Play by Play - by Verne Lundquist (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

One of America's most beloved sportscasters turns the spotlight on his own life, chronicling his incredible life covering Southeastern Conference football and some of the most iconic moments in sports history over the last five decades

Verne Lundquist's remarkable broadcasting career has placed him at the center of major sporting events in America for more than fifty years, from Jack Nicklaus's final victory at the 1986 Masters to Tonya Harding's attack on Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Olympics to the Auburn-Alabama shocker of 2013. In his first memoir, he replays highlights from his career, taking sports fans behind the scenes of some of the most dramatic moments in modern sports history.

Lundquist goes back to the early days of his broadcasting career, recalling his time as a producer and radio show host in Dallas when President John F. Kennedy was shot. He reminisces about Tom Landry and the great Dallas Cowboy teams of the 1970s, recalls the most unbelievable moments in Masters Tournament history, and relives the excitement of Christian Laettner's buzzer beater in the NCAA tournament and a host of other memorable thrills.

One of the defining voices of Saturday afternoon football for the SEC, Lundquist offers an in-depth look at the fans, the schools, and the game, recounting never-before-told stories about some of college football's biggest personalities. He also speaks honestly about his friendships with Terry Bradshaw, John Madden, and other greats, and his difficult relationship with legendary colleague Pat Summerall. Bringing these memories vibrantly to life with his beloved catchphrases and warm humor, and sharing fifty photos from his personal collection, Lundquist gives readers a front row seat to history as he witnessed it unfold.

From the Back Cover

The SEC. The Masters. The Olympics. March Madness. The Dallas Cowboys. Yes sir, Uncle Verne has seen it all.

Over the last fifty years, few voices have epitomized the sound of sports television quite like that of Verne Lundquist's. A fixture on air since the 1960s--first broadcasting University of Texas baseball and Dallas Cowboys football games on radio before eventually joining the legendary CBS Sports team--Verne has covered just about every sport there is, and in the process he's made some of the most enduring calls in the history of golf, football, figure skating--and everything in between.

In Play by Play, Verne goes inside those calls and his remarkable career, telling the behind-the-scenes story of how he ended up with the best seats in the house, giving voice to history time and time again. From Christian Laettner's buzzer-beater in the 1992 NCAA tournament, to the saga of Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding at the 1994 Olympics, to the shocking finish of the Iron Bowl in 2013, to Jack Nicklaus's and Tiger Woods's unforgettable victories at the Masters, Verne's five decades as a sportscaster routinely put him in the midst of greatness. With his trademark humility and his goal to make the athlete the legend, instead of the call itself, Verne details his view of the plays that have captured our collective imagination for two generations, featuring an incredible cast of characters that includes names like Terry Bradshaw, Pat Summerall, John Madden, Scott Hamilton, and Tom Landry.

What emerges is an invigorating portrait of the games that matter most, in life and on the field. A moving recollection of the moments that make sports worth watching, Play by Play reminds us all that sports are about more than games played--they're about the history that we share together and the voices that we remember long after the final whistle has blown.

Review Quotes

"A textbook for would-be sports commentators and a pleasure for fans." - Kirkus Reviews
"Verne Lundquist's legendary voice echoes throughout the annals of sports broadcasting. He is a timeless storyteller with a unique ability to make fans feel like they are sitting right next to him watching history, while at the same time almost not realizing he is even there. Verne is a friend, a Hall of Famer, and the soundtrack to so many unforgettable memories in sports history." - Nick Saban, Head Football Coach, University of Alabama Crimson Tide
"Uncle Verne made Saturdays better, he made the SEC better, and he made college football better. Thank you for sharing your story with sports fans everywhere. Readers are sure to be entertained by your powerful storytelling." - -- TIM TEBOW, Heisman Trophy Winner and New York Times bestselling author
"I have never known any other broadcaster who touches my dear friend Verne Lundquist's heart, mind, and talent. My many years of sitting to his right were the very best in my television career. Class, integrity, knowledge, and experience put him in a class by himself. A storyteller telling his story. Doesn't get much better than that!" - Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic men's figure skating gold medalist and skating commentator for seven winter Olympic games
"Verne Lundquist is a treasure, and not just as one of the all-time great sports broadcasters, but as a friend and mentor. His warmth and humor, his caring and giving spirit, and his loyalty and talent are what make him special. From Bowling for Dollars, to the Boondoggle, to March Madness, to the NFL and the SEC, to the Masters and 'In your life!' no one compares to the spontaneity, storytelling, and wit of Verne. Is this book a must-read? 'Yes Sir!'" - Dan Fouts, San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame quarterback and CBS Sports NFL analyst