Magical Football Plays!

OK, I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this … but I’m writing a football book now. I’ve been a little bit circumspect talking about it because I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to figure out what it is (or, as authors often like to say, “Understanding what this book wants to be”). And I don’t like talking about books before they’ve come fully into focus.

Photo by an all-time great, Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated via Getty

I’m still somewhat in that incubation process, still circling the runway a bit, but I’m just about out. I’m getting very close to the heart of this book. I can tell that because I’m beginning to feel that giddiness and anticipation that always seems to come when I’ve figured out the book’s structure and spirit and essence and I’m left with my favorite part, the research and the writing.

Plus, in a few days, I’m going up to Mount Laurel, N.J., to spend some time at NFL Films … I mean, how can you not love that?

As with my last couple of books, I could really use your help.

Here’s what I’m hoping you’ll do: In the comments, write down your favorite play in football history (and if you feel like explaining why, that would be great, too). I don’t want to complicate it beyond that — favorite play, remember it, cherish it, write it down! — but here are a couple of things I’d like to add:

(1) The key word for me is “favorite.” I’m not exactly looking for what you think is the greatest play in football history — though if you want to write stuff down about the Immaculate Reception of the Helmet Catch or the Hail Mary or the Music City Miracle or the Tuck Play or the Sneakers Game or whatever, obviously, feel free. And maybe one of those IS your favorite play (I’m looking at you Sepinwall).

But what I’d love to see, more than anything, is your favorite play, maybe because it’s funny, maybe because it’s thrilling, maybe because it’s ridiculous, maybe because it’s the greatest play in your team’s history, maybe because you have a personal connection to it, maybe because it’s Bo running into a tunnel, maybe because it’s Patrick Mahomes flipping a ball over his head, maybe because it’s Barry Sanders disappearing and reappearing, maybe because it’s …

(2) Yes, I’m mostly focused on pro football here, but I do have my eye on college football as well (and high school football … and movie football … and video game football … those of you who read Why We Love Baseball know that I love to cast a wide net). So, yeah, if you want to put your favorite plays outside the NFL, absolutely, would love to see ’em. My favorite football play ever might be the Statue of Liberty play by Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl; I loved it so much, I wrote a Sports Illustrated story about it years later.

I think that’s it … Again, I don’t want to overcomplicate things too much, and I want this to be enjoyable. And for those of you who don’t like football, I get that, too, and fully appreciate it, and I’m sure I’ll do something later where I ask for your opinions on the game itself. For now, though, I’m really just focusing on favorite football moments.

OK, thanks, and have fun!