My Greatest Day in Football: The Legends of Football Recount Their Greatest Moments [Paperback]

Bob McCullough (Author)

Book Description

Series: My Greatest Day | Publication Date: September 7, 2002

As he did for his previous books, My Greatest Day in NASCAR and My Greatest Day in Golf, sports journalist Bob McCullough has crisscrossed the country interviewing legendary football players who are in the Hall of Fame. In addition to asking about their greatest day, McCullough has expanded these interviews to include thoughts on their greatest college day, greatest opponent, and greatest teammate.

The players include:
Chuck Bednarik *Bobby Bell *Raymond Berry *Terry Bradshaw *Willie Davis *Frank Gifford *Bud Grant *Bob Griese *Jack Ham *Michael Haynes *Sam Huff *John Henry Johnson *Sonny Jurgenson *Leroy Kelly *Paul Krause *Steve Largent *John Mackey *Wellington Mara *Gino Marchetti * Bill Parcells *Pete Pihos *Lawrence Taylor *Gale Sayers *Bob St. Clair *Jan Stenerud *Don Shula *Bart Starr *Jim Taylor *YA Tittle *Paul Warfield

With first-hand accounts from so many football greats, My Greatest Day in Football is the perfect gift for football fans everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the latest edition of his Greatest Day series (My Greatest Day in NASCAR), McCullough interviewed 29 football players and coaches about their superlative moments in professional and college football. Though sometimes rambling, the oral histories are refreshingly candid; McCullough does not direct his subjects' reminiscences beyond posing the initial question. By giving people like former Philadelphia Eagle star Chuck Bednarik, Monday Night Football commentator Frank Gifford (inducted into the Hall of Fame for his stellar offense with the Giants in the 1950s), and Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks receiver in the 1980s free rein, McCullough captures the flavor of football in particular eras. Moreover, he doesn't edit their words, so readers get a real sense of the voice and personality of each subject. Super Bowl games by far take the lead in these recollections, but a few people chose other glorious events: election to the Hall of Fame, the chance to play alongside their own heroes, repeatedly sacking a longstanding rival. Paul Krause movingly recounts his wife's recovery from a six-month coma and, immediately thereafter, his own election to the Hall of Fame. A brief introductory paragraph about each player and coach provides some context, though more background information would prove helpful for nonaficionados. But fans and addicts will take hold of this book. Photos not seen by PW.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

McCullough follows the successful format he previously used with golfers and NASCAR drivers, here interviewing members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame about their greatest day in football. The interviews are much more than that, however. The personalities of the players take center stage, as many of them discuss not just a single game but their view of the game in general and their lives before, during, and after football. Two individual interviews stand out: those with Chuck Bednarik and Terry Bradshaw. Bednarik, the legendary center for the Philadelphia Eagles and the last of the two-way players, was a World War II combat veteran before he was 21, and his toughness shows in every word. Bradshaw, the quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl championships, was often denigrated for his lack of intelligence, but the cogency with which he explains the Steelers' offense shows a mind that overflows with football knowledge and "smarts." The men interviewed here have made football what it is today. This book is a winner. Highly recommended for all libraries, for both teenage and adult readers. William Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (September 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312302967
• ISBN-13: 978-0312302962
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,317,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Players - Great Memories, November 24, 2001

By 

Clint Hunter - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Greatest Day in Football: The Legends of Football Recount Their Greatest Moments (Hardcover)

McCullough had an interesting concept for this book. He picked great professional football players (Hall of Famers) from each era of the game and asked them to tell about their greatest day in professional as well as college football. In addition, he asked them about their greatest opponent and their greatest teammate. All in all, twenty-nine of football's greatest were interviewed. It is a group of players sure to bring back fond memories of great players, great teams, and great games. Included among those interviewed are Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Chuck Bednarik, Raymond Berry, Frank Gifford, Lawrence Taylor, and Y.A. Tittle.

As might be expected, many of the remembrances are centered on championship contests, Super Bowls, and Hall of Fame experiences. Many of the players didn't respond to the questions concerning opponents and teammates, but most did talk about college games or others as well as their NFL experiences. Raymond Berry, for example, remembered his first championship game as a member of the Parish, Texas high school team. All, however, spoke of their induction into the NFL Hall of Fame as among their fondest memories.

I had, of course, heard or read about all the athletes included in the book, but I didn't know much about the careers of some of the early heroes such as Pete Pihos or Bob St. Claire. Reading through the various stories was like getting a football history lesson.

This is an interesting and easy to read book. I finished it in two sittings and enjoyed every chapter. If you are a fan of NFL football, you're sure to find some keen memories kindled as you read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD READ, January 23, 2005

By 

COOL JEWEL (MACEDONIA, OHIO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Greatest Day in Football: The Legends of Football Recount Their Greatest Moments (Paperback)

THIS IS A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES ASKING VARIOUS HALL OF FAMERS TO DESCRIBE THEIR GREATEST MOMENTS IN THEIR CAREERS. THE LIST OF PLAYERS INCLUDES TERRY BRADSHAW, JACK HAM, Y A TITTLE, GALE SAYERS AND MANY MORE. THE AUTHOR DOES A VERY GOOD JOB MAKING THIS A MUST READ. ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS WAS THE MANY PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT ERAS. A GREAT COLLECTION OF INTERVIEWS AND STORIES. VERY RECOMMENDED.