American Football Podcast with Michael Strahan, Kate Mara cover art

American Football

How the Gridiron Was Forged

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American Football

By: The HISTORY® Channel, SMAC Entertainment, Misher Films
Narrated by: Michael Strahan, Kate Mara
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About this listen

American Football is the untold tale of the rough-and-tumble origins of the National Football League. Produced and presented by Michael Strahan and narrated by actress and pro football enthusiast Kate Mara, this podcast reaches back into the past to explain the dirty, bloody, and tumultuous beginnings of America's most popular sport.

Born from the grassroots of Middle America in the early 20th century, football exploded in popularity but quickly became rife with class conflict both on the field and off. Together, new immigrants and the American underclass fought to play a brand-new sport that defined the American spirit but was controlled by the American elite.

American Football is a fast-paced tale about the creation of the game as it transitions from an amateur sport defined by drama and corruption to one of the most premier leagues in the world. The central figures in this story, some famous and some forgotten, drive forward this drama series that mirrors American history.

From The HISTORY® Channel, SMAC Entertainment, and Misher Films, American Football brings together today’s greatest players, coaches, and personalities to explore the history of the sport. It features a unique play-by-play format that recreates classic games using the renowned voices of our modern era. Listen as each episode introduces us to the extraordinary heroes whose dreams and desires shaped football into what it is today.

©2022 A&E Television Networks, LLC (P)2022 Audible Originals Football American Football
Episodes
  • Trailer: American Football

    Trailer: American Football
    Nov 15 2022

    American Football is the untold tale of the rough-and-tumble origins of the National Football League. Produced and presented by Michael Strahan and narrated by actress and pro football enthusiast Kate Mara, this podcast reaches back into the past to explain the dirty, bloody, and tumultuous beginnings of America's most popular sport.

    Born from the grassroots of Middle America in the early 20th century, football exploded in popularity but quickly became rife with class conflict both on the field and off. Together, new immigrants and the American underclass fought to play a brand-new sport that defined the American spirit but was controlled by the American elite.

    American Football is a fast-paced tale about the creation of the game as it transitions from an amateur sport defined by drama and corruption to one of the most premier leagues in the world. The central figures in this story, some famous and some forgotten, drive forward this drama series that mirrors American history.

    From The HISTORY® Channel, SMAC Entertainment, and Misher Films, American Football brings together today’s greatest players, coaches, and personalities to explore the history of the sport. It features a unique play-by-play format that recreates classic games using the renowned voices of our modern era. Listen as each episode introduces us to the extraordinary heroes whose dreams and desires shaped football into what it is today.
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • Episode 1: Canton, Ohio

    Episode 1: Canton, Ohio
    Dec 1 2022
    The sport of American football began as a stand-in for war – a place where young men at elite colleges could prove their mettle fighting on the gridiron. But as blue-collar factory workers and immigrants appropriated the new sport for themselves, a passion was ignited for the gladiatorial game. Nowhere was this more true than in the bitter rivalry between two neighboring Ohio towns, Canton and Massillon, which gave birth to professional football…and nearly killed it.
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    39 mins
  • Episode 2: Path Lit by Great Flash of Lightning

    Episode 2: Path Lit by Great Flash of Lightning
    Dec 1 2022
    Rocked by an unproven betting scandal, the professional game needed a bright new star to light its way. It would find that unlikely star in a Sac-and-Fox Native American known as Wa-Tho-Huk, Path Lit by Great Flash of Lightning. Better known as Jim Thorpe, All-American, he would soon show the world he was not just the greatest football player of his day, but arguably the greatest athlete of all time.
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    42 mins
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Before it was pro football, it was America’s game.

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Kate Mara
Michael Strahan
Additional Credits

About the Narrator

Kate Mara’s impressive list of film credits include Random Hearts, in which she made her feature film debut at 15, Brokeback Mountain, We Are Marshall, Shooter, Transsiberian, Stone of Destiny, 127 Hours, Transcendence, Captive, The Martian, Man Down, Morgan, Megan Leavey, My Days of Mercy (on which she served as executive producer), and Chappaquiddick.
On the small screen, Mara received an Emmy Award nomination for her role in David Fincher’s critically acclaimed television series House of Cards. Mara was recently seen starring in the FX limited series A Teacher, for which she was also an executive producer. Upcoming, Mara will be seen in Class of ’09, a limited series for FX on Hulu.
Photographed by John Russo

About the Presenter

Emmy winner, Super Bowl Champion and Peabody award winning journalist Michael Strahan currently co-anchors ABC’s “Good Morning America,” serves as an analyst for “Fox NFL Sunday,” and hosts ABC’s primetime game show favorite “$100,000 Pyramid.” Strahan also headlined the Thursday Night Football Pregame Show live on the Fox Broadcast Network. Strahan is the co-founder of SMAC Entertainment, a multi-dimensional talent management, music, branding and production company which has created a major presence in the sports and entertainment arena. For four years, Strahan co-hosted the hit talk show “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” and prior to joining the ranks of the top sports broadcasters in the country, Strahan had a spectacular NFL career that resulted in him being named to the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. In 2015, Strahan launched his lifestyle brand, Michael Strahan TM , a men’s and boys’ apparel line that includes everything from tailored, sportswear, denim, accessories, underwear and beyond. Going back to Strahan’s football roots, in 2020, the line expanded with MSX by MICHAEL STRAHAN for NFL, a men’s and women’s NFL licensed apparel line. In 2022, the brand entered the CPG space with Michael Strahan Daily Defense, a skin and shave collection for men of all ages and ethnicities. The Michael Strahan lifestyle brand continues to expand and is available at JCPenney’s, Men’s Wearhouse, CVS, Jos A Bank, HSN and QVC and more retailers nationwide. Strahan released his best-selling book, Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life, which includes personal stories and motivational advice. Dedicated to many charitable works, Strahan donates his hands and heart to charities including St. Jude’s.

Featured Article: Get Ready for Kickoff—Tackle These 25 Essential Football Listens Before the Big Game


Queue up one of these listens while you place your bets and prep the nachos. Whether you're already getting your jersey and corresponding face paint ready or you're a casual fan more interested in the commercials and finger foods, these 25 fanfare-worthy, football-focused listens are sure to amp up your team spirit—and help you bide time through the off-season too. Discover some listens you won't want to miss.

Featured Article Get Ready for Kickoff Tackle These 25 Essential Football Listens Before the Big Game
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Super entertaining no matter what age or generation. The best of the greats from Jim Thorpe to Howie Long.

Great

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I love this podcast and now I am waiting for season 2! I learned so much more about the names in the history books! If you like football this is an amazing way to learn more about it. If you LOVE FOOTBALL you NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS!!

Absolutely incredible!

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This book is nice u like football for u u learn abt ppl it’s rlly nice I would read it

FOOTBALL

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I this podcast was well thought out, well organized, and well performed. As a football fan, I had no doubts that I would enjoy it, but I got much more out of it than I even anticipated. The only negative thing I could say is that I have to wait for a second season to listen to more.

Loved it: Instructive while also entertaining!

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I liked the characters. I didn’t really notice like anything. It’s pretty interesting. It’s just enjoyable.

I liked the characters.

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I’m a history lover, my husband is a football lover, this podcast had us BOTH captivated! We’ve been waiting for the next season for two years!

Can’t wait for the next season

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I was lucky enough to go and be coached by Strahan, at his football camp as a kid. He couldn't be a nicer guy. He was such a good player and so entertaining on and off the field. I looked forward to more episodes!

Football fun!

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First listen in the series. Finished in one sitting. Great storyline and captured my attention immediately. Looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.

Great listen!!

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I really enjoyed the full production of this story! the background noise the triumphant music at spiffic time. It is nice story. Kept me entertained for hours. Thank you.

Hits you right in the ears!

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love the stories and great job on the performance, can't wait for the next season 👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌

great job

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