Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent book
I got this book ages ago because Joe Montana just amazed me with the 49ers. This isn't a football book but a story about the man and how he got where he did. It's very interesting, honest and endearing.

Audibles My Life In Football
You probably know Joe Montana for winning four superbowls for the forty-niners or being a Hall of Fame quarterback.This book isn't just about that, it explains how Joe got to the pros from Pop Warner football to the end of his career in football.I chose to read this book because I am really into sports and I wanted to read a book that was sports related.The main focus of this book is the hardships Joe faced to become a successful quarterback in the N.F.L.
Joe had many amazing experiences throughout his football career and I will name a few.While Joe was in college he thought that his coach Dan Devine took all of the credit himself.It took Joe until the last game of his college career to get what he thought was the respect he deserved from his coach.In his last game, the Cotton Bowl, his team, Notre Dame, was down thirty-four to fourteen at half time, and Joe had the flu, but, the doctors put him on an I.V. and had him eating hot bowls of chicken soup since it was about ten degrees Fahrenheit outside.In the second half Joe led the team on an incredible come back to make the score thirty-four to twenty-eight and Notre Dame had the ball needing a touchdown to win.Joe marched them down the field to about the ten yard line with fifteen seconds to play, and Devine called for their tight end to run across into the end zone.Joe threw a perfect pass low and hard so he could dive for it and he dropped it.Joe went over to talk with Devine about what play they should run and Joe says "I want to run the same play."Sure enough he does the same play, throws the same pass and the ball is caught!Joe learned that you have to work hard to earn peoples respect.This is important to Joe because he thought he deserved more credit than Devine gave him and after that Devine gave him all the credit.
Another big event was when his wife Jennifer had their daughter, Alexandra.This was huge for Joe because she gave him a person to talk to after a game or practice to calm him down.He said "Even thought she can't quite understand me it makes me feel calm to talk to her.It's like being in a whole new world."Joe learned that there can be another world almost where nothing bothers you and that's what he felt like around Alexandra.
Probably one of the most important events in this book was the nineteen eight-five Super Bowl between the Forty-Niners and the Miami Dolphins or Joe Montana against Dan Marino.Everybody was talking about Dan Marino who had set the single season touchdown passes record that year with forty-eight touchdown passes, but Marino didn't do so great, throwing one touchdown but two interceptions for over three hundred yards.Joe won his second MVP and his second Super Bowl win.He learned that just because someone does something great one day or one season doesn't mean he will do it when it counts.This was important to Joe because it showed he was the NFL's best quarterback.
Joe learned many things during his life and I think mainly he learned to be patient to get what you want.He also learned that if you want to achieve something if won't just come to you, you have to go out and grab it for yourself.I think that those are the main things he learned through his experiences.
... Read more

Product Description
Who earned the name "the Comeback Kid" for his miraculous come-from-behind victories? Which superstar quarterback was embarrassingly cut from training camp because he couldn't remember all the plays? Find out these true stories and more about the greatest pigskin heroes of all time. ... Read more

Product Description
A career biography of Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, who broke rushing records and is known as a "complete player." ... Read more

Product Description

Whether it’s smashing a home run, heaving a touchdown pass, or scoring the game-winning goal, fans love watching their favorite stars. With incredible photos and lists of stats, fans will love seeing the world’s best athletes and their amazing achievements up close.

... Read more

Product Description

An exciting history of the game, with profiles of its greatest players.

At the heart of Football's Greatest Stars are detailed profiles of the 50 greatest players of professional history. They're all here -- the original heroes, the '80s superstars and the future Hall of Famers.

Luminaries include:

• Brett Favre
• Dan Marino
• Deacon Jones
• Dick Butkus
• Forrest Gregg
• Fran Tarkenton
• Jerry Rice
• Joe Montana
• Joe Namath
• Johnny Unitas
• Lawrence Taylor
• Peyton Manning
• Roger Staubach
• Terry Bradshaw
• Tom Brady
• ... and 35 others.

Football is followed by more fans than any other sport in the United States. It's also cherished by big businesses, which pay $2.7 million for a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl.

Why is professional football so popular? How did it get that way? Who are the men who carried this storied league to the biggest stage in the United States? Allan Maki assesses the NFL's rise to greatness with three compelling essays on the men, the moments and the circumstances that have created the game that's watched today by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In addition to the player profiles, 32 franchise profiles chart the league's rise to greatness.

Football's Greatest Stars is a superb book for fans, and a compelling history of a great game.

Customer Reviews (1)

A boring book done in by the fact that the know nothing author simply puts his OWN favs in here...
and misses the best of the best. I am
now going to list the fifty best Pro
Football players of alltime and some
will no doubt be on Maki's list:

1) Walter Payton (NFL), (2) John El-
way (NFL), (3) Larry Csonka (AFL-NFL-
WFL-NFL), (4) Joe Montana (NFL), (5)
Phil Simms (NFL), (6) Warren Moon
(CFL-NFL), (7) Kurt Warner (AF1-NFLE-
NFL), (8) Doug Flutie (USFL-NFL-USFL-
NFL), (9) Dan Marino (NFL), (10) Tom
Brady (NFL), (11) Johnny Unitas (NFL),
(12) Otto Graham, (13) Mike 'Pinball'
Clemons (NFL-CFL), (14) Henry 'Gizmo'
Williams (USFL-CFL-NFL-CFL), (15) Harry
Carson (NFL), (16) Jerry Rice (NFL),
(17) Milt Stegall (NFL-CFL), (18) Chris
Walby (CFL), (19) Terry Bradshaw (NFL),
(20) Bart Starr (NFL), (21) Reggie
White (USFL-NFL), (22) Bob Griese,
(AFL-NFL), (23) Ray Guy (NFL), (24)
DarrenFlutie (NFL-CFL), (25) Allen
Pitts (CFL), (26) Art Shell (AFL-NFL),
(27) George Reed (CFL), (28) Paul War-
field (NFL-WFL-NFL), (29) Larry Little
(AFL-NFL), (30) Mike Pringle (NFL-NFLE-
CFL), (31) Mike Ditka (NFL), (32) Anthony
Calvillo (CFL), (33) Steve Tasker (NFL),
(34) Jim Kelly (USFL-NFL), (35) Emmitt
Smith (NFL), (36) Barry Sanders (NFL),
(37) Sam Mills (CFL-USFL-NFL), (38) Terry
Vaughn (CFL), (39) Marvin Harrison (NFL),
(40) John Stallworth (NFL), (41) Rod Wood-
son (NFL), (42) Bill Romanowski (NFL),
(43) Russ Jackson (CFL), (44) Jerry Kra-
mer (NFL), (45) Lem Barney (NFL), (46)
Manny Fernandez (AFL-NFL), (47) Tony
Gonzalez, (48) Mike Webster (NFL), (49)
Chester Charleton 'Cookie' Gilchrist,
(50) Adam Vinatieri[To be cont...) ... Read more

Product Description
Traces the careers of eight NFL kickers whose last-second goals have decided many crucial games. Includes Lou Groza, George Blanda, Fred Cox, Tom Dempsey, Garo Yepremian, Efren Herrera, Rolf Benirschke, and Tony Franklin. ... Read more

Product Description
Heisman Trophy winners, All-Americans, All-Pros, MVPs and record-setters have, throughout the glamorous history of football in Texas, been all but commonplace. For decades, one set of superstars routinely replaced another, constantly adding to the proud legacy of the state's favorite sport. In Texas Football Legends you'll meet the cream of a rich and talented crop, reliving those days when they climbed to stardom from high school stadiums in out-of-the-way places to the Saturday afternoon cheers as collegians, and finally in the celebrated ranks of professional football.

As you read of their individual deeds, you'll hear the cherished echoes of championship games won and lost, high goals achieved and adversities overcome. Borrowing from a long-used cliché in Texas, football has been elevated to a form of religion. That said, this collection of biographies of the greatest of the great serves as the game's Sunday Best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great condition
Great condition, exactly as described.Came in a timely manner.Would purchase from seller again. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the successes in the sport of football that Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper Manning have had. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Football dynasty!
This is actually a book written for children, but it is still an excellent reference to the most famous football family in history. It encompasses their lives, beginning with Archie Manning, and following through with all three siblings: Cooper, Peyton and Eli. All of them were, and still remain, superstars in their own fields of expertise. All, with the exception of Cooper, were all-star Quarterbacks, with Peyton and Eli remaining in the NFL and each winning one Super Bowl apiece. Cooper became a wide receiver instead, but had to give up because of spinal problems. But, he remains successful in his own right.

my daughter (7 yr) and son (8yr) both read this
both kids loved it as it went deeper than football and got into family. they never knew there was a third Manning brother and they loved hearing that story.good for 7-9 year olds. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Recruited for his combination of size and speed, George Mills had the potential to become an outstanding college football player--but it never happened. A View from the Bench reveals the reality behind the glamour of college football and the tough experiences in the life of a benchwarmer.

Mills was a solid player who loved the game, but he had only one shot in nearly five years at making Nebraska's starting team. He found little time or energy left for academics after hours of drills, weight lifting, and team meetings. Now, with complete candor, Mills lays bare the true weight of emphasis in the "student-athlete" dichotomy.

Free from anger or malice, Mills tells of his struggle to come to terms with a sports career of "mediocrity." A View from the Bench is an honest reflection of the experiences of so many overlooked players.It will be meaningful to anyone who has watched or played competitive sports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Informative Book, Especially His Relationship With Monte Kiffin
The book might be best targeted for Nebraska Cornhusker fans since most of information comes from when the author played in the early 1970's.However, because the book deals in large part with his relationship with Monte Kiffin, his defensive coach, the book has surprising relevance today.The book gives great insight into Kiffin's coaching style.

Mills also was very candid about his playing ability, his inability to gain and maintain weight needed to play his position and the problems he had being a student.I read Big Red Confidential years ago and found Mill's take on Boyd Epley to be different from that book.If one is an old Big 8 fan, the book mentions two other assistant coaches Mills played for, Warren Powers and Jim Walden, who later became head coaches in th conference.He did have tidbits about Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne, but his constant focus on Kiffin showed that college football players have more of a relationship with their most direct coach.

I would recommend the book even though a die-hard Nebraska fan would enjoy it more.

The Story of an Ordinary player
Interesting insight into " big time " college athletics. Parents can learn to guide their children into the " best option" for college athletics by being realistic. The book confirms what we all know. ... Read more

Product 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

Customer Reviews (7)

David Kopay, APortrait in Courage
This book was a real revalation to me. To read a firsthand account of a gay man's journey, back in the late 1970s, was truly a rare, and positive experience. This was the era when gays were fiinally getting positive public recognition (at least on TV and in the press) other than being labeled "not normal," mentally ill, or other negative call-words. These were the days of gay marches, people "coming out" publicly, and the dawn of a new and positive age for homosexuality. Reading this book was a very
mind-blowing experience. To read, and understand, David Kopay's struggle and coming to terms with his own sexual identity, "coming out" to his parents and family, and the discrimination he experienced in searching for a job in the sports field, truly shows the social climate of the times; and also might show others that the human experience is similar to most people.
Perhaps "straight" people, right-wing Republicans and religious fantaics of the Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell types might gain some insight into the human condition by reading this, and similar, books. Too much time is spent on negativity and extolling people's differences by some groups and people; when there is still homophobia and gay-bashing still going on -- as shown by the sad episode of Matthew Shepherd, not too many years ago.
This book is a must-read for any gay man, also friends and family members of gay persons. The book may just show people that there isn't much difference between people, whatever their race, sexual preferences, or even religious beliefs. Even though I read this book almost twnety years ago, it's message is still strong, and I highly reccomend this book to anyone who has a gay family member, a gay friend, or if you are a gay person reading this.

Timeless and Wonderful
You don't need to be a gay man or a football fan to connect with this emotional and enlightening page-turner.Bravo to David Kopay and Perre Deane Young!!!!!!

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 playeras well as being in a fraternity.I find him candid, readable andlikeable.He never asked for any special favours, just the right to livehis life his way and do what he knew how to do.

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

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 agreat historic account, this is a must-have for your gay library. Not assexy as you'd think, instead it's a harrowing and touching tale of thefirst pro football player - the first jock of the 20th century - to comeout big time. We all owe this man a lot, but beyond that, this is acompelling story. ... Read more

Product Description
There are few times when a man can look back and say truthfully:"I won that game. Without me we would have lost."- Herb Adderley, Defensive Back, Green Bay Packers

The Football Game I'll Never Forget is a collection of fascinating, firsthand accounts from the 1950s through to the 1990s.

Selected from columns in Football Digest, these stories are told by stars from every position on the field and by coaches along the sidelines. Many of the entries are by current (or future) Hall of Fame players from John Elway to Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, representing the best players of their generation.

The Football Game I'll Never Forget features one hundred personal accounts by such NFL legends as:- Quarterbacks: John Unitas, Y.A. Tittle, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Doug Williams, Joe Theismann, Phil Simms- Running backs: Marcus Allen, Earl Campbell, Franco Harris, Gale Sayers, Tony Dorsett- Receivers: Lynn Swann, John Taylor, John Stallworth, Drew Pearson- Linebackers: Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke- Defensive linemen: Merlin Olsen, Ed "Too Tall" Jones- Defensive backs: Ronnie Lott, Paul Krause, Ken Houston, Mel Blount- Offensive linemen: Mark Bortz, Brad Benson- Kickers and special team players: Jan Stenerud, Jim Turner, Pat Leahy- Coaches: Mike Ditka, Don Shula, Bill Parcells.

The Football Game I'll Never Forget is an ideal book for football fans of all ages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Must-Have for any Avid Football Fans
I loved this book. I'm still reading it. It's a GREAT read, and a must-have for any football collectors or nostalgics. It's also got the more modern players as well. It's a great book.

A `must' for avid football fans
In The Football Game I'll Never Forget: 100 NFL Star's Stories, Chris McDonell's selections come from descriptions by the players themselves, as told to the editors of Football Digest, of the most memorable moments in games they played, and will thrill any football game who is heavily involved in the history of the sport. Dozens of famous Super Bowl games, divisional championships, and more are recounted by key players who contributed to historic events. A `must' for avid football fans.
... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the star quarterback, from his childhood in California through his college days at the University of Oklahoma to his professional career with the Dallas Cowboys. ... Read more

Product Description
Foreword by Don Shula

Pigskin Dreams is a collection of stories written by 22 pro-football Hall of Famers--including Mike Ditka, Johnny Unitas, Howie Long, and Steve Young--that reveal the people, places, and events that made them great. It is a book full of stories that reveal the challenges, inspirations, lessons and sacrifices that these players experienced on their road to greatness, on and off the field. It's a book full of ''success gems'' that every person who wants to be successful would benefit from being exposed to and incorporating into their own lives.

This collection of celebrity football player stories is based on personal interviews about the early influences that helped to forge the character of these great players. While it is a book about the NFL's greatest players, the messages they share with you go far beyond the gridiron. Their stories are about life and what it takes to achieve success in any endeavor! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

What a Dream!!!
This is an amazing book for anyone, not just NFL fans. Parents, children, coaches, teachers, everyone will take something wonderfully positive away with them after reading this great book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Godfather of Tight Ends
John Mackey revolutionized how the tight end position was played and for those of us that remember his on field exploits this book fills in the holes that many may not know. But, it is a surface book that does not go deeply into any issues.You learn that he was Ernie Davis' roommate and the trauma of watching him die.70% of the book concerns his pro career.But probably the most controversial section is about his negotiating as the President of the Players Union.Some of the tricks the owners pulled were amazing and evidently Mackey did a great job slowing their process.

Overall this is a good story of a very good man.And while it mentions all family members in a positive way, the book really doesn't delve deeply into the mind of Mackey.It's a great, short read if you like him as a football player and that was enough for me.
... Read more

Product Description
No sport demands toughness more than professional football, and no sport celebrates it with as much joy, excitement, and pride. John Madden annually offers his picks of the top tough guys, and sick hits are shown repeatedly on jumbotrons nationwide and ESPN’s Sportscenter.Anyone who’s ever watched an NFL Films production can surely hear “the voice”—that distinctive narrator—lauding the warriors of the gridiron who lay it all out there. Imagine his voice as you say: “These tough men came to do battle today, and only the fiercest will win.”

Into this atmosphere comes Neil Reynolds, public relations manager for the NFL in Europe, and his new book Pain Gang: Pro Football’s Fifty Toughest Players. From early day heroes, such as Bronko Nagurski, Clark Hinkle, and Frank “Bruiser” Kinard, to Hall of Famers like Ronnie Lott, Walter Payton, and Dick Butkus, to such modern-day iron men as Emmitt Smith, Brett Favre, and Rodney Harrison, Reynolds lauds some of the toughest, meanest, most inspirational, and hardest-working men in the roughest sport. He includes interviews with teammates, coaches, opponents, and the players themselves on what it means to be tough, how they characterize toughness, and even who was the toughest of them all.

Some players fought through broken bones and tired bodies. Others laid out opponents with the hardest of hits. Still others proved themselves on the battlefields of World War II before joining this secondary field of battle.And some played hard and fast—mostly within the rules—in order to intimidate their opponents through sheer fear.

Whatever their means, these guys were tough and knew it—and they made sure everyone else did as well. Meet the Pain Gang, and you’ll know it too. ... Read more