Every Day Counts: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.

by David Pollack, Mark Schlabach

Are you living like every day counts in your life or are you passively surviving the ups and downs of life?

Former NFL player and ESPN college football analyst David Pollack takes listeners on a journey through the principles of resilience and personal growth so that you might not simply survive, but thrive every day, no matter what you face. Pollack played four seasons at Georgia, earning All-American in three of those seasons. In the 2005 NFL draft, he was a first-round selection for the Cincinnati Bengals where he had a promising future in the sport. However, in his second season, he suffered a neck injury that ended his career.

Pollack is no stranger to navigating difficult days, but offers his listeners hope that no matter what situations you find yourself in, you can make the day count by starting right where you are, using what you have, and doing what you can just for today. With compelling personal stories and practical advice, this motivational guide is more than simply a football memoir or self-help book. It inspires listeners to begin anew at any stage in life. Every Day Counts is not just a book—it’s a blueprint for listeners to become the best version of themselves and learning that actions determine their destiny.

200 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tore through this book. It combines things I love: football, family, faith, and leadership. David Pollack is a University of Georgia legend and spent years bringing joy to my Saturdays as a standout on College Game Day.

It is tough to categorize this book by Pollack (with a lot of help, I think, from Mark Schlabach). Is it biography? Is it a diatribe on the current state of college sports? Is it a leadership/motivational book? Is it a Gospel tract? In the end, it is "all of the above." The prose is not literary. It reads simply, succinctly, and popularly. Each chapter is a bit formulaic - but I don't mind that, because I loved the formula. Pollack tells something about his life and then weaves in several Bible verses that inform how he thinks about that season of his life or the lesson that he is highlighting. He uses this writing style very effectively.

Every Day Counts is built around Pollack's idea that we should make every day count. With intentionality, hardwork, and discipline, we need to choose to invest the gift of each day. For him (and for me), that means serving Jesus every day.

While I loved, loved, loved his recounts of his football exploits, the parts of the book that hit me hardest were the chapters that came after his career-ending injury in the NFL. How Pollack talks about his family, his wife, and his ups and downs in media are extremely impactful.

This would be a great book to give to a friend who maybe is not into Jesus or the church but loves college football. Give it to them and set up a time to discuss the book. I think it could be an effective Gospel conversation-starter. Also, parents of younger children can glean a lot from Pollack's chapters about his kids and how he navigates things like cell phone usage and travel sports.

[Scott Monnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. The message of 'Every Day Counts' resonated with me. Attitude, Effort, and Faith......it's a great reminder on how to live life.

[Josh Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn’t like David Pollack. I was sitting in Williams-Brice Stadium on September 14th, 2002 when Pollack became a household name. I remember the confusion in the stadium as the referee held up his arms signaling a Touchdown when none of the 80k plus inside the Stadium saw what happened. I remember being evacuated from the stadium due to a severe thunderstorm (back when that was rare). I remember watching Corey Jenkins pitch the ball to Andrew Pinnock on the 2 yard line and only to drop the ball, and ultimately the game.

Years later I’ve become a fan of Pollack. I love this book, especially how practical it is in putting faith in action. As I read, I found myself realizing I make things far more complicated than I need to…trying to have “arrived” rather than acknowledging I’ll never arrive and be content on working toward being who God wants me to be.

I plan to keep this book handy and go back to it. In the meantime, I want to make every day count. Thanks David Pollack for sharing how you’ve lived your your faith as a son, husband & and a father. Go Cocks!

[Steve Garraty · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong Georgia Bulldogs fan, reading Every Day Counts was a treat simply because it tells the story of one of the greatest Dawgs to ever wear the red and black. But what surprised me most was how much the book challenged me beyond football.

David Pollack's thoughts on faith especially resonated with me. I've always tended to keep my faith private, but his perspective on being called to share it with others gave me something to think about. It was encouraging without feeling preachy, and it prompted some healthy self-reflection.

The chapters about Lindsey's cancer diagnosis also hit close to home. As someone who went through cancer at a young age and later wrote about that experience in my own memoir, I found those pages especially authentic and moving. They captured both the uncertainty and the strength that difficult seasons can reveal.

Whether you're a Georgia fan or not, this is a book about faith, family, perseverance, and keeping the right priorities. For Bulldog fans, the football stories are the icing on the cake. For everyone else, the life lessons are what make this book worth reading.

Thanks for sharing your story David and great writing Mark Schlabach!!!

[Amy Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former football star and former host of ESPN's College Gameday David Pollack shares encouraging and motivating insight into making the most of your life, facing and overcoming challenges. In this book, Pollack uses examples from his life story to show how to make every day count. "Making every day count," explains Pollack, "is more than habits and goals; it's an approach to living to the glory of who God designed you to be." His life is truly a testament to this belief. As a man of great faith, Pollack shares how he met and overcame challenges and change.
Although I might not be the target audience for this book, I enjoyed it very much. It would be a great read for young people, especially those interested anchor involved in sports, or for any sports fan, or anyone wanting to do better in living life well.
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Read.

[Cory Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will give David Pollack a pass for going to UGA. He has a great testimony in this book. I like most of his philosophies about being the best version of yourself.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Day Counts is a convicting read that reminds readers that every day should be lived intentionally for Christ. David Pollack weaves the message that every day counts by showing how he has done this throughout his life, through many difficulties. He shares very personal struggles with the reader, which inspire and challenge. Every Day Counts is highly recommended to those who want to be inspired, challenged, and motivated to see each obstacle in life as a place to grow in Christ.


I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, B & H Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.