All American: Two Young Men, the 2001 Army-Navy Game and the War They Fought in Iraq

All American is Steve Eubanks inspiring story of two football rivals who faced each other in the momentous 2001 Army-Navy Game who would both go on to serve in the United States military in the Iraq War.

In December, 2001, as fires still burned beneath the World Trade Center ruins, West Point cadet Chad Jenkins and Naval Academy midshipman Brian Stann faced off at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in what would become the most-watched college football game of the decade: the matchup between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen.

With his team down by thirteen points, Stann, a Navy linebacker, came into contact with Jenkins, the Army quarterback, for the first time, landing a perfect tackle. Though these two players would not meet again for another decade, Stann and Jenkins shared the same path: both went to war, led soldiers, and witnessed and participated in events they never imagined possible.

A moving and fascinating dual profile of honor, duty, courage, and competition, illustrated with photos, All American is a thoughtful exploration of American character and values, embodied in the lives of two remarkable young men.

They were rivals on the field for one historic game. They became brothers in the crucible of war.

• Rivals to Brothers in Arms: Follow Army quarterback Chad Jenkins and Navy linebacker Brian Stann from a history-making tackle in Philadelphia to the battlefields of Iraq, where their shared path of service would unite them.
• The Post-9/11 Army-Navy Game: Go inside the locker rooms for the most-watched college football game of the decade, a contest that took on profound national meaning just weeks after the September 11 attacks.
• Leadership in Combat: Witness the transition from athlete to warrior as both men are tested in the crucible of the Iraq War, leading soldiers and making life-or-death decisions under fire.
• An American Story of Service: Based on deep research and firsthand accounts, this dual biography is a powerful exploration of duty, honor, and the values that define a generation of service members.

In December 2001, as fires still burned beneath the World Trade Center ruins, West Point cadet Chad Jenkins and Naval Academy midshipman Brian Stann faced off in what would become the most-watched college football game of the decade: the matchup between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen.

With his team down by thirteen points, Stann, a Navy linebacker, came into contact with Jenkins, the Army quarterback, for the first time. Though these two players would not meet again for another decade, Stann and Jenkins shared the same path: both served in the Iraq War, led soldiers, and witnessed unimaginable events.

A moving and fascinating dual profile of honor, duty, courage, and competition, All American is a thoughtful exploration of American character and values, embodied in the lives of two remarkable young men.

“Captivating. … An engaging narrative worthy of any sports movie. … A testament to fallen heroes.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“There are two stories in American life—how we play, how we fight. Steve Eubanks tells a masterful story about both, along with a story of two extraordinary people, from two extraordinary institutions, moving through extraordinary times. All American is... inspiring... It’s history lived from the inside.” - DAVID LIPSKY, author of the New York Times bestseller Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point

There is nothing like Army-Navy... The young men who play... have all volunteered to die for their country... [Eubanks] tells you how special you have to be to play in this game--and to... make the kinds of sacrifices no other athletes even think about making...” - John Feinstein, author of A Civil War

“The people who went to [service] academies embody words like ‘hero’ and ‘courageous.’ Steve Eubanks captures that courage perfectly in this book by showing the dedication, honor, and love for each other and for our country that are inherent in academy graduates.” - Hall of Fame Coach Lou Holtz

“All American... is a masterpiece. ... A most noteworthy book.” - Epoch Times

”A MUST READ” - BLACKFIVE.NET

“GRIPPING ... A must-read.” - MyShelf

“Captivating. … An engaging narrative worthy of any sports movie. … A testament to fallen heroes.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)