Commissioner: The Legacy of Pete Rozelle [Hardcover]

John Fortunato (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2006

In The Commissioner, John A. Fortunato looks at how Rozelle elevated the NFL from a disparate, 12-team league in 1960 to the colossus it is today. He also critiques a number of Rozelle's more controversial decisions, such as the gambling suspensions of Alex Karras and Paul Hornung in 1963 and his decision to play games on the Sunday following the Kennedy assassination the same year. Rozelle also endured two players' strikes (one of which involved the controversial use of replacement players) and an antitrust action brought against him by the USFL. Finally, an entire chapter is devoted to his battles, both in and out of court, with Raders' owner Al Davis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In my opinion, Pete Rozelle was the most compelling sports executive of the 20th Century and his life and career needed to by written. I am so pleased that it finally has. What is so apparent in reading about this great man is not only his vision, his brilliance, his often understood toughness when he needed to be, but also his incredible humility. He was the most humble super star I have ever been around. To have been able to work on his staff is one of the precious privileges of my life. (Ernie Accorsi )

Finally, the inside story of one of the five most important men in the history of football. When you read this book, you'll understand how Pete Rozelle built this game into the American obsession that it is--and you'll understand just who Rozelle was. (Peter King Sports Illustrated )

I first became aware of Pete Rozelle when he was with the Los Angeles Rams and I was getting ready to leave USC for the NFL. One of the "biggies" at the Rams had assured me I would be their top draft pick. I wasn't, and because of that, I got to New York 10 years before Rozelle arrived. Our friendship grew over the next almost 30 years and we came to share many great times, sad times, triumphs, and failures. His success as Commissioner is well documented and he is without question the greatest sport executive in all sports history. Not so well documented is his success as a dear friend. He was intensely private about his own personal life. So while we know much about those he touched in so many ways professionally, we will never now the magnitude of kindness and caring to so many of us who were blessed with a truly wonderful friend. Pete Rozelle is a man I truly loved and still miss most every day. (Frank Gifford )

Pete Rozelle was not only a man of extraordinary integrity, grace, and humility; he was an unparalleled pathfinder in the profession of sports leadership. His remarkable vision and strategic approach helped grow the NFL in ways that no other sports league had ever experienced or considered, thus shaping the imagination and direction of the entire sports landscape. He remains a beacon for me and countless other industry leaders -- providing a great example of not only what to do but how to do it. (David Stern )

The National Football League reached an awesome point during the Rozelle years. Pete Rozelle's integrity, consistency and vision are woven throughout the League's traditions. Pete was a man of distinction in his era (field). I am grateful for his leadership and friendship. He was a friend from the day I met him in the 1950s. The League will always be in his debt. (Dan Rooney )

About the Author

John A. Fortunato is assistant professor of Communications at the University of Texas. His current research interest is sports media and aspects of advertising, public relations, and marketing. Fortunato is the author of "The Ultimate Assist," a book about basketball and media. He has also authored articles that have appeared in Public Relations Review, Communications and the Law Journal, Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal, and the New Jersey Journal of Communication. His industry experience includes working for NBC sports at both the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. He lives in Austin, TX.

John A. Fortunato is assistant professor of Communications at the University of Texas. His current research interest is sports media and aspects of advertising, public relations, and marketing. Fortunato is the author of "The Ultimate Assist," a book about basketball and media. He has also authored articles that have appeared in Public Relations Review, Communications and the Law Journal, Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal, and the New Jersey Journal of Communication. His industry experience includes working for NBC sports at both the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. He lives in Austin, TX.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 1st Taylor Trade Pub. Hardback Ed edition (August 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589792912
• ISBN-13: 978-1589792913
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,467,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Read, A Little Disappointed, December 28, 2006

By 

Tom Jacoubowsky - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Commissioner: The Legacy of Pete Rozelle (Hardcover)

I have always been looking for a book on Pete Rozelle and I was happy to see this book come out. The book is a quick read and was a decent book, but as somebody who has read numerous books on the NFL, I was a little disappointed as I was expecting more. Two years ago I read Michael Maccambridge's "America's Game." That book has set the standard for books on the NFL.

In defense of the author, the biggest issue he probably faced was the fact that many of the people in the book were dead, including Rozelle. Because of this, I felt that much of the information I have already gathered from my own readings. The book just didn't have the freshness I was hoping for.

All in all, a good book if you're interested in Rozelle, especially if you haven't read many other books on the NFL.

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, September 26, 2007

By 

Howard Wexler (White Plains, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Commissioner: The Legacy of Pete Rozelle (Hardcover)

By most accounts, Rozelle is considered the greatest pro sports commissioner. If that is the case, then this books disappoints. Everybody (even Al Davis) thinks he was a nice guy with great persuasive abilities. He was also a great father. And you get a lot of detail about the Raiders leaving Oakland. But it looks like he had very few sources and the book really disappoints.

There is a new book by Jeff Davis on Rozelle, hope it is better.

2.0 out of 5 stars John D., January 4, 2007

By 

John J. Delach "Big Blue" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Commissioner: The Legacy of Pete Rozelle (Hardcover)

I'm a life-long Giants fan and a student of the game. Rozelle was a terrific commissioner especially because of all the events that happened on his watch. I always regretted that he never wrote about it. This book opens the door to his tenure. Unfortunately, it is far to santized to offer the real story of Al Davis, the AFL, JFK's death and the decision to play, the Hornong and Karas suspensions, race, drugs, the USFL, etc., etc. Hoprfully that book is still to be written.