Peter King’s New Book ‘The Game’ Explores NFL’s Rise to Dominance

Peter King, a renowned NFL historian, has long been celebrated for his contributions to the sport’s literature. His new book, titled The Game, chronicles the evolution of American football from the 1980s up to the present, highlighting its journey from a landscape shared with baseball to becoming the dominant sport.

King, formerly with Sports Illustrated, is also known for penning the famous Monday Morning Quarterback column. His latest work comprises 40 engaging chapters about King Sport. It’s important to note that this page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners, and FOX News may be compensated if you sign up or place a wager. The team that created this content operates independently from the FOX newsroom.

The book embarks on a detailed exploration of the NFL, covering various pivotal moments. It spans stories such as the ideal career of a Steelers’ player who did not feature in the early Super Bowl successes, the revival of the New York Giants during the 1980s, Bill Walsh’s challenging final chapter, and Al Davis’s unfortunate demise in 2007. Each of these tales contributes to a vivid narrative of four decades packed into forty chapters.

King was recently spotted at a Kansas City Chiefs press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 3, 2023, as reported by USA TODAY Sports.

Among the interesting debates the book sparks is the discussion of the Football Mount Rushmore segment, an area where King carefully chose 100 prominent figures along with an honorable mention list, rather than limiting it to four as the traditional Mount Rushmore does. King humorously acknowledges his tendency to write extensively.

A point of discussion is that King did not include Bill Belichick or Don Shula in his top 20 selections on the Mount Rushmore list. Belichick, who has amassed more Super Bowl titles than any coach, ranks at number 24 on King’s list.

King explains, ‘My Mount Rushmore is about individuals who significantly contributed to making the NFL the giant enterprise it is today.’ Figures like former NFL Commissioner Joe Carr and other significant personalities such as Lamar Hunt, Pete Rozelle, John Madden, and Vince Lombardi occupy the top spots on his list.

Despite omitting Belichick from the top rankings, King acknowledges his notable achievements and clarifies he’s not against Belichick’s legacy. The omission of Don Shula, although surprising to some, is rationalized by King’s perspective on Shula’s contributions beyond winning, which he believes don’t surpass those made by Madden and Lombardi.

The book and the ensuing dialogue highlight the dynamic and storied history of the NFL. King’s openness to discuss and justify his list underscores the book’s ability to ignite passionate debates over the sport’s trajectory.

Armando Salguero serves as OutKick’s Senior NFL Writer and continues to engage readers with thoughtful insights in the world of football.