Game Changer, by Kirk Cousins

Cousins and Griffin

In the latter half of the last decade, a couple of lightly recruited quarterbacks came to play at colleges that were trying to regain some footing on the football field.  They both led their teams to great seasons, and both became known as team leaders, articulate speakers, and young men guided by their faith.  In the 2012 NFL draft, they were both drafted by the Washington Redskins.  The lives and careers of Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III have some parallels, and now run on the same track in the NFL.

In his new book, Game Changer: Faith, Football, and Finding Your Way, Cousins talks about his life and his faith, and gives the reader insight into his relationship with the real Game Changer, Jesus.  The son of a pastor and church consultant, Cousins has definitely been shaped by his faith and shows a spiritual maturity beyond his years.

Fans of Michigan State football will not be disappointed with Cousins' recounting of his seasons there.  He had some serious letdowns, but turned those into opportunities to grow his faith, and, ultimately, led the Spartans to a couple of their best seasons ever.  I was reminded of the feeling Baylor fans had when RG3 led the Bears to bowl games, two years in a row.

Time will tell whether Cousins has a great NFL career.  At the rate RG3 has started this season, Cousins might have a chance to step up.  In any case, Game Changer shows that his priority is not being in the spotlight leading the team, but in serving Christ, whether on the field, on the sideline, or after football ends. 

RG3, by David Sheinin

There is no question that during his time at Baylor, Robert Griffin III brought Baylor football to a higher level than it had been for decades.  Not since the end of the Grant Teaff era had Baylor fans had much reason to celebrate.  Now, with three consecutive winning seasons, recruiting on the upswing, a new stadium being built, and better and deeper talent than ever, Baylor football looks like it's here to stay.

Could it have happened without RG3?  Maybe.  But probably not.  His talent on the football field was backed by his leadership of the team, his charisma on campus and in front of the camera, and his inspiring back story.  He was the right man at the right time to turn the Baylor program around.  Now Washington Redskins fans have put their hope in RG3 to turn their team around.

This is the story that David Sheinin tells in his new book, RG3: The Promise.  For Baylor fans, RG3's influence continues, but his work is done in Waco.  For Redskins fans, "the promise" describes their outlook for Griffin.  In his rookie season, he won rookie of the year honors while leading Washington to their first playoff berth in years.  But, as Sheinin reminds us with excruciating detail, RG3's knee hobbled their playoff run.  The question is, will the knee be the downfall of RG3 and the crux of a losing bet by the Redskins' leadership, who traded away future picks for the chance to draft Griffin?

RG3 is definitely a fan's book, bordering on hagiography.  Sheinin, a writer for the Washington Post, compiles press accounts and his own observations, as well as interview material from Griffin's friends and family (unfortunately not much from RG3 himself).  You won't find tell-alls and dirt in this book.  I'm not saying there is any dirt, but if there is, Sheinin didn't go looking for it and/or didn't see fit to write it.  The best parts of the book, for me as a Baylor fan, were the recaps of his key games during his Baylor career.  The most painful parts to read, of course, are the reminders that he is human after all, and that his knee is very vulnerable.

It's too early to say if RG3 is going to live up to his hype.  He certainly did at Baylor.  Sheinin points out that RG3 has won the hearts not only of Redskins fans and Baylor fans, but of football and nonfootball fans alike, all over the country.  For RG3 fans, RG3 is definitely worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

Playing with Purpose: Football, by Mike Yorkey

Mike Yorkey, a prolific author who has authored or co-authored dozens of books, has written as series of books discussing the Christian faith of pro athletes.  The newest title in the series, Playing with Purpose: Inside the Lives and Faith of the NFL's Most Intriguing Players--Jared Allen, Colin Kaepernick, Drew Brees, and Others, tells the stories of several NFL stars, some unfamiliar names and some household names.  Yorkey is clearly a guy who loves football, and loves to see guys who love the Lord playing the game.

I enjoyed hearing the back stories of some of these players.  Whether overcoming obstacles in their personal lives or simply living out their faith on a larger-than-average stage, Yorkey reminds us that NFL players are like the rest of us in many ways, living out their faith in a secular world, seeking to find Christian fellowship with co-workers and to be a witness in a workplace full of doubters.

I find it a little hard to feel sorry for the players' having to face such temptations as having to manage the huge piles of cash they earn, and having to fend off the hoards of beautiful women constantly throwing themselves at them.  But the reality is that in that kind of environment, a young man in his 20s playing in the NFL has to have a solid faith and some great support and accountability to remain true to his calling.

Yorkey's writing is straightforward and highly readable.  Playing with Purpose is sure to be a winner especially for young athletes looking for role models.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

On a personal note, NetGalley originally had the following cover and subtitle posted:

Of course, I was hoping to read a bit about RG3's faith.  I don't know if Yorkey wasn't able to get the interviews he wanted, or if there was some other reason not to include RG3.  It may have something to do with the fact that there are not one but two books on RG3 being published this month.  Whatever the case, RG3 on the cover certainly would have helped Yorkey's sales!

Year of the Bear

College football season starts this weekend, my favorite time of the year!  As Baylor heads into the post-RGIII era, the questions abound, but there's no question that 2011-2012 was the Year of the Bear! Starting with the season-opening nail biter at home, a 50-48 win over TCU, then beating OU for the first time ever in another nail biter, and capping off the season with the first bowl win since 1992, RGIII and the Bears were a joy to watch!

Griner, Griffin, Perry Jones III

The fun was just beginning, though!  The women's and men's basketball teams started out their seasons with style.  The men won their first 17 games before they lost, finishing the season 30-8, including their second Elite Eight appearance in 3 years.  The women, led by the incomparable Brittney Griner, rewrote the record books, winning all 40 games and the national championship.  Then baseball set records, winning their first 18 games on their way to a Super Regional appearance, a heart-breaking wild pitch away from the College World Series.

If you follow Baylor sports, none of this is news to you, and if you read the Waco Tribune-Herald, you've read most of the content of Year of the Bear.  But every Baylor sports fan will want this collection, a keepsake of "The Winningest Year in College Sports History."  With articles highlighting the most memorable moments of the Year of the Bear, and fabulous pictures capturing those moments, this book will help you relive this great year.  Baylor fans, I'm not saying we'll never have another year like this one, but this year has been really special for us.  We've heard the insults, endured the slurs, ridden the bottom ten, and sat through miserable losses.  Now when someone starts to denigrate Baylor sports, you can say, "Wait a minute, let me tell you about the Year of the Bear," and pull out this book for proof of the greatest year Baylor has ever seen--so far!

Sic 'em, Bears!