It's Only a Game [Hardcover]

Terry Bradshaw (Author), David Fisher (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

This is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of Terry Bradshaw: the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls -- and the man who later became America's most popular sports broadcaster.

IT'S ONLY A GAME

"I had a real job once," begins a memoir as honest, unexpected, and downright hysterical as Bradshaw himself. From his humble beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana, to his success as the centerpiece of the highest-rated football studio show in television history, Terry has always understood the importance of hard work. A veritable jack-of-all-trades, he has probably held more jobs than any other football Hall of Famer "ever: pipeline worker, youth minister, professional singer, actor, television and radio talk show host, and now one of the nation's most popular speakers.

But let's not forget one of the reasons why so many people know and love Terry Bradshaw: "he won four Super Bowls! In "It's Only A Game, Terry brings the reader right into the huddle and describes the game from the bottom of a two-ton pile to the top of the sports world. You'll sit right on the fifty-yard line and watch as Terry earns the title "world's greatest benchwarmer. And you'll also hear about the single greatest play in pro football -- the Immaculate Reception -- as he never saw it.

"It's Only A Game is much more than a collection of Terry Bradshaw's favorite and funniest stories, it is the personal account of a great man's search for life before and after football...as only Terry could tell it.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bradshaw, former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and now a television commentator, is funny, honest and apparently without airs. In this book, written with Fisher (The Umpire Strikes Back; Gracie), he freely discusses his childhood, religion, playing days and his post-football life. Bradshaw doesn't carry much baggage; he recognizes that he's had an enviable life. Perhaps his biggest challenge has been ADD; he always found school and reading difficult. While Bradshaw did go to LSU largely because of his ability as a football player he was teased mercilessly about his low grades and his inability to read well. He admits that it was painful at the time, but instead of dwelling on it, Bradshaw simply put more of his efforts into his sport. And, when he left the game, he says, "Once I accepted the fact that I could no longer play, I never looked back.... That's my form of emotional protection. It's the way I survive." Perhaps the most engaging sections of the book are near the end, when Bradshaw discusses his television stints, including some notable failures of his shows. Again, he's so straightforward about admitting that he was playing with the real pros that readers will laugh along with him.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Bradshaw is an Emmy Award-winning sports analyst with the Fox Network's NFL Sunday. However, his true claim to fame is his two Super Bowl MVP awards, earned with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is, without a doubt, one of the best quarterbacks ever to have played in the National Football League. Written with the assistance of best-selling author David Fisher, this autobiography traces the former NFL star's life from his youth, college, and pro football days, through three divorces, to his success as a sports broadcaster. This title is a revealing, honest look at a personality whom many see only as the jovial football commentator on Sunday. On the contrary, Bradshaw comes across as a hardworking, motivated man who takes his career, Christianity, renewed family commitment, and the game of football seriously. An insightful tale readers will enjoy; recommended for public libraries. Larry R. Little, Penticton P.L., BC
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 257 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; 1st edition (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743417283
• ISBN-13: 978-0743417280
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's A Wonderful Life, November 4, 2001

By 

James E. Carroll (Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Only a Game (Hardcover)

Don't let the title of this book mislead you. While Terry Bradshaw is best known as the four time Superbowl Champion quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a regular on the FOX Sunday football show, this is not just a book about football. It's about a life. Terry Bradshaw's resilency, humor, confidence and honesty are showcased in this book, and nothing in Bradshaw's life is too sacred for discussion. This book made me laugh out loud so many times that I had to read passages of the book to travel companions that were wondering what could be so funny. Bradshaw's account of his attempt at cattle ranching is hilarious. There is plenty of football in this book to satisfy any fan of the game as Bradshaw recounts his playing days from high school to his Superbowl victories with the Steelers. But there is so much more. Jimmy Stewart had to be saved by an angel to know it's a wonderful life. I'll let you decide for yourself if Bradshaw convinces you that it's only a game. If you read this book, come January you'll wish Terry Bradshaw was at your Superbowl party.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Don't Have To Be A True Steeler Fan To Love This Book!, August 18, 2001

By 

S. Kelley (Cleveland,Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's Only a Game (Hardcover)

I must admit before I go any further in my review that I am a Cleveland Brown fan for as long as I have been on this earth...let's just say I my generation was the 60's generation.

This was one of those books that as soon as I saw the cover, I swooped one of the three copies available at this bookstore I was in and never cracked it open to "pre-read" the book jacket. The book written BY Terry Bradshaw and ABOUT Terry Bradshaw was enough for this finicky reader (only few noted authors get this kind of purchase from me). I remember Terry Bradshaw on the field leading the Steelers and I watch Terry Bradshaw every NFL weekend on the FOX pre-game. I quite didn't know what to expect out of the book when I swooped it up, as a lot of players and coaches who author a book tends to relive each and every second of each and every game they ever coached or played. I love football but it's great when you can also read and get to know the person who you are supposed to be reading about.

The reader was alerted that there could be some serious laughter coming from the book and if caught in that situation in front of people...just look up, smile and point to the book! Let me tell you I ended up pointing more than once to the book with belly laughs and tears in my eyes....even sitting, of all places, on the tarmac in a jet liner at the Cleveland airport awaiting clearance for the jet to taxi and take off!

In the book, Mr. Bradshaw gave us a view of what his childhood and family was like...what ethics he was taught as a child that influenced as a foundation of how he grew up, as a guideline for how he would handle the fame of being a NFL quarterback to being a Television Analyst and motivational speaker. (Okay so, I am leaving out his run in the Cosmetic Industry.) When life gave him lemons (as life does everyone at some time or another), he doesn't glide over it like frosting on a cake but he showed how he turned those lemons into lemonade.

When you are reading this book, it isn't as if you are merely reading a book but that time just slips by as if you were sitting down with Terry Bradshaw with him sharing his life story. It's done in an honest, open and humble manner which this reader appreciates. If he made a mistake in life, he tells us about the mistake and his error of ways--he doesn't pawn the blame on to someone else to look good.

Not only will you find yourself listening to a friend, time slipping quickly by but you will find yourself laughing outloud at times at Terry's antics and even some of the behind the scene antics. Laughter is truly good for the soul.

It's an easy read and I don't think any NFL fan (regardless who your team is) will ever go wrong buying and reading this book. This Cleveland Brownie LOVED the book!

The only problem was when it came to the end! I WANTED TO KEEP READING! Okay Mr. Bradshaw....when can we have another installment??

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's Only A Game" Another TD strike for Bradshaw!, August 14, 2001

By 

Ed "Ed" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Only a Game (Hardcover)

First of all, let me just say I am a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan since January 31, 1958, the day I entered this world. I grew up watching Terry VS the Browns, in which I feel is the greatest, storied, legendary rivalry in Pro Football, past and present, bar none. I heard an interview with Terry Bradshaw on Jim Rome's radio show on Friday, August 10th, 2001. It was compelling to me. Terry Bradshaw's truthfullness, blunt honesty, in talking about his playing days with the Steelers had me highly impressed (for lack of a better word) to say the least. As an avid reader, I felt that if Terry's book "It's Only A Game" was as half as entertaining, as Terry's radio interview with Jim Rome, I knew it would be a great read. The next day (Saturday morning) I obtained a new, hot off the press, copy of his book. The book is EXCELLENT. I felt Terry Bradshaw was talking to me personally. As a Browns fan, I probably wouldn't give much thought or desire to anything written by a "Steeler", but Terry Bradshaw changed all of that! Oh, I will always be a Browns fan, but Terry's book gave me a completely new insight into Terry's life before and after his playing days. This book will forever have a place in my bookcase. I urge any NFL fan to read Terry's book, well written, articulate, compelling, fun and relaxing. As a husband, father and working stiff, this is what I look for in a book to relax with. Great job, Terry Bradshaw! You've done a good job with this novel! I could have easily read and enjoyed another 500 pages. Hopefully, there is a sequel in the future...