Overview
From Johnny Football to Bear Bryant—an account of all things Aggie
Describing the personalities, events, and facts that any and every Aggies fan should know, this work stands as a complete guide to one of the most accomplished and unique histories in college football. Highlighting the traditions that make Texas A&M football one of a kind—the 12th Man, the Aggie Bonfire, and Midnight Yell Practice—this book details the team’s recent resurgence with their electrifying, Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback Johnny Manziel before taking readers back to the Aggies’ three national championships and describing the larger-than-life figures who have coached at the school, including Paul “Bear” Bryant, Gene Stallings, Jackie Sherrill, R. C. Slocum, and Kevin Sumlin. More than a century of team history is distilled to highlight the essential moments, describing in an informative and lively way the personalities, games, rivalries, and plays that have come together to make Texas A&M one of college football’s most beloved programs.
Author Biography
Rusty Burson is a former newspaper reporter and feature writer and is the current associate editor of 12th Man Magazine as well as the senior development officer for the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M University. He is the author of 10 books, including 100 Things Ranger Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and What It Means to Be an Aggie. He lives in College Station, Texas. Dat Nguyen is one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the Texas A&M football program.
Press Releases
100 Things Texas A&M Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
By Rusty Burson
CONTACT: Quentin Ayukesong, Triumph Books, 312.676.4238, q.ayukesong@triumphbooks.com
Most Texas A&M fans have watched a game at Kyle Field, vividly recall the specifics of the 2012 upset at Alabama and have visited the Bonfire Memorial, but only real fans understand how the 1939 team rescued the athletic department from dire financial straits and know the story behind why All-American linebacker Ed Simonini was issued the No. 77.
100 Things Texas A&M fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (Triumph Books, October 2013) by veteran sports writer Rusty Burson, with a foreword by former All-American linebacker Dat Nguyen, reveals the most critical moments and important facts about past and present players, coaches and rivalries that are part of the storied history that is Texas A&M football. Scattered throughout the pages, you'll find anecdotes, interviews, legends and behind-the-scenes stories including:
- Why the school opted out of the Pac-16 and chose SEC membership instead
- How Dana Bible's Texas A&M team produced 25 consecutive shutouts before and after he served the United States in World War I
- What sticky-handed defensive back from A&M changed the NFL rulebooks
- Play-by-plays of some of the most important games in A&M history, such as the 1998 win against Nebraska that propelled the team to its only outright Big 12 championship.
Whether you're a die-hard fan from the days of Edd Hargett, Kevin Murray and Bucky Richardson or a newer supporter of Johnny Manziel and Von Miller, 100 Things Texas A&M Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die offers a chance to know the most important facts, the traditions and what being a Texas A&M fan is all about.
About the Author:
Rusty Burson is a former newspaper reporter and feature writer and is the current associate editor of 12th Man Magazine as well as the senior development officer for the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M University. He is the author of 14 books, including 100 Things Ranger Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and What It Means to Be an Aggie. He lives in College Station, Texas.
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