Captain for Life: My Story as a Hall of Fame Linebacker

Retired New York Giants linebacker Carson (Point of Attack: The Defense Strikes Back) traces his development from a high school player confronted with racism and desegregation, to his election to the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Drafted by the Giants in 1976 when they were "one of the laughingstock teams in the NFL," Carson played for 13 seasons and helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl victory. He suffered numerous injuries and was diagnosed with "postconcussion syndrome" after his career ended. He ultimately concluded that the "toll on my body and my brain... was not worth the glory, fame, or the money." Carson's career was clouded by unfortunate off-field incidents in his final season that put him at odds with his team and coach. His story and effort to expose the long-term results of a contact sport could have been enlightening, but an unnecessary reliance on profanity and lingering animosity toward the Giants and the NFL offsets that possibility. (Aug.)