Paper Lion: Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback is George Plimpton’s account of going through training camp with the Detroit Lions as a self‑described “participatory journalist.” Plimpton takes hits, runs drills, and sits in on meetings, then writes about the gap between fan fantasy and the reality of professional football. The tone is self‑deprecating and observant, more interested in locker‑room culture and the craft of the game than in stats.

WHY WE PICKED IT
Because it helped invent a whole mode of immersive sports writing that’s still being copied. Paper Lion is a great pick for readers who like behind‑the‑scenes looks at pro sports, especially when the narrator is the least talented person on the field.

DETAILS
• Author: George Plimpton
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
• Publication Date: April 26, 2016
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9780316284509
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