Follows one young man from his impoverished childhood with a crack-addicted mother, through his discovery of the sport of football, to his rise to become one of the most successful, highly-paid players in the NFL.

The author records more than a year spent with University of Mississippi football coach Ed Orgeron as a "fly on the wall" in the "war room" and at U.M.'s Indoor Practice Facility.

Michael Lewis helps tell the tale of one incredible young man who went from living on the tough urban streets to becoming a promising football talent. Through this incredible story he also documents the tactics and practices being used in football from the NFL all the way down to school sports.