Synopses & Reviews
A riveting debut novel of a season in the life of a professional football player—written by one of the NFL's best tight ends of all time.
Dominic Fucillo is a tight end for the surging New York Giants. Rebellious, ferociously angry, deeply religious and fighting injuries and a crumbling love life that would bring the average man to his knees, Dom is a veteran player who is having the toughest season of his career at a time when his team can do nothing wrong--or so it seems.
Because behind the big wins, a major scandal is brewing. The team's star linebacker has always lived on the edge and enjoyed the nightlife more than he should. But when he's found beaten nearly to death in the stadium parking lot, it's clear he's gotten himself into more than even he bargained for, and it's something that threatens to tear himself and his team's promising season apart.
Inspired by his years shedding blood and sweat playing professional football, ROUGH & TUMBLE is Mark Bavaros novel about the brutal world of the NFL—and a classic sports story of one mans determination and grit.
Review
“Bavaro peppers his tale with football action, a kind of bone-jarring realism only a former player can provide.” -The New York Times
“[Rough & Tumble is] equal parts thriller and gritty football realism.” -The Boston Herald
“Lean, fast-paced storytelling. Nary a scene is wasted, and rarely is an is an element introduced that doesnt pay off some time down the line…The authenticity of Bavaros detailed scenes could only have arisen from the mind of someone who played the game at the highest level.” -South Bend Tribune (Indiana)
“Bavaro has the credentials to back up this gritty bone-cruncher, and the writing ability to make it worthy of comparison to Dan Jenkins Semi-Tough and Peter Gents North Dallas Forty. Its a dont-miss for fans in any league.” -Detroit Free Press
"I have a lot of admiration for Bavaro. He tells a fictionalized story of what pro football is really like, and does a good job with the kind of descriptive passages I never, ever expected to hear from a man I covered as an NFL rookie with the Giants. You'll like the Lawrence Taylor character. You'll recognize him in the first three sentences." --Peter King, Sports Illustrated
"A gritty, behind-the-scenes look at life in the NFL...colorful characters, insider revelations and lively storytelling." --Publishers Weekly
"A fascinating rookie novel. He absolutely gets the football right, but more surprisingly, he has created a thoughtful, credible narrator and an intriguing mix of full-bodied secondary characters who exist in the shadows of professional sports." --Booklist
"A riveting, fictitious, behind-the-scenes account of glory days with the New York Giants as seen through the eyes of rough-and-tumble tight end Mark Bavaro. The East Rutherford 40 equivalent of North Dallas 40." --Steve Serby, New York Post sports columnist
“A terrific novel…realistic, groundbreaking and with some of the best football scenes youll ever read.” --Mike Golic, former NFL defensive lineman and co-host of ESPN Radios Mike and Mike in the Morning
"Mark Bavaro writes about the game the same way he played it, with vicious intensity. This story is a must read for football fans hungry for the heartless and brutal underbelly of life in the NFL." --Tim Green, New York Times bestselling author and former Atlanta Falcon
“A terrific novel. Just when you thought you had it figured out, the book takes an unexpected turn. I could not put it down.” --Charlie Weis, head football coach, Notre Dame, and former NFL offensive coordinator
“After reading this novel, readers will understand how difficult and dangerous the sport is.” --Joe Theismann, former Washington Redskins quarterback and Super Bowl champion
“Buckle up your chin strap and get ready to be smashed in the mouth—this is an explosive novel for anyone who thinks pro football is all about money, celebrities and fame. Rough & Tumble is a timely novel that shows the high costs of playing Americas game.” --Phil McConkey, former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl Champion
Review
“A terrific novel…realistic, groundbreaking and with some of the best football scenes youll ever read”--Mike Golic, former NFL defensive lineman and co-host of ESPN Radios Mike and Mike in the Morning.
"Mark Bavaro writes about the game the same way he played it, with vicious intensity. This story is a must read for football fans hungry for the heartless and brutal underbelly of life in the NFL." —Tim Green, New York Times bestselling author and former Atlanta Falcon
“A terrific novel. Just when you thought you had it figured out, the book takes an unexpected turn. I could not put it down.” -Charlie Weis, head football coach, Notre Dame, and former NFL offensive coordinator
“Rough & Tumble dramatically captures the world of professional football and makes it a reality. After reading this novel, readers will understand how difficult and dangerous the sport is. Im sure Rough & Tumble will be a touchdown for Mark Bavaro just like the ones he caught for the Giants.” --Joe Thiesmann, former Washington Redskins Pro Bowl quarterback and Super Bowl XVII champion
“Buckle up your chin strap and get ready to be smashed in the mouth—this is an explosive novel for anyone who thinks pro football is all about money, celebrities and fame. Rough & Tumble is a timely novel that shows the high costs of playing Americas game.” --Phil McConkey, former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl Champion
“A terrific novel. Its realistic, groundbreaking and with some of the best football scenes youll ever read. Rough & Tumble is a must for fans of the NFL who want to feel what its like to play professional football, and for anyone interested in reading a great sports story with heart.” --Mike Golic, former NFL defensive lineman and co-host of ESPN Radios Mike and Mike in the Morning.
"Riveting! The East Rutherford Forty equivalent of North Dallas Forty." --Steve Serby, New York Post sports columnist
Synopsis
Written by former NFL tight end Bavaro, "Rough & Tumble" is the gritty and dramatic novel of a season in the life of a professional football player as he navigates the brutal world of the NFL.
Synopsis
Inspired by his years shedding blood and sweat playing in the National Football League, Rough & Tumble is Mark Bavaros novel about the brutal world of the NFL—and a classic sports story of one mans determination and grit.
About the Author
MARK BAVARO is widely considered one of the toughest, most idiosyncratic athletes ever to play in the NFL and one of the best tight ends of all time. He played college football at Notre Dame, graduated in 1985, and was drafted by the Giants where he stayed through the 1990 season and played for Bill Parcells and alongside Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor. He also played with the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1986 and 1987 and was a pivotal member of the New York Giants during their Super Bowl XXI and XXV wins. He lives in Massachusetts.