... football programs around the country lay claim to storied war heroes.  

Arizona has Pat Tillman. Oklahoma has Norman McNabb.

Iowa has Nile Kinnick.

Kinnick is Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner and the namesake of Iowa’s football stadium. He was an outstanding person on and off the field, whose life was tragically cut short when his fighter plane crashed during a training flight in 1943.

His story inspired author Tom Lidd to write NILE, a novel that paints a vivid picture of just why the All-American meant so much to Iowa. Lidd's novel combines football, world history, personal relationships, and a little creativity to tell ...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - College Football