An Odd Steelers Journey [Hardcover]

Andy Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2002

As a follow-up to his popular book "A Steeler Odyssey", former Pittsburgh Steelers star Andy Russell delves deeper into the world of professional football with "An Odd Steeler's Journey." Russell gives readers a sense for what it is like to be on the field with a championship team and provides an up-close look at several of the unforgettable personalties who have touched his life. He passes on some of the lessons he learned from such mentors as Dan Devine, Chuck Noll and Art Rooney, and the values he attained from Hall of Fame locker mates like Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris, and "Mean Joe" Greene. Russell also tells stories about his ten most memorable games, and the opponents he and the Steelers faced during their storied run to four Super Bowl championships. This book is almost as good as a pair of 50-yard-line seats at Heinz Field.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Russell was a trapper, broncobuster, and trail guide. He has received three honorary degrees.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158261492X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582614922
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #587,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Follow Up To His First Book, December 13, 2002

By 

Sam S. Zacharias (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Odd Steelers Journey (Hardcover)

This book, while containing stories and episodes of Andy Russell's career as a Pittsburgh Steeler, has lessons on life for all sports fans. Whether in the sports arena, or business world or in life, the message and many of the chapters are about experiencing life events; about perservering when things are darkest; and about the importance of teamwork in or out of sports. I found myself going back and reading some of the chapters over again, not just because of the story, but of the message. Andy has added to his wonderful first book, and hopefully there will be another one in the future. His stature as author is growing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captain Andy, August 18, 2003

By 

Frank Atkinson (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Odd Steelers Journey (Hardcover)

Andy Russell's journey has been a personal expedition which has lead to a huge life outside of football, but I think readers should also appreciate Andy Russell's journey as a Steeler, and how his environment as a player changed throughout his career. He arrived in Pittsburgh fresh from college, where he had been a star on a National Championship team to a 'backwater' of the NFL, where rookies were given no regard at all. The Steelers were the acknowledged 'dead-end kids', translated into "if you don't shape up we're trading you to the Steelers." The pay was poor, the equipment was used, and rookies had to pick up the rocks off the field so the team could practice. And the Steelers couldn't figure where to play their games, Forbes Field, home of the Pirates, or Pitt Stadium, home of the Univ. of Pittsburg (they used both).

He made the team as a rookie linebacker and started in a season ending game against the NY Giants that put the Steelers where they had never been before--one game away from the NFL Championship. The Giants won. Then Andy rode the Steeler bus on an agonizing downhill journey lasting several years, sticking with it and suffering the indignities of playing on a team going nowhere. No bitching, no requests for a trade. He was tough enough to stay the course and to be there to help build the great championship teams of the 70's. This took the better part of two decades. All that needs to be said is that Andy Russell was the captain of those fabled Steeler teams of the 70's. Teams that rewrote the NFL Hall of Fame and featured people like Jack Ham, Joe Green, Ray Mansfield, Jack Lambert, Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Mel Blount and others. Andy was their captain. That's enough for me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real insight into the NFL, December 17, 2002

By 

jim card (Osprey, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Odd Steelers Journey (Hardcover)

Andy Russell gives us a real insight into the NFL and what it takes to be successful and a winner at the highest level of competition. He does this with humour and with stories that illustrate football`s complexity. It is a great read and a must for any fan of the game. You don`t have to be a Steeler fan to enjoy these stories as they give you a rare look into what happens of and off he field.

Jim Card