Not only is Jason Reid’s Rise of the Black Quarterback one of my favorite books of the year, this is also one of my favorite interviews. Jason is just such a great guy – and a major writing talent. Some people might think of this as a ‘sports’ book — but it is so much more. It is a beautifully written collection of profiles that will touch your heart and open you mind. These are stories that are about impressive young men who forged a path for others to follow. They were brave and took so much abuse, but they never gave up. Their love of football is as strong as fighting for what they believe in — themselves, their families, and their fans.

More about the book:

A compulsively readable sports narrative by senior NFL writer for ESPN’s The Undefeated (now Andscape), Jason Reid, chronicling both the history of Black players in the NFL, such as Warren Moon, and the recent careers of groundbreaking Black quarterbacks, including Colin Kaepernick.

In September 2019, ESPN’s The Undefeated website (now Andscape) began a season-long series of articles on the emergence of Black quarterbacks in the NFL. The first article in the series was Jason Reid’s enormously popular, “Welcome to the Year of the Black Quarterback.” The series culminated with an hour-long television program in February 2020, hosted by Reid himself. The Rise of the Black Quarterback: What It Means for America will expand on Reid’s piece―as well as the entire series―and chronicle the shameful history of the treatment of Black players in the NFL and the breakout careers of a thrilling new generation of Black quarterbacks. Intimate portraits of Colin Kaepernick, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray feature prominently in the book, as well as the careers and legacy of beloved NFL players such as Doug Williams and trailblazing pioneers Marlin Briscoe and Eldridge Dickey. Reid delves deeply into the culture war ignited by Kaepernick’s peaceful protest that shone a light on systemic oppression and police brutality. Fascinating and timely, this page-turning account will rivet fans of sports, cultural commentary, and Black history in America.

This book is not just for blacks or men or sports lovers — this book is for everyone who wants to be inspired by great writing from an amazingly talented author. This is also the rise of Jason Reid, because I predict there are many more books to come from him. It is just the start and I expect he will be back on Joy on Paper soon with another heartfelt and joyous book.