Advancing the Ball

Jason Reid, The Washington Post There's no question the Rooney Rule has changed the NFL's culture... Reaching this point was a long, difficult road, which N. Jeremi Duru explains in his outstanding new book, Advancing The Ball.

Law & Politics Book Review A masterpiece of social inquiry, depicting an important modern-day civil rights story. Duru tells a persuasive story, in a compelling way. The book reads like a legal drama with character development, thick descriptions, suspense, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome in the fight for race reformation in the NFL.... Duru's impeccable ability to tell a compelling non-fiction story is a highlight of this work.

Ebony Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman John Wooten . . . kicked of the campaign that led to the ending of discriminatory head-coach hiring practices. Thus the Rooney Rule was born, stipulating every team would interview at least one minority during a head-coach search. Fast forward to now. Good job, Wooten. And good job, Duru, for telling this important story.

Warren Moon, NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback My personal journey of success would have been much more difficult if not for the sacrifices of many that blazed my trail. The Fritz Pollard Alliance created a highway for expanded opportunities for African Americans, which are chronicled in this fascinating and historic book.

Woodie Dixon, Jr., General Counsel to the Pac-12 Conference and former General Counsel to the Kansas City Chiefs An incredibly interesting and enlightening read. This book should be required reading for any level of sports enthusiast, as it explains so much about the complex intersection of sport and race. Without knowing this story, you simply cannot understand the evolution of sport over the past 50 years.

N. Jeremi Duru is Associate Professor of Law at Temple University. He has worked directly with the network of African American coaches in the NFL and brings an insider's perspective to his larger story about race and sports in contemporary American society.

INTRODUCTION; 1. BALTIMORE LOVE; 2. AN IDEA'S ORIGIN; 3. SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, INFERIOR OPPORTUNITIES; 4. ENTER THE GODFATHER; 5. THE ROONEY RULE; 6. THE COACHING CAROUSEL; 7. MILLEN, MOOCH, AND THE GREAT DETROIT HIRING DEBATE; 8. BIRTH OF AN ALLIANCE; 9. A SEASON OF DREAMS; 10. DIGGING NEW WELLS; 11. ROAD TO SUPER BOWL; EPILOGUE