Synopses & Reviews
Before cable television, artificial turf, multimillion-dollar contracts, and Are You Ready for Some Football? pro football players' lives were not much different from those of the fans in the bleachers. Back in football's Golden Era, the game they played was much simpler but far tougher than anything seen today. Y.A. Tittle began his career in that simpler era, when players were expected to play both offense and defense and had to hold off-season jobs to make ends meet. Following a stellar career that lasted from 1948 until 1964, he retired from the game at 38 after starring for the Baltimore Colts, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. Although he was the quarterback in the 49ers' famous million dollar backfield, he is best remembered for his three years in New York and for his willingness to take the field when badly hurt. Y.A. took the Giants to three NFL Championship Games. Tittle's autobiography covers his life beginning with his Marshall, Texas, schoolboy heroics through Louisiana State University up to the professional ranks and the Giants' climactic playoff loss to the Chicago Bears. As he describes the glorious games, the players, and life on the road, Y.A. delivers the kind of personal reporting that football fanatics admire. With the foreword written by his good friend and former teammate Frank Gifford, this lively account of the Hall of Fame member's life and career will appeal to fans of all ages.
Synopsis
The endearing story of perseverance and determination in this autobiography by Y. A. Tittle sheds new light on both the memorable performances he achieved as a football player and the trials and tribulations he faced as he came so close to winning that elusive NFL championship. As the AAFC Rookie of the Year, seven-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All-NFL selection and two-time NFL MVP, the Hall of Fame quarterback certainly holds an incredible individual record of excellence. With his notable humble personality, Tittle lays it all on the line and shares stories and insights about behind-the-scenes moments in the clubhouses and what goes on between teammates as they played together for months at a time each season. From his days as a youth in Marshall, Texas, to a brilliant football career with the LSU Tigers, Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, talented quarterback Y.A. Tittle's love of football is what made him a legend.
About the Author
Y. A. Tittle is a former professional football quarterback who played 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and was traded to the New York Giants in 1961 where he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. In 1962 he played even better, with 33 touchdown passes and a career-high 3,224 yards. A year later, his touchdown stats went up to 36, he completed 60.2% of his passes, and again he was named NFL Player of the Year. Kristine Setting Clark is a feature writer for the San Francisco 49ers' and Dallas Cowboys' Gameday magazine. She has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Legends of the Hall: The Fabulous Fifties; Undefeated, Untied, and Uninvited; St Clair: I'll Take It Raw!; and A Cowboy's Life, about Hall of Fame member Bob Lilly.