The Origins of the Pillars of the NFL

A couple weeks ago the Bears-Packers Thursday Night Game featured some interesting footage at the beginning of the broadcast called The Original Ringers. A mini-bio on Halas and Lambeau in their very early days:  Halas's working for the Staley Starch Company which started the Decatur Staley/Bears and Lambeau's connection to Green Bay and the  Acme Meat Packing company started the Packers. The roughly 2-minute piece was a nice lead-in to the game and gave viewers a little slice of abbreviated history.

The history and creation of these teams and the roles of Halas and Lambeau is something we covered in our classic book called Pillars of the NFL by Patrick McCaskey. I am very proud of this book and for the place it holds in the literature of football. People no longer buy the best books on sports subjects, but I honestly believe this has to be one of the best--easy to access information  and covering some history (like Guy Chamberlin's career), which is rarely covered. 

Football History

Pillars of the NFL: Coaches Who Have Won Three or More Championships examines the football lives of the greatest coaches in NFL history--those won the most NFL Championships. Who were the greatest coaches in NFL history? How did they succeed? Some coached in the early days of professional football and some later, but all made vital contributions. Pillars of the NFL looks at these interesting and important coaches: Bill Belichick, Paul Brown, Guy Chamberlin, Weeb Ewbank, Joe Gibbs, George Halas, Chuck Noll, Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, and Bill Walsh.

Pillars sheds light on the early lives, backgrounds, playing years, and teams of these great coaches. Contributions to the game are examined, photos and illustrations enhance the presentation. Peering into the rich history of professional football: Bill Belichick creates a dynasty in New England using old-school ideas and modern methods. Vince Lombardi establishes an unrivaled passion for football in Green Bay. Paul Brown conquers the city of Cleveland and then Cincinnati. Chuck Noll wakes up a sleepy franchise in Pittsburgh to become the most dominant force in football. Joe Gibbs accomplishes the improbable with players who overachieve. Bill Walsh takes football strategy to a new level. George Halas sculpts the NFL and shapes football from its humblest roots to the TV era. Curley Lambeau creates a football powerhouse to stand among giants. Weeb Ewbank wins the Greatest Game Ever Played and shocks the sports world in Super Bowl III. Guy Chamberlin coaches three different NFL teams to four championships in the early days of professional football. Readers see how each coach fits into professional football history; they come to understand the coach's approach to the game and they are treated to entertaining insights that delve into these great men.