Mike Klis

Mike Klis covers the Broncos for 9NEWS. Graduate of Oswego (Ill) High, 1977 and Murray State (Ky), 1981. Among those who chat Broncos on 104.3TheFan.

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Book Recommendations:

MK

Recommended by Mike Klis

Highly recommend this book for its history. I first read chapters on Jefferson St. Joe Gilliam (my fave after Joe Willie faded) then Marlin Briscoe, then entire book. Knew Jason Reid could write from his Dodger beat days but what a craftsman. So well researched. Must, must read. https://t.co/63RTR6HxZv (from X)

A compulsively readable sports narrative by senior NFL writer for ESPN’s The Undefeated (now Andscape), Jason Reid, chronicling both the history of Black players in the NFL, such as Warren Moon, and the recent careers of groundbreaking Black quarterbacks, including Colin Kaepernick. In September 2019, ESPN's The Undefeated website (now Andscape) began a season-long series of articles on the emergence of Black quarterbacks in the NFL. The first article in the series was Jason Reid's enormously popular, "Welcome to the Year of the Black Quarterback." The series culminated with an hour-long television program in February 2020, hosted by Reid himself. The Rise of the Black Quarterback: What It Means for America will expand on Reid's piece―as well as the entire series―and chronicle the shameful history of the treatment of Black players in the NFL and the breakout careers of a thrilling new generation of Black quarterbacks. Intimate portraits of Colin Kaepernick, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray feature prominently in the book, as well as the careers and legacy of beloved NFL players such as Doug Williams and trailblazing pioneers Marlin Briscoe and Eldridge Dickey. Reid delves deeply into the culture war ignited by Kaepernick's peaceful protest that shone a light on systemic oppression and police brutality. Fascinating and timely, this page-turning account will rivet fans of sports, cultural commentary, and Black history in America.