I Am Third (TV tie-in): The Inspiration for Brian's Song (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author) "It's gone! When Kermit Alexander hit my knee those two words flooded into my mind..." (more)
Key Phrases: rushing title, kickoff returns, touchdown run, New York, Kansas City, Gale Sayers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Sayers's 1970 autobiography serves double duty: it is the story of how he catapulted himself out of an Omaha ghetto to become one of the greatest running backs in National Football League history and the tale of his friendship with Chicago Bears teammate Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer. Sayers's memoir was the basis for the film Brian's Song, a remake of which will air soon. A solid title for both sports and black history collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

I Am Third is the memoir of Gale Sayers, one of the best running backs in the history of the NCAA and pro football. It is also the story of his friendship with Brian Piccolo. Known also as a community leader and great friend to all, Sayers's credo is, "The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third."

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142000752
• ISBN-13: 978-0142000755
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,310 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I read this book thirty years ago and still remember it., May 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am Third (Paperback)

I have read a lot of books and I still remember, after thirty years, lines from this great book. The best of all is "God is 1st, Others are second, I am Third", the way God intended it to be. I don't believe I will ever forget how it has touched my life in many ways and many times. This is among the greatest of all books. I rate it up there with the best, after the Bible, of course. This book shows how two people can be the best of friends, even in the worst of times; no matter what the color of your skin or how different your personality may be.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Extraordinary, January 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am Third (Paperback)

The book "I AM THIRD" written by Gale Sayers is the best autobiography I have ever read. This book is compassionate, emotional, and sometimes comic. It tells the story of a man with such love for a sport when a knee injury almost destroys his career and all the friends he didn't even know he had. One letter a boy wrote really touched Gale emotionally. Linda, Gale's wife, gives Gale all the support a wife could. In 1970 Gale was named the Most Courageous Player of the Year. This book also talks about the friendship between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccilo, both famous players for the Chicago Bears. Gale Sayers was a "great running back on the field and a great friend off the field" says Brian. The story includes the importance of faith in Gale Sayer's life. He concludes "The lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third." I recommend this book for any young football player who has BIG dreams.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of an Unbelievable Friendship, September 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am Third (Paperback)

I came across this book by watching one of my all-time favorite movies, which is based on this book: "Brian's Song". Gayle Sayers and Brian Picolo had a wonderful and humorous friendship. Their differences (skin color) were not a problem for them. In fact, they made jokes about themselves and their differences. This book is a very inspirational story for anyone to read. You do not have to be a football fan, just someone's friend, to enjoy this book.