Giants - by Pat Summerall (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

One the greatest NFL broadcasters distills the wisdom of two of the greatest coaches

As both a tight end and a place kicker for the 1958 Giants (back when special teams were part of the defense), Pat Summerall was the only person to be coached by both Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, the team's offensive and defensive coaches, respectively. In telling the story of that legendary season, which ended with the Giants losing to the Colts in the NFL championship game, Summerall explores the wisdom that was passed along to him that made him a better player, and later a better broadcaster and better a man.

• The wide range of lessons covers personal behavior (react like a football player; training doesn't end in training camp; don't dwell on your success), work relationships (the boss keeps time, they can get somebody who wants to play) and winning (believe in your heart that you'll win, try to win every game, but focus on one game at a time)
• The book also lays out the Lombardi Code (Speak Confidently, and Prepare) and the Landry Code (Faith, Family and Football)
• Summerall tells vivid and inspirational stories about the game on and off the field that bring the lessons to life

From the Back Cover

The lessons that two legendary coaches taught the one player who learned from both

One of them would coach the Green Bay Packers to a still-unmatched three consecutive NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls, and now lends his name to the Super Bowl trophy. The other would lead the Dallas Cowboys to five Super Bowls and twenty winning seasons. When Pat Summerall played for them on the 1958 New York Giants, they were unknown assistant coaches, but Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry already displayed signs of their future greatness. In Giants, Summerall tells the powerful and inspiring story of how two now legendary coaches changed everything he thought he knew about football and life during one of football's most celebrated championship seasons.

The wide range of lessons covers rules for everything from personal behavior ("React like a football player," "Training doesn't end with training camp," and "Don't dwell on your success") to work relationships ("The boss keeps time" and "They can get somebody in here who wants to play") to winning ("Believe in your heart that you'll win," "Try to win every game," but "Focus on one game at a time"). The book also lays out the Lombardi Code (Speak Confidently and Prepare) and the Landry Code (Faith, Family, and Football).

Through vivid and inspirational stories about the game on and off the field, Summerall brings the lessons of two great men to life.

About the Author

Pat Summerall, considered by most critics and fans alike to be the premier play-by-play man for network coverage of the NFL, has been broadcasting since 1962. His partnership with John Madden began in 1981 and became one of the most well known ever. He has also anchored coverage at Wimbledon, the Masters, and other leading sporting events. Prior to that, Summerall was a star kicker and tight end for the New York Giants teams of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

New York Times bestselling author Michael Levin has also written with Dave Winfield, NFL star Chad Hennings, NBA star Doug Christie, Fox Sports's Chris Myers, and many other celebrities and broadcasters.