Jocks 2: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes (Paperback)

~ Dan Woog (Author) "When my book Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes was published in 1998, reaction was surprisingly intense..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Coach Yeagley, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Nearly five years after the publication of Jocks, Woog, a journalist, educator, and soccer coach, reexamines the lives of gay athletes willing to come out publicly to their sport. Not surprisingly, there are no professional athletes yet to take the step, but the book does include several Olympic competitors and, perhaps bravest of all, high school athletes. Not content to sit around and wait for the professionals to come out of the closet, the author describes the lives of other gay athletes, holding them up as role models and heroes young men who routinely brave the taunts of an intolerant few and others who enjoy the surprising support and encouragement from their straight teammates. The essays include an eyeopening account of the life of professional wrestler Rafael Cruz Rivera, a look at the gay athletes in rugby, and, in a sign that things really do change, a piece on Jim Buzinski, founder of Outsports. com, a web site devoted to the gay sports fan. Jocks 2 is a pleasant surprise, an affirming book that illustrates the broad diversity of experiences within the stereotypically straight world of men's athletics. Recommended for most larger collections. Jeffery Ingram, Newport P.L., OR
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Woog's second helping of gay athletes' lives covers fewer soccer players than Jocks (1998) did. Because Woog has coached soccer for 20-plus years, that imbalance was perfectly understandable, as was the predominance of quite young subjects, which continues in this book, because, after all, most people are the most athletic when they're young. Still absent are any active professionals. For pros in midcareer, coming out is still too risky, Woog explains. He who does may not lose his job, but he well may lose the extra income from endorsing sports equipment and other products, which is what enables some athletes to train and compete. Woog does, however, tell the story of a snowboarder who still got endorsement income, though that crucially included money from gay-owned businesses. As in the earlier collection, Woog profiles some nonplayers--a sports Web-site developer, a college athletic director, an ESPN staffer, a sports-management professor, and a soccer manager--and several athletes in lesser-known sports, such as dressage, rowing crew, adventure racing, and rugby. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books; 1 edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555837263
• ISBN-13: 978-1555837266
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #503,885 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for athletes who are gay, gays who like athletes & .., November 22, 2002

By A Customer

those who know folks into either or both !! These stories are truly inspiring and insightful, heart-renching and awe-felt! The author did a great job of capturing the role models like Warren Cohn, and the heros like Rafael Cruz Rivera in a way that serves to provide a path for youths as well as pride for some parents. It reinforces the notion that men and women can still be gay and athletic, that being homosexual doesn't force one to leave their masculinity at the door. Well done Dan Woog, and more importantly well done to those whose stories you told.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent continuation..., January 21, 2003

By	Stefan (England) - See all my reviews

I bought Dan Woog's Jocks a few years ago, and after a few of the reads posted a 5-star review of it. And I give this book the same review. It is an excellent insight into the competitive world of sport, and how so many athletes suffer.

Being someone who loves more of the less-known sports, I found the inclusion of those kinds of sports very welcome. They give me valuable insight into how those sports have a slightly different view of things, but still have the same problems.

A definite thumbs up.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant, April 14, 2003

By A Customer

Excellant book, tells the stories of how athletes were treated when they came out to friends, family, and teammates.