About the book
Black college football began during the nadir of African American life after the Civil War. The first game occurred in 1892, a little less than four years before the Supreme Court ruled segregation legal in Plessy v. Ferguson. In spite of Jim Crow segregation, Black colleges produced some of the best football programs in the country. They mentored young men who became teachers, preachers, lawyers, and doctors — not to mention many other professions — and transformed Black communities. But when higher education was integrated, the programs faced existential challenges as predominately white institutions steadily set about recruiting their student athletes and hiring their coaches. Blood, Sweat, and Tears explores the legacy of Black college football, with Florida A&M’s Jake Gaither as its central character, one of the most successful coaches in its history. A paradoxical figure, Gaither led one of the most respected Black college football programs, yet many questioned his loyalties during the height of the civil rights movement.
Among the first broad-based histories of Black college athletics, Derrick E. White’s sweeping story complicates the heroic narrative of integration and grapples with the complexities and contradictions of one of the most important sources of Black pride in the twentieth century.
Editions of Blood, Sweat, and Tears
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469652443
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469692104
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469652450
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469652467
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890855282
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890855275
Read an Excerpt
Black college football began during the nadir of African American life after the Civil War. The first game occurred in 1892, a little less than four years before the Supreme Court ruled segregation legal in Plessy v. Ferguson. In spite of Jim Crow segregation, Black colleges produced some of the best football programs in the country. They mentored young men who became teachers, preachers, lawyers, and doctors — not to mention many other professions — and transformed Black communities. But when higher education was integrated, the programs faced existential challenges as predominately white institutions steadily set about recruiting their student athletes and hiring their coaches. Blood, Sweat, and Tears explores the legacy of Black college football, with Florida A&M’s Jake Gaither as its central character, one of the most successful coaches in its history. A paradoxical figure, Gaither led one of the most respected Black college football programs, yet many questioned his loyalties during the height of the civil rights movement.
Among the first broad-based histories of Black college athletics, Derrick E. White’s sweeping story complicates the heroic narrative of integration and grapples with the complexities and contradictions of one of the most important sources of Black pride in the twentieth century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blood, Sweat, and Tears about?
Black college football began during the nadir of African American life after the Civil War. The first game occurred in 1892, a little less than four years before the Supreme Court ruled segregation legal in Plessy v. Ferguson. In spite of Jim Crow segregation, Black colleges produced some of the best football programs in the country. They mentored young men who became teachers, preachers, lawyers, and doctors — not to mention many other professions — and transformed Black communities. But when higher education was integrated, the programs faced existential challenges as predominately white institutions steadily set about recruiting their student athletes and hiring their coaches. Blood, Sweat, and Tears explores the legacy of Black college football, with Florida A&M’s Jake Gaither as its central character, one of the most successful coaches in its history. A paradoxical figure, Gaither led one of the most respected Black college football programs, yet many questioned his loyalties during the height of the civil rights movement.
Among the first broad-based histories of Black college athletics, Derrick E. White’s sweeping story complicates the heroic narrative of integration and grapples with the complexities and contradictions of one of the most important sources of Black pride in the twentieth century.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Blood, Sweat, and Tears?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Social and cultural history
Where can I read a sample of Blood, Sweat, and Tears?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469652443
How long is Blood, Sweat, and Tears and how many pages does it have?
Blood, Sweat, and Tears has 320 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Blood, Sweat, and Tears?
Derrick E. White
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Blood, Sweat, and Tears is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469652443) and paperback(ISBN 9781469692104) and ebook(ISBN 9781469652450) and ebook(ISBN 9781469652467) and ebook(ISBN 9798890855282) and pdf(ISBN 9798890855275)
Where can I buy Blood, Sweat, and Tears online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Blood, Sweat, and Tears from below
Where can I buy Blood, Sweat, and Tears?