Synopsis
"The Super '70s: Memories from Pro Football's Greatest Era" by Tom Danyluk is a vivid and engaging exploration of the National Football League (NFL) during one of its most dynamic and transformative decades—the 1970s. Framed by the insightful observation of historian A.J.P. Taylor that "History is not another name for the past. It is the name for stories about the past," the book weaves a rich tapestry of firsthand accounts from the players, coaches, broadcasters, and other key figures who defined this golden era of professional football. Danyluk, a seasoned football writer with over 30 years of experience and a deep passion for the sport’s history, employs an accessible Q&A format that brings these voices to life, offering readers an intimate and nostalgic journey through a time when the NFL solidified its place in American culture.
The narrative spans the full spectrum of the 1970s NFL, capturing the highs and lows, the triumphs and the absurdities, of a decade marked by iconic teams, legendary personalities, and a style of play that contrasted sharply with today’s game. Danyluk chronicles the rise of the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose dynasty under Chuck Noll became a symbol of blue-collar grit and defensive dominance, winning four Super Bowls with a roster stacked with Hall of Famers. In contrast, he delves into the hapless antics of the New Orleans Saints, whose struggles were so comically inept they earned a "Keystone Cop" reputation. The book also highlights the bruising, run-heavy attack of Chuck Knox’s Los Angeles Rams, a team that epitomized the physicality of the era, and the revolutionary, pass-happy philosophy of Don Coryell’s St. Louis Cardinals, whose "Air Coryell" offense foreshadowed the modern game. The Oakland Raiders’ renegade, almost street-gang-like intensity is juxtaposed with the polished glory of the Dallas Cowboys, dubbed "America’s Team," whose success and charisma made them a cultural phenomenon.
Beyond the teams, Danyluk’s work shines through its inclusion of diverse perspectives, from the sideline insights of coaches like Chuck Fairbanks and Jack Patera to the broadcast booth reflections of legends like Curt Gowdy and Tom Brookshier. The book doesn’t shy away from the era’s colorful characters—names like Bum Phillips, Bert Jones, Archie Manning, Cliff Harris, Larry Little, and Steve Sabol pepper the pages, each contributing personal anecdotes that reveal the human side of the sport. These stories are enriched by Danyluk’s encyclopedic knowledge and thoughtful questioning, which coax out details that might otherwise have faded into obscurity. The Q&A format is complemented by short introductions, intriguing statistics, and reprinted articles from the period, adding depth and context to the oral histories.
What emerges is a portrait of a league in transition, a time before free agency and rule changes favoring offenses altered the game’s fabric. The 1970s NFL was a brutal, physical spectacle, where dynasties could endure thanks to roster stability, and the personalities on and off the field were larger than life. Danyluk captures the nostalgia of an era when football felt more visceral and less commercialized, a sentiment echoed in reader reviews that praise the book for rekindling memories of a time when fans lived and died with their teams each week. While some critiques note the absence of certain teams, like the Minnesota Vikings, or a lack of photographs, the consensus is that "The Super '70s" succeeds as a compelling, entertaining tribute to a decade that many consider the NFL’s finest. For football aficionados, it’s a treasure trove of fresh stories and a reminder of the sport’s rugged, unforgettable past.