It's How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America's Finest

by Brian Kilmeade

You don't have to be a star athlete to take away valuable lessons from the world of sports—whether it's learning how to get along with others, to never give up, to be gracious in victory and defeat, even knowing when to throw in the towel. Each interview conducted by Brian Kilmeade reveals personal stories of the defining sports moments in the lives of athletes, CEOs, actors, politicians, and historical figures. Men and women, pros and amateurs alike, explain how the discipline and rules they learned on the field prepared them to handle life and overcome adversity with dignity and sportsmanship. Some of the world's greatest athletes share their insights learned through the sweat of competition, the tears of defeat, and the heady excitement of victory—from the elation of future NFL star quarterback Terry Bradshaw on the day he threw his first perfect spiral after weeks of trying, to the scary day a determined young model named Beth Ostrosky got her front teeth knocked out in a high school basketball game, and the unusual turn of events that kept her in the contest. Surprising, entertaining, and always imparting an important life lesson, It's How You Play the Game features more than ninety anecdotes and vignettes from men and women such as wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and gymnast Kerri Strug, historical figures Abraham Lincoln and General George Patton, grassroots greats Rudy Ruettiger of Notre Dame and Coach Ken Carter, and many more. These recollections are sure to benefit any reader, whether an aspiring athlete or a sideline sports fan—it's the ideal gift for kids of all ages. As Kilmeade writes, "Regardless of who you are, what era you played, what sport you chose, or how much success you achieved, playing the game is all about getting you ready for life. Winning or losing has little to do with who you will become. Instead, it's how you prepared for the game that determines whether you'll be a winner or loser in life." So while the games do count—in life as in sports, it's how you play the game that matters.

Genres: Sports, History, Nonfiction, Biography

367 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

As cohost of FOX & Friends, the number one rated morning program on cable television for the past nine years, Brian Kilmeade shares his unique perspective on the daily news. He has interviewed the biggest names in politics, sports and entertainment, often securing exclusive content.

Kilmeade played a large part in FOX ís coverage of September 11th, as well as coverage including reporting from war zones in the middle east and over a dozen military bases from coast to coast. In addition, he has contributed live coverage of both the Democratic and Republican Party Conventions.

Also serving as the networks sports anchor, Kilmeade has reported on or provided live coverage of every major American sport over the last twenty years.

Currently, he is the host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show on FOX News Radio, Kilmeade & Friends. The show is heard on 80 stations, as well as XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Kilmeade’s first book, The Games Do Count: America’s Best & Brightest On The Power Of Sports (2004), was The New York Times best-seller and presents more than seventy stories straight from America’s top leaders and those who were closest to them. Kilmeade reveals this simple and compelling truth: America’s best and brightest haven’t just worked hard—they’ve played hard, too.

His companion volume, It’s How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America’s Finest (2007), reveals personal stories of the defining sports moments in the lives of athletes, CEOs, actors, politicians, and historical figures—and how what they learned on the field prepared them to handle life and overcome adversity with courage, dignity, and sportsmanship. Sports Illustrated said of it, “This book taught me more about some of my favorite leaders than any profile of them I had ever read.”

A graduate of Long Island University, Kilmeade began his career as a correspondent on Channel One, a daily national high school television news program. He then served as an anchor and host for KHSC-TV in Ontario, California. Brian also hosted sports talk radio for top rated XTRA-AM 690 whose duties included co-hosting The Jim Brown Show.

Prior to joining FOX News Channel, Kilmeade served as a freelance sports anchor for NBC in Hartford, as well as a sideline reporter for the MSG Network, where he covered the New York/New Jersey Metro-Stars, a major league soccer team based in Giants Stadium. He worked as a feature reporter and anchor for Newsport TV, where he hosted Newsport Journal, a daily magazine show for the national sports network. He also anchored Scoreboard Central, a live half-hour general sports program.

In addition to his career in journalism, Kilmeade has 10 years of experience as a stand-up comedian. He lives in Massapequa with his family, where he still coaches soccer.

Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my third journey into the writings of Brian Kilmeade, and I very much enjoyed the book as I did the others. There were many included in the book whom I had never heard of, while others with whom I had at least a small inkling of name recognition. The stories were awe-inspiring and very encouraging, which is mission-accomplished in regard to the book's purpose. I am looking forward to reading the author's book titled The Games Do Count. Please read this book for its uplifting nature and garner tips on how to approach life a little differently.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminds me of student essays: too many examples not addressed deeply enough. So many times when one of the "interviewees" mentioned some point that I wanted a follow-up "question" (not sure if these were actual interviews or just emailed responses compiled later), and far too many italicized "comments and questions" where the "interviewer" gets in the way or makes some trite or cliched blurb. Oh, by the way, guess who is the 91st and final person in the book? For someone who kept writing about how he wasn't the focus, the author conveniently inserts himself among these "powerful sports moments" and individuals. There's a lesson to be learned here, kids and parents!

[Anna Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the not so obvious people he often chose to feature. Overall I enjoyed learned about these individuals and how sports helped to shape them even if they did not become famous players.

My issue with the book was that it was dry and tedious at times. It would often feel like the author was stretching to make a point out of example that wasn't there. I would have enjoyed a few more women featured as well. There wasn't a single women featured that wasn't a famous athlete.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written to inspire

[Kristin Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

[Adam Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting book. It was fun to read about the importance of sports in a variety of peoples lives and the lessons that sports had taught them.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its How You Play the Game is a very inspirational book for not only sports fans, but anyone with an urge to succeed. The book consists of about 100 interviews with athletes, politicians and even TV personalities, on their past experiences participating in organized sports. The subjects in each interview are: people who inspired them to work harder, family influences and most importantly how to bounce back from a loss.

This book is very uplifting because it shows how people we look up to everyday were not born superstars, they had to earn it just like all of us. I will be able to apply all of these lessons in my life, whether it is sports, or the world of business. Although each interview is short, they all pack a big punch. One aspect of the book I really enjoyed was how not all of the interviews were of superstars, they were of athletes who might have only played professionally for a short period of time or successful people who ended up choosing a completely different career.

[Scott Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was another interesting compilation by Brian Kilmeade of quite a variety of people who all used sports in their future (non-sport) careers. Each entry was again short (2-5 pages). At times it was interesting, but many people had the same "started as a kid, had a hard time, was determined" type of story, so it got a little repetitive. I found myself skimming over a few sections because of the repetitiveness. Fortunately, the book was written such that the reader could move on from the less interesting people to the more intriguing people (aka John Wayne). An interesting read mostly, but again a little stale in parts too... (less) [edit]

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to pick up anytime and read a page or two. Good people, good stories.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, Isabelle and I are reading it together. It could use more stories about women.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but very, VERY dense.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Brian. I actually thought this one was better than "The Games Do Count". Great interviews

[Nathan Ervin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to his previous book. It gave short glimpses into the lives of different athletes and famous people. It allows us to connect with them and see how sports has had a life long lasting effect.

[Kady · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is basically the same story told over and over...gave up about half way through