Without Helmets or Shoulder Pads

“Football’s massive popularity is undeniable, as are the many reasons players and fans are drawn to the game. But what is also undeniable is the game’s brutality and the troubling aspects of football culture at all levels. To whatever extent the reader shares Irv Muchnick’s perspective and conclusions, the evidence and arguments he presents deserve thoughtful attention.” — Bob Costas“Muchnick’s jeremiad digs deeper than ever into the greed and hypocrisy of high school and college football, and the trail of broken bodies left in their wake. His information on the perils of conditioning is essential reading and might save your kid’s life.” — Robert Lipsyte, former New York Times sports columnist and author of many books, including young adult novels and SportsWorld“Irv Muchnick has performed a valuable public service by writing this book. Fans may want to ignore the brutality leveled against young athletes but thanks to Muchnick the facts about what can happen are available to those interested.” — Beyond Chron

Irvin Muchnick “produces magnificent investigative journalism,” wrote the late dean of sportswriters, Frank Deford. Muchnick’s writings have inspired congressional investigations of deaths in the pro wrestling industry and government investigations — in the U.S., Ireland, Brazil, and Venezuela — of sexual abuse by youth swimming coaches. He lives in Berkeley, California.

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