English Football History

Goalkeepers in trousers, proper division names, turf patterns, pixelated scoreboards and, of course, Saturday evening pink newspapers.... They were the gritty stardust that made football sparkle. Here, 50 such wonders are drawn together with evocative charm before they slip from memory forever. Dedicating a chapter to each wonder, Daniel Gray's pieces sound more like love letters than essays.

James Robert "Bob" Kalsu was an esteemed member of the United States military. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life for his country. While most used their celebrity status and wealth to avoid going to war, Kalsu, an offensive lineman in the National Football League, chose to commit to active duty. A Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, he served from 1969-1970. Tragically, only eight months after joining the fight, Kalsu was killed in A-Shau Valley, Vietnam.