Across the River: Life, Death, and Football in an American City

Algiers, a New Orleans neighborhood, is home to the Edna Karr High School Cougars football program, which has brought glory to the community by winning three consecutive state championships and sending dozens of young men to college on football scholarships. Head coach Brice Brown is focused on keeping his players alive due to an epidemic of gun violence in the area. Across the River, an award-winning sports journalist Kent Babb follows the Karr football team through their 2019 season as they strive to succeed on and off the field. The book is a necessary investigation into the serious realities of young athletes in struggling neighborhoods, including gentrification, eviction, mental health issues, the drug trade, and gun violence. It offers a rich and unflinching portrait of a coach, his players, and the West Bank, a community where it is difficult to rise above the chaos and find purpose and a way out.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Across the River is a powerful and essential work of sports journalism that delves deep into the lives of young athletes in struggling neighborhoods. Written by award-winning sports journalist Kent Babb, the book follows the Karr football team through its 2019 season as head coach Brice Brown and his team strive to succeed both on and off the field. The book is a necessary investigation into the serious realities these young athletes face, including gentrification, eviction, mental health issues, the drug trade, and gun violence.

Through vivid and compelling storytelling, Babb offers a rich and unflinching portrait of coach Brown, his players, and the West Bank community. The book explores the challenges these young men face as they navigate the complexities of their environment, striving to rise above the chaos, discover purpose, and find a way out.

One of the key themes of Across the River is the impact of football on the lives of these young athletes. Football provides a sense of camaraderie, discipline, and hope for many of the players, who come from predominantly poor and marginalized backgrounds. The program has brought glory to Algiers, winning three consecutive state championships and sending dozens of young men to college on football scholarships.

However, head coach Brice Brown is not only focused on winning games. He is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of his players, especially in the wake of an epidemic of gun violence that plagues New Orleans and its surrounding communities. Brown has implemented strict safety protocols, including regular drills and training on gun safety, to ensure that his players are prepared for any situation that may arise.

Despite the challenges they face, the Karr football team is determined to succeed. They are a scrappy and rebellious group, with a deep sense of pride in their community and their program. They are led by coach Brown, who is known for his tough love and his ability to inspire his players to give their best.

Through their struggles and triumphs, the Karr football team becomes a symbol of hope and resilience for the West Bank community. They inspire young people to believe in themselves and their dreams, and to work hard to achieve their goals.

Across the River is a must-read for anyone who is interested in sports, youth culture, and the challenges faced by young people in struggling neighborhoods. It is a powerful and inspiring work that demonstrates the power of sports to transform lives and communities.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 135 x 204 x 47 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780062950604