{"product_id":"9798216479536","title":"53rd Man Fighting to Make It in the NFL","description":"\u003ch1\u003e53rd Man\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFighting to Make It in the NFL\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eJohn Vampatella\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eSports \u0026amp; Recreation \/ Football\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom \u003ci\u003eBooklist's\u003c\/i\u003e Starred Review: \"This is a book that transcends sports and captures the spirit and will of athletes.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eThe rousing stories of the often-overlooked players who give their blood, sweat, and tears in the hopes of seeing their dreams of playing professional football come true\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Football fans may know all about the superstars of the NFL, but very few know anything at all about the players at the bottom of the rosters--the men just fighting for a spot on the team. Yet the struggles of these players represent what thousands have experienced, from the agony of being dropped to the practice squad to the elation of earning a starting job after years of toiling in anonymity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In \u003ci\u003e53rd Man: Fighting to Make It in the NFL\u003c\/i\u003e, John Vampatella shares stories from across the league of those men whose NFL journeys have taken numerous twists and turns, all in an effort to play the game they love at the highest level. The experiences of three men in particular--Geremy Davis, Matthew Slater, and Austin Carr--reveal behind-the-scenes details of what life is really like in the NFL, working day in and day out in the shadows of the superstars. Their stories uncover the anxiety and excitement of the draft, the challenge to get through camp and make an NFL team, and what it takes to survive and thrive in the league.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e53rd Man \u003c\/i\u003eis about football, but it's also about much more than that. It's about what it takes to succeed, how to overcome obstacles, how to deal with disappointment, how faith can shine a light in the dark and difficult times, and how to make a difference in the lives of others along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eJohn Vampatella\u003c\/b\u003e is the Northeast Regional Director with Athletes in Action, part of the larger mission organization Cru that works with college and professional athletes and coaches. He is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and has broadcast college basketball and football on the radio. Vampatella is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Immigrant\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eFor Good Reason\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Forgotten Game: Game 5, 2004 ALCS, Yankees at Red Sox\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e06 August 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBloomsbury Academic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRowman \u0026amp; Littlefield\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9798216479536\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaperback softback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e232\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight (oz): \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Academic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51333860884620,"sku":"9798216479536","price":20.66,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/getimage_fb4ef5a9-a475-4555-8ecb-67688b83f2d2.jpg?v=1783617165","url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9798216479536","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}