SKU: 74796656875

Bull in the Ring: Football and Faith, Refuge in a Troubled Time

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Bull in the Ring: Football and Faith, Refuge in a Troubled TimeThe thread of the book is an account of the 1970 Missouri large schools high school state football championship my St. Louis University High team won. We were unlikely champions: undersized, not very fast, no home field, high academic standards for admission, half our games against Top 10 teams in the state. We barely qualified for the four team state playoff, we faced the heavily favored title game opponent having won our previous four games by an

The thread of the book is an account of the 1970 Missouri large schools high school state football championship my St. Louis University High team won. We were unlikely champions: undersized, not very fast, no home field, high academic standards for admission, half our games against Top 10 teams in the state. We barely qualified for the four-team state playoff, we faced the heavily favored title game opponent having won our previous four games by an average of just 4.5 points, including a 14-13 victory over our archrival in front of 18,000 people at Busch Stadium. I was a center and linebacker, and one of the team captains.

The story of the book, though, is how football and that championship season became a refuge for my classmates and me, young Baby Boomers whose great but na ve ambition was tempered by the frightening, threatening social turmoil of the late 1960s. The Vietnam War was escalating, the Civil Rights Movement was exploding, college campuses were erupting in protest, and many of us were at war with our parents' generation.

Adding to our drama, our beloved Student Council vice president and classmate was wounded in a robbery attempt on August 1 of 1970, and died two weeks later, the day before our football season workouts began. We devoted our season to him.

I tell this true story from the first person, and through the reminiscences of a handful of the key characters who were central to it, including our legendary head coach Paul Martel, who died in January 2016 at age 91. I conclude the book with reflections of what that season and accomplishment meant to us, particularly as we now face the final quarter of our lives. Educated by Jesuit priests, who challenged us to question, to commit to something, and to act, we pulled together in common purpose, at least for that season. Most of us were buoyed by our belief in each other, and by our faith in God. And, at least for me, I experienced life lessons that proved invaluable for what I was to become: a daily newspaper sportswriter and columnist, then a business executive, husband and father.

  1. true sports stories such as Remember the Titans, Hoosiers, Friday Night Lights, and One Shot at Forever (the story of the small-school Macon, Illinois baseball team that finished second in the 1971 Illinois baseball tournament), offer drama beyond the tension of high school competition on the fields and courts. This story provides plenty for an avid sports fan. But it, too, offers much more. I suspect Baby Boomers around the country, and readers of all ages, can relate to the way dreams evolve, become compromised or rationalized, and come to rest. And how hard-earned accomplishments, especially those boosted by the kind hand of an unseen power, provide meaning and comfort as we reflect on the impact we have made on the world.

Among the characters: our best player, an earnest and unselfish athlete who had his best game in the state championship; our only African-American teammate, whose parents moved him to St. Louis to distance him from the racial turmoil in central Alabama in the mid-1960s; our biggest player, a character seemingly straight from Clair Bee's Chip Hilton stories; our quarterback, a free-spirited genius who exasperated the coaches but pulled off heroic plays; an under-sized defensive end seemingly possessed by the spirit of his cherished older brother killed in Vietnam; and our Student Council secretary, an African-American who challenged us to confront society's racial issues and later revealed he is gay.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Jala Publishing
Published: 08/15/2017
ISBN: 9780999247709
Pages: 288
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.65d
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SKU: 74796656875

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Size: 2 Little Kid, Color: Navy/Blue
My daughter has been wearing these navy/blue shoes since the weather has been less rainy and more sunny. They are great for outdoor play, especially on days when it's warm outside. The knit mesh upper keeps her feet from overheating, and the cushioned insole feels supportive without being stiff. At size 2, the fit is accurate and the width runs a bit roomy, which gave her some growing room without feeling loose. The slip-on design with elastic laces and pull tabs is a real plus. She can get them on and off without any help, which she loves. The shoes are light enough that she barely notices them during long active days. My one small complaint is that the sole feels more like firm foam than rubber, so they can be a little slippery on smooth indoor floors. For the price, these deliver solid everyday value. They look good, hold up well to regular use, and my daughter reaches for them first most mornings. Pros: - Breathable mesh keeps feet cool - Easy slip-on design with elastic laces and pull tabs - Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear - Accurate sizing with a roomy width - Durable for the price Cons: - Sole can be slippery on hard smooth surfaces - Limited outsole grip compared to rubber-soled shoes
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Size: 3 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender
My kid has been wearing these for a few weeks now and I'm genuinely impressed with how well they've held up. The knit mesh upper keeps feet cool and comfortable during long days at school and outdoor play, and the cushioned EVA midsole does a great job absorbing impact. What really won me over is the slip-on design with elasticated laces and dual pull tabs — my child can put them on and take them off completely independently, which is a huge win. The fit is snug but not tight, and they run a bit roomy in width, which is great for kids with wider feet or those who need a little growing room. At $32, the quality feels solid for the price. Lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear — these check all the boxes for an everyday kids' shoe.
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Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender, Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender
These have turned out to be great everyday shoes for my 5 year old. She normally wears a size 10, but since that size wasn’t available, I ordered the 11 expecting her to grow into them. I was pleasantly surprised that they already fit her pretty well. There’s still a little extra room in the toe area, but the shoes fit securely around her ankles so they don’t feel loose or slip off while walking or playing. She says they’re very comfortable and loves how easy they are to slip on by herself. The lightweight design is nice for everyday wear, and they’ve held up well so far despite being worn almost daily. They've become her favorite shoes to wear! Also the pink/lavender color is really pretty in person. Overall, I’m very happy with them and would order again.
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