The following was reported in today's issue of the Pottsville Republican and Herald:
Greeted by lines of people holding copies of “Breaker Boys” and a Pine Grove musician who penned a song in honor of “The Great Pottsville Maroons,” David Fleming returned to Pottsville on Wednesday.
“It’s great! I understand the alternative. At most book-signings (for many authors), five people show up. So I’m raring to go!” Fleming said after signing about 500 copies of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship” for the 157 people who attended a 3½-hour book-signing at The REPUBLICAN & Herald on Wednesday night.
Fleming, a writer for ESPN: The Magazine who lives in Davidson, N.C., was also excited Wednesday because he’d heard a copy of the “Breaker Boys” screenplay being marketed by Sentinel Entertainment, San Diego, Calif., was being reviewed by the NFL office in New York.
Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman, confirmed this Wednesday, but would not comment further on the matter.
And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a copy of “Breaker Boys” and looks forward to reading it, according to Greg Aiello, senior vice president of public relations for the NFL, New York.
Fleming will continue his second promotional tour for his book, now in its fourth printing, in the area today. At 9 a.m. he will speak to students at Blue Mountain Middle School, Orwigsburg, at an event sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald. Then he will participate in book-signings at Weis Markets, Pottsville, from noon to 2 p.m. and Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, at 7 p.m.
While signing books and shaking hands, Fleming will be encouraging one and all to sign the online petition he started in October to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, it accumulated X,XXX signatures.
On Monday, Fleming will be gearing up to go to Harrisburg to support state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, who will present a resolution to the House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.
One of the highlights of Wednesday’s book-signing event at The REPUBLICAN & Herald’s corner office at 123 Mahantongo St. happened when Fleming stepped out for 15 minutes to do a telephone interview with a Philadelphia radio station. George P. Graham, 65, of Pine Grove, entertained the people in line by singing a “spirited rally song” he composed Tuesday.
“The NFL’s greatest team was the Pottsville Maroons, the Pottsville Maroons, the Pottsville Maroons. So return the title to the Pottsville Maroons, the real 1925 football champions...,” Graham sang.
The crowd gave Graham a round of applause. When Fleming heard a video had been shot of Graham’s performance, he said: “We have to get that up on YouTube.”
Graham is planning to record the song today at Chestnut Lane Creations, Pine Grove, and hopes to start selling CD copies by March.
The signing was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., but when Fleming arrived at 2:35 p.m. and saw 17 people in line, he picked up a pen and got things rolling.
Mary J. Schaeffer, Llewellyn, stepped up first, followed by Lucille Molochnick, Minersville, then Mary Jane Hindman, Pine Grove, who got a copy signed for her grandson, Chris Smith, who lives in Japan.
Hindman said her grandson had called her three weeks ago, told her about “Breaker Boys” and asked if she would get him a signed copy.
In Chris’ copy, Fleming wrote: “You are now the official Maroons fan club president of Japan. Best wishes.”
Others in line included Linda M. Walinsky, president of McCann School of Business & Technology, who was picking up a few more copies as Christmas gifts.
“I think it’s great, and I think it gives people who live here something positive to focus on,” Walinsky said.
William R. Davidson, a member of the Pottsville Area School Board, who had Fleming sign three copies, agreed.
“I found that the book is quite exciting. I think he brings it all together. And if indeed we ever, which hopefully we will, be awarded the championship, it will take something like the media to do it for it. And I think Dave Fleming is going to really be one of our best supporters to bring this back,” Davidson said.
Fleming also signed a limited number of copies for The REPUBLICAN & Herald to sell at its front counter at 111 Mahantongo St., according to Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.
The online petition is up to 9,860 signatures.
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