Never Ran, Never Will
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | September 4, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Nonfiction book |
| Parent | PublicAffairs |
Never Ran, Never Will: Boyhood and Football in a Changing American Inner City represents the first nonfiction publication by Albert Samaha, focusing on a youth football squad based in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Released on September 4, 2018, through PublicAffairs, this work earned a spot among Booklist’s Top 10 Sports Nonfiction titles of 2018 and received the 2019 New York Society Library Hornblower Award.
Synopsis
Set during the 2013–2014 season, the narrative centers on the Mo Better Jaguars, a youth football team from Brownsville consisting of players aged between 7 and 13 who face challenges securing victories. Never Ran, Never Will explores the dedication of six assistant coaches alongside head coach Chris Legree as they strive to inspire their predominantly African American team amidst the backdrop of neighborhood gentrification.
Awards and nominations
- 2019 - Finalist for the PEN/ESPN Literary Sports Writing Award
- 2019 - Recipient of the New York Society Library Hornblower Award
Audiobook distinctions:
- 2018 - Earned the Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine
Critical reception
Wes Lukowsky from Booklist commended Samaha for his adept portrayal of a challenging yet optimistic environment. Meanwhile, Publishers Weekly emphasized the book’s exploration of themes such as athletics, bravery, and masculinity.