From Publishers Weekly
Bradshaw, former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and now a television commentator, is funny, honest and apparently without airs. In this book, written with Fisher (The Umpire Strikes Back; Gracie), he freely discusses his childhood, religion, playing days and his post-football life. Bradshaw doesn't carry much baggage; he recognizes that he's had an enviable life. Perhaps his biggest challenge has been ADD; he always found school and reading difficult. While Bradshaw did go to LSU largely because of his ability as a football player he was teased mercilessly about his low grades and his inability to read well. He admits that it was painful at the time, but instead of dwelling on it, Bradshaw simply put more of his efforts into his sport. And, when he left the game, he says, "Once I accepted the fact that I could no longer play, I never looked back.... That's my form of emotional protection. It's the way I survive." Perhaps the most engaging sections of the book are near the end, when Bradshaw discusses his television stints, including some notable failures of his shows. Again, he's so straightforward about admitting that he was playing with the real pros that readers will laugh along with him. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Bradshaw is an Emmy Award-winning sports analyst with the Fox Network's NFL Sunday. However, his true claim to fame is his two Super Bowl MVP awards, earned with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is, without a doubt, one of the best quarterbacks ever to have played in the National Football League. Written with the assistance of best-selling author David Fisher, this autobiography traces the former NFL star's life from his youth, college, and pro football days, through three divorces, to his success as a sports broadcaster. This title is a revealing, honest look at a personality whom many see only as the jovial football commentator on Sunday. On the contrary, Bradshaw comes across as a hardworking, motivated man who takes his career, Christianity, renewed family commitment, and the game of football seriously. An insightful tale readers will enjoy; recommended for public libraries. Larry R. Little, Penticton P.L., BC Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Bradshaw, who quarterbacked the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl championships in the 1970s, is currently one of the studio hosts for the Fox network's National Football League broadcasts. His good-ol'-country-boy schtick is popular with many but drives others to distraction. This memoir is for those who fondly recall his swashbuckling, on-field exploits and find his self-deprecating humor amusing. In fact, the humor may work better on the page than it does on the air. Bradshaw and coauthor Fisher nod at the quarterback's high-school and college years and don't pick up speed until they turn to the Steelers. Bradshaw speaks frankly about Pittsburgh coach Chuck Noll, who earns his respect but not his affection, and he offers a thoroughly wacky account of the infamous "Immaculate Reception." He also reflects on his less-than-stellar forays into talk radio, acting, and the music business. Bradshaw takes his religion and his family seriously, but everything and everyone else is fair game. Expect appearances on talk shows to help promote this undeniably charming sports memoir. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
Library Journal A revealing, honest look at a personality whom many see only as the jovial football commentator on Sunday....An insightful tale readers will enjoy.


Book Description
This is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of Terry Bradshaw: the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls -- and the man who later became America's most popular sports broadcaster.IT'S ONLY A GAME"I had a real job once," begins a memoir as honest, unexpected, and downright hysterical as Bradshaw himself. From his humble beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana, to his success as the centerpiece of the highest-rated football studio show in television history, Terry has always understood the importance of hard work. A veritable jack-of-all-trades, he has probably held more jobs than any other football Hall of Famer ever: pipeline worker, youth minister, professional singer, actor, television and radio talk show host, and now one of the nation's most popular speakers.But let's not forget one of the reasons why so many people know and love Terry Bradshaw: he won four Super Bowls! In It's Only A Game, Terry brings the reader right into the huddle and describes the game from the bottom of a two-ton pile to the top of the sports world. You'll sit right on the fifty-yard line and watch as Terry earns the title world's greatest benchwarmer. And you'll also hear about the single greatest play in pro football -- the Immaculate Reception -- as he never saw it.It's Only A Game is much more than a collection of Terry Bradshaw's favorite and funniest stories, it is the personal account of a great man's search for life before and after football...as only Terry could tell it.


Download Description
This is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of Terry Bradshaw: the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls -- and the man who later became America's most popular sports broadcaster.


About the Author
Terry Bradshaw was a four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is currently co-host of Fox NFL Sunday.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The irreverent, unpredictable cohost of NFL Sunday gets personal in It's Only a Game. From his childhood in Louisiana to his 14 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bradshaw's funny, candid autobiography is a must-read for football fans. Bradshaw has had a variety of experiences off the field, from recording music to starring in movies, but his major activity outside of the football realm has been motivational speaking, for which he is particularly well suited owing to his great sense of humor, strong religious faith, and resilient character. Bradshaw's memoir -- a down-to-earth book about the game he loves and the often difficult life he has led -- makes it easy to see why he is such a favorite with sports fans all over the country.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

You could call him a Renaissance man—if you were so inclined. And why wouldn't you be? After all, not only is Terry Bradshaw one of America's most beloved football stars, he's a four-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Famer, well-known television personality, Emmy winner, actor, singer, husband, father, inspirational speaker, and more!

Honest, jovial, and self-deprecating, Bradshaw's irreverent personality is fully reflected in this down-to-earth look at his life and loves, and his losses and triumphs. This incredible autobiography captures his fourteen years on the gridiron with the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as his failures and successes in front of and away from the camera.

It's Only a Game covers Bradshaw's humble beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana, and follows him to Louisiana Tech—where he set the single-season records for passing and total offense and led to his being picked first in the 1970 NFL draft. From there, Bradshaw developed into one of the most prolific quarterbacks in history, taking the Pittsburgh Steelers to six Super Bowls, securing his spot in the Pro Football League Hall of Fame, and allowing his peers and fans to hear one of the most hilarious and heartwarming induction speeches ever made.

Always unpredictable, never boring, the charming co-host of Fox's two-time Emmy-winning NFL Sunday continues to forge ahead, breathing excitement into whatever he does. And he's making new fans wherever he goes—recently being voted most popular sports broadcaster on television by the readers of TV Guide.

Whether he's recording gospel or country-western music, starring in commercials, or yukking it up in the broadcast booth, Bradshaw is meeting life head-on and making the most of it.

SYNOPSIS

You could call him a Renaissance man￯﾿ﾽif you were so inclined. And why wouldn't you be? After all, not only is Terry Bradshaw one of America's most beloved football stars, he's a four-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Famer, well-known television personality, Emmy winner, actor, singer, husband, father, inspirational speaker, and more!

Honest, jovial, and self-deprecating, Bradshaw's irreverent personality is fully reflected in this down-to-earth look at his life and loves, and his losses and triumphs. This incredible autobiography captures his fourteen years on the gridiron with the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as his failures and successes in front of and away from the camera.

It's Only a Game covers Bradshaw's humble beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana, and follows him to Louisiana Tech￯﾿ﾽwhere he set the single-season records for passing and total offense and led to his being picked first in the 1970 NFL draft. From there, Bradshaw developed into one of the most prolific quarterbacks in history, taking the Pittsburgh Steelers to six Super Bowls, securing his spot in the Pro Football League Hall of Fame, and allowing his peers and fans to hear one of the most hilarious and heartwarming induction speeches ever made.

Always unpredictable, never boring, the charming co-host of Fox's two-time Emmy-winning NFL Sunday continues to forge ahead, breathing excitement into whatever he does. And he's making new fans wherever he goes￯﾿ﾽrecently being voted most popular sports broadcaster on television by the readers of TV Guide.

Whether he's recording gospel or country-western music, starring in commercials, or yukking it up in the broadcast booth, Bradshaw is meeting life head-on and making the most of it.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Bradshaw, former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and now a television commentator, is funny, honest and apparently without airs. In this book, written with Fisher (The Umpire Strikes Back; Gracie), he freely discusses his childhood, religion, playing days and his post-football life. Bradshaw doesn't carry much baggage; he recognizes that he's had an enviable life. Perhaps his biggest challenge has been ADD; he always found school and reading difficult. While Bradshaw did go to LSU largely because of his ability as a football player he was teased mercilessly about his low grades and his inability to read well. He admits that it was painful at the time, but instead of dwelling on it, Bradshaw simply put more of his efforts into his sport. And, when he left the game, he says, "Once I accepted the fact that I could no longer play, I never looked back.... That's my form of emotional protection. It's the way I survive." Perhaps the most engaging sections of the book are near the end, when Bradshaw discusses his television stints, including some notable failures of his shows. Again, he's so straightforward about admitting that he was playing with the real pros that readers will laugh along with him. (Aug.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal