Life & Football

by Jonathan Brown

'I broke some bones and I copped some head knocks. But if I had my time again I would not change a thing.' Three premierships, three club best-and-fairests, two All Australian selections and a Coleman Medal: Jonathan Brown knows footy, and he has stories to tell. Browny grew up around country football clubs and could swear like a trooper by the age of four. By the time he was taken by the Brisbane Lions under the father-son rule, he'd developed the ability to train (and party) hard. At twenty, he'd already claimed a starring role in the Lions' golden era under Leigh Matthews. In his fifteen years playing football at AFL level, Browny earned the respect of the entire football community for his fearlessness, his imposing style of play and his strong leadership. He reveals what goes on behind the scenes at an elite football club, the sacrifices made in pursuit of success and what it was like to pull the plug on the career he loved. One of the best power forwards of the last decade and a great character, Jonathan Brown has become the people's champion. This is his story, warts and all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2015

Reviews

[Sean Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times Brown is quite willing to divulge a few football secrets, especially when it comes to Brendan Fevola's short time in the Lions - but he is reticent to discuss the mouthy annoying misogynistic homophobic elephant in the room (aka Jason Akermanis). Seriously, for the amount of years he played with the man there is barely any mention of him.

Maybe that is telling in itself? I don't know, but I would have loved some anecdotes about how much of a dick he truly was.

[Lachie · Rating 5 out of 5]

now i know much more about my old faveourite player because he tells you about hois life

[CF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could have played footy forever - Jonathan Brown

A brilliant read detailing Browny's life from Warrnambool right up to the big league in AFL. He not only talks about his love for footy but also his other passions such as cricket and greyhounds.

In footy, Browny suffered some absolutely horrendous injuries, and he doesn't sugarcoat them here, they are all laid out bare, not only from his perspective, but also from that of his family and friends who saw it first hand.

Having to get back to footy after all of his injuries got harder and harder for him and the mental and physical struggle is shown here, no holds barred.

Browny also goes into detail about the highs and lows at the Brisbane Lions. A much embattled club now, but in the early 2000s was flying high after playing in 4 grand finals and winning three of them in a row.

This is a really good book with some awesome funny stories and the tone is perfect. Great addition to any footy fans collection.

[Alison Orue · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Life and Football" by Jonathan Brown is a deeply insightful and heartfelt memoir that transcends the typical sports autobiography. Brown, a former professional footballer, delivers a candid exploration of his life, both on and off the pitch, offering readers an intimate look at the trials and triumphs that have shaped his journey.

From the outset, Brown’s narrative is engaging and relatable. He begins by detailing his humble beginnings, painting a vivid picture of his early years and the challenges he faced growing up. His passion for football is evident, and he skilfully intertwines his personal story with the evolution of his career. This balance between personal anecdotes and professional milestones is one of the book’s strongest points, providing a comprehensive view of Brown not just as an athlete but as a human being.

The book delves into the highs and lows of Brown’s career with unflinching honesty. He shares exhilarating moments of victory and the crushing weight of defeat, capturing the emotional rollercoaster that defines a professional sports career. What sets this memoir apart is Brown’s willingness to discuss the often-overlooked aspects of being a professional athlete, including the mental health challenges, the pressure to perform, and the struggle to find identity outside of the sport.

Brown’s writing is both sincere and reflective, and he does not shy away from addressing controversial topics. He offers a critical perspective on the football industry, discussing issues such as the commercialization of the sport, the influence of agents, and the disparity in player treatment. His critique is balanced, however, with a deep appreciation for the game and the opportunities it has afforded him.

One of the most compelling parts of the book is Brown’s exploration of life after football. He provides a raw and honest account of the difficulties athletes face when transitioning to life beyond their playing days. His journey of self-discovery and reinvention is inspiring and offers valuable lessons for anyone facing significant life changes.

Throughout the book, Brown’s authenticity shines through. His voice is genuine, and his stories are laced with humour, humility, and wisdom. The memoir is peppered with personal photographs, adding a layer of intimacy and bringing readers closer to his experiences.

"Life and Football" is more than just a sports memoir; it is a poignant and powerful narrative about resilience, growth, and the enduring human spirit.

[Stephen Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Once upon a time there was a boy whose Dad was a footballer. Also his Grandfather. And his uncles. And his cousins. He became a footballer. He was very good at it. The end."

Alright so there's some interesting facts in here for people interested in the Brisbane Lions from 2000 - 2014, and a few interesting stories that give you a good idea of who Jon Brown is and what he's like.

But otherwise I can't recommend this book. This is the fourth sports biography I've read (the others were by Brendan Fevola and Jason Akermanis - spot the pattern?) and by far the weakest, mostly because Jon's just not that interesting a person, and doesn't have much to say.

Fev and Aker were deeply flawed people, and that makes their stories quite moving, and with their own character arcs. Aker also came across as a pretty smart bloke, and of course isn't afraid to make observations on what works in a football club, and what doesn't.

Brown on the other hand...he may just be unwilling to comment or criticise his friends. But with a few rare exceptions (Fev being the best one) he doesn't offer much insight into why the Lions worked in 2001 - 2004, and why everything fell apart from 2005 - 2014. Is Voss to blame? Is Melbourne-centric AFL to blame? Was it just bad luck?

Brown either doesn't know, or he's not saying. Which ultimately makes for pretty insipid reading.

[Matt Farrelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always admired the way that Jonathan Brown played football; a tough and no nonsense approach, and his book is written in a similar style.
The book describes his early days in Victoria where his loves were his grandparents, cricket, greyhounds and football, to his rise as one of the most dominant forwards of the modern era.
To come back from the two horrific injuries he sustained in 2011 was an achievement in itself and to drag an extra three seasons out of a bruised and battered body after that speaks volumes about the man.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Brisbane Lions fan, this book is almost compulsory reading.
As an AFL fan, this book is well worth a read.
As a piece of literature... not so much.

I really enjoyed Brownie's story telling, and it was great to hear the behind the scenes stories of the great premiership run, and the lean years that followed.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really well written story, so interesting. I can't believe how many injuries Jonathan had in his career. He just kept coming back though. Such a great player. Also, some very interesting stories. Great read.