Exclusive with Author Rob Ruck on his new book, The Tropic of Football: The Long and Perilous Journey of Samoans to the NFL

First, let me know what drove you to this topic Rob.

Well, I finished a couple of books in 2010 and 2011 – a co-written biography of Dan Roooney and Raceball, about players and race in baseball. I needed a new book project – for me it was like not being able to run. Something was missing.

I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I’ve always been fascinated by micro-cultures in sports – ones that produce a disproportionate number of athletes. Like runners from Kenya, football players from Brazil… I knew there were a number of Polynesian players in the NFL and of course being from Pittsburgh I was always entranced by Troy Polamalu. His athleticism and intellectual approach to the game. And his wonderful demeanor off the field.