Book Description

Steve Young has encountered seemingly insurmountable challenges at every step of his football career. As a freshman at Brigham Young University, he was the Cougars? eighth string quarterback. After working his way into a starting role, Young had the dubious honor of living up to the legacy of BYU passing legend Jim McMahon. Following BYU, Young signed with the Los Angeles Express of the fledgling United States Football League, but the league folded after a handful of mediocre seasons. His next team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, were perennial doormats in the National Football League.

When he finally signed with the competitive and respected San Francisco 49ers, Young was relegated to a backup role behind Joe Montana, then considered the greatest NFL quarterback ever. When at last he replaced Montana in the 49er lineup, the media and 49er fans forced Young to live in his predecessor?s shadow.

Though under continuous pressure, Young never lost touch with his own identity. Whether scrambling to avoid the clutches of blitzing linebackers or trying to live up to impossible expectations placed on him by 49er fans, Young remained devoted to community, religion, and his fierce desire to succeed.

Young?s focus and tenacity culminated in his legendary performance in Super Bowl XXIX. After a long wait, Steve Young finally emerged on top. Against all odds, he became the quintessential hero, a man millions of fans respect and admire. This is the story of his triumph.

About the Author
Laury Livsey is a writer and editor in Salt Lake City, where he lives with his wife and two children. His articles have appeared in numerous national magazines and newspapers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very Insightfuland Well-written.
I read this book when I became a Steve Young junkie while at BYU. I am still at BYU, and still a S.Y. junkie, but at least now I know a lot more about the man. The authors of this book seem to have gotten close enough to the protagonist to show some of the most private aspects of his personality. I got a truer sense of who Steve really is, what he believes, and why he comports himself the way he does. Apart from being well-written and chronologized, the book provided a lot of back-ground kowledge with regards to Steve's football career, starting out with his college experience, as well as some of the challenges he had to face in the AFL and NFL, right up to the point where he led his team to a superbowl victory during the 1994 season. It also invoked a lot of compassion in me for Steve Young, because one only has to read the book half-way to realize that the path he had to travel to success was not an easy one. It has inspired me in many ways. I would recommend this book not only for people who are interested in the 49er Quarterback, but also for those who don't favor him that much, or who don't really know a lot about him. For those of us who will never meet the guy, this is the closest we will ever get to his inner-self, to understanding where he's coming from, and perhaps, eventually understanding Steve, the man.

The most comprehensive book on Steve Young
A lot of books have been written on the 49ers' great Quarterback Steve Young but none is as deep in details as this one. It is entertaining, absolutely interesting and (i would say) formative because it teaches about how fulfilling our dreams, heading in the good direction...I loved this book.

The best available book on Steve Young!
This book is informative and brilliantly written. Unlike the other books on Steve Young that I have read -- books which often rely on "angles" about this man's life -- this book is an honest and compelling account. It's writing is tight and detailed. I loved this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Before the 1999 season started, few people had ever heard of Kurt Warner. Over the past few months, however, the St. Louis Rams' star quarterback has turned into one of the biggest stars in the National Football League. Now fans can learn even more about the stockboy turned superstar with 101 Fun Facts about Kurt Warner. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow!
Wow! It was interesting and exciting with lots of neat facts. Amazing to throw 5 TD passes in one game. Did not know that you could play 2 sports at a time in HighSchool.

Clinton Miller 8yrs. old Champaign, Il.

A Fun Book for Football Kids
When my son and his friend sat down to this book, I couldn't tear it away from them! They kept looking at the vivid pictures and reading over and over the text. They were really transfixed. I can't say how quiet the house was for about a half of an hour. They loved it! ... Read more

Book Description

Football is more than just a sport, it is a way of life.From the grittiness of practice and strategy sessions to the thrill of game days and the power of cheering crowds, football is the glue that holds a professional player's life together. But what happens when you have to face life after football? What happens when the cheering stops? The adjustement to life without football can be traumatic. Some players are prepared and make a seamless transition. Others struggle to make sense of a life that no longer seems to have meaning.

In When the Clock Runs Out, twenty talented NFL players share their private, inspiring stories of football, retirement, and adjustment. Pat Summerall candidly discusses his battle with alcoholism and his triumphant victory over addiction. Dan Reeves takes us on a harrowing journey through heart surgery and an improbable Super Bowl appearance. Thomas "Hollywood' Henderson describes his descent into drug addiction and his soul-cleansing climb to sobriety. These men and other NFL greats are proof of the hold that football can have over a player. They have given themselves heart and soul to the sport, and their lives have been changes because of it. As these stories make clear, football continues to influence them, long after they have removed their helmets and left the playing field for the last time. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

INTERESTING AND VERY HONEST
THIS BOOK IS A GREAT LOOK AT HOW MEN TRY TO DEAL WITH TRANSITION TO LIFE AFTER THEIR CAREER IS OVER. A LOT OF GREAT INTERVIEWS AND PROFOUND STORIES ARE TOLD. ALSO AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF PHOTOS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK. THE STORY OF PAT SUMMERALL IS A MUST READ. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ALL FOOTBALL FANS. IT SHEDS MUCH LIGHT ON WHAT AN ATHLETE ENDURES WITH LIFE DURING AND AFTER THEIR CAREERS. THE AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER ARE RIGHT ON WITH THIS WELL WRITTEN AND EXCELLENT BOOK.

The clock has definitely not run out on this book!
I just finished reading "When the Clock Runs Out" and I thoroughly enjoyed every page-turning minute. The stories are captivating and the photographs are outstanding. Kudos to Bill Lyon and Cynthia Zordich on a job well-done. A must-read for any football fan or even those of us just dealing with life's transitions. I hope they consider doing another editon featuring more players and their stories. OUTSTANDING!

AWESOME-INTRIGUING-REVEALING-INSPRIATIONAL
THIS IS NOT A SPORTS BOOK,IT IS A LIFE BOOK,EVEN WHEN YOU THINK YOU KNOW THESE PLAYERS,YOU QUICKLY FIND OUT HOW LITTLE WE REALLY UNDERSTAND.I DARE ANY ONE TO READ THE PAT SUMMERAL CHAPTER AND NOT BE AFFECTED IN A PROFOUND MANNER. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Heart Warming Story about a Wonderful Man
This is one of the most wonderful books that I have ever read.
I must admit, Brook Berringer was a hero to me growing up.
I have always liked him as a Quarterback, but after reading the book, I realize that the way Brook lived his life and accepted God as his savior and higher Power.. it's the way I want to live my life. He was the most wonderful, caring, kind hearted person.
The way he held his head up high when the chips were down was amzing. He will always be a great hero to me and I absolutely recommend this book to everyone who is wanting to have someone to look up to.

Great book about very Special Person
I can't believe nobody reviewed this book so I'll take a crack at it. Brook Berringer was one of the greatest Nebraska quarterbacks ever and he was really considered a back up. Sadly his life was cut short in an airplane accident. I haven't talked to anyone here in Nebraska that doesnt know where they were when they heard, he had that much of an impact on everyone. The book does talk about his football days but I think more importantly it shows how he came to find God and how his faith helped him through trying times. It is a very moving book and it is very inspirational, it will bring a smile to your face and make your eyes well up in tears. I hope you'll read this book if only to learn how good of a man he was and maybe you'll find a little comfort in knowing God will always be there when you are ready to accept him. ... Read more

Book Description

In January 2000, shortly after the New York Jets ended their '99 season, their coach, Bill Parcells, retired. By then he had won 149 games, lost 106, tied one, led three major pro football teams out of serious slumps, and taken two of them to the Super Bowl. He had made football history; he'd become the NFL's miracle man. Both intimidating and disarming, with a tongue like a whip and the temperament of a tyrant, Bill Parcells joined the failing New York Giants in 1983. By 1990 he'd twice taken the team to the Super Bowl. Three years later he took in tow the downtrodden New England Patriots, whom he propelled to the Super Bowl in his fourth season. He returned to New York in 1997, this time to rally the Jets. In two seasons the team with a lamentable 1–15 record had won a division title and missed the Super Bowl by only a game. In 1999, beleaguered by injuries to key players, the Jets nose-dived, losing six of its first seven games, but Parcells still managed to salvage the season with an 8–8 finish. While this biography candidly assesses the career of a consummate coach, it also examines the driving force that took hold of Parcells early and never let him go. Call it ambition, a dream, bulldog spirit, or perfectionism, it made him one of the winningest coaches in NFL history. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

PW and Library Journal like this book, so do I
Library Journal writes that Bill Gutman's biography of Parcells "is a good read about a hard-nosed, uncompromising man with a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality: charming at one moment and belligerent the next. Regardless, the coach earned the respect of his peers and players. An engaging story describing the motivation that drove Parcells to become one of the most successful coaches in pro football.

Publishers Weekly writes: Gutman is a capable writer who delivers an accurate overview of the coach's life. If he does not provide much new material, he still gives fans of Parcells's teams a pleasant ride down memory lane.

Gutman's doesn't land "Tuna"-- a major disappointment!
The same for the paperback edition of "Parcells"...This book, by and large, is nothing more then a rehash of old football games coached by Parcells. Gutman should be ashamed of himself for delivering yesterday's cup of coffee to football fans. Giving ad nasuem blow-by-blow accounts of games that took place 5-10 years ago is not my idea of a biography. About 25% represents Parcels' philosophies on life, football, family, and friends, etc., and I would rate that at best a C-. Overall the book is a major flop. Don't waste your money on this one. Of course, I shouldn't complain, I picked it up for a buck at a used bookstore...I paid 99 cents too much!

Gutman Rip Off
This book, by and large, is nothing more then a rehash of old football games coached by Parcells. Gutman should be ashamed of himself for delivering yesterday's cup of coffee--especially so to knowledgeable football fans. Giving ad nauseam blow-by-blow accounts of games that took place 5-10 years ago is not my idea of biography. About 25% represents Parcels' philosophies on life, football, family, and friends, etc., and I would rate that at best a C-. Overall the book is a major flop. Don't waste your money on this one. Of course, I shouldn't complain, I picked it up for a buck at a used bookstore...I paid 99 cents too much!

Library Journal - "an engaging story "
Above all, an NFL coach must know how to survive. Parcells is one of those survivors, with an uncanny ability to build and nurture championship teams. He has been referred to as a miracle man in helping three franchises (the Giants, the Patriots, and the Jets) climb from the depths of despair. Two of these teams reached the summit of the game, the Super Bowl. Parcells's record of 149 wins, 106 losses, and one tie is impressive. Sportswriter Gutman has written numerous books on sport celebrities. His current biography is a good read about a hard-nosed, uncompromising man with a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality: charming at one moment and belligerent the next. Regardless, the coach earned the respect of his peers and players. An engaging story describing the motivation that drove Parcells to become one of the most successful coaches in pro football; buy where demand warrants.

Library Journal ... Read more

Book Description

Recognizing that our society has a great need for role models, and few individuals successfully rise to the challenge, The Homefield Advantage assures readers that "Yes, you are a role model...whether you own up to it or not. You are being watched. You are touching lives. You are shaping young lives for good or for incalculable harm." Filled with the stories of everyday heroes who may never make the pages of Sports Illustrated-but who may very well find their way into heaven's highlight clips-The Homefield Advantage offers powerful advice for men who want to maximize their influence for generations to come. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

What's truly important
Home Field Advantage allows a father to remember what is really important and how he score where it really counts.

Does for football what Safe At Home did for baseball
In 1992, Dave Branon of Sports Spectrum joined with Joe Pellegrino to present Christian role models in baseball. Now Branon and Packer Ken Ruettgers give us a role model in football, a sport in desperate need of same. When the bad boys get all the ink, we all need to look beyond that to the behavior and character of players like Ruettgers. Branon - we're waiting for the good guys of basketball. The mainstream media don't even try to hide their rolling eyes and smug boredom when Christian players praise The Lord. Get over it, media, and ask yourselves why you're disturbed at a player who kneels in the end zone to thank his Lord rather than break into a dance of self-glorification.Bit by bit, book by book, the good guys are gaining.For more on the Branon touch, try a subscription to his magazine, Sports Spectrum. It's a whole new world out there, sports fans, a world where the Minister of Defense is in the pulpit

Next to the Bible, it's a hand's on playbook for role models
It's information is insightful, Biblical, practical and Ken puts into the hands of his readers a do-able, day to day playbook for Dad's to win with their kids. Ken's insights, stories and truths empower and equip men to leave lasting Godly imprints in the daily lives of their children and all those whom they touch....he helps us Packer fans to realize that though it may be hard to fathom...there are indeed higher priorities in life than football and dare I say it...the Green Bay Packers ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Miami Dolphins must read
As a life long Miami Dolphins fan I read anything I can get from any Dolphins I can. This book is a Must for any real Dolphins fan. It follows a man that should be in the Hall of Fame for most of his life, good and bad. ... Read more

Book Description

Jefferson Edwards is Founder and Pastor of Inner-City Christian Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He has a special commission and calling to bring down the barriers that divide races and denominations and is well-known as a youth counsellor and minister to pastors, especially in the inner-cities of America. Rev. Edwards received both his bachelors and masters degrees in Bible Theology from International Bible Institute and Seminary in Orlando, Florida. The ministry of this gifted preacher, teacher, counsellor, evangelist and author is much in demand. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Devoted Steeler Fan
Being a Steeler Fan, I have read both Terry Bradshaw's and Rocky Bleir's books, and while I found them interesting, I didn't get quite the feel for the individual as well as the game from their books as I did from Andy Russell's. I am not just a fan of the sport of football, but a fan of the players. As a fan of the individuals, I like to know as much about them as possible. Everything from their childhood and family life, through high school and college, because all of that has an effect on their football career and what they bring to the game. Andy's stories about his life after football give us a perspective on the good effects that the commraderie and competitiveness of football can have on the rest of your life. I particularly enjoyed the chapter which tells of his visits to combat areas in Vietnam. The American soldiers in the various hospitals had the same reaction to American football players. I totally understand that reaction - meeting A Pittsburgh Steeler so far away from home helped the soldier forget the harshness of war for just a few moments and go back to all that is good in the world - good old American Football!

The Christmas Present of the Year for sports lovers.
This is the story of a former NFL All Pro linebacker going on a journey of self discovery after retiring from the game. Along the way he reminisces about his famous teammates: Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Ham, Rocky Bleier and others. He and his Steeler pal, Ray Mansfield, take Lynn Swann and Mel Blount around the world, giving speeches from Hong Kong to London, and sports clinics for young people from Singapore to Jeddah while still finding time to develop his international investment business. Two stories tell of dodging bullets on a USO tour of Vietnam and Thailand with ex-congressman Jack Kemp, Bobby Bell, John David Crow and Bill Brown. Along the way the adventurer team of Russell/ Mansfield test themselves on a wilderness canoe race in Canada, on mountain tops in Nepal and barely make it out of the Grand Canyon. The writer, a sensitive sort, who struggles to find himself after leaving the game gives the reader a first hand look of what it was like to be on the field with the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers. This book is an easy read--one that will keep the reader rivited to every story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Brett Favre: Huck Finn Grows Up-review
This is a well written book. Personally I liked it. Not only because I'm a fan of Brett Favre, but that this book shows the life and personality of him. The book goes behind the scenes of this football superstar into his personal life. The author (Steve Cameron) provides a great view of Brett's personality and ability. The book includes personal insight and quotes. Another plus is a few pictures, and even one of Brett's wedding night! From high school hard ball to a pro career with the Packers Steve Cameron shows you the life of Brett Favre, All in all this is one great biography! ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published in 1977, The David Kopay Story was an earth-shattering event. It has never been duplicated. Twenty-three years after publishing his story, David Kopay remains the only NFL player who has publicly acknowledged his homosexuality. After a ten-year career as a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions, the Washington Redskins, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers, and exhausted by the agony of living a double life, Kopay bravely talked to the Washington Star and took his place in history as the first prominent male athlete to come out of the closet. In The David Kopay Story, he reveals the conflicting emotional states that both prevented him from living openly and finally drove him to a place of total honesty. From psychotherapy to hypnosis to heartbreaking family confrontations to finally surprising acceptance from former teammates and coaches, this is a story of denial leading to acceptance, and finally to pride. As inspiring today as it was upon publication, Advocate Books is proud to make The David Kopay Story available to a new generation of readers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

David Kopay Story
This book is of a true hero, David Kopay. What a story of courage and inspiration. If you want to be inspired, read this book. One of the best!!

well-written, gutsy and illuminating
This is David Kopay's account of growing up gay back when there were very few books or support groups to turn to, which makes it stand even taller. He describes his experience as a college and professional football player as well as being in a fraternity. I find him candid, readable and likeable. He never asked for any special favours, just the right to live his life his way and do what he knew how to do.

I'm proud that David is a fellow Husky; his name adds honour to the reputation of the University of Washington, both as a hard-nosed athlete who hit like a freight train and as a man of courage. Just about anyone could benefit from reading his book.

The Pioneer of Gay Sports Stories
Before Dan Woog's "Jocks," before "The Front Runner," before the whole genre, David Kopay rocked the homophobic world of sports by coming out and telling his story. An amazing personal journey and a great historic account, this is a must-have for your gay library. Not as sexy as you'd think, instead it's a harrowing and touching tale of the first pro football player - the first jock of the 20th century - to come out big time. We all owe this man a lot, but beyond that, this is a compelling story.

A classic gay studies book
Inevitably somewhat dated, this book (first published in 1977, but revised a bit since) is nonetheless still on the short list of must-reads for both gay people and for heterosexuals who want to know more about gay people and what we go through. Kopay was hugely courageous to come out when he did, on the scale he did, and as a former NFLer no less! Kopay's autobiography (it's not "a novel," as the review before mine says) busts all sorts of stereotypes, but his story is really quite similar to those of many gay men who have never fit the stereotypes in the first place. Kopay was so ahead of his time that I don't think any professional football player has come out since him (Jerry Smith, who died of AIDS, is described in the book, and was a buddy of Kopay's, never really came out).

A struggle for the oppressed
After reading this incredible novel, I was surprised that David Kopay remains obscure to most people. An NFL football player of ten years, David Kopay decides to unmask himself and come out of the closet in the Washington Star newspaper. What happens then is a series of trials for him, in the very gay-oppressed 1970s. He meets such huge figures of history, such as Jimmy Carter, Congressman Gerry Studds, and the slain mayor and office holder of San Francisco, Harvey Milk and George Moscone. Throughout his unfolding, relevational story, he denounces the religious right, and the hate that Christianity brings to other fellow human beings. Kopay finds that the only way to be true to oneself, is to simply tell the truth. He does so, and the whole world comes to face him. Being in the National Football League (the NFL) is all the much harder, since professional football in America has become the epitome of masculinity and machismo, and gay men are supposed to not exist within this world. Kopay proves the stereotypes wrong, and tells personal stories of other gay men within the football world, including a fellow NFL player who dies of AIDS, Jerry Smith. This book is an integral story for everyone alive, for through Kopay, we can see a mirror of ourselves. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

heart, will, guts, and determination
This book is a great illustration of where heart and determination will get you in life. Blaise Winter, from day one, had to overcome many problems. From his cleft palate to his stubborn high school principle and coach, Blaise battled against all who didn't believe and reached his life-long dream....playing in the NFL. If you are feeling down on yourself or have little confidence, read this book and allow Blaise Winter to inspire you. ... Read more

Book Description

Touched is the story of Jerry Sandusky’s life in his own words. From his childhood to his professional career, this book goes behind the scenes to explore the successes and challenges that Jerry Sandusky has faced in life, both on and off the football field. After graduating from Penn State in 1966, Sandusky went on to coach collegiate football for 34 years. Thirty-two of those years were with Penn State, as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Joe Paterno, until his retirement in 1999. The book also explores Sandusky’s involvement in children’s charities, including the founding of his charity, "Second Mile." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good book, important book, but apparently flawed
I hadn't expected to enjoy the account of Jones' early days leading up to his pro football career. But that was the best part of the book. Once I got halfway through his career I started skipping large chunks of text.

The football tales were interesting, but not engrossing. What makes the book worthwhile to me is the account of Jones' struggle with racism through most of his life, including his early years in the NFL.

That said, I was disappointed to see that the book is written in semi-fiction style in that whole conversations that were never taped or even could have been taped are reproduced as if they were transcribed by a stenographer. It seems obvious that the authors made it up. That doesn't necessarily mean that the conversations presented don't accurately reflect what was said at the time. But the authors don't even acknowledge that they have put words in people's mouths.

In the same vein, I got the impression that some of the stories of Jones' life, as presented in the book, are apocryphal, or at least based mainly on Jones' memory.

For example, one story has Jones meeting Jackie Robinson as a teenager. He had just seen a Dodgers game and witnessed a white player step on Robinson's hand. He said something to Robinson along the lines of "Why don't you retaliate?" And Robinson's answer was that he gets even by beating them on the playing field. And that was supposedly a lesson Jones took to heart and practiced during his career. Maybe everything happened exactly as the book said, but it seems too pat to me. I'm reminded of the newspaper and magazine writers who got into trouble recently for fabricating sources.

To sum up, "Headslap" is a well-written, comprehensive story that should be of great interest to Deacon Jones fans, Rams fans, or anyone who wants to know what it was like for black NFL players in the '60s. But beware that conversations are presented as if they were transcribed verbatim and some of the stories are a little too convenient in the way they contribute to the tapestry of Jones' life.

HeadSlap
I have idolized Deacon Jones all of my life, and this book really made The Deacon out to be everything I thought he was. The reason I liked the book so much was the fact that it not only covered his unrealistically impressive football career, but also covered his entire life from childhood all the way through his retirement from the NFL. It really gave you a real feel of the hard, grueling times he went through back in the days of racism and presidium. I recommend this book for anyone, even those who are not interested in football, fore is a book far from only being about football, but a book of struggle, anger, distress, and overcoming all obstacles in order to succeed greatly in life.

This is a not a self-serving biography. I learned a lot.
I met Deacon Jones about two months after I read this book. I felt like I had actually known him for a long time and even played with him. The author did a great job in describing the man, especially his youth in Florida, during the fifties. If you like sports and understand the discipline and dedication that a good athlete puts into his profession you will experience it in this documentary that reads like a novel. In some ways, this book is a history of the NFL as seen through the practical eyes of a humble and sincere young man who came from a small town in the "old south" and was never groomed for college or the NFL. This is the first biography that I read completely without getting tired of all the subject's glories. The book is not self-serving. It should be mandatory reading for all high school athletes especially football players and their coaches. Submitted by: Stanley Strychaz West Hills, Californi ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great Web guide!!
This is an excellent guide to the web. Just the sort of book we've all been waiting for! Easy to understand and highly informative. It tells you in straightforward terms how the world wide web developed from the early Internet days, how it works and you can use it in many different ways. For example, it points you towards very useful web sites on health, education and business.

I passed my copy onto my young nephew. He was fascinated by it and has now begun to use the web himself to help him with his studies and find out lots of info about his favourite sports! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very Well Done For a Book of this Type
As a lifelong Patriots fan and a huge Brady fan, I have read nearly every publication chronicling the rise of Brady and the Patriots to two World Championships. Surprisingly, this 48 page book captures the feel as well as if not better than virtually all of the other immediate release tribute books such as those released by the Boston newspapers and writers. More than just a collection of game recaps, this short book really gets it right. The explanation and history behind the passing of the baton from Bledsoe to Brady was particularly well done and the information provided on Brady's pre professional career was interesting even to those who knew much of it already. I highly recommend this well written book to any Patriots/Brady fan. Even with the recent Super Bowl 38 win, this is a nice piece to have despite it being two years old. ... Read more

Book Description

There was a time during the middle of the last century when football teams from the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy were among the best in the nation. Proof of this point was that five of their players, from 1945-1963, were awarded college football’s greatest individual achievement award, the Heisman Trophy.

Field of Valor profiles these athletes who during a unique time in history committed themselves to excellence not only on the field of sport but also through their commitment to duty, honor and serving their country.

The players, Felix (Doc) Blanchard and Glenn Davis from the 1944-46 teams at Army were the first from a service academy so honored. Twelve years later, Pete Dawkins, captain of West Point’s undefeated 1958 team, won the award. Two years after Dawkins received his award, running back Joe Bellino of Navy won the 1960 Heisman and three years later, Roger Staubach, one of the most electrifying players in college football history, received his award.

Each of them is in the College Football Hall of Fame (and in Staubach’s case, the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well). Blanchard and Davis both retired as brigadier generals after compiling brilliant combat records during the Vietnam conflict. They have been living proof that there is indeed something special about a Heisman Trophy winner from the service academies.

Also featured are six Heisman Trophy winners although not from military academies fought valiantly for their country in during WWII. One of this elite group, Nile Kinnick, was the only Heisman Trophy winner killed in combat.

Their commitment to Duty, Honor, and Country certainly is reflective of the words pronounced by former West Point Superintendent Douglas MacArthur: "On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that, upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Field of Valor
While I have not yet read the book, I wish to point out that Glenn Davis never reached the rank of brigadier general. As a matter of fact, he hardly reached the rank of first lieutenant. He was too interested in Hollywood and such environs. He wasn't even a good pro player. Neither was Joe Bellino. ... Read more

Book Description

Tennessee Titans' star quarterback Steve McNair is profiled.From his early years in Mount Olive, Mississippi, to the Titans' amazing run to the 2000 AFC Championship, this book takes the reader behind the hype and reveals what truly drives Steve McNair. Jam-packed with photos, this book also includes Steve's tips for kids, Coach Jeff Fisher's assessment of Steve as a leader and a player and quotes from players and coaches about Steve. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sport stories that are unknown and insightful
Stories about great athletes that were famous and not so famous. Each of the chapters talks about an athlete that contributed to the sport in very unique ways. After reading it, I wanted to know more about some of the characters that were great athletes and times very humorous. It's a book I will re-read and recommend highly. ... Read more