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cbaker8887's review against another edition
4.0
This autobiography of Jimmy Johnson is a breezy recounting of his years as a college and professional football coach. It does not go into a lot of details about football but is more a philosophy of how he approached the game and built cohesive winning teams.
Swagger is a great name for the book because it is full of unapologetic braggadocio. His football teams exuded the same, taking on his personality. Some might be turned off by this, but I found it gives the book authenticity and is true to his personality and character.
This book covers Johnson’s entire career from the University of Miami, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, retirement, and his current stint as an analyst on Fox’s NFL pre-game show. Most of the attention, however, is paid to his days Dallas.
There a few aspects of the book I really liked.
His brash personality comes through and he is unapologetic about it. His University of Miami and Dallas Cowboys teams exuded the same brashness and won championships.
He addresses his relationship with Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys directly and honestly. He doesn’t avoid the topic and while blunt in his assessment, he is respectful of what Jerry Jones has accomplished.
He also talks about the deep sacrifice his obsession with football caused him and his family, and in some ways wonders if it was all worth it. He did not have a real relationship with his sons when they grew up, and it was into their adulthood and his retirement that those relationships were really established. And one son went through a period of semi-homelessness and severe alcoholism. It makes one ponder the sacrifice of families for NFL coaches. Some coaches have had sons commit suicide or be in trouble with the law and often I have read about coaches burning out and the sacrifice their family made for their career.
I also like how he talks about the Fox show and his deep, genuine friendship with his colleagues on the show and how different his life is having now semi-retired and reestablishing relationships with his sons and former players and coaches.
Overall, while a bit breezy and light on football details, I found it an interesting and worthwhile read.
Swagger is a great name for the book because it is full of unapologetic braggadocio. His football teams exuded the same, taking on his personality. Some might be turned off by this, but I found it gives the book authenticity and is true to his personality and character.
This book covers Johnson’s entire career from the University of Miami, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, retirement, and his current stint as an analyst on Fox’s NFL pre-game show. Most of the attention, however, is paid to his days Dallas.
There a few aspects of the book I really liked.
His brash personality comes through and he is unapologetic about it. His University of Miami and Dallas Cowboys teams exuded the same brashness and won championships.
He addresses his relationship with Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys directly and honestly. He doesn’t avoid the topic and while blunt in his assessment, he is respectful of what Jerry Jones has accomplished.
He also talks about the deep sacrifice his obsession with football caused him and his family, and in some ways wonders if it was all worth it. He did not have a real relationship with his sons when they grew up, and it was into their adulthood and his retirement that those relationships were really established. And one son went through a period of semi-homelessness and severe alcoholism. It makes one ponder the sacrifice of families for NFL coaches. Some coaches have had sons commit suicide or be in trouble with the law and often I have read about coaches burning out and the sacrifice their family made for their career.
I also like how he talks about the Fox show and his deep, genuine friendship with his colleagues on the show and how different his life is having now semi-retired and reestablishing relationships with his sons and former players and coaches.
Overall, while a bit breezy and light on football details, I found it an interesting and worthwhile read.
dsheffield206's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.25
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