It's Only a Game

Product description It's only a game This is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls. After ending his playing career, he was voted "America's most popular sports broadcaster" in a nationwide vote. "I had a real job once..." begins a memoir as honest and downright hysterical as Bradshaw himself. From his humble beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana, to his success as the centerpiece of the highest rated football studio show in television history, Terry has always understood the importance of hard work. A veritable jack-of-all-trades, he has probably held more jobs than any other football Hall of Famer ever, from being a pipeline worker, a youth minister, a professional singer, actor, television and radio talk show host, to one of the nation's most popular speakers. But let's not forget why so many people know and love Terry Bradshaw: he won four Super Bowls -- and as he will remind you: "I called my own plays." Terry brings the listener into the huddle and describes the game from the bottom of a two-ton pile to the top of the sports world. You'll sit right on the 50-yard line and watch as Terry earns the title: world's gretest bench-warmer. And you'll also hear about the single greatest play in pro football -- the Immaculate Reception -- as he never saw it. It's Only a Game is the personal account of a great man's search for life before and after football...as only Terry could tell it. From Publishers Weekly Bradshaw, former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and now a television commentator, is funny, honest and apparently without airs. In this book, written with Fisher (The Umpire Strikes Back; Gracie), he freely discusses his childhood, religion, playing days and his post-football life. Bradshaw doesn't carry much baggage; he recognizes that he's had an enviable life. Perhaps his biggest challenge has been ADD; he always found school and reading difficult. While Bradshaw did go to LSU largely because of his ability as a football player he was teased mercilessly about his low grades and his inability to read well. He admits that it was painful at the time, but instead of dwelling on it, Bradshaw simply put more of his efforts into his sport. And, when he left the game, he says, "Once I accepted the fact that I could no longer play, I never looked back.... That's my form of emotional protection. It's the way I survive." Perhaps the most engaging sections of the book are near the end, when Bradshaw discusses his television stints, including some notable failures of his shows. Again, he's so straightforward about admitting that he was playing with the real pros that readers will laugh along with him. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Bradshaw seems totally relaxed as he pokes fun at himself, football, network television, and life in general. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is probably best known for being the first quarterback to win four Super Bowl games, twice as most valuable player. Many will be more familiar with his TV career, first as an NFL game analyst for CBS sports and more recently as cohost of Fox NFL Sunday. Bradshaw did a lot of bench-sitting as backup quarterback in his high school and college days and later went through three divorces on his way to making his life a success. His recollections of the ups and downs, the good and bad times of football and of life are pretty amusing in the retelling. He wants folks to have a good time and to remember that he always called his own plays; he also really enjoys himself reading this audio, laughing, hooting, and hollering along with his story. Sports fans should really enjoy this one. At points, it's laugh-out-loud funny. Highly recommended for sports or biography collections. Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist Bradshaw, who quarterbacked the