National special highlights Maroons

The story of the Pottsville Maroons finally reached a national audience Wednesday night. Read the Republican review of the 7 1/2 minute special that aired on HBO's "Inside the NFL" on Wednesday night.

Dave Fleming talks to the Coal Region Voice

Short Q and A with Dave Fleming author of "Breaker Boys: The NFL's Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship".

1.) Since the book's release in October, what has been the biggest surprise since that time? The letter received from President Bush?

ANSWER

I was shocked and thrilled by the letter from the president but the biggest surprise has been the level of emotion and commitment the coal region has for the Maroons. I knew people were interested in the story and were connected to the team but I had no idea just how strong a symbol the team has become for the region. Not just the success of the team but, I think, the lack of recognition and respect for the Maroons is a metaphor for the entire region. I was shocked at how many people just broke down trying to explain what the Maroons meant to them. To be even a small part of this team, this region and this fight is a great honor.

2.) Before beginning your research on the book, what are some of the things that surprised you about Pottsville and the Anthracite Region.

ANSWER
I alluded to this a bit in No. 1 but, I confess, I didn't have the proper respect for coal mining, the important roll it played in the development of the world and the men who fueled the world one fistful of coal at a time. The best advice I got before sitting down to write the book was to go down into a mine to get perspective on these men and this region and I think the first 75 pages of the book truly shows how much I was moved by that experience. After that the town and the times really became characters in the book.

3.) Do you think the Anthracite Region had a bigger part in shaping the NFL than just the Maroon's contribution?

ANSWER
The last stat I read said that something like 23 NFL Hall of Famers were from Pennsylvania and that five players who have played in the Super Bowl have connections to Pottsville. It's not a coincidence that this proud, rugged region has always been a go-to spot for college football recruiters. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of pro football and I know western PA has gotten a lot of attention and credit but the Maroons were first--and probably best. You only need to attend a PAHS football game to understand how special football is in this region. (I've been to two and the Tide is 2-0 in those games, by the way.)

4.) You will be attending the Super Bowl between the Giants and Patriots. What was the first Super Bowl that you attended?

ANSWER
Actually, it was 12 years ago at the last Super Bowl in Phoenix. I watched a fan bury himself in horse manure to try and win Super Bowl tickets and I haven't found a better metaphor, yet, for the unbelievable hype of the game.

5.) Has there been any big changes from when you first attended?

ANSWER
It's funny, when I first started people were desperate for even a close game. I remember sitting in the Georgia Dome watching the final minutes of the Titans-Rams unfold and just watching with my mouth wide open at the great finish. There is so much hype leading up to the game (to which I certainly contribute) and there's no worse feeling after all that to sit through a boring blowout. The other really big change is that when I switched from Sports Illustrated to ESPN I started getting invited to the Playboy Super Bowl Party. Talk about a life changing event!

6.) Why have the last few Super Bowl's been the most competitive?

ANSWER
The contrasting economic forces of free agency and the salary cap have created a level of parity in the NFL that is reflected in the Super Bowl. (Wow, that answer sounded like the debate scene from Old School when Will Ferrell blacks out for a second. Sorry.)

7.) If you could be NFL Commissioner for one day, what would change?

ANSWER
After I delivered the 1925 NFL championship trophy to City Hall in Pottsville, had lunch with Jim Brown and convinced the Arizona Cardinals to hire Matt Millen as their lifetime GM, I would look into shrinking the schedule and expanding team rosters. Following the league up close I'm disturbed by the amount of injuries in the league--not just the crippling, long-term effect it has on players but the way it's watering down the product--you don't want a league where injuries (and a lack of talent depth) becomes more important than skill and preparation.

8.) Thank you very much for taking the time for the Q and A.

ANSWER
My pleasure. The fact that Breaker Boys has been out for four months and people are still talking about the book, the team and the cause is really a tribute to the grass roots efforts of so many Maroons fans and bloggers like yourself who have tirelessly spread the word. Every day I hear from someone who knows someone who knows someone from Schuylkill County--I swear. It's something I call Maroons Magic. Ya know, I really think we've turned a very, very important corner in the fight. I have had to fight for coverage of the team and the book for a long time and this past week, without any prompting, papers in Chicago, Allentown and Lebanon called wanting to do stories, the book will be in two straight issues of ESPN The Magazine, I just did a segment on Comcast Network and HBO is also putting something together. All of your efforts are paying off and I am deeply indebted to all Maroons fans.


HBO was in Pottsville to interview Kevin Keating and Jack Dolbin for an upcoming NFL special to air on January 30th.

The interview is crossposted at the Coal Region Voice Blog.

ESPN Magazine and the Pottsville Maroons

It was reported in the Pottsville Republican Herald that ESPN the Magazine will be doing a story on the Maroons.

In doing some more digging in the Maroons, Cardinals and the Bidwell family. I found this bit of information. The Cardinals got their nickname from borrowed uniforms from the University of Chicago who incidentally were nicknamed the Maroons.

This is crossposted at the Coal Region Voice.

Bush Likes the Maroons!!!

Bush loves Breaker Boys

I know what your thinking, but author Dave Fleming has received a hand-written note from the White House. Read the Republican's account below.

‘Breaker Boys’ author surprised by hand-written note from White House

BY STEPHEN J. PYTAKSTAFF WRITERspytak@republicanherald.com

12/19/2007

President Bush called David Fleming’s book on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons “illuminating” in a surprise hand-written letter to the author dated Dec. 12 and delivered Tuesday.

“I just finished ‘Breaker Boys.’ You were correct. I did enjoy the book. You are a fine writer. And your history of the Maroons was illuminating,” Bush said in the letter sent to Fleming’s Davidson, N.C., home.

After opening it Tuesday morning, the author said he found the “rather thoughtful” letter in blue pen on White House letterhead.“The way this book has gone so far, nothing surprises me anymore,” said Fleming, a writer for ESPN: The Magazine who was greeted by long lines and signed thousands of copies of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” while promoting the book in Pottsville in October and earlier this month.

Fleming started an online petition Oct. 16 to encourage the NFL owners to return the 1925 championship to the legendary team. It’s received a total of 10,275 signatures as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.

He said the president’s comments will become “more ammunition for supporters. If people run across a skeptic, or somebody who just wants to say ‘it’s 82 years ago, let’s let it go,’ it’s pretty nice to say to the commissioner of the NFL ‘the president of the United States begs to differ.”

The president’s letter impressed Mayor John D.W. Reiley.

“How about that. It shows that the book’s getting around, from the streets of little ol’ Pottsville all the way up to the White House. And I think the president’s comments are pretty consistent with what other people are saying about the book. All the comments are favorable,” Reiley said.

Alex Conant, a White House spokesman, said Bush is a “voracious reader.”“He reads a lot of books. And typically the White House doesn’t do book and movie reviews, but I will check out to see if I can find out anything more about this letter,” Conant said.

No further comment was made by late Tuesday.

“Somebody from the White House had contacted ESPN looking for my address. So I felt something was going on, but I was expecting like a stamped photo, not expecting a hand-written note that he had actually read it and enjoyed it,” Fleming said.

Fleming said he isn’t sure how the president received a copy of the book, but believes it was sent by someone who attended a book signing in Pottsville.“I remember the first time I was in Pottsville, somebody in one of the long lines had me sign a copy for him. And they explained that either they worked in D.C. or knew somebody who worked in D.C., I don’t remember exactly who it was. But my guess is that’s how it got to him,” Fleming said.

Reiley said he does not know who sent the book to the president, though City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar thought it could be U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, a Pottsville native.

But when contacted in Harrisburg Tuesday, Jones said it wasn’t him.

The president ended his letter to Fleming stating: “I appreciate having an inscribed copy of the book. With best wishes, George Bush.”

PA House Passes Resolution

The PA State House passed a unamous resolution supporting the Maroons in regaining their 1925 NFL title. Read the story here.

Like I have said in the past, the Govenor has to get the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both on board. He needs to promote it on Eagles Post Game Live. Also, broker a deal between for both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to have a Maroon's Day Celbration in 2008 at a home game.

New Blog

There is a another blog about the 1925 Pottsville Maroons. Here is the URL:

• http://www.breakerboys1925.com/

It is under my links called Breaker Boys Blog. I believe a big push before the end of the NFL regular season and the Super Bowl lies with the governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell. Rendell is on the Eagle's "Post Game Live" show every weekend. He plugs Ray Didinger's book and gives them out for free. Here is what the "Gov" needs to do:

1. Rendell needs to give out some copies of Breaker Boys on the air.
2. Needs to lobby Dan Rooney and Jeff Laurie to have Maroons Day at the Heinz Field and Lincoln Financial.

Rendell mentioning the book on the air will get the word out for more support among the fans. When author Dave Fleming was in Pottsville in October, he indicated that the owners need to be educated. When Rooney and Laurie were the only owner to support Pottsville's claim, I see no reason why they can't support a Maroons Day before one of their games on the 2008 schedule.

Author Dave Fleming Returns to Pottsville Area

“Breaker Boys” Author Fleming Returns to Pottsville Dec 5th through 10th!

• Wednesday Dec.5th• 3 pm – 6 pm - Sales and Signing at Republican and Herald.
• Thursday Dec. 6th• 9 am - Assembly at Blue Mtn Middle School Book sales and signing• Noon – 2pm - Book Sales and Signing at Weis Markets, Pottsville• 7 pm - Signing in Bethlehem, PA at Moravian University bookstore.
• Friday Dec 7th• 9 am – 11 am Book sales and signing at Providence Place• 2pm – 4 pm Book sales and signing at Goodwill Book Store• 5pm – 7pm Book Sales and signing at Walden Books, Schuylkill Mall• Author to be in attendance at PAHS Basketball Game at Martz Hall.
• Saturday Dec 8th• 9 am – 11 am Book Sales and Signing at Historical Society, Pottsville• 2 pm - book sales and signing at Borders Bookstore in Harrisburg, PA• 7:30 pm - Evening Pep Rally at the Armory, N. Centre St. Pottsville• 9 pm - “Meet the Author” informal social gathering at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill
• Sunday Dec 9th• 10 am – Noon - Book Sales and Signing at Tamaqua Train Station during brunch• 2 pm – 3 pm - Book signing at Tudor Bookstore, Kingston, PA• 7 pm – 9 pm - Sales and Signing at Reading, PA Borders bookstore
• Monday Dec. 10th• Morning and Afternoon in Harrisburg for State Proclamation by State Representatives Tim Seip and Neal Goodman.• 5 pm – 8 pm - Book sales and Signing at Walden Books, Fairlane Village Mall