Alive & Kicking (Paperback)

by Rolf Benirschke (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
As an old, old quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, I know firsthad what it takes to be a profssional athlete. It's remarkable that Rolf continued to play in the NFL after nearly losing his life to inflammatory bowel disease and having ostomy surgery. Alive & Kicking is an inspiration to anyone facing seemingly insurmountable odds. I salute Rolf, his courage, and his cause. -- Jack Kemp

As an old, old, quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, I know firsthand what it takes to be a professional athlete. It's remarkable that Rolf continued to play in the NFL after nearly losing his life to inflammatory bowel disease and having ostomy surgery. Alive & Kicking is an inspiration to anyone facing seemingly insurmountable odds. I salute Rolf, his courage, and his cause. -- Jack Kemp

It's amazing that Rolf is alive to tell his story today, and what a great story it is. You'll love it! -- Ken Blanchard, co-author, The One Minute Manager

Product Description
Alive & Kicking is the autobiography of one of the best place kickers in NFL history. Drafted by the LA Raiders in 1977, the 334th player out of 335, Rolf was a twenty-two-year-old rookie from UC Davis - a Division II school. Soon traded to his home team, the San Diego Chargers, Rolf was in the unenviable position of being a rookie on the last-placed team in the NFL. That first season with the Chargers, Rolf broke the team record kicking twelve consecutive field goals.. September 1978, at a Monday Night Football cookout at the home of the Chargers' equipment manager, Rolf experienced his first pangs of the ulcerative colitis which would bring him near death. Assailed by severe cramps and a fever, believing he just had the flu, Rolf took the field the following Sunday against the Raiders. But when his symptoms persisted and tests were conducted, it was concluded that the young kicker was suffering from Crohn's disease.

As Rolf's fame as a kicker grew to the point where he had converted 34 of his last 38 kicks, his condition worsened. But with support from his coaching staff and the public, he continued to play. Finally, during a return flight to San Diego fresh from a loss to the New England Patriots, Rolf collapsed.

Rushed from the plane to the hospital, Rolf began the series of tests and treatments that led to the correct diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and to the four surgeries which saved his life. October 18, 1979. Two surgeries later, at 124 pounds, Rolf returned to Charger Stadium to the cheers of his teammates and a standing ovation by 52,000 Charger fans, to co-captain a game with Louie Kelcher. Uncertain of whether or not he could make it to mid-field for the coin toss, Rolf was reassured by Kelcher, "...if you can't make it, I'll carry you!" Kelcher didn't have to carry him, but he did hold Rolf's hand. September 7, 1980, less than a year after Rolf almost died from inflammatory bowel disease, the Chargers opened a new season in Seattle. Wearing two ostomy devices, Rolf joined them, returning to professional football. He went public with his disorder thus bringing about a greater understanding and acceptance of the disease with which he was afflicted. And he set the example for other ostomy patients, playing seven more seasons in the NFL and becoming one of the best and most respected kickers in NFL history.

Well known for his generosity of spirit, Rolf began the Kicks for Critters program to support the San Diego Zoo's Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, he has worked tirelessly for the United Way, and he is a great supporter of the annual San Diego Chargers Blood Drive begun originally in support of him. Marriage, the birth of his daughter, adoption of two brothers from Russia, and a successful business career followed Rolf's years with the NFL. He created the Great Comebacks program which each year honors a person who has faced down inflamatory bowel disease and gone on to make a difference. And finally, he has written this book.

Alive & Kicking is a story of faith, courage, family, friends, determination, and survival. Originally written by Rolf to encourage others with inflamatory bowel disease, it is also an inspirational story for anyone who has ever faced or who is facing the vissicitudes of life. In plain yet eloquent language, Mike Yorkey and Rolf Benirschke use Rolf's story to inspire each of us to perservere, to overcome, to succeed. And to take the lessons we learn during the process to make the most of the life with which we are gifted.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: A K Productions; 1st edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885553404
• ISBN-13: 978-1885553409
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #474,628 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pro Football Player with IBD, July 4, 1997

By A Customer

This book is an autobiographical account of a former NFL football player who battled IBD and has become a source of inspiration for many. I recommend this book for teens and young adults especially, because it shows that someone can have IBD and still accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, October 17, 2004

By	Pam (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a must for anyone dealing with either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. I put off buying this book because I have Crohn's disease, but I must tell you it was one of my biggest mistakes. If you, or someone you love, is dealing with IBD get this book. So many of Rolf's feelings and thoughts were the same thing I was thinking when I first had to deal with this disease. Rolf is an inspiration, he proves that you can live your life with these diseases and live it to the fullest.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Book, January 28, 2002

By	"eliiiza" (California) - See all my reviews

As a young woman with an ostomy, I was very inspired by the personal account in this book. Rolf showed me that I could go on with my life and go back to a normal exercise pattern. The personal photographs that he shares helped me explain what happened to me to my children. I would recommend this book for anyone who is having a hard time coping with their ostomy. It turned my whole point of view around!