Michael Lombardi's Football Done Right
Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL.
Recently read Mike Lombardi's Football Done Right: Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL and I wanted to share this review.
The book is pretty straight forward look at look at some of the history of the NFL and what makes someone great whether they be coach, broadcaster, or player plus some history of football trades and the Draft. Lombardi compiles his list of the football TV giants, the 10 best coaches, and the 100 best plyers of All-Time.
As Steve Jobs said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward, you must connect them looking backwards." Lombardi connects the NFL dots and I heartily recommend the book.
The book first sets a base on how football evolved from college to pro over the years. You can see this growth in the sport from person to person connected by gifted players. How the T formation led to the modern game. How the game became a system under Paul Brown and a passing game under Sid Gillman that still operates today.
Have to admit that this is both my favorite football book but also one of those unique experiences where you read the book in the author's voice. This was made possible by listening to Mike Lombardi from his podcasting beginning at The Ringer to his current work on The GM Shuffle.
The body of the book is made up of who he considers the on-air TV giants (no behind the scenes innovators) and there's no arguing with his choices. His Top 10 list of top coaches was both surprising but due to recent developments I've come to respect his top choices even more. And his Top 100 players was also edifying (though I have to wonder if he'd place Gronk higher if he knew he was retired for good at press time). I consider myself learned in the ways of the NFL yet there were many revelations. For example - I had no idea who player 100 Kenny Washington was. Even though he played both baseball and football in college and was both Jackie Robinson’s teammate and a better hitter he was even better in football. Problem was the NFL was segregated at the time and Washington wasn’t let into the club for six seasons at which point semi-pro ball had stolen his health and quickness. Lombardi was sure to include this hero in his rankings.
The book prompted me to make this list of the top 5 football books I've read which I’ve included.
Just missing the list was War Room by Michael Holley. Thought this would have made the list a little too Patriots-centric (like it wasn’t already).
