From #1 New York Times bestselling author of TRAVEL TEAM, HEAT, and MILLION-DOLLAR THROW comes a cheer-worthy, family-friendly football novel set amid the Friday Night Lights world of Texas high school football Jake Cullen is a freshman quarterback playing high school football in Texas, the high-pressure land of Friday Night Lights. He is also the brother of Wyatt Cullen, who quarterbacked his team to the Texas State Championship last season--not to mention the son of former NFL quarterback and local legend, Troy Cullen. To be a Cullen in Texas is to be football royalty . . . which leaves 14-year-old Jake in a Texas-sized shadow. Being a good teammate comes naturally to Jake; being a winner and a celebrity does not. Jake may be a Cullen, and he may play quarterback, but he is not his brother or his father. He's just like every other kid: fighting for every ounce of respect, awkward around a pretty girl, in awe of his famous family, and desparate to simultaneously blend in and cast his own shadow. Inspired by the real-life Manning family of quarterbacks and set amid the football-crazy culture of Texas, QB 1 is a coming-of-age story perfect for the fan of MILLION-DOLLAR THROW and HEAT.
“Steve Young is a hero of mine. . . His perseverance, intelligence, and, most of all, grace under pressure, NFL-style, make this book a fascinating read.” —Tom Brady In the most candid and compelling sports memoir since Andre Agassi’s riveting bestseller Open, former San Francisco 49er, Super Bowl champion, NFL MVP, and Hall of Famer Steve Young gives readers an unprecedented and stunning inside look at what it takes to become a super-elite professional quarterback. Steve Young produced some of the most memorable moments in NFL history. But his most impressive victories have been deeply personal ones that were won when no one was watching. His remarkably revealing memoir is the story of a Mormon boy with a 4.0 GPA, a photographic memory, and a severe case of childhood separation anxiety. As an eighth-string quarterback at Brigham Young University, it was doubtful that he would ever see any playing time. But Young became an All-American, finished second in the Heisman voting, and was the top draft choice out of college. Then, after signing the largest contract in sports history, anxiety nearly drove him to walk away from football completely. In short, Young’s quest in life was always about grit. Now, he shares the experience of being inside his helmet while he faces down his toughest adversaries, both on and off the field. “This book is gold.” —Peter King “Intense.” —San Francisco Chronicle “Young’s battles with anxiety make you forget you are reading about a Hall of Famer, and make you root for him at every turn. This is a revealing, honest, compelling book that any fan will enjoy.” —Michael Rosenberg, senior writer, Sports Illustrated
With unparalleled access to Heisman Trophy-winning phenom Johnny Manziel, Bruce Feldman has written a modern-day tale about the making of the next superstars in football's most important position: the quarterback. In the world of modern football, with NFL teams worth more than a billion dollars, no position defines a franchise like the quarterback. The QB is the story of a year in the making of those star players, and of the most significant year in QB development in sport’s history… with the meteoric rise of various quarterback gurus finally coming to light. George Whitfield, profiled in the New Yorker and called the “Quarterback Whisperer,” gets a regular spot on ESPN’s College GameDay, Trent Dilfer, former Super Bowl quarterback, starts his own qb business, Steve Clarkson, another qb maker, gets profiled on 60 minutes, among many others. It is also the year 5’10” Russell Wilson wins the Super Bowl and for the first time in over 60 years a sub-6-foot QB, Johnny Manziel, gets drafted in the first round, forcing NFL power brokers to re-examine how they look at the position—and the game. To tell the story of all that goes on to create the perfect quarterback, bestselling author Bruce Feldman gained unique access to "Johnny Football" (that's Johnny Manziel), George Whitfield and many other players in what has become a specialized and high-stakes business. In the past decade the boom of the private quarterback-coach business, with its pageant-world-for-boys vibe, has changed the position and the game. The QB tells the story of the interlocking paths of the most fascinating characters involved in this secretive world, examining how advanced analysis has taken root in football. Manziel’s portrait is the most intimate look at him yet, detailing all his talents and antics. His guru is a man who has come to be known for making QBs--George Whitfield, unparalleled in the business. And then there is Trent Dilfer, the quarterback who never could get to the superstar level, despite winning the Super Bowl. He is the Salieri to Manziel's Mozart. There is the computer/brain analysis company trying to quantify how playmakers think, the biomechanics expert who saved Drew Brees’s career, and many more fascinating behind-the-scenes looks into this world. Never before has the game so relied on the development of the quarterback. In The QB, the stories of these men illustrate how high the stakes of the quarterback’s game really are, taking readers on a compelling journey into the heart of America's beloved game.
What is an elite NFL QB and what separates that player from the others? One answer is the coach they share. In the recent history of the biggest game on earth, one man is the common thread that connects several of the very best in the sport: Peyton Manning; Ben Roethlisberger; Andrew Luck; and the resurgent Carson Palmer. That coach is Bruce Arians. A larger than life visionary who trained under the tutelage of Bear Bryant, Arians has had a major impact on the development and success of each of these players. For proof beyond the stats, go to the sources. "Bruce is gonna love you when you need some loving, but he's gonna jump on you when you're not doing right." -- Peyton Manning "He coaches the way players want to be coached." -- Ben Roethlisberger "He made players comfortable around him and let everybody have their own personality. He didn't force anybody to be someone they weren't. It may sound a little corny or cheesy, but there's merit to that. I felt comfortable being myself and I felt he had my back." -- Andrew Luck "We're a resilient group. It trickles down from the head coach. I think good teams, really good teams, and hopefully great teams take on their coach's mentality. I think that's what B.A. brings . . . " -- Carson Palmer Known around the game as the 'quarterback whisperer', Arians has an uncanny ability to both personally connect with his quarterbacks and to locate what the individual triggers are for that player to succeed. No two quarterbacks are the same. And yet with Arians they always share success. In this book Arians will explain how he does it.
This book is about the mental game of Quarterbacking. It is written so that any Quarterback or coach at any level can understand and utilize its content. The purpose of this book is to assist the Quarterback in maximizing the mental state of mind so that he can maximize his performance on the field. This playbook is categorized into several different parts. The foundation of this playbook is structured on the three elements of mindfulness: intention, attention, and attitude. You will read about each of the M-QB principles, how they are grouped (Core Mindfulness Principles, Ps of Preparation, and Cs of Competition) and will also learn how to utilize each of the principles within the three elements of mindfulness. Each M-QB principle will cover how and why the principle relates to Quarterbacking. As this playbook progresses, there will be “M-QB Situation” readings, where the Quarterback can read about some things that he might encounter (or have previously encountered) as a Quarterback. The Quarterback will then be asked to digest everything he’s read, write about how he would usually handle such situations, and also what M-QB principles he can apply to better handle the situation better or differently. In this playbook, the Quarterback will also be provided meditations, guided imagery exercises, as well as reminders and solutions that he can apply to help maximize focus and always take back the present moment and effectively handle anything that arises throughout their journey. This playbook will also act as a journal and will have sections where the Quarterback can write, reflect, and evaluate his progress becoming a Mindful Quarterback. In the appendix, there are meditations for pre-practice for each day of the week, goal setting charts, and a weekly/daily reflection log. The appendix will also provide a guide for approaching game time and will provide weekly game time goal setting charts, pre-game meditations, pre-game routine, along with handling in-game situations while in action and on the sideline. The approaching game time area also acts as a journal and will have sections for the Quarterback to write, reflect on, and evaluate his performance as a Mindful Quarterback. In the extras section of the appendix, you will find M-QB guided imagery as well as ways for the Quarterback to handle dealing with pain and unwelcoming weather conditions.
If hit Netflix show CHEER had you hooked, you will love this! 'AN INSTANT FAVOURITE!' Beth Reekles, author of THE KISSING BOOTH Star cheerleader Dallas Bryan has a problem on her hands - and his name is Drayton Lahey. Ever since the hot star quarterback of Archwood High football team hit her car with his motorcycle, he's had the annoying ability to get under her skin. Dallas has been thinking about Drayton way more than she should... in all the ways that she shouldn't. But Dallas has one goal - to pursue her dance-school dreams in California - and no one, not even a green-eyed football god, will stop her. As sparks fly, Dallas begins to wonder whether Drayton could cost her dreams... if he doesn't break her heart first... A fiery, seriously addictive and steamy debut, perfect for fans of The Kissing Booth. ***PRAISE FOR THE QB BAD BOY AND ME*** This book was such a page-turner! It was funny, perfectly paced, and always kept me guessing. An instant favorite!" - Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth "A story filled with tons of plays that will hit you right in the feels." - Anna Todd, New York Times best-selling author of After
Showcasing one of professional football's best players, this book spotlights the life and career of gridiron great Tom Brady. More than just a biography, it relates Brady's story while also establishing his prominent place in NFL history. By examining his skills and statistics in a variety of categories and comparing him to other great quarterbacks-including Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, and more-the guide makes a strong case for Brady as football's best signal caller. Along the way, his best moments as a Patriot are revisited, from championship seasons and his favorite receivers to his relationship with legendary coach Bill Belichick. With detailed sidebars on Brady's celebrity status, fashion sense, much-talked-about hair, and supermodel wife, this is a must-have for faithful New England fans and pro football buffs alike.
