Customer Reviews

It's Only a Game

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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??

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...

I enjoyed this book greatly. I am not really a Terry Bradshaw fan, considering how much pain he caused to Dallas Cowboys fans such as myself. However, I found his story intriguing.

Most interestingly to me was the insight into his relationship with the people of the city of Pittsburgh. What's great about his version of this love/hate story is how he refrains from tooting his own horn. In fact, he does exactly the opposite in several points in this book. He doesn't ask the reader to feel sorry for him for the negative things that have happened to him in his life.

After reading his book, I have more respect for the man and less respect for the average football fan - especially the fans in Pittsburgh who have always seemed to be some of the best fans in football.

"It's Only a Game" certainly isn't a must read, but it was interesting enough to keep my attention from cover to cover.

I picked this book up not knowing what to expect. In a nutshell, if you like Terry Bradshaw or find him entertaining, you'll like this book. If you don't, than stay away. The book basically covers his life both on and off the field. He has a tendancy to ramble through each chapter, just barreling through stories. I almost got the feeling that this book was intended to read as a conversation. Many stories are amusing (and not all are related to football) and he makes prolific use of jokes. Some are funny, some are not - it depends on your sense of humor. It is a light, funny read about one of the big names in football. As I said before, whether you buy this book or not really depends on if you like and want to know more about Terry Bradshaw.

I could hardly put this book down. Very interesting stories about his childhood, football career from grade school through the pros and life after the NFL. All the things that went on during his career in the NFL. I found this book very enjoyable. He doesn't hide anything and I admire his honesty.

This is one of the funniest autobiographies I have ever read. Several times during the course of my reading, my wife feared for my sanity as I laughed hysterically. Two incidents in particular had me howling: Terry's adventure with the horse, and when his Dad opened the box from the marketing firm.
Terry has always been one of my football heros and now I have a great deal of respect for him as a person. This account is warm, funny, and honest. By the way, he called his own plays . . .

This book covered everything I hoped to hear about - from college QB thru Pittsburgh and into TV's best pre-game show. The book is fast paced, enjoyable throughout and quite informative. All that's missing is a couple of one-on-one hours with Terry to ask more about everything.

TERRY BRADSHAW PERSONIFIES HUMOR. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK FOR VARIOUS REASONS. I ENJOYED HIS RETELLING OF HIS STEELERS DAYS AND HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH VARIOUS TEAMATES. HIS DOWN TO EARTH HONESTY IS ANOTHER FACET I FOUND REFRESHING. AND ABOVE ALL WAS HIS STORY TELLING OF HIS EXPERIENCES IN THE BROADCASTING BUSINESS. I ENJOY THE PREGAME HYPE WITH BRADSHAW AND HIS 3 COHORTS EACH WEEK. HE HAS CERTAILY GROWN OVER THE YEARS, HE CAN POKE FUN AT HIMSELF AND YET BE SERIOUS ABOUT THINGS IN LIFE. VERY RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS HUMOR A GREAT STORY TELLER.

There's no denying it. You either love this guy or you can't stand him. I've yet to meet anyone who feels any other emotion about Terry Bradshaw. This book just might change some of the perceived negatives about the man, if the reader keeps an open mind. What Bradshaw is most proud of is justified. The man loves his children, is proud of where he came from, & he can't get enough football. The first QB to win FOUR Super Bowl rings doesn't wear them! He says it's enough that he knows he has them & why. (I like that a lot!) The book is filled with typical Bradshaw country yarns, football stories, etc., & most are self-effacing. I bought the book as an admitted voyeur into the workings of the NFL & it didn't disappoint. It gave me many a good laugh & I counted on Bradshaw doing that too. If you love football & good short stories, Bradshaw provides both in an easy read to pass an afternoon. With Terry Bradshaw, what you see is what you get. His book is a reflection of the man and he's a very good man indeed!