The Galloping Ghost: Red Grange: An American Football Legend

I bought this for my brother, a history buff, after hearing the author on NPR. My brother said he was surprised at how good this was. He said not so much for the football content, but more about the feel of the era. He said regardless of how interested anyone might be in football or Red Grange, it did a great job depicting this time in our country's history. He is recommending it to others...something he rarely does.

The history of football might have been extremely different if Red Grange only pursued basketball and track at the University of Illinois as he had initially planned. It may be far from carrying the moniker of "America's Game." The importance of "The Galloping Ghost" to the gridiron is legendary, but author Gary Andrew Poole scrambles past the well-trodden turf to deliver a comprehensive biography on the man who made football professional. In Grange's first college game (1923) he rushed for three touchdowns against Nebraska, ultimately gaining 723 yards in seven games and notching a dozen TD's while leading Illinois to a "national championship." But it was one year later - scoring four TD's in the first quarter versus Michigan - that solidified Grange's name in the "Golden Age of Sports." And in an era when college players were dissuaded by coaches in turning pro - even threatened with having to return their varsity letters - Grange signed with the National Football League's Chicago Bears one day after the end of the 1925 season and embarked on a 19-game barnstorming tour that earned him in excess of $100,000. A salary dispute between Grange and the Bears led the player - along with his agent, C.C. Pyle, to form their own league - the American Football League - in 1926 to compete against the NFL, with the superstar playing for the New York Yankees. The upstart league lasted one year before folding, with the Yankees moving to the NFL for the 1927 and 1928 seasons, though Grange missed that second year due to a severe knee injury. Though not the same player after the injury, Grange returned to the Bears (1929-1934) and helped the club to titles in 1932 and 1933. The iconic pop culture status was solidified through the marketing by Pyle; Grange appeared in two silent-films and a 12-part serial. This "Ghost" was pure gold in a time when pro football needed a superstar. His name resonates today as signifying excellence and Poole delivers a great look into the incredible life and times of the "Ice Man."

"A deeply personal account of a part of history that many might not remember or know of but will not soon forget. Poole manages to bring an endearing account of perseverence and responsibility to the page that reinforces what football and sportsmanship is supposed to be all about. Definitely a nice way to end the year: giving the world a present like this biography that is sure to be read, discussed and enjoy for years to come. Bravo!"

Reading about Red Grange in Galloping Ghost is more than just a book about a man who was a great football player. Mr. Poole has worked so hard to make us feel part of sports in the 20's and he gives us the road map to pro football's origins and how it struggled and finally took off thanks to Red and his promoter Mr. Pyle. You've heard some of the names; Red Grange, George Halas, Bob Zuppke, Bronko Nagurske etc, now you see how they all became legends. The book also gives you insight into the glory days of college football and puts you in seats of the nation's greatest stadiums, many still being used today.

Gary Poole has written a compelling book which takes you back to the time when professional football was considered a game for hooligans and derided by serious sports fans. Along with Red, Gary profiles his manager CC Pyle, one of the early agents who made Red and himself richer in three months than Babe Ruth made in a whole year. Highly recommended for thinking sports fans.