Backfield Boys

Written by John Feinstein

Two friends at an elite sports school uncover racial bias and risk everything to speak out.

368 pages· 80,299 words· Est. 7.5 hour read· 840L· AR 5.6 · 13 AR pts

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Freshmen Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson earn football scholarships to an elite sports boarding school, but on day one the coaches make Tom, who is Black, a receiver and Jason, who is white, the quarterback. As evidence of deep-seated racial bias mounts, the best friends speak out, risking their scholarships and their chance to play in a fight for justice.

From the publisher

In Backfield Boys, renowned sports journalist and New York Times-bestselling author John Feinstein tells a thrilling story of friendship, football, and a fight for justice. Freshman footballers Jason Roddin and Tom Jefferson are a perfect pair: Jason is a blazing-fast wide-receiver, while his best friend Tom has all the skills a standout quarterback needs. After summer football camp at an elite sports-focused boarding school, the boys are thrilled to be invited back with full-ride scholarships. But on day one of practice, they’re shocked when the team’s coaching staff makes Tom, a black kid, a receiver and Jason, a white kid, a quarterback. Confronted with mounting evidence of deep-seated racial bias, the boys speak out, risking their scholarships and chances to play. As tensions ratchet up with coaches and other players, Tom and Jason must decide how much they’re willing to lose in a conflict with powerful forces that has nothing–and everything–to do with the game they love.

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