INSIDE THE NFL'S FIRST FAMILY left me inspired and smiling.  Bruce Matthews is a class act.
580796
INSIDE THE NFL'S FIRST FAMILY by Bruce Matthews a memoir of Bruce Matthew's career, with strong connections to family, religion, the drive to overcome. Bruce Matthews is a NFL Hall of Famer with a family full of successful NFL ex and current players. He realizes the uniqueness of this and tries to analyze why that is as well as discussing his own career.
 The writing in INSIDE THE NFL'S FIRST FAMILY is very conversational and easy to follow, but still felt very real and heartfelt. It is clear very quickly that Bruce respects the game of football and what it has done for him. He is proud and at the same time humble when discussing his career and spends more time reliving the feelings from his playing days than the successes he had. Family is very important to him; he speaks highly of his father and well about his brother as well. He is in the NFL Hall of Fame, and yet he writes about his brother as if his brother was always the better player and explains some of his favorite NFL games were those when he played against his brother's teams. He also spends time talking about his own family, how proud he is of his boys and there is an especially touching chapter about his daughter which had me tearing up.
 A delight to read, INSIDE THE NFL'S FIRST FAMILY left me smiling Bruce Matthew's life. He is blessed, not only because of what he accomplished, but what has been given to him and yet, he seems to take nothing for granted and seems to enjoy life day to day, not ride the laurels of what got him there. I would recommend this book to football fans, but also to a reader looking for the story of a man finding his way in life and searching for the best way to live and inspire others.
 Thank you to Howard Books, Bruce Matthews, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
2278613
This is a beautiful and inspirational story of family love, traditional values for education, discipline, teamwork, and respect--with a lot of fun and great food--all wrapped around football.

Please read for a family life you want to aspire to, and which will continue to fortify the backbone of America.
1855846
Kurt Warner released an autobiograply in 2001 after he had won the SuperBowl with the Rams in early 2000, and in that book he told his story about his humble beginnings in football, but also making clear his life in Christ had become a very important part of his being as a person. After that SuperBowl win, Kurt brought the Rams back to another SuperBowl (losing to the Patriots) and things went downwards from there in his football career, only to see it almost magically turn around with last year's incredible post-season run with the Arizona Cardinals (advancing them to the Cards' first SuperBowl ever, only to lose to the Steelers in the closing moments of the game). Now comes this sequel of sorts to his first book.

"First Things First" (302 pages) brings the updated story of Kurt Warner's personal life since his first book, and what a delight it is to read. First of all, this book is co-written with his wife Brenda, a person who has been quite polarizing for many people for some reason. The focus of this book is quite different from Kurt's first book. For one thing, the couple now have seven (yes, you read that right) kids, 2 from Brenda's first marriage, and 5 of their own. While the book does bring Kurt's perspective on the Cardinals' magic run to last year's SuperBowl, the book actually focuses primarily on they couple's values and how they translate that into daily life, with a major emphasis on their kids and how they manage their marriage as a high-profile couple. For example, the couple follows the "Billy Graham rule", meaning Kurt never puts himself in any possible situation with another female that could be miscontrued: "I wouldn't drive the babysitter home alone. Avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing".

This book is so uplifting and inspirational on so many levels. The way the couple deals with Brenda's oldest son Zack (adopted by Kurt) who is legally blind and has many special needs just makes you want to be a better person yourself. Surprisingly, the couple also openly talk about sex and their sex life, wow, who would've thought? The book is spiced with "Warner rules" for getting along in daily life, and they are hard to argue with. In all, I've been a big fan of Kurt Warner, and reading this book just made me think of him and his family so much higher. Highly recommended!
2518908
I'm hardly a football connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, however THIRD AND A MILE is written in such a manner that captivates the reader from start to finish.  As a passerby of sports, just having heard the great names such as Warren Moon and Doug Williams, my interest was initially peaked to see what this book was about.  Challenged by an avid sports fan to try it because I might like it, I opened the book with a bit of hesitation.  Lo and behold, not only did I like THIRD AND A MILE, I can actually say I enjoyed it.  This book is written in an easy, conversant manner that flows.  Various sports personalities, both African-American and Caucasian and everyone in between from back in the day to the present moment, were interviewed regarding their personal perspective on the challenges faced by Black Quarterbacks in the NFL.

This book initiated by a group of football greats known as the `Field Generals'.  These legendary men are Marlin Briscoe, Doug Williams, James Harris and Warren Moon.  Not only does the book highlight the struggles of the Field General's rise to prestigious ranks,  it also reaches through the annals of time back to when Frederick "Fritz" Pollard led the Akron Pros to a national championship in 1921.  Later, he was the league's first African-American coach.

THIRD AND A MILE is an enjoyable, enlightening read because it is a historical piece that is knowledge-filled and chronicles important moments in history, and not just African-American history.  Just because Doug Williams was named Super Bowl XXII's MVP in 1988, his extraordinary accomplishments on the field combined with his overall sense of poise regardless of his situation, led him to be admired and recognized as premier athlete of his time.  Let's not forget as recently as 2006, when Warren Moon was the first African-American quarterback inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.  THIRD AND A MILE is loaded with information that these comments only capture a few of the highlights the book provides.  Overall, the book is a reminder of the seemingly insurmountable odds these men had to endure by mere consequence of their skin color.  Regardless if you're a sports fan, a history buff or just looking for a good read, this book offers a historical perspective that is interesting and well-written.

Reviewed by Nedine

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
3279777
Great story and characters with cool insight into the college and NFL. Good read for any guy or young man. Lot of good life lessons, but entertaining with twists and suspense in the story. Highly recommend for feel good energy and positive message. Fun to see some of the process of playing sports at the highest levels, especially football!
4826082
I didn't know I was a baseball fan until I read this book.  Matthew McGough conveys the beauty of the game with such humor and heart, I feel an urge to actually go to a game myself -- but even more than that, I want to read more Matt McGough!  This is an exquisitely written and observed book about growing up -- elegant, hilarious, smart and assured, it's a big-hearted look at the game of life, and I laughed, cried, and stomped my feet.  Now I want more.  I'm back on-line to score copies for freinds and family -- this is a wonderful read for young and old, sports fans and sports phobics.  It's a great book to share with a circle of people of all ages, inspiring one's own youthful memories and family tales to be told together over hot dogs, beer and lemonade.  Don't miss this one -- it belongs on your shelves for generations to read over the years.
195866
This book is intelligent, witty, funny, and insightful. I'm a middle aged woman who used to tolerate football on TV while my husband watched it every Weekend. I now have a much deeper appreciation of the sport as well as the men who make it look so easy on TV but struggle daily to keep their jobs and nurse their injuries. Nate Jackson writes in a way that keeps you very entertained wanting to read on, while opening your mind into the world of professional football players. I recommend this book to everyone. My husband is so happy I read it because I appreciate the sport while it's on TV now and feel somewhat able to connect to each player on TV knowing they are human, not the the invincible overpaid thugs they appear to be on the TV screen.
3864167
First off, I feel like I should say that I'm not a Kentucky basketball fan but picked up this book because I'm a sports fan and love when you get to go "behind the scenes" on teams.

The book has so many great inside stories from the star players to the walk-ons at the end of the bench, Coach Cal and plenty others that made up the inner circle of Calipari's first Kentucky team.  I really enjoyed the anecdotes from assistant, and ex-NBA player, Rod Strickland about Boogie Cousins and the relationship between John Wall and Eric Bledsoe.  The book also does a really good job of hitting on how big of a national phenomenon this team became (which is easy to forget with the 1 and done culture in college hoops these days) and how that happened seemingly overnight.

All in all, I just wanted to say that it was a really enjoyable read that I flew through and just picked up a couple copies for Christmas presents.
127659
While flipping through each page of this book, I felt both excitement and nostalgia as I was able to re-live the incredible Stanley Cup Championship run by my Tampa Bay Lightning. Its organized beautifully as it details each Game of the Month that season, gives a bio of the key players, and finishes with a retelling of each playoff game on the road to the Lord Stanleys Cup.
Reading about the 9-0 blowout over Pittsburgh, or the amazing comeback after being down 2-0 to the Wild, made me feel like I was re-watching the actual games again. And getting a much more in depth look at how the players were actually feeling that season; their breakout moments, slumps, or quotes after big games, made me feel like I was right alongside each player. But where this book may have shined the most was in recreating an experience that almost nothing else can. Playoff hockey.
The authors follow the team closely as you read game by game and round by round all the way through the playoffs. You get excited when you read about a huge goal, and get anxious when you would see the team falling behind. Even though I already knew the outcome of the season, I still found myself feeling uncertain when I read about the team falling down 3-2 in the final round against Calgary. I was able to re-live that post season through this book.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 2004 Stanley Cup Champions is the perfect book for Lightning fans old and new, or for any fans of hockey in general as it follows the incredible journey of such a special team. It not only includes fantastic writing, but photos that capture all of that seasons greatest moments. Readers of this book will not be disappointed.
3259505
Thoughtful. Intelligent. Inspirational. Just a few words that try to capture this book. Michael Bennett offers a view into the inner-workings of two major institutions in this country: the NCAA and NFL. He's an athlete that doesn't waste his opportunity and the platform he's been given. His desire and work put into making this world a better place outmatches his All-Pro talent. Thank you, as well, to Dave Zirin for helping bring Michael's story to the rest of the world.
2513317
When I saw this book, I knew immediately that I'd be interested in it. I mean, Christine Brennan was the Washington Post beat writer for the Redskins in the mid-80s when I lived in DC as well, and as she jokingly puts it, being the Redskins beat writer was the second most important beat, after the White House beat, unless the Redskins played the Cowboys. So I remember well her byline in the Post Sports section from those days.

In "Best Seat in the House: A Father, A Daughter, A Journey through Sports" (283 pages), the author reflects back on how she got into sports writing, and not unsurprisingly, her dad played a major role in it. In fact, the initial third of the book, in which Brennan recounts her days growing up in Toledo, is the most intruiging and touching part of the book. Brennan's dad never pushed her into sports, but definitely supported and encouraged it, taking her to see their beloved Mud Hens AA basebal and the University of Toldedo football teams, and then later when Christine started playing high school sports (in the pre-Title IX days). The love and warmth for her dad shines throughout this book.

After graduating from Northwestern, Brennan went on to cover college football for the Miami Herald in the early 80s and then the Redskins. Brennan has plentyful of memorable anecdotes of what is was like to be a female sportsreporter in that male-dominated world. The latter part of the book drifts a bit, even though Brennan's love for the Olympics, her next big thing, comes through very clearly. But the book finishes on a high, recounting the hard times when first her mom, then her dad pass away, while providing a very moving tribute. If you like sports, and have a heart, this book will move you.
3984669
I laughed.  I cried, yes really!  Do yourself a favor and keep tissues handy from the 3/4 point
  I sat on the edge of my seat as the SHARKS played in the big game and I could see if all unfold.

I enjoyed sharing the journey Emily and Brandon took to their happy ending.  There was just enough football talk to know Julie Brannagh is a FAN of the game, without making it the main focus of the story.  This book will be a great spring/summer read for football fans waiting for the next NFL season to begin.

Highly recommended and and looking forward to "Chasing Amy".
4542683
I came onto Amazon one night with the intention of buying some autobiographies of Christian athletes and I picked up a copy of this book. I can honestly say that I loved it.
Coming from New Zealand where NFL and NCAA football is basically not heard of, I loved reading about it. I've always liked the sport and its always been one of my favorites.
Tim Tebow is an amazing man with a great story. From is destiny set before he was born to playing ball on National TV it was very interesting.
Even though he hasn't gone through battles with drugs or life threatening injuries or coming to faith late in life he has had his own personal battles that everyone can relate too.

From this book I not only learned more about Football but also about being a Christian in such a publicized world and living through faith
3233452
It's amazing - I couldn't put this book down.  Whether you're interested in football or coming-of-age dramas, you'll be hooked on this one.  The characters and plot were as compelling as they come.  Just like I felt like I was "in" the game as each play unfolded from the quarterback's perspective, I couldn't remain on the sidelines as Bobby's world comes unwound.  The story centers on his coming to terms with being gay - while being thrust into the national spotlight without warning, role models or a plan.  I was cheering and holding my breath the whole time - hoping that he'd find the strength to be true to himself (whatever that might mean), that his family, team and friends would support him, and that his dreams of winning on the field wouldn't be compromised by everything going on off of it.

I loved the honest portrayal of the range of emotions that each character demonstrated, as well as the ongoing humor and great sports moments throughout.  It's a perfect book for adolescents -and their parents - who want to see what it's like "inside the pocket" and inside the world of a kid who must come to terms with who he is -and fast.  Beyond Bobby's story of coming out, it's a well-crafted picture of how we all play a role in each other's lives, whether we want to or not.

Buy it. You'll be glad you did.
185481
Great inside perspective of the NFL that, as a lifetime fan, I enjoyed, despite finding the reality more unsettling than I expected. Nate's honesty, writing skills and sense of humor make it a great fast paced read I recomend for all NFL fans.
4070641
I enjoyed this window into an enigmatic figure that was Chuck Noll.  It is very insightful not just into the life of Chuck Noll but into the Steelers' dynasty of the 1970's.  I grew up in the 80's and remember the tail end of that dynasty and the book recalled teams and names I remembered well.  If you are a NFL football fan you will enjoy this read.
4461623
I really enjoyed reading this. I do not consider myself anymore than a casual follower of college football. But this book maintained my interest and helped me feel emotionally connected to a number of the individuals portrayed.

Very much looking forward to Benedict's next book.