During the early years of football, as author A.J. Chilson writes in this book, it was a violent game. Without proper equipment and without adequate rules in place, many players got injured and some even died. Among those injured on the gridiron in 1905 was the son of President Theodore Roosevelt, who loved football. But even America's commander-in-chief was not beyond abolishing his favorite game if changes weren't made. Football would likely not be played today, had it not been for a summit that was held at The White House. Yes, President Roosevelt wore his heart on his sleeve at that summit, and his passionate plea to college officials would get the ball rolling to all the safety measures and enhanced equipment that has made football better for everyone.