The Houston Gamblers, a professional football team competing in the United Football League, have become known not only for their play on the field but also for a quiet habit that many of their players and staff are cultivating off it: reading.
A Shared Commitment to Growth
Defensive end Malik Fisher joined the Gamblers for the 2026 season after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English from Villanova University. Fisher says that reading at least ten pages a day during the off‑season keeps his mind sharp and helps him decode complex playbooks, translating literary insight into on‑field precision.
Communications specialist David Goriola, who previously worked for the Dallas Renegades and holds a degree from the University of Houston, sees reading as a bridge to connection. He argues that stories expand empathy, allowing teammates from different walks of life to understand one another beyond the locker room.
Head Coach Kevin Sumlin, a former Purdue University quarterback who later led Texas A&M, believes the sport offers a rare pathway for people from humble backgrounds to reach their full potential. He notes that the diverse backgrounds of his roster create a unique sense of kinship that is reinforced by shared intellectual pursuits.
The team’s culture now includes quiet reading sessions in the locker room and a recommendation list that ranges from classic literature to contemporary nonfiction. Whether it is a novel or a sports biography, the common thread is the belief that words can sharpen strategy, foster empathy, and unite a group that might otherwise be defined solely by its athletic achievements.