Always by My Side: A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other

In the bestselling tradition of Big Russ and Me, Americ‛s most visible sports commentator tells the stories of some of the most dramatic moments in American sports and pays tribute to the man who inspired him to pursue his broadcasting dream— his beloved father, who has fallen victim to the ravages of Alzheime‛s disease.

Vividly written in exciting, you-are-there replay, Always by My Side gives readers an inside‛s look into an unprecedented sixty-three-day stretch from February to April of 2007 when Jim Nantz became the first broadcaster to call the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and the Masters. Because Nantz was unable to share the voyage with his dad, however, this remarkable journey through Americ‛s premier sporting events took on a bittersweet tinge. Nonetheless, the devoted son felt his fathe‛s presence every step of the way, and used this championship odyssey to celebrate the people, venues, and moments that tapped into all the goodness that his dad—and his da‛s generation— represent.

In recounting the highlights of more than two thrilling decades with CBS Sports, this broadcasting hall of famer recalls the legends of the industry—Dick Enberg, Curt Gowdy, Jim McKay, Chris Schenkel, Pat Summerall, Jack Whitaker, and others—who sparked his imagination and shaped his style.

Always by My Side traces Nant‛s career, from creating his own imaginary studio as a boy to his college days rooming with future PGA Tour golfers Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister to his successful network audition at age twenty-six. Along the way, readers are treated to an array of memories, including Nant‛s special relationship with the former president George H. W. Bush, as well as his friendships with such sports royalty as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Mike Krzyzewski, John Wooden, and many others. Poignant stories that explore the theme of fathers and sons who have bonded through a common love of sports complete this sparkling narrative.

Always by My Side promises to be the most cherished Fathe‛s Day gift of the year.

"In this sentimental look back, Nantz recounts his beloved father's descent into illness during his own rise to success in sports broadcasting. Nantz's early ambition was to announce sporting events, and he got his start by taking advantage of even the smallest opportunity; his first job was driving Houston Open announcers from the parking lot to the clubhouse. Meanwhile, his jolly, curious and encouraging father was fielding the first symptoms of Alzheimers; sadly, as Nance finds greater recognition within the industry, the man who inspired him becomes more distant. Nantz finds father figures in his friendships with George H.W. Bush and golfer/broadcaster Ken Venturi, and turns up charming stories of others he admires like Tony Dungy, Arnold Palmer and former college roommate Freddie Couples. Though it has a saccharine streak, Nantz's on-the-job memoir fulfills his old man's vision ('Good people with good stories... To him, that was what sports-and sportsmanship-were all about') with a gentle, anecdote-heavy tour." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

One of America's most visible sports commentators relives some of the most dramatic moments in sports and pays tribute to his beloved father, the man who inspired him to pursue his broadcasting dream. 8-page b&w photo insert.

Jim Nantz is the signature face and voice of CBS Sports, who has covered nearly every one of the networ‛s sporting events since 1985.

Eli Spielman, Emmy Award–winning senior studio writer at CBS Sports, has been collaborating with Jim Nantz for more than twenty years.