficult it was to play football as a black man in the early years of the league. I knew little to nothing about Motley prior to reading this book and I feel like I really understood him by the end of the book. When I read how his hometown of Canton cheered courting his induction I got emotional for him.

Overall I would recommend this book to those wanting to learn not only about motley, but about the time as well. Well done.