Results by title
5 books match the query 'Lyons, Robert'
On Any Given Sunday
A Life of Bert BellRobert S. Lyons, Foreword by Don Shula
Temple University Press, 2009
Bert Bell, a native of Philadelphia, has been called the most powerful executive figure in the history of professional football. He was responsible for helping to transform the game from a circus sideshow into what has become the most popular spectator sport in America. In On Any Given Sunday, the first biography of this important sports figure, historian Robert Lyons recounts the remarkable story of how de Benneville “Bert” Bell rejected the gentility of a high society lifestyle in favor of the tougher gridiron, and rose to become the founder of the Philadelphia Eagles and Commissioner of the National Football League.
Bell, who arguably saved the league from bankruptcy by conceiving the idea for the annual player draft, later made the historic decision to introduce “sudden death” overtime—a move that propelled professional football into the national consciousness. He coined the phrase “on any given sunday” and negotiated the league’s first national TV contract. Lyons also describes in fascinating detail Bell’s relationships with leading figures ranging from such Philadelphia icons as Walter Annenberg and John B. Kelly to national celebrities and U.S. Presidents. He also provides insight into Bell’s colorful personal life—including his hell-raising early years and his secret marriage to Frances Upton, a golden name in show business.
On Any Given Sunday is being published on the 50th anniversary of Bell’s death.
Bell, who arguably saved the league from bankruptcy by conceiving the idea for the annual player draft, later made the historic decision to introduce “sudden death” overtime—a move that propelled professional football into the national consciousness. He coined the phrase “on any given sunday” and negotiated the league’s first national TV contract. Lyons also describes in fascinating detail Bell’s relationships with leading figures ranging from such Philadelphia icons as Walter Annenberg and John B. Kelly to national celebrities and U.S. Presidents. He also provides insight into Bell’s colorful personal life—including his hell-raising early years and his secret marriage to Frances Upton, a golden name in show business.
On Any Given Sunday is being published on the 50th anniversary of Bell’s death.
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Palestra Pandemonium
A History Of The Big 5Robert Lyons
Temple University Press, 2002
The most famous basketball tournament in the history of college basketball is the Big Five. And the Big Five was played in the most hallowed halls of college play: the Palestra. Now, for the first time, a complete story of this Philadelphia rivalry is revealed.
Robert Lyons offers the story of the Big Five from its very beginnings in 1955. At that time, many of the Big Five schools -- La Salle University, University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's University, Temple University, and Villanova University -- weren't even talking to each other, and everyone predicted the tournament would end before it began. Conducting interviews with coaches and players -- including famed Temple coach Harry Litwack's last interview before his death -- Lyons offers the play-by-play on how the Big Five became an institution, and how it was ultimately undone by college basketball's own success.
Lavishly illustrated with photographs of players, teams, coaches, and the Palestra itself, Palestra Pandemonium is an immediate classic, offering a chronicle of the most monumental college basketball tournament. Anywhere.
Robert Lyons offers the story of the Big Five from its very beginnings in 1955. At that time, many of the Big Five schools -- La Salle University, University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's University, Temple University, and Villanova University -- weren't even talking to each other, and everyone predicted the tournament would end before it began. Conducting interviews with coaches and players -- including famed Temple coach Harry Litwack's last interview before his death -- Lyons offers the play-by-play on how the Big Five became an institution, and how it was ultimately undone by college basketball's own success.
Lavishly illustrated with photographs of players, teams, coaches, and the Palestra itself, Palestra Pandemonium is an immediate classic, offering a chronicle of the most monumental college basketball tournament. Anywhere.
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The Eagles Encyclopedia
Ray Didinger
Temple University Press, 2005
In the City of Brotherly Love, no team tugs at the hearts and weighs on the minds of fans more than the Philadelphia Eagles. But, much more than a local obsession, the Eagles are also one of football's most storied franchises.Amply illustrated with 200 photos of the players, coaches, fans, and the stadiums in which the team has played, The Eagles Encyclopedia recounts the greatest moments in the team's history, and brings to life the men who helped create modern football.Fans will read about: * Bert Bell's 1933 purchase of the Frankford Yellow Jackets, the city's first NFL franchise * The Philadelphia-Pittsburgh "Steagles"during WWII, which produced the team's first winning season * The 1960 NFL title victory over the Packers and the 1980 Super Bowl game * The sterling careers of Hall of Famers like Chuck Bednarik and Steve van Buren * The Duffel Bag Dynasty of 1947-1949, when the Eagles went to three consecutive NFL championships, including back-to-back championships * The thrilling 21st century, which has so far seen four consecutive NFC championship games and a second Super Bowl bid!But wait, there's more! The Eagles Encyclopedia also includes: * A year by year history of the team—from 1933 to the present, with stats from each season * Individual profiles of more than 100 Eagles players—from Swede Hanson to Donovan McNabb * A statistical chapter that provides all the Eagles records—a complete roster, and every draft pickWritten by Pro Football Hall of Fame writer Ray Didinger and local sports historian Robert S. Lyons, The Eagles Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive chronicle of the team's history and an indispensable guide for every Eagles fan.This book is not sanctioned by the NFL or its teams.
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The Eagles Encyclopedia
Champions IIRay Didinger with Robert S. Lyons
Temple University Press, 2025
Fly, Eagles, Fly! They did it again. The Eagles routed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX to claim their second NFL championship in the Jeffrey Lurie era. Author Ray Didinger has done it again too, revising and updating his best-selling The Eagles Encyclopedia: Champions Edition to celebrate the latest victory.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts described the city’s love for the Eagles as “a Philly thing,” and no one understands that better than Didinger, who has followed the team since the 1950s. In Champions II, he brings that history up to date by writing about the Tush Push, Saquon Barkley’s reverse hurdle, and other milestones of the 2024 season.
This new edition includes:
The Eagles Encyclopedia: Champions II is a must have for any E-A-G-L-E-S fan who wants to relive the Big Game and all the drama that led up to it.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts described the city’s love for the Eagles as “a Philly thing,” and no one understands that better than Didinger, who has followed the team since the 1950s. In Champions II, he brings that history up to date by writing about the Tush Push, Saquon Barkley’s reverse hurdle, and other milestones of the 2024 season.
This new edition includes:
- More than 60 new photographs plus a 16-page color insert.
- Dozens of new player, coach and front-office profiles.
- Tributes to the team's newest Hall of Fame inductees: Eric Allen, Dick Vermeil and Harold Carmichael.
- An expanded chapter on the Eagles–Cowboys rivalry.
- An updated statistics and records section.
The Eagles Encyclopedia: Champions II is a must have for any E-A-G-L-E-S fan who wants to relive the Big Game and all the drama that led up to it.
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The New Eagles Encyclopedia
Ray Didinger
Temple University Press, 2014
While much has changed in the decade since the original publication of The Eagles Encyclopedia, the passion of Eagles fans has only grown stronger. That's why author Ray Didinger revised, updated, and expanded his history of the team with The New Eagles Encyclopedia.
Didinger presents a year-by-year history of the franchise from its inception in 1933 through the 2013 season. There are profiles of more than 100 players, past and present, as well as every head coach and owner along with dozens of new photographs and stats, stats, and more stats.
The New Eagles Encyclopedia includes:
* More player profiles including new entries on Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick.
* The end of the Andy Reid era and the arrival of Chip Kelly.
* Expanded chapters on Eagles in the Hall of Fame and other milestone moments.
* Summaries of every post-season game.
* A new chapter on the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry.
An essential addition to every fan's bookshelf, The New Eagles Encyclopedia is the definitive information source on the Philadelphia Eagles.
This book is not sanctioned by the NFL or its teams.
Didinger presents a year-by-year history of the franchise from its inception in 1933 through the 2013 season. There are profiles of more than 100 players, past and present, as well as every head coach and owner along with dozens of new photographs and stats, stats, and more stats.
The New Eagles Encyclopedia includes:
* More player profiles including new entries on Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick.
* The end of the Andy Reid era and the arrival of Chip Kelly.
* Expanded chapters on Eagles in the Hall of Fame and other milestone moments.
* Summaries of every post-season game.
* A new chapter on the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry.
An essential addition to every fan's bookshelf, The New Eagles Encyclopedia is the definitive information source on the Philadelphia Eagles.
This book is not sanctioned by the NFL or its teams.
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