Synopses & Reviews
Brian Kinchen was a thirty-eight-year-old father of four and seventh-grade Bible teacher whose professional football career had been over for three years when he received the call of a lifetime. The New England Patriots needed him to fill in for their injured long snapper for the remainder of the 2003 season and the playoffs. In the hands of Pulitzer Prize-winner Jeffrey Marx, Brians remarkable true story becomes a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit. For all lovers of the game of football, The Long Snapper reveals the grit and glory of Americas favorite sport.
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“A compelling read.” Houston Chronicle
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“Jeffrey Marx captures a remarkable story, and reveals a very human athlete with faith, doubt, and an underappreciated skill. The Long Snapper would be marvelous fiction; that this account is the ultimate truth is its great joy.” Bob Ley, ESPN
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“Youll find yourself asking some core questions about what matters and what doesnt...Marx tells the tale with simple eloquence.” Cincinnati Enquirer
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“A great story.” Vinny Testaverde
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“A moving-right-along recounting of one of those odysseys that screams to be made into a movie. It is much, much more than your conventional “sports book.”” Philadelphia Inquirer
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“The Long Snapper is an inspirational and compelling tale of New England Patriot Brian Kinchens journey from seventh grade Bible studies teacher to Super Bowl champion.” New Orleans Times Picayune
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“A page-turner that succinctly captures the true-life story of football player Brian Kinchen.” Chicago Tribune
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“The book is a lesson about achieving your dreams, and realizing that what youve sought all along was right in front of you the whole time.” Fellowship of Christian Athletes
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“Dont we all long for one last chance? Dont we all dream to do it over again? Anybody who has ever had those pangs will love Jeffrey Marxs beautiful and uplifting story about a guy who had opportunity dropped into his lap.” Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated
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“A real-life inspirational story of a young man .... Kinchens unexpected opportunity was wonderful on its own but more so because it clarified what was truly valuable in his life: marriage, family, and teaching. Nicely done, with plenty of insider football action.” Booklist
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“Jeffrey Marx has done it again, only better than ever. The improbable story of Brian Kinchen blooms in Marxs gifted hands. Thoughtful and inspiring, The Long Snapper is a quite simply a joy to behold.” Rick Telander, Chicago Sun Times
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“Jeffrey Marx tells Kinchens story with wit and grace, spotlighting a position often lost in the NFL trenches.” Sports Illustrated
About the Author
Jeffrey Marx is the New York Times bestselling author of Season of Life and recipient of the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. This is his fifth book. He has also written for numerous publications including Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, Time, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and The Baltimore Sun. Marx lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.