Synopsis
"Football and the Single Man," authored by Paul Hornung with contributions from Al Silverman, is a candid and colorful autobiography published in 1965 by Doubleday & Company. The book offers an unfiltered glimpse into the life of one of football’s most charismatic figures, Paul Hornung, famously nicknamed "The Golden Boy." Known for his stellar career at Notre Dame, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1956, and his subsequent success with the Green Bay Packers under coach Vince Lombardi, Hornung uses this memoir to recount not just his athletic achievements but also his off-field escapades. Spanning 252 pages, the narrative is enriched with eight pages of black-and-white photographs that capture key moments from his career and personal life, providing a nostalgic visual complement to his storytelling.
The book delves into Hornung’s journey from his early days as a versatile athlete in Louisville, Kentucky, to his rise as a celebrated figure in college and professional football. At Notre Dame, he showcased his all-around skills as a quarterback who could run, pass, block, and tackle, earning accolades as potentially the greatest all-around player in the school’s history despite the team’s dismal 2-8 record in his Heisman-winning year. Transitioning to the NFL, Hornung found his stride with the Packers, where Lombardi’s arrival in 1959 transformed the team into a dynasty. Hornung details his pivotal role in this era, highlighting his contributions as a halfback, kicker, and option passer, which helped secure four NFL championships and set a then-record 176 points in the 1960 season. His recounting of these years is infused with pride and a sense of camaraderie, offering insights into the dynamics of Lombardi’s legendary squad, including teammates like Bart Starr and Jim Taylor.
Beyond the gridiron, "Football and the Single Man" revels in Hornung’s reputation as a playboy and bon vivant, a persona he both cultivated and embraced. He unabashedly shares tales of his nightlife, romantic pursuits, and gambling habits, painting a picture of a man who lived as vibrantly off the field as he performed on it. This aspect of the book stirred controversy, particularly with his candid admission of betting on games, which led to his 1963 suspension from the NFL—a scandal he addresses with a mix of accountability and defiance, refusing to implicate others. His relationship with Lombardi, marked by mutual respect despite occasional friction over his lifestyle, emerges as a central thread, with Hornung crediting the coach for channeling his talents while tolerating his excesses to a degree.
The narrative’s tone is conversational and brash, reflecting Hornung’s larger-than-life personality. It captures a bygone era of football when players earned modest salaries—top stars like Hornung made around $30,000 annually—and maintained a closer connection with fans. The book’s nostalgia is palpable, evoking a time when the sport was less commercialized and more raw, a sentiment enhanced by its publication over 50 years ago. While it may lack the polish of modern sports memoirs, its authenticity and Hornung’s unapologetic voice make it a compelling read for football enthusiasts and those intrigued by the intersection of sports and celebrity culture in mid-20th-century America. "Football and the Single Man" stands as a testament to Hornung’s legacy as both a football icon and a symbol of a freer, more reckless era in professional sports.