First Down, Houston: The Birth of an NFL Franchise

Peter C. Marzio, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston said, "Football is one of America's most beloved sports, and Texans embrace it with incredible fervor." The phrase "incredible fervor" is on target - in Texas we not only embrace it, we hug it, we adopt it, it's family! Published in collaboration with the team, the Houston Texans, the Museum of Fine Arts presented this eye popping volume in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name. It was news and made sports fans hearts beat faster when a new pro football team came to Texas in 2002. Fortunately, the impact of this event was recognized and "First Down, Houston" was born. This is the first recorded history of an NFL teams' inauguration, beginning with the expansion draft and concluding with the end of the season. Some 219 duotone photographs capture the highs and lows, victories and defeats, all of the emotions engendered by pro football. Readers can see the first fan going into the stadium, actions shots, players on and off the field, and the staff that is an integral part of pro football. Mickey Herskowitz, an award winning sportswriter for the Houston Chronicle has contributed a highly readable and entertaining text, while photographer Robert Clark supplied the compelling and revealing photos. - Gail Cooke