The NFL wields a significant influence over the lives of countless fans who eagerly tune in and fervently support their teams. Even when the games conclude, the discussions are only beginning. Who deserves the title of the greatest player in history? Which coaches have genuinely molded the sport we cherish today? Which game stands out as the most unforgettable? What makes professional football an irrefutable cornerstone of our culture?
Former GM, NFL Analyst and Author Michael Lombardi has sought to answer those questions and more in his book "FOOTBALL DONE RIGHT: Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL."
"I felt like as a gift to myself, I wanted to write about (the NFL) and what I've learned about this great game and how I experienced this game as a young kid trying to stay to get my mother let me stay awake to watch the halftime highlights of Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and how important that was to me," Lombardi said. "So It's kind of a book about what has impacted me in my life, and then I thought there was a lot of injustice in terms of not recognizing the people, the coaches, the players from the past. And I wanted to give them a full understanding of how impactful they were to the game."
Lombardi emphasized the necessity of open dialogue and understanding different perspectives, stating, "I wanted to have what I really wanted to do, let's have a discussion. Like, let's bring this to the table. If you disagree that Sterling Sharpe doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame, tell me why. If you believe that Marty Schottenheimer doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame after having 200 wins and being one of eight coaches in the world that have 200 wins, tell me why."
Touching on the history of the Dallas Cowboys, Lombardi delved into the pivotal role of figures like Tex Schramm in the NFL's development. He provided insight into critical moments in NFL history, including the merger of the NFL and AFL.
"Tex Schramm is probably the reason why we have the NFL and the AFL that merged...and there's so much history about what they were able to do and how they were pushing the envelope in terms of trying to advance the technology of the sport using computers," Lombardi said.
"FOOTBALL DONE RIGHT: Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL" is out now and widely available.
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