A warm and invigorating memoir about a daughter's love for her father and her appreciation for how he and others changed the game of football forever.

Gene Washington's football career ended long before his daughter Maya was born. She never saw the legendary powerhouse as anything but her dad. She didn't yet grasp the impact he'd had on the sport-and on America. To understand his historic role in the integration of college football, witness his influence on generations that followed, and fully appreciate his legacy, Maya had a lot of catching up to do.

Maya retraces her father's journey from the segregated south to Michigan State during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement and his journey as an NFL pioneer after the 1967 draft. She reflects on how her father's childhood-and the racism he faced-shaped her upbringing and influenced his expectations of her. She also discovers how unbreakable the emotional bond between teammates can be. But above all, Maya and her father get to know each other. As their own bond deepens, so does Maya's connection to the sport that changed the trajectory of her father's life...and hers.

About the Author
Maya Washington is an award-winning narrative and documentary filmmaker (writer/director/producer), actor, writer, poet, creative director, photographer, and arts educator. She is dedicated to social-impact stories that illuminate aspects of the human experience that are untold or rarely seen or that might benefit from new approaches to issues of diversity and inclusion. For more information visit www.throughthebanksoftheredcedar.com.

Reviews

An Amazon Best Book of the Month: History

"An immensely moving tribute to her father, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Gene Washington...Readers will be enthralled and heartened by this unique look at the way sports can influence society." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The book should appeal to college football enthusiasts, especially those interested in how racial issues impacted the sport during the 20th century." -Kirkus Reviews

Book Information
ISBN 9781542016667
Author Maya Washington
Format Paperback
Page Count 250
Imprint Little A
Publisher Amazon Publishing
Weight(grams) 249g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 137mm * 10mm