The Code: Football's Unwritten Rules and Its Ignore-At-Your-Own-Risk Code of Honor

by Ross Bernstein, Ahmad Rashad (Foreword), Jerome Bettis (Foreword)

An in-depth and behind the scenes to explore the history of football's unspoken expectations of all who are involved with the game each Sunday, this engaging look the inner workings of the sport of football includes interviews with more than 100 current and former NFL players, coaches, front office employees and media personalities to examine how players go about their business on the field of play. They explain why various "rules" are expected among players and what tactics are used during games. This work discusses the top controversies on the gridiron, including the New England Patriots illegally taping the Jets defensive coaches' signals in 2007, wide receivers and defensive backs using stickum to help catch balls, offensive linemen using silicone to make it difficult for defensive players to grab their jersey, how Tony Mandarich beat steroid testing during his playing days, and Lawrence Taylor's career-ending hit on Joe Theismann on Monday Night Football in 1985. In addition to analyzing the reasons for controversial actions in football, Ross Bernstein elaborates further by covering the unspoken code of players, coaches, and even the referees.

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jess Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, though a bit redundant, take on the alleged code, actually codes, in the NFL. It's good to know that there are understood codes of sportsmanship and respect, though the numerous in violations mentioned makes me wonder how embedded the codes are. Hearing from many players was helpful and interesting, until it became redundant hearing basically the same thing from each player.

[Jacob Rothstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ross Bernstein interviewed more than 100 NFL players and coaches before writing this book. The Code is the unwriiten set of rules of Football. These rules or the code have been around since the beginning of football. Many players will not talk about the code. If another player does not follow the code of football, he is dealt with secretly by other players. As Bernstein, "Players must be accountable for their actions, the code says so." I really liked this book because I never knew what the code was about. I also love football so I really enjoys reading about the "secret" code.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves football. If you are a football fan, you will like this book. If you are not a football fan, this book is not for you.

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author states early in the book that he is going to let the players/coaches/referees speak for themselves. This is fine, but a LITTLE editing would have helped. The entire book was basically one- or two-paragraph quotes loosely arranged into chapters. The redundancy was out of control. If the author had cut out all the redundant quotes he would probably have reduced this book to a pamphlet. The chapter on kickers seemed the most tedious. There were 4 or 5 quotes in a row that said almost excatly the same thing.

There were a few interesting anecdotes, but very few that I haven't read in better football books. Pass on this one.

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike the baseball version of 'The Code', this book only deals with the football code in a few chapters. Other chapters deal with football issues, but not with the unwritten rules that is supposed to be the foundation of the book. It also contains the same annoying sidebars that make continuity difficult. And the editing was just piss poor. There were so many grammatical errors that I had a very hard time understanding if the good was actually read through. If it was, the person responsible needs to find a new line of work. All criticism aside, the stories and anecdotes in the book are fun, and worth reading reading. You just have to get past everything else.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this book is a great read for older football fanatics!!! it covers many of the NFL's and Canadian Football League's [CFL:] darkest secrets from secrets about steroids to locker rooms. It also interviews some of footballs oldest iron men. Its a true page turner and it blows your mind away from the players confessions to coaches pep talks... I would recomend this book to anyone. (This is not Sean it is Dylan)

[Neil White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on the so-called "unspoken" rules and codes of football. Bernstein isn't the best author, though, and too many times he simply quotes at length from interviews and sources instead of crafting a coherent narrative, so there ends up being a lot of repetition. Still a good read if you're interested in the subject.

[Raving Redcoat · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at what actually goes on during football games, and the codes the players live by. A little repetitive at times, but fans of the game will still enjoy this peek inside the huddle.

[Paul Pisani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book about the unwritten rules of the NFL.