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From Ghetto to God: The Incredible Journey of NFL Star, Reggie Rucker
 
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From Ghetto to God: The Incredible Journey of NFL Star, Reggie Rucker [Paperback]

Reggie Rucker (Author), Nadine McIlwain (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)


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Book Description

July 2002
Like most athletes encountering fame, fortune and females, including Oscar winning actress, Halle Berry, in abundance for the first time, Reggie ate it up, yet it was not enough. There was a void in his life which he discovered could not be filled through his high living.

The story of Reggie Rucker takes the reader on a journey through the Washington D.C. most tourists didn't see in the late 1950's. Within the shadow of the White House, monuments and the seat of legislative power, Reggie and his mother, Nancy, walked down C Street, looking for food and a place to sleep at night. From these humble beginnings, Rucker was inspired to move beyond life as a homeless child in the ghettos of our nation's capitol to become an NFL star wide receiver. Reggie Rucker, #33, was an acclaimed member of one of the most exciting professional football teams of the 1980's, the Cleveland Browns' Kardiac Kids. He was known for his good hands and sure catching abilities.

This inspirational story offers fun and information about life as a professional football player, from training camp as a rookie to becoming a star receiver and the perks that came with stardom. In addition, it explains how a professional athlete can be put into many situations that others don't face, and how, without the guidance of his faith, Reggie was not able to overcome many of the temptations which came his way.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Stirring, stimulating work that will prove to be a way out and a way up for those who read it." -- Dr. Warren Chavers, Senior Pastor, Deliverance Christian Church, Canton, Ohio June 2002

A compelling story of one man’s acceptance of God, compassionately co-written by an outstanding educator." -- Macy Gray, singer/songwriter, June 2002

About the Author

Reggie Rucker, B.A., Boston University, was a thirteen year star wide receiver in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns, retiring in 1982. He has worked for NBC along with Marv Albert and for WUAB in Cleveland, Ohio as the first football player to do color analysis for major league baseball. Reggie works as an investment executive and is very involved with the Cleveland Browns organization and his church.

Nadine McIlwain, B.A., Malone Collehe; M.A. Ashalnd University and the University of Akron in Ohio, a retired school teacher and principal, and former councilwoman for the city of Canton, Ohio, is presently a member of the Canton City Board Of Education and Program Officer for "The Sisters Of Charity Foundation." Nadine is the recipient of numerous awards including Teacher of the Year, National Educator and as Woman of the Year for various organizations.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 220 pages
  • Publisher: Creative Works Publishing (July 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1930693257
  • ISBN-13: 978-1930693258
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,931,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, December 15, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: From Ghetto to God: The Incredible Journey of NFL Star, Reggie Rucker (Paperback)
This book, I'll tell you is one of the best books you'll read. I found it easy to read, it flowed well, I could not put it down. You are talking about a real roller coaster ride.
I am a christian and I would like to see more professional athletes put aside pride and ego and recognize that all that we are is due to the grace of God. The inspirational message is that circumstance may be unavoidable but ambition, hard work, and perserverance can make us into whatever we wish. If one had faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, as Mr. Rucker, then all things are possible.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Rugged, tough, inspiring account!, December 13, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: From Ghetto to God: The Incredible Journey of NFL Star, Reggie Rucker (Paperback)
This is a story that actually made me cry. I have been a fan of the Cleveland Browns and the Kardiac Kids and Mr Rucker was one of my favorite football players. I have read accounts of his life in newspaper articles but never did those articles go into the depth of this book. I was simply fascinated by his early life struggles and the depravity of an american family in our nations capital. Reggie Rucker truly enjoyed the blessings of a guardian angel, I would agree with him that he was favored. A lot of young black men never make it out of the squalor of ghetto life. Somehow, he was able to marshall all the forces of his inner circle, pick himself up, and commit himself to his own survival.
Too bad he didn't realize his gift when he had that stage, like many of today's athletes, the temptations are so readily available that these men think they can get away with whatever. Sometimes we get a peek into their world and if this is genuine, we can use his life's experiences inspirationally. I know there are young men in similar circumstances that if they take a moment and read this book, they will certainly realize that anything is possible in this great country. And, if God is with us, who can be against us. In short, I think the authors did a great job of bearing the soul and a man who has obviously, come into the light.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars At best this book is a draft for a future book., August 11, 2002
By 
James Hunt (Elyria, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: From Ghetto to God: The Incredible Journey of NFL Star, Reggie Rucker (Paperback)
About two weeks ago, I heard Reggie Rucker talk about his book on a local Cleveland sports talk show. Having grown up with the Cleveland Browns and the "Kardiac Kids", I felt compelled to run out and buy the book to find out how this man had gone from the ghetto to finding God.

At best, this book is a first draft. It has the potential of being a good book; however, it is far from being finished. Who ever the editor is could not have even proof read it.

Reggie does share with us his life as an African-American growing up in the ghetto's of Washington D.C. but he seems too interested in sharing with us his sex cappers rather than more about Reggie the person. We are able to catch a few glimpses of the person but so much more could be told. He received an academic scholarship to Boston University yet he makes no attempt to explain how he became such a good student under his living conditions. While taking us through his football career, he talks about his first experience at Dallas and then arriving at New England and leading the league in catches. In one sentence we are told this information and he makes no attempt to share with us how he went from being an unknown to leading the league? What was that season like - how did it make him feel? We'll never know. All we'll know about is girl after girl that climbed into bed with him while he was married including the under age high school student while he was a teacher during the off season.

In learning all about Reggie's sexual advetures, he does not mention any of the women by name. But when he gets to Halle Berry, he can't wait to drop her name and tell us all about how he at 35 took advantage of this at the time 19 year old future star.

This book is less than 200 pages long. The first 195 pages Reggie tells us about escapades of the sex life of a Black male in the 70's and 80's and the last five pages of how he has become a born again Christian.

Mr. Rutger has a story to tell. He just needs an editor that can help him tell it. Again, this book at best is a draft of what could be.

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