What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAmerican Kings
Seth Wickersham · Book
If you loved American Kings, start with Quarterback (2023) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to American Kings across media.
If American Kings pulled you in, you will appreciate how these stories strip away the celebrity facade to expose the human cost of athletic greatness.
Films on the same thread
HIM
Justin Tipping · Film · 2025
Explores: toxic masculinity, hero worship, obsession.
Much like the career trajectories explored in American Kings, this film examines the dark intersection of fame and obsession within the isolated, high-pressure world of elite football.
American Underdog
Jon Erwin · Film · 2021
Explores: Overcoming adversity, Faith and perseverance, Family values.
If you were drawn to the biographical depth of American Kings, you will find this true story of a quarterback’s rise to NFL stardom equally compelling and foundational.
King Richard
Reinaldo Marcus Green · Film · 2021
Explores: Parental Dedication, Overcoming Adversity, American Dream.
This film mirrors the focus on athletic legacy found in American Kings by detailing the intense parental dedication required to forge legends from aspiring young sports figures.
Seabiscuit
Film · 2003
Explores: Underdog story, Perseverance, Great Depression.
The exploration of high-stakes performance in American Kings is echoed here, as this true story captures how a singular athletic endeavor can define a nation’s spirit.
Series on the same thread
30 for 30
Bill Simmons · Series · 2009
Explores: Sports History, Athlete Biographies, Underdog Stories.
These documentaries provide the same meticulous look at sports history and athlete biographies that define American Kings, offering a broader context for the legends you admire.
SportsCenter
John A. Walsh · Series · 1979
Explores: Athleticism, Competition, Teamwork.
For those who enjoyed the analysis in American Kings, this program serves as the essential daily companion to the high-stakes world of professional football and athletic competition.
All American
April Blair · Series · 2018
Explores: Culture Clash, Social Mobility, Coming of Age.
This drama captures the same tension between personal life and career trajectory found in American Kings, highlighting how high school football shapes identity and social mobility.
Quarterback
Series · 2023
Explores: Professional Athletes, High-Pressure Situations, Personal Sacrifice.
This series offers a direct, visceral look at the professional sacrifices and high-pressure situations that you previously analyzed through the lens of American Kings.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Pat McAfee Show
Pat McAfee, ESPN · Podcast · 2026
Explores: locker room banter, professional football analysis, pop culture commentary.
If you valued the insider perspective of American Kings, you will appreciate this show’s blend of professional football analysis and candid commentary on the modern sports industry.
30 for 30 Podcasts
ESPN · Podcast · 2026
These audio documentaries extend the narrative style of American Kings by providing deep, immersive storytelling that reveals the human complexities behind major events in sports history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary focus of American Kings?
American Kings is a book by ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham that analyzes the various stages and development phases of a professional football quarterback's career within the modern sport.
Is American Kings written by a sports journalist?
Yes, American Kings was written by Seth Wickersham, who currently serves as a senior writer for ESPN. His professional background informs the detailed analysis of the quarterback position presented throughout the book.
Does American Kings cover the entire career of a quarterback?
Yes, American Kings explores the full trajectory of a professional quarterback. The book breaks down the specific phases of their career, providing insight into the challenges and evolution required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
Who is the author of American Kings?
The author of American Kings is Seth Wickersham. He is a senior writer at ESPN and uses his expertise to examine the career progression of professional football quarterbacks in this work.