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Backfield Boys
Sportswriting powerhouse John Feinstein's young adult novel Backfield Boys follows best friends and football stars Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson, a perfect, though unconventional, pair: Jason, the Jewish kid, is lightning fast and a natural wide-receiver, while African-American Tom has an amazing arm and a quarterback's feel for the game. After summer football camp at an elite sports-focused boarding school, the boys are thrilled to enroll on scholarship for their freshman year--despite their mothers' fears of injury and especially CTE.
On day one, they're stunned when the coaches make Tom a receiver and Jason a quarterback, a complete contradiction to their skill sets and training. They soon suspect this is a racial issue. The boys speak out, risking both their scholarships and their chance to play. But when Jason gets a concussion in the first game of the season, he and Tom must decide how much they're willing to lose in their quest to expose the ugly remnants of a racist past that still linger in contemporary jock culture.
In Backfield Boys, -The best writer of sports books in America today- (The Boston Globe) tells a thrilling story of friendship, football, and a fight for justice.
On day one, they're stunned when the coaches make Tom a receiver and Jason a quarterback, a complete contradiction to their skill sets and training. They soon suspect this is a racial issue. The boys speak out, risking both their scholarships and their chance to play. But when Jason gets a concussion in the first game of the season, he and Tom must decide how much they're willing to lose in their quest to expose the ugly remnants of a racist past that still linger in contemporary jock culture.
In Backfield Boys, -The best writer of sports books in America today- (The Boston Globe) tells a thrilling story of friendship, football, and a fight for justice.
353 pages, Hardcover
First published August 29, 2017
114 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
John Feinstein
75 books591 followersJohn Feinstein was an American sportswriter, author, and sports commentator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
November 17, 2017
Hooray for a good football book that features nice play-by-play action, has something of a compelling plot, and will be a palatable recommendation for sporty students who have to check out something for a class assignment. Now that said, it's not so incredible that YAs who just love reading will sprain anything getting to a library or bookstore for their own copies. It's a book that seems written for the independent reading project.
The suspense in the plot involves whether two high school freshmen transplanted New Yorkers who have been given scholarships to play in the football program of a famed Virginia private sport prep school will be able to prove that they are the victims of institutional racism. The black quarterback Tom is slated as a receiver while his longtime white buddy Jason is the fastest receiver but is pushed into a lower strings at QB. The two dig into the job and ruffle lots of feathers along with their roommates and a couple of newspaper sports writers.
Ideally suited to younger readers, even middle school, Backfield Boys is also timely with its entry into a nice field of realistic books that help bring some of the racial conflicts facing the U.S. into a applied fictional context.
The suspense in the plot involves whether two high school freshmen transplanted New Yorkers who have been given scholarships to play in the football program of a famed Virginia private sport prep school will be able to prove that they are the victims of institutional racism. The black quarterback Tom is slated as a receiver while his longtime white buddy Jason is the fastest receiver but is pushed into a lower strings at QB. The two dig into the job and ruffle lots of feathers along with their roommates and a couple of newspaper sports writers.
Ideally suited to younger readers, even middle school, Backfield Boys is also timely with its entry into a nice field of realistic books that help bring some of the racial conflicts facing the U.S. into a applied fictional context.
September 14, 2017
I received an ARC of "Backfield Boys" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't impressed with this story. I felt there were far too manny tropes trotted out and too much emphasis on the political climate. While it's important to bring relevant issues--particularly in the world of sports--to the minds of today's youth, much of this felt like a lazy rehash.
While I could easily figure out where this was going, I didn't feel like the book challenged the reader enough. There were far too many instances where the black characters took the role of passivity, while the white characters stepped up to make change happen.
Their is, whether intended or not, an undercurrent of someone (yet again) being the white savior. I didn't much care for that and, if I allowed either of my two preteen children to read this book, I'd immediately point out that tendency.
In life, there will be a myriad of challenges and, while some are still holding to ignorance, it is our responsibility to do better.
Is this a book that will at the very least bring forth conversation? Yes. If that alone was the author's goal, then he accomplished that much.
I wasn't impressed with this story. I felt there were far too manny tropes trotted out and too much emphasis on the political climate. While it's important to bring relevant issues--particularly in the world of sports--to the minds of today's youth, much of this felt like a lazy rehash.
While I could easily figure out where this was going, I didn't feel like the book challenged the reader enough. There were far too many instances where the black characters took the role of passivity, while the white characters stepped up to make change happen.
Their is, whether intended or not, an undercurrent of someone (yet again) being the white savior. I didn't much care for that and, if I allowed either of my two preteen children to read this book, I'd immediately point out that tendency.
In life, there will be a myriad of challenges and, while some are still holding to ignorance, it is our responsibility to do better.
Is this a book that will at the very least bring forth conversation? Yes. If that alone was the author's goal, then he accomplished that much.
March 23, 2023
I rated Backfield Boys by John Feinstein 3 stars because I liked the story the book was telling but I did not like how it was told. It would be entertaining for a chapter or two then it would die out and leave you bored for a couple chapters. I feel that if the book could have had less of those boering parts it would definitely be 5 stars. Also I gave it 3 stars because of the characters, they were written realistically and I could relate to some of the things since they were also freshmen. The book is about 2 incoming freshmen who have never been allowed to play football and convince their parents to let them go to a TPG (TPG is a private high school mainly for sports) summer football camp. Both of the boys loved playing football and the camp itself, Jason was playing wide receiver and Tom was playing quarterback. When they got back home to their families they were surprised to receive scholarships from TPG to come play for their football team. When they get to the school and eventually start practice they are surprised to see that their positions were switched. They had thought it was a mistake but later found out it was for a much different reason. What I liked about this book was the constant suspense you feel as you read through it. What I didn't like about it was how unrealistic some parts were. Some of the situations just made me think that there was no way this could ever happen. I would not read another book by John Fienstein, Because of the constant slowing down and picking up but also because I have found a new genre that I am much more interested in.
March 16, 2018
I have read many books written by John Feinstein, therefore I expected more from "Backfield Boys." I still enjoyed reading some of this novel, but I did not like the lack of inclusion of sporting events, especially because I was expecting a majority of the novel to be based on football. Although I have these problems with the novel, I really liked the suspense in "Backfield Boys." The reason I gave this novel two stars is because it never really made me want to keep reading. This book appeals to teenage boys because of the diction and plot. I also feel teenage boys would like this book because of the incorporation of football and the high school setting. Overall, I disliked this book because of my expectations. If I started reading this book with a different attitude, I might have enjoyed reading "Backfield Boys" more.
October 7, 2019
I loved this book. I loved how the boys grew up together and how they played football and got really good together. I love how they decided to go to college together and how many friends they meet there. I hated the coaches and how they swapped the boys from their positions. I hated the coaches are so mean and refuse to listen to the boys. I love how they decide to risk their scholarships in order to prove that the coach is racist. I love how in the end they win a game because they resort back to the positions they are good at. I really liked this book. 5 stars.
September 22, 2017
This book was absolutely amazing, and I am very inclined to read other books by this author.
March 1, 2018
True confession. I am not a football fan. I don't know one play from another and when dragged to a high school game by my husband, will patiently wait until half-time and then beg to leave. (Let's hear it for the marching band!)
But after listening to BACKFIELD BOYS (August, 2017 Farrar, Straus, and Giroux) by sports journalist John Feinstein, next time I watch a game I'll pay a little more attention to what is actually happening on the field. Yep. This young adult book for boys (although female football fans will also enjoy it) is that good.
A short prologue sets the stage for the book when a member of a defeated touch football team says to Jason and Tom: "You two should make history. How many great quarterback receiver combinations have the black guy throwing to the white guy?" From that opening premise, John Feinstein spins out the adventure of best friends Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson--two New York freshman who rock the world of an elite sports-focused boarding school--and the nation.
Written in an omniscient point of view, the reader is primarily privy to Tom and Jason's thoughts as they navigate the practice fields of the prep school. Tom, an African American, is the "Bullseye" quarterback. Jason is nicknamed "White Lightening" because he's a fast wide receiver. When they get to school and attend their first practice, they're surprised when their positions are switched. They protest, but to no avail. Soon, they and their two buddies--Billy Bob a white boy from Alabama; and Anthony, a huge black lineman who loves to eat--suspect that there's some heavy duty racism going on behind the scenes.
Despite plenty of realistic obstacles, the boys figure out what's going on at the school, who is behind the racial discrimination, and how the coaches are covering up the story. In the course of the book the four boys make friends with the Hispanic student athletes (who fill them in on some of the political realities of the school) and four female athletes (conveniently, two are black, and two are white). The truth of how deeply racism runs in the fictional Virginia prep school is revealed at the school dance when the inter-racial couples are told to stop dancing with one another.
Although some readers may find the ending predictable, I couldn't stop listening to it. Published in 2017, this contemporary book might startle readers from ages 12-18: the roots of racism still dig deep into our American consciousness.
I appreciated narrator Mike Chamberlain 's clear reading of Backfield Boys but I felt like his portrayal of Billy Bob--the tall southern boy with a deep drawl, was the most accurate. Although the hispanic secondary characters sounded authentic, I think Anthony, the southern black boy, was not as effectively portrayed.
Giveaway on my blog: https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com... ends March 2.
But after listening to BACKFIELD BOYS (August, 2017 Farrar, Straus, and Giroux) by sports journalist John Feinstein, next time I watch a game I'll pay a little more attention to what is actually happening on the field. Yep. This young adult book for boys (although female football fans will also enjoy it) is that good.
A short prologue sets the stage for the book when a member of a defeated touch football team says to Jason and Tom: "You two should make history. How many great quarterback receiver combinations have the black guy throwing to the white guy?" From that opening premise, John Feinstein spins out the adventure of best friends Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson--two New York freshman who rock the world of an elite sports-focused boarding school--and the nation.
Written in an omniscient point of view, the reader is primarily privy to Tom and Jason's thoughts as they navigate the practice fields of the prep school. Tom, an African American, is the "Bullseye" quarterback. Jason is nicknamed "White Lightening" because he's a fast wide receiver. When they get to school and attend their first practice, they're surprised when their positions are switched. They protest, but to no avail. Soon, they and their two buddies--Billy Bob a white boy from Alabama; and Anthony, a huge black lineman who loves to eat--suspect that there's some heavy duty racism going on behind the scenes.
Despite plenty of realistic obstacles, the boys figure out what's going on at the school, who is behind the racial discrimination, and how the coaches are covering up the story. In the course of the book the four boys make friends with the Hispanic student athletes (who fill them in on some of the political realities of the school) and four female athletes (conveniently, two are black, and two are white). The truth of how deeply racism runs in the fictional Virginia prep school is revealed at the school dance when the inter-racial couples are told to stop dancing with one another.
Although some readers may find the ending predictable, I couldn't stop listening to it. Published in 2017, this contemporary book might startle readers from ages 12-18: the roots of racism still dig deep into our American consciousness.
I appreciated narrator Mike Chamberlain 's clear reading of Backfield Boys but I felt like his portrayal of Billy Bob--the tall southern boy with a deep drawl, was the most accurate. Although the hispanic secondary characters sounded authentic, I think Anthony, the southern black boy, was not as effectively portrayed.
Giveaway on my blog: https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com... ends March 2.
March 1, 2021
Like mystery and realistic fiction books? Then Backfield Boys is the book for you! At the start of this book, wide receiver Jason Roddin and black quarterback Tom Jefferson are recruited to play at an elite preparatory school, hoping to go to the National Football League someday. Jason and Tom were very excited to play for this top school, but their excitement soon came to frustration. At the first practice, Jason and Tom's positions were switched, putting Jason at quarterback and Tom at wide receiver. The two boys constantly questioned the coaches of this atrocity, giving much frustration to the coaches. Along with this, Jason and Tom barely played in any of the first few games to start the season. One day, one of the football players, a black offensive lineman, was deeply criticized for not protecting the starting quarterback during a practice. This led to the main quarterback being out for the season due to a torn ACL, and the black offensive lineman quitting the team. The next day, Todd and Jason inquired about the specific treatment of the coaches towards black people. First, the coaches switched Tom's QB position, who is black, and then they specifically criticized another black player, even though it was not his fault. The next few days, the boys looked through past events with the team and wanted to see if there was a similar pattern to the treatment towards black players on the team, and while researching, the discovered a reporter who wants to a racism piece against the coaches of the football team. After discovering this, the boys and the reporter met up with each other, hoping to find the truth among the racist allegations. Throughout the book, the boys encounter harsh problems on the field while secretly going behind the coaches' backs to uncover more information about suspicious racist behavior.
November 12, 2018
I try to read a middle grade or YA sports book every once in awhile. Not only because I enjoy sports, but because it's a genre that many of my students (male and female) read religiously. I enjoy how Feinstein (as well as authors like Tim Green and Mike Lupica) weave sports mechanics and play-by-play with non-sport issues and themes.
The subject matter here is both timely and frustrating. Two boys--one African American, one Jewish--attend a private prep school with a focus on athletics only to discover that something is deeply wrong with the inner workings of the football team--and the school.
That thing is racism.
While Feinstein references common forms of overt racism (the KKK, use of the n word, objection to interracial couples), there is also acknowledgement of casual racism (e.g. using "Mr." with white athletes but not with those of color) and systemic racism (assuming African Americans aren't as smart or that they are built specifically for certain things). And conservatives, be forewarned: the president is called out several times--by name--for fanning the flames of racism. (Rightly so, in this reader's opinion.)
This will be a great read for my students who enjoy a good sports story--there's plenty of exciting football action. But it will be a great read for those interested in racial equality and social justice, as well--a theme that is extremely popular with my middle school students right now.
The subject matter here is both timely and frustrating. Two boys--one African American, one Jewish--attend a private prep school with a focus on athletics only to discover that something is deeply wrong with the inner workings of the football team--and the school.
That thing is racism.
While Feinstein references common forms of overt racism (the KKK, use of the n word, objection to interracial couples), there is also acknowledgement of casual racism (e.g. using "Mr." with white athletes but not with those of color) and systemic racism (assuming African Americans aren't as smart or that they are built specifically for certain things). And conservatives, be forewarned: the president is called out several times--by name--for fanning the flames of racism. (Rightly so, in this reader's opinion.)
This will be a great read for my students who enjoy a good sports story--there's plenty of exciting football action. But it will be a great read for those interested in racial equality and social justice, as well--a theme that is extremely popular with my middle school students right now.
January 10, 2022
The Backfield Boys by John Feinstein is a book about persevering even when it seems like your goal is impossible. The genre of this book is mystery and sports. It takes place in a private high school in Virginia in present times. The main characters are Jason who is white and runs lightning fast and is a really good receiver. He is always ready to help and wants to do the right thing . Tom is black and is a really good quarterback with pinpoint accuracy and stays loyal to his friends no matter what. Billy-Bob Anderson is Jason’s roommate and is kind-hearted and also plays quarterback. Anthony is Tom’s roommate and plays offensive lineman and is one of the best on the team. I really enjoyed this book, many chapters end on cliffhangers including when Tom, Jason, Anthony and Billy-Bob are caught talking with reporters by their coaches. I couldn’t stop reading and finished in two days, it always left me on the edge of my seat and each game was really exciting, for instance when Billy-Bob gets hurt and Tom has to come in on the final play of the final game.I would give this book 5 stars, overall one of the best books I’ve ever read and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
March 1, 2018
Backfield Boys by John Feinstein is a great realistic fiction novel for all ages. In the book two kids go to a football boarding school in the south. In the boarding school they are some of the best players there but do not seem to get enough playing time. That is when they learn just how racially influenced the decisions made at TGP are. Throughout the book the two boys struggle to find answers. I really liked the book because it did not only talk about football but a pressing problem in our community, racism. In the book it was very interesting how the kids dealt with the media. On page 185 in a letter to Jason it says,"Tom Robinson has requested an interview with him for Sunday..." This is just a front the kids have made up. They actually are going to talk to the reporters about the racial bias. This really helps me relate to the book because if I was in that position I would do the same thing. That is what writers try to accomplish, making the reader feel connected to the story. This book was really good because it will influence people to also be less racist and have less prejudice. Overall this is a very good book that I would rate a 9 out of 10.
April 2, 2023
Another great book by Feinstein.
May 13, 2025
While it could have included more character development and nuance, I enjoyed the friendship between the boys as they experienced the racism from their football coaches. I feel like this book also has a mystery aspect as the boys team up with reporters to uncover more of the coaches' background and expose their racism to the school.
August 26, 2017
Feinstein's book, The Backfield Boys, mirrors the current racial distress in the U.S. Set at a private prep school in the South known for excellence in sports, the book tells the story of four football players and their struggle to experience fair play on and off the field. Also a story of friendship, the boys have to make difficult choices that will have wide ranging impact on their lives and the lives of many others.
October 21, 2022
I really liked the book and I loved that Jason and Tom finally got rid of the horrible coaches. The ending was very good and actually had me wondering if they were going to win the game. I really loved BackField Boys!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2017
This book talks about modern day racism. It has taught me a lot. I read it all in one day because I couldn't put it down.
December 21, 2017
Backfield Boys
Review by: Peter Wojdak
Backfield Boys by John Feinstein features a dynamic football duo. Jason and Tom are the best wide receiver to quarterback pairing in their local area, consisting of a private and public school, in New York City. The unstereotypical pairing has earned themselves the nicknames white lightning and bullseye because of their extreme skill. The pairing is unstereotypical because stereotypes say that normally a black player is faster and will play wide receiver, while a white player plays quarterback. Tom and Jason are just the opposite.
These best friends decide to go to a boarding school in Virginia called Thomas Gatch Prep High School or TGP. The boys went to a 7 on 7 camp at the school over the summer. The boys enjoyed their time there, and the scouts at the camp realized the duo’s talent and offered them both full scholarships. Neither boy could turn down such an offer and both began their freshman year playing on the football team at TGP. Immediately after arriving at school they run into some issues. The first person they talked to at the school informed them they wouldn’t be rooming together. They had specifically requested to room together when applying. Then they went to their first practice and learned they would be playing each other’s normal positions. Tom would play wide receiver and Jason would play quarterback. They tried to protest and explain there had been a mix up, but were interrupted and told to respect their superiors. Something is up at TGP, but the boys dont know what.
I would put this story in the sports genre but it has a cool mystery spin to it. Some of the larger themes in the book are friendship and racism. In the following quote from the story you can see how much racism emerges as a theme. “Ingelsby responded, “Well I sure as hell am not working for a goddamn…” And then he said it, the n-word.” This shows a coach talking in a meeting after learning a black offensive line coach will become the head coach. It shows how racist some of the coaches in the book are and how big of a theme it is in the story.
This book really did appeal to me. One of the largest things that enhanced the story was the authors writing style. The story was written so that every time you thought the plot was going to calm down something huge would happen. Right as they are figuring out that the coach was a racist they learn he is not the only racist one. This keeps the plot constantly expanding and makes the story more intriguing.
Another thing I like about this book is how relatable the characters are. The four main characters: Jason, Tom, Anthony, and Billy Bob are similar ages to me. This makes all the challenges in the book relatable to me, because I can envision myself inside the conflict and then feel what the characters are feeling.
With the relatable character and interesting writing style I would recommend this book to young adult readers in seventh grade and up. It is great for all readers who like mysteries or sports. The book combines the genres of the epic sports story with the evil antagonist mystery to create an interesting plot. I haven’t read a book similar to this but compared to other sports stories it takes the cake. VERDICT: If you are a fan of sports, mysteries, or are just looking for a good book in general you have to pick up Backfield Boys.
Review by: Peter Wojdak
Backfield Boys by John Feinstein features a dynamic football duo. Jason and Tom are the best wide receiver to quarterback pairing in their local area, consisting of a private and public school, in New York City. The unstereotypical pairing has earned themselves the nicknames white lightning and bullseye because of their extreme skill. The pairing is unstereotypical because stereotypes say that normally a black player is faster and will play wide receiver, while a white player plays quarterback. Tom and Jason are just the opposite.
These best friends decide to go to a boarding school in Virginia called Thomas Gatch Prep High School or TGP. The boys went to a 7 on 7 camp at the school over the summer. The boys enjoyed their time there, and the scouts at the camp realized the duo’s talent and offered them both full scholarships. Neither boy could turn down such an offer and both began their freshman year playing on the football team at TGP. Immediately after arriving at school they run into some issues. The first person they talked to at the school informed them they wouldn’t be rooming together. They had specifically requested to room together when applying. Then they went to their first practice and learned they would be playing each other’s normal positions. Tom would play wide receiver and Jason would play quarterback. They tried to protest and explain there had been a mix up, but were interrupted and told to respect their superiors. Something is up at TGP, but the boys dont know what.
I would put this story in the sports genre but it has a cool mystery spin to it. Some of the larger themes in the book are friendship and racism. In the following quote from the story you can see how much racism emerges as a theme. “Ingelsby responded, “Well I sure as hell am not working for a goddamn…” And then he said it, the n-word.” This shows a coach talking in a meeting after learning a black offensive line coach will become the head coach. It shows how racist some of the coaches in the book are and how big of a theme it is in the story.
This book really did appeal to me. One of the largest things that enhanced the story was the authors writing style. The story was written so that every time you thought the plot was going to calm down something huge would happen. Right as they are figuring out that the coach was a racist they learn he is not the only racist one. This keeps the plot constantly expanding and makes the story more intriguing.
Another thing I like about this book is how relatable the characters are. The four main characters: Jason, Tom, Anthony, and Billy Bob are similar ages to me. This makes all the challenges in the book relatable to me, because I can envision myself inside the conflict and then feel what the characters are feeling.
With the relatable character and interesting writing style I would recommend this book to young adult readers in seventh grade and up. It is great for all readers who like mysteries or sports. The book combines the genres of the epic sports story with the evil antagonist mystery to create an interesting plot. I haven’t read a book similar to this but compared to other sports stories it takes the cake. VERDICT: If you are a fan of sports, mysteries, or are just looking for a good book in general you have to pick up Backfield Boys.
September 15, 2017
This review was for a freely given ARC review via netgalley. This was an interesting story. It follows Tom, an African American boy and his best friend Jason who is white as they get an up-close and personal look at racism in the 21st century. To sum up their meeting and dynamic, they met when they were in elementary school both having a live of sports, but both excelling at football. Jason was a good receiver, and Tom a good quarterback. The interesting bit of their dynamic is that the author sets up the premise of reverse stereotyped roles in football. I'm not sure if this is an unspoken rule in American football, or if it's just a correlation of something noticed over the years in both American and football history. Regardless this is a very interesting story set up.
Football is practically Americas unofficial religion. It has its roots deep in white male culture historically so they, meaning football and its overall institution are very averse to change. It plays on a lot of racial stereotypes that people want to pretend don't exist. So we have two best friends of different backgrounds with arguably the wrong skill set for their race. But regardless, they make a good QB-receiver combo that could change football history. When they get to high school as freshman after a having attended youth football camp run by the same school, they've been given each other's intended positions and when they try to correct or even pass an inquiry about it they slowly realize that there's something up with the coaches and the school, which a heavily ingrained yet unspoken rule of the social acceptance of discreet racism and discrimination from its staff and students.
I was really surprised at the intense subject of this because it takes a still very relevant subject, racism, and puts it in an equally relevant and controversial sport- American football. I say it's controversial because as I mentioned, football is a stereotypical male sport and its rooted and date need back to the time of racism, segregation and discrimination. It delivered this subject in a very real and relatable way.
What got me the most, negatively about this story was the fact that the characters were 14. I felt like the way the different characters in the story, spoke was not age appropriate, same for when they begin their research on the coach. However, I also understand that for them to truly understand racism directly in the way they did it had to be in a situation where they were coming into an already established institution which they did. It would probably have been better if they were college freshman and not high school freshman. I also didn't like that we didn't get to see the emotional toll on the two 14 year old boys, because they are just that boys. Sure we see a lot of the anger in different ways, but I would have also liked to see if it affected Jason and Tom's relationship to each other, which I think it should have to some extent. Still, I applaud the author for taking an interesting topic and dropping it into a context relevant. I also understood why they used high school students instead.
So overall, I liked the story a lot. 3.5 stars.
Football is practically Americas unofficial religion. It has its roots deep in white male culture historically so they, meaning football and its overall institution are very averse to change. It plays on a lot of racial stereotypes that people want to pretend don't exist. So we have two best friends of different backgrounds with arguably the wrong skill set for their race. But regardless, they make a good QB-receiver combo that could change football history. When they get to high school as freshman after a having attended youth football camp run by the same school, they've been given each other's intended positions and when they try to correct or even pass an inquiry about it they slowly realize that there's something up with the coaches and the school, which a heavily ingrained yet unspoken rule of the social acceptance of discreet racism and discrimination from its staff and students.
I was really surprised at the intense subject of this because it takes a still very relevant subject, racism, and puts it in an equally relevant and controversial sport- American football. I say it's controversial because as I mentioned, football is a stereotypical male sport and its rooted and date need back to the time of racism, segregation and discrimination. It delivered this subject in a very real and relatable way.
What got me the most, negatively about this story was the fact that the characters were 14. I felt like the way the different characters in the story, spoke was not age appropriate, same for when they begin their research on the coach. However, I also understand that for them to truly understand racism directly in the way they did it had to be in a situation where they were coming into an already established institution which they did. It would probably have been better if they were college freshman and not high school freshman. I also didn't like that we didn't get to see the emotional toll on the two 14 year old boys, because they are just that boys. Sure we see a lot of the anger in different ways, but I would have also liked to see if it affected Jason and Tom's relationship to each other, which I think it should have to some extent. Still, I applaud the author for taking an interesting topic and dropping it into a context relevant. I also understood why they used high school students instead.
So overall, I liked the story a lot. 3.5 stars.
January 26, 2018
Back street Boys by John Feinstein is a fast paced sports book, where a freshman Jason is “The Quarterback.” A high role where everything is rolling for him; his grades are high, he’s getting the girls,he is living the all around highschool life. Freshman football players Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson are known around the school as “The Duo” Jason is known everywhere for his extremely fast speed, while his best friend Tom has the potential that any starting quarterback needs to have in their high school career. After they spend the summer at a football camp at an elite sports school, the boys are given the chance to to be invited back with full ride scholarships. One day at practice, they are filled with disbelief that the team's coaching staff makes Tom, a black student athlete, a receiver for their team and Jason, a white kid, a quarterback. The overall impressions I have on the book are great! The fact that the book is based of my favorite sport may play a role in the deciding, but for others the will to keep reading to find the answer they are looking for was a big hook for me. I love how there is always tension in the book through racial differences.
First of all, John Feinstein does an amazing job at showing realism throughout the book through racial difficulties. In the book the boys were surprised by the coaches remarks and decisions and they felt that there was racial remarks going on so they risked they scholarships and much more.
Jason states in the book that he is Jewish and Tom is black. At the school they attend daily, the boys soon start to pick up on incidents of racism in the school. Jason’s pal who is his roomate who goes by the nickname Billy Bob who grew up in Alabama, and does not share these similar beliefs, but has lived in the south more than anywhere else and he knows what’s real from whats not. When the boys realize that there has never been a black quarterback at their new school, and the roommates that they are assigned are along racial ties, they contact all the local news stations and start an further follow up investigation. Especially into the main culprit of the racism, offensive coordinator Gatch whom is the founder of the school. He has a history of alarming ties to people whose record on race is not so good. There are a lot of problems today as ones found in Back Field Boys that are in the real world such as discrimination, guilt, and prejudice towards every race. Feinstein's writing skills compliment the real world with what every race struggles in today’s time.
I think the book Back Field Boys contains a theme we are still fighting today, that theme is putting what is right before your own self. The main characters learn a few things here and there about standing up for what you believe in and doing what morals we humans share together. We all bleed the same blood. Everybody has different ways they grow up but in the science where the boys went above and beyond and approached the school risking everything. When they risked everything it totally relates to the theme through doing what it true and what is right. The bravery and positivity throughout the book still amazes me.
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January 14, 2020Backfield Boys written by John Feinstein was amazing. I was just looking in the library for some sort of sports book and somehow I pulled this one off the shelf. It is about two boys, Tom and Jason who are in high school and have been friends since they were in kindergarten. They had always played sports together but their parents had never let them play football until the boys finally convinced them in high school after playing in the park with some friends. With Tom at quarterback and Jason at receiver, they were unstoppable.
The book begins with Tom and Jason playing touch football in the park with friends, but they were too good so they would always win. That is when their friends suggested that they play football in high school. This led to many conversations with their parents, but in the end, their parents agreed to let them play. Everything was going well and they were each the best at their position, but their coach was racist. This meant that Jason, a white kid, could start and Tom, a black kid, was third string behind two white kids. Throughout the book, the boys and one of their assistant coaches tried to prove that their head coach wasn’t giving every kid a fair shot. Finally during one meeting, the assistant coach recorded the head coach being racist and they were able to get him fired. After that, there was only one game left in the season, so Tom got to start. That meant that he won because Jason was right by his side and the duo was back and better than ever.
The book ended with Tom and Jason winning their last game and they both played every minute of that game. I liked how it ended because it took such a long time for Tom to get the position he deserved and when he got it, he proved that it was meant to be his. My favorite part of the book was during the last touchdown of the last game because it was very intense: Tom was rolling out of the pockett while being chased by three defenders. When he was scanning the field, no one was open. Just as he was about to get hit by all three defenders, Jason made a quick move to get open. Tom let the ball fly as he was hit and Jason had to dive out of bounds while keeping his toes in bounds and he secured the pass.
In my opinion, this was a really good book. I liked how it showed the struggle of race while still having sports in the book. Another football book that I have read before is called Football Champ by Tim Green. Also, a movie that deals with racism and football is Remember the Titans. That is one of my favorite movies ever and I highly recommend watching it. I would recommend this book for someone who likes football because it was filled with action and there were many things going on just like they would be happening in a real game of football.
The book begins with Tom and Jason playing touch football in the park with friends, but they were too good so they would always win. That is when their friends suggested that they play football in high school. This led to many conversations with their parents, but in the end, their parents agreed to let them play. Everything was going well and they were each the best at their position, but their coach was racist. This meant that Jason, a white kid, could start and Tom, a black kid, was third string behind two white kids. Throughout the book, the boys and one of their assistant coaches tried to prove that their head coach wasn’t giving every kid a fair shot. Finally during one meeting, the assistant coach recorded the head coach being racist and they were able to get him fired. After that, there was only one game left in the season, so Tom got to start. That meant that he won because Jason was right by his side and the duo was back and better than ever.
The book ended with Tom and Jason winning their last game and they both played every minute of that game. I liked how it ended because it took such a long time for Tom to get the position he deserved and when he got it, he proved that it was meant to be his. My favorite part of the book was during the last touchdown of the last game because it was very intense: Tom was rolling out of the pockett while being chased by three defenders. When he was scanning the field, no one was open. Just as he was about to get hit by all three defenders, Jason made a quick move to get open. Tom let the ball fly as he was hit and Jason had to dive out of bounds while keeping his toes in bounds and he secured the pass.
In my opinion, this was a really good book. I liked how it showed the struggle of race while still having sports in the book. Another football book that I have read before is called Football Champ by Tim Green. Also, a movie that deals with racism and football is Remember the Titans. That is one of my favorite movies ever and I highly recommend watching it. I would recommend this book for someone who likes football because it was filled with action and there were many things going on just like they would be happening in a real game of football.
January 4, 2018
This author really knows how to tell a compelling sports story. While this one has lots of issues to discuss and contains some great descriptive passages of action on the gridiron, he has overreached in tackling issues of racism at an exclusive sports boarding camp. The story centers around best friends, Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson, New Yorkers who receive scholarships to the high school after their performance at a summer camp. The boys' mothers are anxious about the possibility of head injuries, but the financial offer is too much to overlook. Things go wrong from the start. Tom, a talented quarterback, is relegated to the sidelines, while Jason, a speedy receiver, is given the nod as a possible quarterback. The two boys don't even get to room with each other. Determined to get to the root of the problem, they start investigating and unearth a connection between the school's founder and David Duke of KKK fame. They even get two newspaper reporters involved in their investigation. Now, I'm not saying that this sort of racism doesn't exist, and I would be among the first to acknowledge how long it took before there was ever an African-American QB in SEC football, but the racism that exists in those places is much more subtle than is described here. I found the subject matter worth exploring, yes, but the delivery to be more than a bit heavy-handed. Racism exists in plenty of places, not just those that are south of the Mason-Dixon line, and in some respects this book only serves to support certain stereotypes about Southerners. I was troubled too by the lack of explanation for why the head coach, Coach Johnson, kept playing a quarterback who was clearly outclassed by the others, including Billy Bob from Gadsden, Alabama, and why none of the abusive behavior evident once school started was never seen during the summer. The parents of most athletes tend to be deeply entrenched in the lives of their offspring so the very absence of both sets of parents during games struck me as odd. Ultimately, this is a good effort, but it never ends up in the end zone. Still, it raises quite a few points of discussion for those who are open to talking about the topic of racism in sports.
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April 4, 2023 The title of my book was “The Backfield Boys” written by John Feinstein. The setting of the book is mostly a school called Thomas Gatch Prep in central Virginia. The main characters in the book are Tom and Jason who before going to TGP went to the same school and are best friends. I found this book from my school library for the book I must read for the 2nd semester.
This book starts out with Tom and Jason wanting to play football and their moms don’t like the idea. Then their dads got them to say yes to the idea and they were allowed to play. The recruiter of TGP had them go to a seven-on-seven camp which can put their skills to the test. They made the team at TGP and their first practice was coming up. When they got into their positions they were at the wrong spot, Jason was at quarterback and Tom was at wide receiver. When they tried to tell the coaches that their positions were flip-flopped the coaches didn’t care at all. The first time Jason got into the game he was on special teams and saved the game by blocking a field goal for the win. After a few more games Jason had another game-saver. The other team was punting and Jason was supposed to fair catch the ball, but he couldn’t get his arm up in time. When he received it he started to run and he went and scored and they won. Tom hasn’t gotten into a game yet and they think it’s because the coach doesn’t want a black quarterback. Tom, Jason, and their friends try to find out the reason why they don’t want Tom to be a quarterback.
In my opinion, I thought the book ended very well and it was well written. One of my favorite quotes in the book was on Pg. 278 “ Nothing’s wrong with me, Mr. Gatch… But clearly, something’s wrong with you.”. My favorite part of the book is when Jason wins the game with a punt return and the team goes crazy. I think it was my favorite part of the book because it was the second time Jason got into the game and he won it for the team.
My personal opinion on this book was that I liked it. I liked it because it is sports-related and I love sports. Similar books are football books that have new people come to play. Other people that might like this book are football fans and people who like good books.
This book starts out with Tom and Jason wanting to play football and their moms don’t like the idea. Then their dads got them to say yes to the idea and they were allowed to play. The recruiter of TGP had them go to a seven-on-seven camp which can put their skills to the test. They made the team at TGP and their first practice was coming up. When they got into their positions they were at the wrong spot, Jason was at quarterback and Tom was at wide receiver. When they tried to tell the coaches that their positions were flip-flopped the coaches didn’t care at all. The first time Jason got into the game he was on special teams and saved the game by blocking a field goal for the win. After a few more games Jason had another game-saver. The other team was punting and Jason was supposed to fair catch the ball, but he couldn’t get his arm up in time. When he received it he started to run and he went and scored and they won. Tom hasn’t gotten into a game yet and they think it’s because the coach doesn’t want a black quarterback. Tom, Jason, and their friends try to find out the reason why they don’t want Tom to be a quarterback.
In my opinion, I thought the book ended very well and it was well written. One of my favorite quotes in the book was on Pg. 278 “ Nothing’s wrong with me, Mr. Gatch… But clearly, something’s wrong with you.”. My favorite part of the book is when Jason wins the game with a punt return and the team goes crazy. I think it was my favorite part of the book because it was the second time Jason got into the game and he won it for the team.
My personal opinion on this book was that I liked it. I liked it because it is sports-related and I love sports. Similar books are football books that have new people come to play. Other people that might like this book are football fans and people who like good books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2019
Best friends Jason and Tom have full-ride scholarships to a prestigious school for their outstanding football talent. Jason is a lightning-fast wide receiver and Tom is a quick-thinking quarterback with amazing aim, so they are shocked at practice when Jason is named a quarterback and Tom a wide receiver. They are even more shocked as Jason gets playing time and Tom never touches the field. Then, their suspicion is raised when they realize dorm rooms are segregated by color. Secretly, they contact sports journalists who inform them their school has never had a black quarterback. Tom is black. The reporters have been sure for a while that the boys’ new school has not only a racist head coach, but a racist founder. However, nothing can be done about this without sound proof of injustice. Desperate to make wrongs right, the boys continue attending their frustratingly prejudiced new school until they have enough to evidence to do so.
Written clearly, with easy to follow action, this book is great for capturing the attention of intermediate to young adult readers. While it would help the reader to have a general knowledge of football, non-football fans can still enjoy this book. Unfortunately, the main characters’ voices seem older than that of high school freshmen, which is what they are. Also, the racist coaches and leaders are so extreme they seem more like the two-dimensional, pure evil villains of a fairytale than real people. This may not be a problem, depending on the reader's opinion, as it doesn’t detract from the storyline and makes the protagonists seem even more heroic in contrast. The majority of the protagonists are white. It would have been nice to hear more about how Tom felt as he was being discriminated and to see him stand up for himself, but the majority of the book's focus is on Jason and the things he, his white roommate, and the two reporters of unspecified race do to stand up for people of color. Nonetheless, the book still has many good messages on equality for all.
*Contains mild language
++Review originally published on Children's Book and Media Review++
http://byucbmr.com/reviews/backfield-...
Written clearly, with easy to follow action, this book is great for capturing the attention of intermediate to young adult readers. While it would help the reader to have a general knowledge of football, non-football fans can still enjoy this book. Unfortunately, the main characters’ voices seem older than that of high school freshmen, which is what they are. Also, the racist coaches and leaders are so extreme they seem more like the two-dimensional, pure evil villains of a fairytale than real people. This may not be a problem, depending on the reader's opinion, as it doesn’t detract from the storyline and makes the protagonists seem even more heroic in contrast. The majority of the protagonists are white. It would have been nice to hear more about how Tom felt as he was being discriminated and to see him stand up for himself, but the majority of the book's focus is on Jason and the things he, his white roommate, and the two reporters of unspecified race do to stand up for people of color. Nonetheless, the book still has many good messages on equality for all.
*Contains mild language
++Review originally published on Children's Book and Media Review++
http://byucbmr.com/reviews/backfield-...
April 9, 2025
John Feinstein's realistic fiction novel, Backfield Boys, is a moving story on the role of racism in sports, and shows the power schools have on racist traditions. This book, as we follow along, shows us that race is still very much a problem in modern-day sports, and that even though we are past the days of slavery and segregation, people still have ideologies that get in the way.
The story revolves around these young athletes named Jason Roddin (wide receiver) and Tom Jefferson (Quarterback), as they get accepted into a private school with a full-ride scholarship for football. When they arrived, they realized that this school isn’t what they made it out to be. The head coach had switched their positions around, and they soon found out that the reason was that the coach didn't want a player of African descent playing quarterback. This story takes us through Jason and Tom and some of the friends they made in the school as they uncover more about their coach and the school to hopefully expose their coach, and play the game they love.
This story is presented to us as a third-person point of view. Rather than showing us through the character's own perspective, we observe as a bystander watching them as they go through the story. This is crucial to the book because it allows us to think of our thoughts, as opposed to just seeing what one character feels about the situation, and only feeling their emotion. In addition, the way the characters speak doesn't feel like they're talking like they're in a movie. The way the author writes the dialogue makes you think that these are real people, aside from just a character.
Overall, this is just a great read, and it's worth reading. I would recommend this book to anyone, but specifically those who are into sports and those looking for a little racial history lesson. Its just overall a great read and I highly recomened.
The story revolves around these young athletes named Jason Roddin (wide receiver) and Tom Jefferson (Quarterback), as they get accepted into a private school with a full-ride scholarship for football. When they arrived, they realized that this school isn’t what they made it out to be. The head coach had switched their positions around, and they soon found out that the reason was that the coach didn't want a player of African descent playing quarterback. This story takes us through Jason and Tom and some of the friends they made in the school as they uncover more about their coach and the school to hopefully expose their coach, and play the game they love.
This story is presented to us as a third-person point of view. Rather than showing us through the character's own perspective, we observe as a bystander watching them as they go through the story. This is crucial to the book because it allows us to think of our thoughts, as opposed to just seeing what one character feels about the situation, and only feeling their emotion. In addition, the way the characters speak doesn't feel like they're talking like they're in a movie. The way the author writes the dialogue makes you think that these are real people, aside from just a character.
Overall, this is just a great read, and it's worth reading. I would recommend this book to anyone, but specifically those who are into sports and those looking for a little racial history lesson. Its just overall a great read and I highly recomened.
November 10, 2024
A Football Mystery in Black and White is an engaging young adult sports novel that tells an important story about football and friendship. While reading this book, you truly feel like you are part of the main character's friend group, as you walk through the events that happen in the book. The book follows two best friends, Jason and Tom, who enroll in a prestigious sports academy with dreams of becoming star football players. The main story starts when the school makes a strange decision that has the chance to change the boy's duration at their dream school. The boys know something is weird about the coach's decision and decide it's their job to find out why they are treated this way. As the book advances you see the characters and the team changing personality, and how the main characters view everything. What makes this a great read is that the in-game scenes are thrilling and feel real, the friendship between Jason and Tom is very believable and a real-life situation, and it focuses on real-world issues that all teenagers can understand. The only downside is that some conversations and scenes are dragged on a bit too long, however, this does not affect the story much. This book is perfect for any sports fan, readers who like stories about friendship, and anyone interested in books about standing up for what they believe in. Backfield Boys accomplishes the idea of combining exciting football action and fitting in an important message about doing what is right. The author does a great job of showing many ideas from many different characters, he highlights this idea by having every main character express many of their own opinions. It is a great 4-star book that will keep readers entertained and make them think.
May 11, 2018
The book I read is “Backfield Boys”. The author of this book is John Feinstein and he writes about sports and he is good. The first part of the book is about that is one team is really good and they are trying to win all there games and they play one game and they win all there games. When they win their last game they get so happy because they only lost one game the whole season and their coach said if they win all there games they can pore water on him because they won all there games.
They get to the next season and they lost their first game and they only lost by a touchdown and they tried their best. Now they are getting ready to play their next game and they are ready to play the team that beat them and they beat the team that beat them the first game of the new season. They got a couple days off of football because they need a break from playing a lot of games and they need to let their quarterback get ready to play some hard teams and get some new plays for they always don’t have to run the ball sometimes they can throw the ball but they never catch the ball that's why they need new plays. They have a game home and they try their new plays and they work and they get a lot of people with their new plays because one is that they fake a run then they quarterback throws it to the right side and they run it in for a touchdown.
I recommend people reading this book because if you like sports you will like this book and it is good for people that don’t know anything about football. If someone wants to read this book they have to read my book review because it gives some information from the book and tells what happens in the book.
They get to the next season and they lost their first game and they only lost by a touchdown and they tried their best. Now they are getting ready to play their next game and they are ready to play the team that beat them and they beat the team that beat them the first game of the new season. They got a couple days off of football because they need a break from playing a lot of games and they need to let their quarterback get ready to play some hard teams and get some new plays for they always don’t have to run the ball sometimes they can throw the ball but they never catch the ball that's why they need new plays. They have a game home and they try their new plays and they work and they get a lot of people with their new plays because one is that they fake a run then they quarterback throws it to the right side and they run it in for a touchdown.
I recommend people reading this book because if you like sports you will like this book and it is good for people that don’t know anything about football. If someone wants to read this book they have to read my book review because it gives some information from the book and tells what happens in the book.
November 18, 2020
Two kids (Tom and Jason) from New York are invited to a football camp one year and get a scholarship to TGP high school. On the first day of school, Tom (a black quarterback) naturally goes to practice with the quarterbacks and Jason (a jewish widereicever) went to the widereicever practice but they are told to switch. This leads to them and other students researching coach Johnson's and the school's history. With the help of some reporters they put out a story that sent reporters from around the world. Eventually this lead to them playing the positions they wanted and winning a do-or-die game together.
This book has a great idea and brings up great points but is executed lazily. I think we can all agree that the discussions that are brought up in this book are very important and the overall idea of the book is good. What I think is done bad is that it doesn't really challenge the reader. I am not certainly not the best reader and I could pretty easily predict what was going to happen in the next chapter. For an example, once I figured out the main idea, (trying to pin down Coach Johnson and the school for their actions) which was on like page 50, the main plot turning points were gone. This would of been fine if the book did something I wasn't expecting but it didn't so the second half of the book for me was very long. To be honest I was expecting a lot more football in this book.
I would say that you don't need to know to much about football to read this book. You would really this book if you like investigations and a little mystery. Some life lessons you would learn in this book would be just because no one else is doing it doesn't mean it is the wrong thing to do.
This book has a great idea and brings up great points but is executed lazily. I think we can all agree that the discussions that are brought up in this book are very important and the overall idea of the book is good. What I think is done bad is that it doesn't really challenge the reader. I am not certainly not the best reader and I could pretty easily predict what was going to happen in the next chapter. For an example, once I figured out the main idea, (trying to pin down Coach Johnson and the school for their actions) which was on like page 50, the main plot turning points were gone. This would of been fine if the book did something I wasn't expecting but it didn't so the second half of the book for me was very long. To be honest I was expecting a lot more football in this book.
I would say that you don't need to know to much about football to read this book. You would really this book if you like investigations and a little mystery. Some life lessons you would learn in this book would be just because no one else is doing it doesn't mean it is the wrong thing to do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
To be honest, I am not one for books based on a sport. Maybe it is because I trip over my own feet and can't conceptualize what it means to be an athlete. However, John Feinstein knows how to write a good book! Best friends 14-year-old Jason, a wide receiver and Tom, a quarterback receive a full scholarship to attend an elite sports prep-school and they both are excited to concentrate on their one true love; football! However, they become confused when the coaching staff places Tom who is black with the receivers, and Jason, who is white with the quarterbacks. Realizing that their protests were getting nowhere, they begin to question the stereotypes and bias' that surrounds them. They and a few of their friends begin to investigate the obvious racism and favoritism that is at the heart of the school culture. However, will all their snooping get them kicked out of school and off the team? Wouldn't it just be easier to go home and start over? Making a brave choice to stay and get to the bottom of the culture at their school enables them to build a stronger bond and find their voice. I really did enjoy the story and the bravery it takes to speak out and up against social injustice. Both Tom and Jason are so young, just 14 years old, and this is a great story that illustrates everyone has a choice and that it is brave to speak out. My one criticism is that the ending was just a little too neat for me. But, all in all, it was a great book and I enjoyed it very much.
November 17, 2025
John Feinstein's book, Backfield Boys, is about three high school football players, a quarterback, a running back, and a wide receiver, who transfer to a very successful sports academy known for its elite football program. As they begin their freshman year, they face tough practices, strict coaches, and the pressure of proving they belong there. They also face challenges off the field with stuff like, keeping up with schoolwork and handling drama with their teammates.
The book shows how they deal with unfair treatment and the stress of being on a good team. Sometimes they feel extremely overwhelmed. They see that some players get special treatment. This makes the vibes tense within the locker room. Rumors spread quickly, and it's hard to trust people. It is hard for them to balance school and sports at the same time. Sometimes, they think the school cares more about winning than them.
In my opinion, the author did a great job with this book. He kept situations going at all times throughout the book, whether it was good or bad, which made the reader stay engaged. The author also did a good job with characters progressing throughout the story, especially for the main characters Jason and Tom. Throughout the book, they progressed to become much more mature characters.
In conclusion, the story gives an inside look at what high school student-athletes go through as they are trying to succeed in both sports and school. I would recommend this book for people who like football or anyone who is a fan of sports in general.
The book shows how they deal with unfair treatment and the stress of being on a good team. Sometimes they feel extremely overwhelmed. They see that some players get special treatment. This makes the vibes tense within the locker room. Rumors spread quickly, and it's hard to trust people. It is hard for them to balance school and sports at the same time. Sometimes, they think the school cares more about winning than them.
In my opinion, the author did a great job with this book. He kept situations going at all times throughout the book, whether it was good or bad, which made the reader stay engaged. The author also did a good job with characters progressing throughout the story, especially for the main characters Jason and Tom. Throughout the book, they progressed to become much more mature characters.
In conclusion, the story gives an inside look at what high school student-athletes go through as they are trying to succeed in both sports and school. I would recommend this book for people who like football or anyone who is a fan of sports in general.
December 10, 2020
Tom and Jason are happy in their public school in New York City, but they are both great football players and spend a summer at a football camp. Afterwards, they are offered spots at the prestigious sports prep academy in Virginia. Even though their mothers are less than thrilled about them playing football at all they are offered scholarships that make the very expensive school seem worth it. Right away, things get weird. The boys expect to room together, but are separated. They are assigned positions that they don't normally play. When they ask about these things, the coaches are very put out and make it clear that they are not to be contradicted. Jason is Jewish and Tom is black, and the boys soon start to pick up on subtle and not so subtle hints of racism in the school. Jason's roommate, a self-proclaimed "good ol' boy" named Billy Bob is from Alabama and does not share these prejudices, but he has spent more time in the South and understands how things work. When the boys realize that there has never been a black quarterback, and roommates are assigned along racial lines, they contact sports writers and start an investigation, especially into the most offensive coach as well as Gatch, the founder of the school, who has alarming ties to people whose track record on race is horrendous. Can the boys come up with concrete proof that things are not being done properly at their school?
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