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The Long Snapper: A Second Chance, a Super Bowl, a Lesson for Life | 
| Author: Jeffrey Marx
Publisher: HarperOne
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy Used: $2.12
as of 7/29/2010 20:49 PDT details
You Save: $22.87 (92%)
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Seller: thriftit
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 240697
Media: Hardcover
Edition: First edition/first printing
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.7 x 1
ISBN: 0061691399
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.332092
EAN: 9780061691393
ASIN: 0061691399
Publication Date: September 1, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Brian Kinchen was a thirty-eight-year-old husband, father of four, and seventh-grade Bible teacher whose professional football career had been over for three years when the New England Patriots called on December 15, 2003. With the Patriots riding a ten-game winning streak and the playoffs only a few weeks away, they needed a fill-in for the obscure but vital job of snapping the ball for their punter and kicker—a long snapper. Brian had received similar invitations to tryouts that yielded only disappointment—the teams always went with a younger guy. But could he really turn away from the chance of a lifetime? The Long Snapper chronicles Brian's remarkable journey as he and the Patriots seek the ultimate trophy. Unfortunately, the dream come true turns into a personal nightmare as Brian struggles both on and off the field, and the pressure to perform on the biggest stage in professional sports nearly causes him to walk away. Seven weeks after leaving the classroom, however, Brian overcomes his greatest fear and snaps the ball on the historic game-winning field goal with only seconds left in the Super Bowl. As told by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jeffrey Marx, The Long Snapper is the story of a man who finally achieves the success he has always wanted. Brian Kinchen's championship ring is a powerful status symbol for all to see. But his journey forces him to reexamine what really matters, and he realizes the true measure of a man has nothing to do with status: life is not about prestige; it is about passion and purpose. It is about impacting the lives of others.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
An interesting story from the fringes of the NFL July 19, 2010
Robert Neely (Moore, SC United States)
Marx hit the best seller list a few years ago with Seasons of Life, a book about a high school football team. In this book, Marx tells the story of Brian Kinchen, who came back after a three-year absence to fill in as the long snapper on the 2003 New England Patriots for the final two weeks of the regular season and the run to the Super Bowl. Marx tries to imbue tension in Kinchen's struggles as a 38-year-old long snapper, and while that comes off as melodramatic at times, it reflects Kinchen's honest thoughts and doubts throughout. That makes it an interesting read about the periphery of the NFL.
 Nice Guy, But Not Very Compelling Book June 23, 2010
D. Scott (Athens, GA USA)
Brian Kinchen, a tight end and long snapper, leaves a career in professional football after not being picked up and teaches at a Christian school in his home state of Louisiana. One day a few years later he gets a call from the New England Patriots in the middle of a season. They need an experienced long snapper for their upcoming playoff run, and offer Kinchen a tryout. Brian, looking to his faith for guidance, eventually gets the job and lives the dream at age 38 of getting a second chance at football and playing in the Super Bowl.
For those who do not know, a long snapper is a football specialist who hikes the ball during punts and field goal attempts during games. It is a skill not many possess, and is much more difficult than it sounds. During critical moments, the entire game literally is in the hands of the long snapper. One poor snap at the wrong time in a game and the ball can go sailing past the punter or holder, leading to a deciding score by the other team. As the Super Bowl approaches, Kinchen develops a bad case of the "yips," so familiar to many golfers who suddenly develop problems sinking the shortest of putts. It is a mental block, and Brian tries everything to recover his lost form, eventually trusting in his faith in God and the power of prayer.
The Long Snapper is readable enough, and you genuinely want things to work out for Kinchen. He sends fun and inspirational videos back home to his students during the football season, and he describes in detail an often forgotten and yet critical position in the game of football. The story suffers, however, from long passages where Kinchen "testifies," professing his faith in God. There is nothing wrong with this if you are a devotee of faith-based literature, but other readers may want to look elsewhere. Author Jeffrey Marx, who won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting, has put forth better efforts.
 Second Chance June 12, 2010
Jary Welker (Phoenix, AZ)
The story of Brian Kinchen is inspiring. It illustrates the power of focus and determination and that we are never too old to accomplish our goals. A great read and excellent gift.
 Another Rookie March 15, 2010
Sacramento Book Review (Sacramento, CA)
//The Long Snapper// would be a charming true story except that we've read and seen it before. In the book and film //The Rookie// (the movie starred Dennis Quaid), we were told the true story of Jim Morris, a professional baseball player who becomes a school teacher when his athletic career is over. Years pass before he's suddenly contacted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who want him to try out for a pitching opening. He's undecided but his students encourage him to take the try-out, and this "rookie" returns to "the Show."
Take the exact same story and substitute the football player Brian Kinchen for Morris. Kinchen played pro football for 12 years before losing his job and becoming a school teacher. Two years pass and then guess what? Oh, yes, the same thing that happened in //The Rookie//. Except that Kinchen is invited to try out for a team that's two wins away from the Super Bowl.
You can probably guess what the ending is going to be. Does our hero come through in the Big Game? The climax will only surprise those who haven't seen //Hoosiers//, //The Bad News Bears//, //Invincible// or //Remember the Titans//.
Reviewed by Joseph Arellano
Even Belichick Likes This Guy March 7, 2010
John McLaughlin (Pittsfield MA)
Jeffrey Marx tells us the remarkable story of 38 year old Brian Kinchen, the long snapper. From his improbable journey from 7th grade religion teacher to the super bowl in a matter of months, Kinchen is an easy person to root for. A great family man, wonderfull husband, and a world class athlete. He has been given a chance from out of the blue to play the sport he loves one final time, and to leave the game on his terms.
I really would have given this book 5 stars if the author didn't focus so much on the religous beliefs of Kinchen. Obviously faith plays a prominent role in his life, but I would have preffered to read more about the football side of things. Especially when you think about what a crucial role he played in such a historical play in the super bowl.
The book is an easy read that should be worth your time. This book was not as Seasons of Life, but it was a solid effort.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
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