Founded in 1920 in Canton, Ohio, the National Football League oversees America's most popular and lucrative sport. The former scrappy upstart league that struggled to stay afloat has survived a host of challenges—the Great Depression and World War II, controversies and scandals, battles over labor rights and competition from rival leagues—to produce American icons like Vince Lombardi, Joe Montana, and Tom Brady. In this comprehensive history, former executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Joe Horrigan offers a colorful account of the athletes, coaches, and moguls who have collaborated to create this distinctly American game.

"There are anecdotes aplenty about the great players, historic games, and landmark moments…. Horrigan provides context for every moment, and the result is the definitive history of the league to date."—Booklist