In the early 1980s, Beaumont, Texas, stood at a crossroads. Once thriving from the oil boom, the city was now facing economic uncertainty, racial tension, and a community divided by history. The integration of Hebert High School, a proud and successful Black institution, with Forest Park High, a predominantly white school, tested the limits of trust, identity, and belonging. Out of this unlikely merger emerged West Brook High School — and with it, a football team that would change the course of the city’s history.

At the center of this transformation was Coach Alexander Durley, a man of faith, discipline, and quiet strength. Durley believed in more than just winning games — he believed in building men. Under his guidance, players from both sides of the racial divide learned to see beyond color and rivalry, forging a brotherhood that would inspire an entire community.

The Color of Winning tells the inspiring true story of the 1982 West Brook High School football team — the first integrated team in Beaumont, Texas, to win a state championship. When two racially divided schools, Hebert and Forest Park, were forced to merge, few believed they could overcome the tension, mistrust, and pain of the past. But through determination, leadership, and faith, the players, coaches, and community turned adversity into victory. This book matters because it shows how sports can break down barriers, heal old wounds, and teach powerful lessons about teamwork, respect, and unity. The Color of Winning is not just about football — it’s about America’s ongoing journey toward equality, and the power of coming together to achieve something greater than ourselves.