{"product_id":"americas-trailblazing-middle-linebacker-joe-zagorski-9781538109519","title":"America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier","description":"Willie Lanier was the first African-American middle linebacker in pro football history, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967-1977 in an era when discrimination against black athletes was still very much the norm. Lanier gave football fans a new mold of athlete, comprised of equal amounts intelligence, creativity, individualism, and collaboration. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerica's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier \u003c\/i\u003eexplores the life and times of this groundbreaking football star. A walk-on at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, Lanier established himself as a force on the field. Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967, Lanier fought his way to the starting middle linebacker position and became a Super Bowl champion, an eight time All-Pro, and the NFL's Man of the Year in 1972. After retiring from football, Lanier went to work in the business world and became the CEO of a major US company. This book delves into Lanier's college years, his NFL exploits, and his many successes off the gridiron, revealing a man who, through hard work and determination, made the most of every opportunity that came his way. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOn and off the football field, Lanier showed America a glimpse of the future, when fairness, opportunity, and racial integrity could be the reality for everyone. An inspiration for athletes and fans everywhere, Lanier's story is that of a man who loved challenges, and faced every one of them with an unmatched drive to excel and succeed. Lanier was, and still is, a trailblazer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Joe Zagorski\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1538109514\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781538109519\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Rowman \u0026amp; Littlefield Publishers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/12\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 280\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.20lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.10h x 6.20w x 1.00d","brand":"Joe Zagorski","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":44598559211775,"sku":"9781538109519","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_bfb1bbeb-bce0-49fb-b8cd-e8d7918bc4ad.jpg?v=1702383181","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/americas-trailblazing-middle-linebacker-joe-zagorski-9781538109519","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}