American Football: Studying Game Film

“New Team. New Faces. Same mission. WIN & INSPIRE. #Gratitude” Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilson, Denver Broncos Quarterback on Twitter, August 8, 2022.

American football fans are rising from hibernation and the proof is trending Google search terms like NFL preseason and fantasy football cheat sheet with a smattering of support for college football driven by geography. Forget Wordle, there’s now Weedle. It’s been 34 years between the first John Madden Football game and the latest edition, Madden NFL 23, released last week while Retro Bowl continues to rise in popularity. There’s renewed interest in eats for game-day parties and the halftime show for Super Bowl LVII. Closer to home, the Denver Broncos have new franchise ownership and new players.

This trending snapshot doesn't reflect the challenges impacting the sport, the players and vested communities. New titles published in 2022 highlight key moments in football history including ongoing challenges with equity, diversity and inclusion. Stories shared by family members, the athletes themselves, and industry insiders or historians serve to fill in the gaps between the lines of the gridiron. Exploring a new read is like studying game film, informing our understanding and responsibility on and off the field.