Striking Gridiron: A Town’s Pride During a Team’s Shot at Glory During the Biggest Strike in American History

The Braddock Tigers, a high school football team based in a Western Pennsylvania steel town, garnered national attention in 1959 as it enjoyed unprecedented undefeated streak. Head coach Chuck Klausing was a stern but benevolent father figure to his players, most of whom faced a life short on amenities and long on hardships, such as abusive fathers and hunger. When Braddock’s steel workers participated in the United Steelworkers’ lengthy labor union strike, the team became the lone ray of hope in the sleepy, depressed town. Veteran journalist Nichols errs critically in failing to intertwine the team’s season with the strike’s progression, which prohibits readers from seeing how one historic event affected the other—and eliminates any dramatic sweep. What remains is a feel-good sports story punctuated by bland labor updates. (Sept.)