War on the Floor: An Average Guy Plays in the Arena Football League, and Lives to Write About It (Paperback)

~ Jeff Foley (Author)
Key Phrases: cool kid, sean williams, offensive specialist, Coach Dailey, Jeff Foley, The Axe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

He began with no athletic ability. His pass-catching skills were so bad that he was told he couldn’t catch a cold if he were butt-naked. He fell flat on his facemask during a six-minute jog. He was tormented by referees, subjected to rookie initiation pranks, called Rudy by fans and intimidated by a 250-pound ex-NFL player.

Welcome to Jeff Foley’s adventure in the Arena Football League. A five-foot-six, 180-pound writer, Foley is every bit the average individual. But the AFL’s Albany Firebirds agreed to let him join their squad as an offensive specialist/writer in 1999 and 2000. So, despite never having played a down of organized football – no Pop Warner, high school or college gridiron experience – Foley played in three professional contests, running pass patterns against seasoned athletes, competing in front of more than 10,000 people. He lived every fan’s dream. Or nightmare?

He endured grueling practice sessions, hits, injuries and road trips, and attended team meetings and meals. He was a part of locker room conversations. He was overjoyed by the thrill of success, and dealt with the disappointment that accompanies failure. Foley experienced all life in the AFL has to offer. And lived to write about it.

About the Author

A former Albany Times Union staff writer, Jeff Foley has played professional football and baseball as a participatory journalist. War on the Floor is his first non-fiction book. His work has appeared in Runner?s World and he writes for arenafan.com. He and his wife, Tina, live in upstate New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (May 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595179606
• ISBN-13: 978-0595179602
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,263,722 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Axel" Foley, Professional Football Player, December 16, 2001

By	Sandy Drumluk (North Greenbush, NY) - See all my reviews

Jeff Foley has done what most every American male wishes they could do - play professional football!! In his book, Jeff puts the reader through try-outs, practice, road trips, physicals, the locker room, pre-game nerves, and most importantly, the game itself. The reader gets to "feel" what it is like to be a part of the Arena Football League.

Well written, well told, and a great read! For fans of football, sports, or just good books, War on the Floor will not disappoint!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Story, August 31, 2001

By A Customer

This was an excellent book to read for both those interested and not interested in sports. It told a great story!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars War on the Floor is a Must Read for AFL Fans., July 24, 2001

By	Mick Cornett-Radio Voice of the Oklahoma Wran... (Oklahoma City) - See all my reviews

Someday, when the Arena Football League is grossing billions of dollars and its games are drawing millions to network telecasts, someone will revisit "War on the Floor" and ask "Gee, was it really like that?" Foley has quite elegantly placed the sights, sounds, fears, and joys of the Arena Football League into a time capsule. This is a book that will be enjoyed for years to come. "He actually played with these guys?" Yes, he did. And he lived to write about it. For all the fans that want to go behind the scenes of the Arena Football League, this book is a must-read. Foley may not have been much of an offensive specialist, but the guy can write.