Made or Broken

This Made or Broken anniversary edition - with a new introduction by Bobby Jackson, New York Jets 1978-85 - follows a group of high school teammates through their experiences at the notorious and grueling Graves Springs Football Camp (Albany High School) in Albany, GA. The agony of the oppressive practices - three a day - and the fears of hazing were a legend about to be realized by the team's sophomores. Lightle vividly describes how players came to endure this ordeal, through mutual support and camaraderie, in the woods of South Georgia. "Players 'fell out' as the expression was used at camp," Lightle said, "because of the lack of water and what we had to go through during those practice sessions." Made or Broken is a powerful story about trial, friendship, and overcoming racism in Albany, GA. "...The two years I spent out at Graves Springs taught me valuable lessons that carried me throughout my life even through hard work, a unified effort, with a common goal, we all became equals! No matter our color. When we are on the field together between the white lines, we must love each other and fight for each other to have a chance to become champions which we did..." - Bobby Jackson, selected to the All-Time New York Jets Team - "Bill Lightle has given us a splendid book reminding us of the great passion of high school football in the Deep South...Lightle reminds us that it was football, more than any other single reason, which was responsible for integration being accepted in the South..." - Vince Dooley, former head football coach University of Georgia "Bill Lightle...has shed light on the significant transformation in race relations that accompanied desegregation in Albany. This book has the ingredients for a fascinating tale, including race, gender, and athletic competition." - Lee W. Formwalt, former Executive Director of the Organization of American Historians "Bill Lightle has demonstrated his passion for education, history, and the furtherance of social justice...it is fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized..." - Georgia State Senate Resolution