The Color of Sundays

Everyone knew the Pittsburgh Steelers needed a new strategy when team owners discovered Bill Nunn Jr. The Rooney family already had endured decades of losing by its football team. The Steelers had made the playoffs just once and lost. But Nunn knew a secret that could change their fortunes. Nunn could identify football players no one else could see. He had developed his eye as a pioneering athlete, breaking down barriers for African-Americans in high school and college. Then as a journalist, he had become the first black sports writer allowed to sit in the press box at baseball's Forbes Field. The secret revealed itself as Nunn traveled the country each fall to find the best players at the nations historically black colleges and universities. Most often the National Football League never noticed these men. Nunn knew they could play if only given a chance.