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meghan111's review against another edition
3.0
This might be the only nonfiction book about football I've ever read - an interesting look at what it's like to be the smallest player on an NFL team, the kicker. And how much pressure they face.
carrieliza's review against another edition
5.0
I just super heart Stefan Fatsis, and this was a fun look behind the scenes of the NFL.
adamrbrooks's review against another edition
4.0
The marketing of this book may actually be a bit misleading... it's less about his Fatsis' personal journey, and more just a compelling, human look at life inside an NFL team.
(And thanks to Stefan for responding to my email about handball).
(And thanks to Stefan for responding to my email about handball).
ausdj2's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
A really cool book. Although I don't watch the NFL anymore, I still like reading about it. This is Fatsis's story of convincing an NFL team to let a sportswriter play with the team during minicamps and training camp (much like [a:George Plimpton|6474|George Plimpton|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1347713291p2/6474.jpg]'s [b:Paper Lion: Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback|215251|Paper Lion Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback|George Plimpton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421451003s/215251.jpg|1998562]). In this case, Fatsis trains as a kicker with the 2006 Denver Broncos. What works best about the account is that the professional athletes grow to trust Fatsis because he suffers with them --- it's a very empathetic look at the typical NFL player. You see the players who move from team to team, trying to hit it big. You see the men who treat the entire enterprise as a business (and themselves as the cogs), and you see the men who love the game.
Because Fatsis worked as a kicker, you get a lot of kicker culture (and a lot of goofing off during some practices), so I didn't see as much focus on the regular offense and defense as I wanted. However, I loved Fatsis's descriptions of the pressures of kicking, including the challenges during camp. (A few times, Coach Shanahan tells the team they get thirty minutes off meetings if Fatsis makes a kick.) If you like the NFL or are interested in an hype-free look at professional athletes, this is a great choice.
Because Fatsis worked as a kicker, you get a lot of kicker culture (and a lot of goofing off during some practices), so I didn't see as much focus on the regular offense and defense as I wanted. However, I loved Fatsis's descriptions of the pressures of kicking, including the challenges during camp. (A few times, Coach Shanahan tells the team they get thirty minutes off meetings if Fatsis makes a kick.) If you like the NFL or are interested in an hype-free look at professional athletes, this is a great choice.
blevins's review against another edition
3.0
Not as entertaining as Fatsis' WORD FREAK--who would have thought that professional Scrabble players would be vastly more interesting than professional football players? Fatsis is a participatory journalist so he attempts to "join" the Denver Broncos in 2006 as a kicker. He's 43, played soccer on an off through the years but hey, why not? Lots of profiles of various Broncos and more stuff on kickers and kicking than you'll likely to read in another sports book in some time.
davidpwebber's review against another edition
5.0
I could only dream to have the writing ability of this guy
ancientdebra's review against another edition
4.0
Since I rarely read nonfiction books, when I do I expect them to be real winners just like this true story of a 43-year-old sportswriter who decides to experience the life of an NFL football player by going through Broncos training camp as a field goal kicker. Not only was it the story of one man's attempt to be a professional athlete, it was also an inside look at the players and management of professional football.
Just like when I read a book that was a year in the life of the Professional Bull Riding Association - I was tempted throughout the book to Google the various players to find out how they were doing today. Many of the players Fatsis encounters are trying to overcome the odds to secure one spot on the team's final roster. Along with the physical toll the game takes on the players' bodies, the mental games that are played by coaches and team owners is depicted.
Not only do I have a different view of professional football players -I also wonder what I could do if I showed the determination of Fatsis. Professional bowling, maybe? Well, I probably should just aim for a consistent 200 game. That would be amazing enough.
Just like when I read a book that was a year in the life of the Professional Bull Riding Association - I was tempted throughout the book to Google the various players to find out how they were doing today. Many of the players Fatsis encounters are trying to overcome the odds to secure one spot on the team's final roster. Along with the physical toll the game takes on the players' bodies, the mental games that are played by coaches and team owners is depicted.
Not only do I have a different view of professional football players -I also wonder what I could do if I showed the determination of Fatsis. Professional bowling, maybe? Well, I probably should just aim for a consistent 200 game. That would be amazing enough.