Customer Reviews

Out of Bounds: Coming out of Sexual Abuse, Addiction, and My Life of Lies in the NFL Closet

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

 

 

Audre Lorde said "We need a litany for survival." I sooo appreciate when black gay men and lesbians write about their lives, whether they were successful or unsuccessful in their struggles. Here, Simmons speaks of his life in the NFL, having sex with both genders, contracting HIV, surviving childhood sexual abuse, and battling drug addiction. I think this book will be helpful to many populations of readers.

When many people say, "I like doing X", they also mean, "I hate doing Y." or when they say, "I like group X" they let it be known that they "hate group Y." This can be painful for people in Group Y to hear. However, Mr. Simmons is a man who likes everything. Not only does he like men and women, he's cool with blacks and whites. He is proud to do all types of things in the bedroom. This is a football player who likes to pitch and catch, in addition to playing on both teams. This will make many readers comfortable.

My big critique is how he never acknowledges racism or homophobia. Here's a black man who never questions how he easily gets into predominantly white gay spaces. He never once links his jail time to the disproportionate number of brothers who are locked up. Simmons is clearly no Donald Suggs or Keith Boykin, but I wish he spent some time looking at the societal forces that affect him, and others like him. In so many ways, Simmons embodies the "down-low" phenomenon which J.L. King wants to solely represent. Straight women that have loved gay or bisexual men, especially within the African-American community, may appreciate learning more from him.

Usually, layperson-y, chatty autobios have photo sections. This book did not. That surprises me because many of his lovers and relatives still support him despite his lies and conduct while under drugs' influence. His co-author's name is misspelled on the spine of the hardcover. There are times when Simmons discusses scientific or historical matters and it is clearly information that his co-author found and inserted rather than something the football player actually knew.

I like the way that Simmons conveys that he is a work in progress. He may not have conquered drugs or promiscuity. Still, he may offer hope that people can do so. I won't say that I couldn't put this book down, but I will say it was highly enjoyable reading.

It's so amazing that though only 3 NLF players have come out, all have written autobiographies.

Roy Simmon's has lived one crazy life and he shares it with us in his great book Out of Bounds. It starts with the story of his childhood in poor Savanah and his rape at the hands of a neighbor, his realization of his homosexuality, right through his awesome career as a football player and his fight with drugs. It is one rollercoaster ride that you shouldn't miss. Gay or straight, jock or not, this is one great book. Lets just hope that other gay athletes start to step forward and tell their stories because only the truth will set us free.

This book kept my attention and I was anxious to read it---but after Roy turned into a druggie, it got kind of boring. One slip up after another, making feeble attempts to stop. I got to the point where I was hoping he'd OD and die. Put him out of his misery. I find it rather strange that he uses all kinds of bad language and is rather descriptive in describing some of his sexual trysts, yet he gets religion in the book. It certainly didn't do anything to clean up his mouth. And now that he has found religion, is he claiming he's "cured" of being gay and finds it wrong and that it was a big mistake? The book doesn't say and there isn't much follow up available over the internet so I guess Roy's vanished into society. If he's been "cured" and now condemns homosexuality, I would be VERY upset with him, saying that he only used this book for profit. He was pro-gay through the book. I'm not saying he has to become a spokesman for the gay community or take up AIDS causes, but I think he has to remain true to himself and admit being gay. I also kind of got the implication that after he was outed and found religion, that he kind of used his being raped by a male neighbor as his 'excuse' for being homosexual, which I think is a big cop-out. He even admits he liked it and was interested in other guys at this same time. Is it who he's talking to at the time or is he consistent with his truth. Being the liar and self centered louse he was in the book, I do wonder.

This is a great read! Not only do you the opportunity to have a front row view into the mind of a drug addict and bisexual, you learn to empathize with homosexuals and their struggle to be accepted. This book proves that individuals usually never fully heal from their childhood experiences, especially when abuse was involved. There are many moments I had to put the book down for the semi graphic sexual acts, but it was entertaining none the less. Roy Simmons had one hell of a life and I'm glad he shared his story!

I FOUND ROY SIMMONS BOOK TO BE A GREAT PAGE TURNER,ROY DESCRIBED
HIS OUT OF CONTROL LIFE IN VIVID DETAIL. I FOUND MYSELF HATING THAT THE BOOK WAS GETTING TO THE END. I WAS LEFT FEELING FOR ALL THOSE THAT WERE MENTIONED. HIS DAUGHTER AND HER MOTHER ALONG WITH HIS RIDE OR DIE BEST GIRLFRIEND. THE BOOK DOES HAVE SOME BAD AND UGLY MOMENTS BUT YOU CAN STILL FEEL THE GOOD.

this is one of those book that after you read it ..that it just stay with you ..days, months , years later...it`s sad ,happy and funny, all at the same time..after time ..i found a tears rolling down my face ..i`d just love it..i would buy this book again...

its hard to write a review without giving away juicy details but his lifestyle was of the fu_king hook to say the least! im not a football fan but i love autobio/memoirs so i gave this book a shot and im glad i did! this book was a good read! its shocking sad has hunor and will make u mad! i will stop there and say i reccomend this book to all ages races and al lifestyles there is a LESSON TO BE LEARNED!

this Book is quite interesting because it goes into the Lockerroom&also life otuside. Roy Simmons speaks on his personal choices&other things that happen along the way until He became a Pro. he talks openly about his life&how things turned out the way they did. this Book makes no apologys it has the Highs&Lows&everything else in between.

To me the criteria in what makes a great memoir is if you feel like you truly get to know the subject on a personal level. In Out of Bounds this criteria is met tenfold. Roy Simmons literally opens his heart and allows us into a life of horror, glory, disappointment and hope. You simply cannot put this book down once you begin reading it. The writing style (with props to co-writer Damon DiMarco) is so fluid and in Roy's words that it truly does feel as if you are having a conversation with Roy when you read this book. As for what is covered in the book, you get the story of Roy's incredible life and the many layers that ultimately led him to the depth of hell. Each event is told with such brutal honesty and without looking to make excuses that you really are riveted and shocked. This is so much more than just a book about one coming to grips with his sexuality. Roy's story is much more complex as one horrifying experience at age 11 makes clear. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read a memoir that will stay with you for a long time.

"When New York Giants coach Ray Perkins stated, "Roy Simmons just might be the best athlete on this football team," no one could have guessed that in just four years, Simmons would earn his living as a baggage handler at Kennedy Airport" a powerful intro to an incredibably touching and well written story by Mr Simmons and his his brilliant co-writer Damon DiMarco(My Two Chinas: The Memoir of a Chinese Counter-Revolutionary by Tang Baiqiao, Damon DiMarco-another winner!!!) When one compares Out of Bounds with the many other celebrity "bios" it is immediately apparent that is is not simply a notch above- it it puts the vast majority of other autobiographies to shame, with its blunt honesty and superb prose. This is no "soap opera star story"- rather it is an intense, facinating look into the world of an individual who led a life full of unforgetable experiences and internal emotional devastation- and was able to not only survive- but thrive. Mr. Simmons and Damon DiMarco have crafted a story too intense and heart-touching to be fiction.

AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ

Rick Friedman
Founder
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB