In this book, The Football Gods are Real - Vol. 1: The Religion of Football, I pay homage to the Football Gods and set out to praise all things related to football and spirituality. The book focuses on the religiosity of football, celebrates football's cathedrals, applauds football's saints, and calls out its sinners. The book also acknowledges the football fanatics, whom I affectionally refer to as the zealots, and magnifies many of the traditions, rivalries, rituals, and superstitions that help make football the wonderful, mysterious, enjoyable game it is. This book explores football karma and the dark side of football, and searches for the fingerprints of the Football Gods from beginning to end. It also celebrates serendipitous moments and even investigates the paranormal world of football, including tales of curses, ghosts, and - believe it or not - UFOs. Breaking tackles like a power running back and heading towards the end zone, this book revisits the American dream and looks ahead to the golden age of football yet to come.