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The Point After: How One Resilient Kicker Learned There Was More to Life Than the NFL
"The Point After is an inspirational read about grit, determination and a refusal to give up on a dream." - SB Nation
"The Point After is a must-read for NFL fans. Perhaps more importantly, the book offers a humanizing perspective of life after football and the difficulties of finding your way as an ex-athlete." - The Sporting News
The Point After is an all-access look at the NFL, one of the most intense workplaces in sports—and an inspiring story of everything that comes after.
Part curiosity, part lone wolf, the starting kicker is one of the most contentious positions in the NFL. With only one kicker on every roster, it's also one of the most competitive.
From the age of eight, Sean Conley dreamed of standing before eighty thousand fans with his team's victory balanced upon his right foot. An underdog from the start, Conley overcame impossible odds to become the starting kicker for the University of Pittsburgh and a year later, suited up for the Detroit Lions. After joining the New York Jets he found himself at the pinnacle of his profession, attempting to unseat a proven NFL veteran for one of just 28 coveted spots in the National Football League. It was at this dizzying height that his quest was met with an obstacle no amount of denial or tenacity would overcome.
Peppered with stories and insights from coaches like Bill Cowher, game veterans and Hall-of-Famers including Barry Sanders and Dan Marino, The Point After is an intimate invitation into the cutthroat world of professional sports, and the deeper wisdom that can only be found through success, failure, and ultimately, spiritual grit.
"The Point After is a must-read for NFL fans. Perhaps more importantly, the book offers a humanizing perspective of life after football and the difficulties of finding your way as an ex-athlete." - The Sporting News
The Point After is an all-access look at the NFL, one of the most intense workplaces in sports—and an inspiring story of everything that comes after.
Part curiosity, part lone wolf, the starting kicker is one of the most contentious positions in the NFL. With only one kicker on every roster, it's also one of the most competitive.
From the age of eight, Sean Conley dreamed of standing before eighty thousand fans with his team's victory balanced upon his right foot. An underdog from the start, Conley overcame impossible odds to become the starting kicker for the University of Pittsburgh and a year later, suited up for the Detroit Lions. After joining the New York Jets he found himself at the pinnacle of his profession, attempting to unseat a proven NFL veteran for one of just 28 coveted spots in the National Football League. It was at this dizzying height that his quest was met with an obstacle no amount of denial or tenacity would overcome.
Peppered with stories and insights from coaches like Bill Cowher, game veterans and Hall-of-Famers including Barry Sanders and Dan Marino, The Point After is an intimate invitation into the cutthroat world of professional sports, and the deeper wisdom that can only be found through success, failure, and ultimately, spiritual grit.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2020
About the author
Sean Conley
6 books22 followersEx-NFL kicker Sean Conley (Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets) suffered career-ending injuries from overtraining. He began practicing yoga as part of his rehabilitation, and soon embraced yoga’s mindfulness, meditation, and philosophy as a new life direction.
Now a yoga teacher himself, he owns Amazing Yoga in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife. His new book is The Point After: How One Resilient Kicker Learned There Was More to Life Than the NFL (Lyons Press, 2020). Learn more at seanconley.net
Now a yoga teacher himself, he owns Amazing Yoga in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife. His new book is The Point After: How One Resilient Kicker Learned There Was More to Life Than the NFL (Lyons Press, 2020). Learn more at seanconley.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 3, 2021
I'll be honest this is not a book I would normally pick up. Why? Mostly because I'm not a sports fan of any kind. But when Sean reached out and told me about his book, I was intrigued because although sports are not my thing, stories of resilience absolutely are my thing. This is a story about dreaming big, being scrappy and most of all being resilient when life throws you curve balls.
I was hooked in the prologue (named the pregame, love the creative title), it grabbed me immediately, I felt the excitement, the thrill of the game as Sean faced off against Notre Dame in college. I also could feel the immense pressure on the players. It felt so intense. The stress would level me. As if the stress on their bodies wasn't enough, the emotional toll it takes seemed far worse.
This book chronicles Sean's journey, his life spent with his eyes on the NFL
It's a story of determination and resilience. It's also a love story. And finally it's a story of heartbreak and loss and how you move forward when the things that matter are taken from you.
I am so moved by this story and I am grateful that Sean shared it with the world.
Thank you to the author, Sean Conley, and Lyon's Press, for my gifted copy.
I was hooked in the prologue (named the pregame, love the creative title), it grabbed me immediately, I felt the excitement, the thrill of the game as Sean faced off against Notre Dame in college. I also could feel the immense pressure on the players. It felt so intense. The stress would level me. As if the stress on their bodies wasn't enough, the emotional toll it takes seemed far worse.
This book chronicles Sean's journey, his life spent with his eyes on the NFL
It's a story of determination and resilience. It's also a love story. And finally it's a story of heartbreak and loss and how you move forward when the things that matter are taken from you.
I am so moved by this story and I am grateful that Sean shared it with the world.
Thank you to the author, Sean Conley, and Lyon's Press, for my gifted copy.
May 23, 2021
I love football. It has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was told that my favorite player when I was a wee little one was Jerry Rice. This was somewhat of a disappointment to my father who is a die-hard Cowboys fan. 😂😂😂
The main thing I've always been curious about is the behind the scenes...the roads traveled...and both the mental and physical strength needed to make it to the NFL. What do players feel? How do they even GET to the NFL. If this book is any indication of normalcy ... whew 😥
The Point After follows Sean Conley on his quest to make it to the NFL. Kickers are usually discarded as not as important as the rest of the team. At least that's what I've heard from all the armchair coaches and referees. 😂😂
Sean's story, however, shows there is so much more to the special fields teams than I ever knew. The way he explains the positions that anchor and support his was eye opening. I loved learning every bit of it.
The punishment these players put their bodies through...I can only imagine. The pain they play through, work around, and fake not having. The mental anguish and stress of being good enough. What a harsh business to be in.
Sean's courage, his love for family, and the peace he ultimately finds within himself (mind and body) is inspiring. His wife Karen is amazing and I love that he added so much of her to his story. She is his support, his friend...his rock.
Even if you're not a football fan this one is worth the read. It's not so much about football itself, but the drive, determination, and renewal of mind and spirit.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
The main thing I've always been curious about is the behind the scenes...the roads traveled...and both the mental and physical strength needed to make it to the NFL. What do players feel? How do they even GET to the NFL. If this book is any indication of normalcy ... whew 😥
The Point After follows Sean Conley on his quest to make it to the NFL. Kickers are usually discarded as not as important as the rest of the team. At least that's what I've heard from all the armchair coaches and referees. 😂😂
Sean's story, however, shows there is so much more to the special fields teams than I ever knew. The way he explains the positions that anchor and support his was eye opening. I loved learning every bit of it.
The punishment these players put their bodies through...I can only imagine. The pain they play through, work around, and fake not having. The mental anguish and stress of being good enough. What a harsh business to be in.
Sean's courage, his love for family, and the peace he ultimately finds within himself (mind and body) is inspiring. His wife Karen is amazing and I love that he added so much of her to his story. She is his support, his friend...his rock.
Even if you're not a football fan this one is worth the read. It's not so much about football itself, but the drive, determination, and renewal of mind and spirit.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
November 15, 2021
As a huge NFL fan, I immediately said yes when Sean reached out to me to review this book, and it was even better than I thought it would be. It is a quick read, but mostly because I was captivated from the start and fascinated the rest of the time, both by the behind the scenes info that Sean provided, but even more so by Sean’s determination to make it as a kicker in the NFL, which was his lifelong dream. His story on how he made it to the NFL alone is just fascinating, as is what a kicker goes through to make and keep his job. They probably have one of the most stressful jobs, as many games are won and lost by a field goal or point after kick. What I did not know was how much damage is done to the body just by kicking alone, which may make you go huh? But really, you must read Sean’s story bc by the end I was marching this book into my boss and telling him he needed to read it, it was utterly fascinating, heartbreaking, inspiring, and reminded me that while I love Sundays during football season, these guys are putting themselves through so much both physically and mentally each week, and it doesn’t end when the season is over.
This one is for both fans as well as non-fans of the sport, yes it is based on sports and the NFL, but it is about so much more than that, and I think those that are not fans of the game will get something out of it too. I cannot recommend this one enough. A huge thank you to the author for the gifted copy to review.
This one is for both fans as well as non-fans of the sport, yes it is based on sports and the NFL, but it is about so much more than that, and I think those that are not fans of the game will get something out of it too. I cannot recommend this one enough. A huge thank you to the author for the gifted copy to review.
April 2, 2021
The Point After by Sean Conley is the story of Conley’s journey from high school soccer player to NFL prospect to yoga instructor. 🧘🏻♂️ Conley’s high school didn’t even have a football team but he ended up kicking for a Div lll school. He eventually ends up at Pitt as their kicker. His coach, Amos Jones, was at the University of Alabama at the same time l was. Jones played for the legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. After Pitt, Conley struggled to make an NFL roster but played in a few preseason games. Years of over-kicking caught up with him and his NFL dream was over. He helped his wife with her yoga classes and eventually started teaching classes himself. Conley certainly has an interesting career trajectory. Some good football stories including his attempt to tackle the Rocket on a kick return 😮 Good choice if you’re looking for some sports nonfiction.
August 5, 2020
Book Review: The Point After: How One Resilient Kicker Learned there was More to Life than the NFL
Authored By Sean Conley
By Jan Verhoeff
After the touchdown, the next act matters. Why? Because it’s another point, and often the winning point. But what next. What happens next?
Conley held onto the concept of staying in the game, but at what cost. He knew there was life beyond the goalposts, but he didn’t know what that would look like for him. This ex-football player had to discover the next play.
Conley points out early in the book that he (like every author I know) is standing mid-field alone at the point of no return when his part of the game happens. A lone wolf, the one and only, the winner, or the one that kills the game, he takes the whole role in that split second. Self-talk, the think that makes him run-up to the ball like a champ, or sends him sprawling before he takes the first step, has been ongoing since the night before the game. He envisions the kick between the goalposts, the point showing up on the scoreboard, and the bounce back reverberating through an excited stadium.
But what happens next?
What if he misses?
What if he can’t show up to kick?
What if…
As with everyone else, life surges around the kick. The milestone matters. The end zone happens. If you don’t kick the ball through the goalposts, you blow the one and only chance you have to make that point for the team. What if you fail?
Conley shares his story of being diagnosed as ADHD and put on Ritalin at the tender age of 9. Suddenly, I’m more than immersed in the story. I have a healthy hatred of that drug and those who prescribed it to innocent children. I gotta say, I admired him for not taking that dastardly pill! I admired him, even more, when he figured out that with added exercise (sports) he could manage his ADD without the pills.
“When Coach Bryant walked into the auditorium after a game, he showed the team film from the previous game. He hardly ever showed the players their mistakes. He mostly showed them players what they were successful in,” Amos Jones, one of Conley’s early coaches inspired him.
Then Conley actually found the sweet spot, not the one on the ball… He’d had that for a while, but he found the sweet spot that leads to actually dominating one’s craft. He said, “I began to look at my craft more as an art than a competition to be the best, and it made an enormous difference.” Conley’s hard work was paying off. Even with the occasional pain in his hip and back, he was accomplishing his goal of being the number one kicker on his time, and soon in the NFL.
Brutal. Compelling. Forceful. But the thing I take away from this book is inspiration to work hard, do my job well, and stay focused. Conley was a master kicker, but he is more now. I’m not going to ruin the book for you – but I will tell you – you’ve got to read this.
###
5 Stars Really good stuff.
Authored By Sean Conley
By Jan Verhoeff
After the touchdown, the next act matters. Why? Because it’s another point, and often the winning point. But what next. What happens next?
Conley held onto the concept of staying in the game, but at what cost. He knew there was life beyond the goalposts, but he didn’t know what that would look like for him. This ex-football player had to discover the next play.
Conley points out early in the book that he (like every author I know) is standing mid-field alone at the point of no return when his part of the game happens. A lone wolf, the one and only, the winner, or the one that kills the game, he takes the whole role in that split second. Self-talk, the think that makes him run-up to the ball like a champ, or sends him sprawling before he takes the first step, has been ongoing since the night before the game. He envisions the kick between the goalposts, the point showing up on the scoreboard, and the bounce back reverberating through an excited stadium.
But what happens next?
What if he misses?
What if he can’t show up to kick?
What if…
As with everyone else, life surges around the kick. The milestone matters. The end zone happens. If you don’t kick the ball through the goalposts, you blow the one and only chance you have to make that point for the team. What if you fail?
Conley shares his story of being diagnosed as ADHD and put on Ritalin at the tender age of 9. Suddenly, I’m more than immersed in the story. I have a healthy hatred of that drug and those who prescribed it to innocent children. I gotta say, I admired him for not taking that dastardly pill! I admired him, even more, when he figured out that with added exercise (sports) he could manage his ADD without the pills.
“When Coach Bryant walked into the auditorium after a game, he showed the team film from the previous game. He hardly ever showed the players their mistakes. He mostly showed them players what they were successful in,” Amos Jones, one of Conley’s early coaches inspired him.
Then Conley actually found the sweet spot, not the one on the ball… He’d had that for a while, but he found the sweet spot that leads to actually dominating one’s craft. He said, “I began to look at my craft more as an art than a competition to be the best, and it made an enormous difference.” Conley’s hard work was paying off. Even with the occasional pain in his hip and back, he was accomplishing his goal of being the number one kicker on his time, and soon in the NFL.
Brutal. Compelling. Forceful. But the thing I take away from this book is inspiration to work hard, do my job well, and stay focused. Conley was a master kicker, but he is more now. I’m not going to ruin the book for you – but I will tell you – you’ve got to read this.
###
5 Stars Really good stuff.
March 17, 2021
The book right here that I am reviewing is the one that dragged me out of the reading slump. It has taken a special place in my heart from now on.😇
⚽️It does happen at times that we get so lost and passionate about our dreams and desires that we forget to live in the present? We give our 100% and keep our end goal in mind and keep working towards it. I am not saying that is bad but I am somebody who likes to play a balanced game when it comes to life as well.
⚽️How did I feel while reading the book?
While I was reading the book I felt like I had become a part of Sean's journey. This is a memoir by Sean and he has beautifully shared his experiences and struggles faced while reaching his one goal "Playing for NFL". Sean started kicking the ball at an early age and worked hard to reach this goal. Was Sean aware of what life held for him?
The writing is so lucid and playful that I just couldn't stay away from the book. Sean has used tiny bits of humor when he talks about his teenage years and college life. AT he end he realized NFL was a part of his life, "a part". He is an amazing storyteller, in less than 200 pages Sean has effectively shared the journey of his life. I do not want to tell you how Sean's life turned around (read the book)😎
⚽️How did I change after reading the book?
I was always a person who believed in learning from the mistakes done in the past but I did not know how to embrace the present, or maybe I was too busy focusing on what tomorrow will bring for me.
After reading this book I have become a person who would like to enjoy this lovely ride called life because you never know, it might bring something better than the goals you have been struggling for.
⚽️It does happen at times that we get so lost and passionate about our dreams and desires that we forget to live in the present? We give our 100% and keep our end goal in mind and keep working towards it. I am not saying that is bad but I am somebody who likes to play a balanced game when it comes to life as well.
⚽️How did I feel while reading the book?
While I was reading the book I felt like I had become a part of Sean's journey. This is a memoir by Sean and he has beautifully shared his experiences and struggles faced while reaching his one goal "Playing for NFL". Sean started kicking the ball at an early age and worked hard to reach this goal. Was Sean aware of what life held for him?
The writing is so lucid and playful that I just couldn't stay away from the book. Sean has used tiny bits of humor when he talks about his teenage years and college life. AT he end he realized NFL was a part of his life, "a part". He is an amazing storyteller, in less than 200 pages Sean has effectively shared the journey of his life. I do not want to tell you how Sean's life turned around (read the book)😎
⚽️How did I change after reading the book?
I was always a person who believed in learning from the mistakes done in the past but I did not know how to embrace the present, or maybe I was too busy focusing on what tomorrow will bring for me.
After reading this book I have become a person who would like to enjoy this lovely ride called life because you never know, it might bring something better than the goals you have been struggling for.
March 3, 2021
Conley, Sean The Point After (2020) *****
Quite a performance; quite a ride for the reader.
This is a beautifully written and engaging story about how a guy who never played football in high school actually made it to the NFL. Conley gives us some real insight into what it’s like to play at the highest level. Hint: brutal physically even for kickers, and brutal mentally, especially for kickers. You have to be exact and there are plenty of things that can go wrong. And you just can’t miss. Period. Or fall short of the endzone with an all-league kick returner standing on the goal line.
This is a hard-won success story, with many ups and downs, but Conley didn’t do it by himself. He had friends and coaches, his father and teammates to whom he gives lavish credit
But the real hero of this story is a heroine. Sean Conley is a wonderful man, a wizard with people with a great story to tell, and he tells it like magician with words, but it is his wife Karen who makes everything work. The main lesson here, young men, is not how to kick field goals and extra points or how to make the kickoff sail out of the endzone, it’s simply: marry a real woman.
Sean Conley was a hyperactive child with a mind of his own, who never stopped working toward what he thought important. He wouldn’t take Ritalin. He pretended to swallow the pills. He wouldn’t take no on an NFL career even though only played soccer in high school (before it was cool). But he over trained and actually prevented himself from having a lengthy career in the NFL because of injuries, some of them self-imposed by fanatical overwork. He had the talent and the incredible energy. But he just worked too damn hard. And his life was ragged. Amazingly enough he learned to settle down and get a college degree as he kicked the football through the uprights. Behind him, by his side, from a distance, on the phone and finally in his lap with wisdom and love was Karen.
This then is also a love story. And a page turner. I see a movie: Sean and Karen, get to work on the screenplay.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
Quite a performance; quite a ride for the reader.
This is a beautifully written and engaging story about how a guy who never played football in high school actually made it to the NFL. Conley gives us some real insight into what it’s like to play at the highest level. Hint: brutal physically even for kickers, and brutal mentally, especially for kickers. You have to be exact and there are plenty of things that can go wrong. And you just can’t miss. Period. Or fall short of the endzone with an all-league kick returner standing on the goal line.
This is a hard-won success story, with many ups and downs, but Conley didn’t do it by himself. He had friends and coaches, his father and teammates to whom he gives lavish credit
But the real hero of this story is a heroine. Sean Conley is a wonderful man, a wizard with people with a great story to tell, and he tells it like magician with words, but it is his wife Karen who makes everything work. The main lesson here, young men, is not how to kick field goals and extra points or how to make the kickoff sail out of the endzone, it’s simply: marry a real woman.
Sean Conley was a hyperactive child with a mind of his own, who never stopped working toward what he thought important. He wouldn’t take Ritalin. He pretended to swallow the pills. He wouldn’t take no on an NFL career even though only played soccer in high school (before it was cool). But he over trained and actually prevented himself from having a lengthy career in the NFL because of injuries, some of them self-imposed by fanatical overwork. He had the talent and the incredible energy. But he just worked too damn hard. And his life was ragged. Amazingly enough he learned to settle down and get a college degree as he kicked the football through the uprights. Behind him, by his side, from a distance, on the phone and finally in his lap with wisdom and love was Karen.
This then is also a love story. And a page turner. I see a movie: Sean and Karen, get to work on the screenplay.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
August 5, 2021
Since childhood, Sean Conley always had the same dream: to be an NFL kicker. Through trials and tribulation and sheer grit and determination, Sean fought to make it happen. And then he had to watch as the dream fell flat. What do you do when everything you've hinged your happiness on falls apart? Well, you pick up and try again, of course!
"Just 6 percent of those who play football in high school go on to play at the collegiate level, Division III included. Of the almost 70,000 who play in college, only 300 will make an NFL roster each year. Of the over one million kids playing high school football right now, more than 99 percent will never play in the NFL."
Memoirs. I think we all know how I feel about them by now & this one was no different. I really enjoyed this deep dive into college and pro football life. It actually made me want summer to end to bring back Football Sundays. Sean's writing is open and honest in telling his struggles and his successes. Reading the draft scenes, my heart was in my throat, despite knowing how Sean's story went. I was 100% invested. I appreciate Sean showing the "what comes after" aspect of his life after the NFL didn't pan out (not a spoiler). I think this would be a good book for high school and college football players to read. As the quote above shows, the odds are they aren't all going to go pro, and this book might give them the confidence they need to see that life can happily go on. It also can show them how difficult training camp can be! Thank you, Sean Conley, for sharing your story.
Namaste! 🙏🏼
"Just 6 percent of those who play football in high school go on to play at the collegiate level, Division III included. Of the almost 70,000 who play in college, only 300 will make an NFL roster each year. Of the over one million kids playing high school football right now, more than 99 percent will never play in the NFL."
Memoirs. I think we all know how I feel about them by now & this one was no different. I really enjoyed this deep dive into college and pro football life. It actually made me want summer to end to bring back Football Sundays. Sean's writing is open and honest in telling his struggles and his successes. Reading the draft scenes, my heart was in my throat, despite knowing how Sean's story went. I was 100% invested. I appreciate Sean showing the "what comes after" aspect of his life after the NFL didn't pan out (not a spoiler). I think this would be a good book for high school and college football players to read. As the quote above shows, the odds are they aren't all going to go pro, and this book might give them the confidence they need to see that life can happily go on. It also can show them how difficult training camp can be! Thank you, Sean Conley, for sharing your story.
Namaste! 🙏🏼
August 14, 2021
I’d like to thank bythebook for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
The Point After By Sean Conley synopsis:
A vivid account of life in the NFL—and an inspiring story of everything that comes after.
Against seemingly impossible odds, Sean Conley became the starting kicker for the University of Pittsburgh in his senior year. A year later, he suited up for the Detroit Lions. But when he joined the New York Jets soon after, Conley’s injuries caught up to him, and his lifelong dream came crashing down in a crisis of denial and fear.
The Point After is an all-access look at the NFL, one of the most intense workplaces in sports. Conley describes pushing through pain at NFL training camps, surrounded by rookies, All-Pro veterans, and long-shot undrafted free agents, all hell-bent on staying in the game. He recounts the insecurities he dealt with on and off the field, and the despair that overtook him when his career ended.
But while Conley thought life was over, it was just beginning.
Review: This was such a great memoir! I loved how genuine and determined Sean Conley is! He had a dream and he went for it and tried his hardest! If you want something you have to go for it! But this memoir is more than that! It was refreshing to see how he realizes there is more to life than football and that his life isn’t over or that their isn’t much to life because there is! He talks about his family and how important it is When he was in the NFL he felt bad about it because it meant he wasn’t with wife and child! This is such a moving story that I believe everyone will enjoy! If you see it I would recommend picking it up! It is a joy to read!
The Point After By Sean Conley synopsis:
A vivid account of life in the NFL—and an inspiring story of everything that comes after.
Against seemingly impossible odds, Sean Conley became the starting kicker for the University of Pittsburgh in his senior year. A year later, he suited up for the Detroit Lions. But when he joined the New York Jets soon after, Conley’s injuries caught up to him, and his lifelong dream came crashing down in a crisis of denial and fear.
The Point After is an all-access look at the NFL, one of the most intense workplaces in sports. Conley describes pushing through pain at NFL training camps, surrounded by rookies, All-Pro veterans, and long-shot undrafted free agents, all hell-bent on staying in the game. He recounts the insecurities he dealt with on and off the field, and the despair that overtook him when his career ended.
But while Conley thought life was over, it was just beginning.
Review: This was such a great memoir! I loved how genuine and determined Sean Conley is! He had a dream and he went for it and tried his hardest! If you want something you have to go for it! But this memoir is more than that! It was refreshing to see how he realizes there is more to life than football and that his life isn’t over or that their isn’t much to life because there is! He talks about his family and how important it is When he was in the NFL he felt bad about it because it meant he wasn’t with wife and child! This is such a moving story that I believe everyone will enjoy! If you see it I would recommend picking it up! It is a joy to read!
April 27, 2021
An amazing story!! I devoured this book! My husband typically takes about a month to finish a book and he finished it in 2 days!!
This is an inspiring story about relentless determination, striving, a never-fail-mindset, the power of relationships, and reinventing yourself and finding your happiness along the way.
Sean Conley started playing soccer at a young age but his dream has always been to be a kicker in the NFL. He committed himself wholeheartedly to make it happen and as a young kid diagnosed with ADD, he found himself funneling all of his energy towards this end result—playing in the NFL. He was a phenomenal kicker but an underdog that had to prove himself time and time again. Conley is such a great story teller, you really feel like you are going on this journey with him. I loved the relationship he had with his dad, his love story with his wife, and how being a father really made him reassess what he wanted in life. Yoga has a transformational impact on his life. Yoga is something that has had an impact on my life so I definitely felt a connection there.
You don’t need to be a football fanatic to pick up this book. This was so much more than a football story. Conley is so relatable in the way he writes. It really feels like he is telling you his story and it has a natural progression and purpose.
What else can I say? This needs to be made into a movie!
This is an inspiring story about relentless determination, striving, a never-fail-mindset, the power of relationships, and reinventing yourself and finding your happiness along the way.
Sean Conley started playing soccer at a young age but his dream has always been to be a kicker in the NFL. He committed himself wholeheartedly to make it happen and as a young kid diagnosed with ADD, he found himself funneling all of his energy towards this end result—playing in the NFL. He was a phenomenal kicker but an underdog that had to prove himself time and time again. Conley is such a great story teller, you really feel like you are going on this journey with him. I loved the relationship he had with his dad, his love story with his wife, and how being a father really made him reassess what he wanted in life. Yoga has a transformational impact on his life. Yoga is something that has had an impact on my life so I definitely felt a connection there.
You don’t need to be a football fanatic to pick up this book. This was so much more than a football story. Conley is so relatable in the way he writes. It really feels like he is telling you his story and it has a natural progression and purpose.
What else can I say? This needs to be made into a movie!
May 10, 2021
Sean Conley grew up with one dream: to play football for the NFL. This book is about the pursuit of that dream, the obstacles he had to overcome (there were many), and the realization that maybe, just maybe, there was another path to happiness for him.
I couldn’t put this book down. I'm not a sports person at all and was surprised how interesting it was to read about the NFL recruitment process. For Sean, a kicker who didn’t play high school football and who didn’t start college at a Division 1 school, it was especially challenging, and he often ignored pain, pushing his body beyond its limits.
This book is part sports memoir, part underdog story, part love story - he and his wife Karen are made for each other and her unconditional support was so touching to read - and all parts inspirational. I especially loved reading about his post-football career discovery of yoga, thanks to Karen, and his realization that he doesn’t have to push through pain.
Thank you to the author and to the publisher Rowman and Littlefield for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t put this book down. I'm not a sports person at all and was surprised how interesting it was to read about the NFL recruitment process. For Sean, a kicker who didn’t play high school football and who didn’t start college at a Division 1 school, it was especially challenging, and he often ignored pain, pushing his body beyond its limits.
This book is part sports memoir, part underdog story, part love story - he and his wife Karen are made for each other and her unconditional support was so touching to read - and all parts inspirational. I especially loved reading about his post-football career discovery of yoga, thanks to Karen, and his realization that he doesn’t have to push through pain.
Thank you to the author and to the publisher Rowman and Littlefield for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2021
Let me begin this review by saying that I am not a die hard football fan. I grew up in Pennsylvania where my family bled black and gold for The Pittsburgh Steelers, however I never caught the “I love football” bug. So, when Sean messaged me asking me to read and review his book I was hesitant, but gosh I am so glad I said yes because his memoir is so much more than a story about the NFL. Sean’s story is inspirational. It’s about persevering through all the challenges that will come your way and the real life determination it takes to make your dreams come true. I love his mindset and will carry his book with me. The ending of opening of a yoga studio was also an added bonus for me 🤗 I only wish I could go take one of his classes some day.
If you are feeling stuck in your dreams or need some inspiration to keep pushing on, please check on Sean’s book. You won’t be disappointed and I do hope it can offer you some insight.
Thanks so much to @seanconley2 for allowing me to read, review and to have your book on my shelf. 💜
If you are feeling stuck in your dreams or need some inspiration to keep pushing on, please check on Sean’s book. You won’t be disappointed and I do hope it can offer you some insight.
Thanks so much to @seanconley2 for allowing me to read, review and to have your book on my shelf. 💜
April 29, 2021
This book gives not only a glimpse into life within the NFL, but also a look at life after being on the field. And the story goes beyond just football - when an injury derails his plans, he’s forced to adapt. At that point, the book becomes a story of resiliency. Even if you’re not a football fan, there is a common theme in the book everyone can connect with: plans and dreams change, but it doesn’t mean your life as you know it is over - it just means you just have to explore something new. I really enjoyed reading his story - from his childhood, through the NFL, and beyond.
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July 19, 2021The Point After
By: Sean Conley
An inspiring story about resilience, determination, the power of love, family and friendship, and finding true happiness.
I really enjoyed this novel! The writing was so easily digestible, and I was so invested in the author's story. The novel read very honest in content, and I enjoyed not only the football aspect, but the added addition of the author's love story with his wife, the friendships he formed, and the ultimate growth of his family as it expanded over the years.
I am an avid football fan, but by no means is that a requirement to enjoy this novel! This novel is for anyone who understands the joy in finding happiness along life's journey and further enjoys an inspiring story of striving for a dream despite the odds.
I felt the football discussions were very insightful, highlighting the expectations and pressures of a football player in society. I also really appreciated the aspect of yoga, an outlet I also enjoy for relieving the stress of the world.
I am so grateful to have read The Point After. Thank you to Sean Conley and publisher for the gifted copy! I definitely recommend this one!
By: Sean Conley
An inspiring story about resilience, determination, the power of love, family and friendship, and finding true happiness.
I really enjoyed this novel! The writing was so easily digestible, and I was so invested in the author's story. The novel read very honest in content, and I enjoyed not only the football aspect, but the added addition of the author's love story with his wife, the friendships he formed, and the ultimate growth of his family as it expanded over the years.
I am an avid football fan, but by no means is that a requirement to enjoy this novel! This novel is for anyone who understands the joy in finding happiness along life's journey and further enjoys an inspiring story of striving for a dream despite the odds.
I felt the football discussions were very insightful, highlighting the expectations and pressures of a football player in society. I also really appreciated the aspect of yoga, an outlet I also enjoy for relieving the stress of the world.
I am so grateful to have read The Point After. Thank you to Sean Conley and publisher for the gifted copy! I definitely recommend this one!
August 1, 2021
Before I begin this review, I would like to take a moment to comment on the author himself. A few month’s ago, Sean contacted me inquiring if I would be interested in his book in exchange for an honest review. In truth, it wasn’t only the brief synopsis that sold me but the kindness and warmth in which he presented the request.
A book that takes you behind the scenes of the NFL written by a down to earth author? Sign me up!
Kicking a football for Sean was not just a childhood amusement. In what began as a way to suppress his ADHD, it quickly became the catalyst which would propel him to fulfill a dream …making it into the NFL.
As we all know, the road to accomplishing goals is never a direct route. Hiccups along the way are inevitable. In The Point After, monumental triumphs and debilitating defeats read as characters of their own.
A story about how the support of family, the faith of others, inner peace and well… maybe for some, the love of a beautiful brunette can ground you when life doesn’t exactly go as planned.
A book that takes you behind the scenes of the NFL written by a down to earth author? Sign me up!
Kicking a football for Sean was not just a childhood amusement. In what began as a way to suppress his ADHD, it quickly became the catalyst which would propel him to fulfill a dream …making it into the NFL.
As we all know, the road to accomplishing goals is never a direct route. Hiccups along the way are inevitable. In The Point After, monumental triumphs and debilitating defeats read as characters of their own.
A story about how the support of family, the faith of others, inner peace and well… maybe for some, the love of a beautiful brunette can ground you when life doesn’t exactly go as planned.
May 14, 2021
First, I want to say that you don’t have to be a real fan of football to fall in love with this book. After all, I did and I only love football when my Kansas City Chiefs are winning. Which lately is quite a bit. My point is, I’m a very fair-weather sports fan. If you are too, don’t worry that this is for only sports-minded people.
Secondly, I want to say if you ever have the opportunity to have Sean Conley or his wife Karen on your team, sign them up quickly! I don’t ever remember reading about such tenacity and support before. And those qualities belong to both of them.
This story covers Sean’s childhood, football career, and family life. Surprisingly, remember I’m not a major sports fan, it captured my interest almost immediately and didn’t let up. The story felt honest and didn’t seem to hide anything. This is a man who never played football in high school, but had a dream and determination to make it to the NFL. Sound impossible? It nearly was for this young man who had such drive that he ignored pain and let his dream rule his behavior.
And this dream wasn’t ignored by his cheer leaders who completely stood beside him regardless of the brick walls that he continually encountered. His cheer leading family didn’t offer words of wisdom or try to talk him out of continuing with such a big goal. What if it didn’t work out and he became depressed, or worse? He was so determined that he became obsessed. At times this had to have been difficult for his family to endured. Yet on the upside they had to have felt elated for the positive things he was accomplishing.
This story does recount Conley’s football experiences, but it’s filled with much more. Below are a few quotes from the book that I particularly enjoyed:
(It took a little bit to locate these quotes, since heaven forbid I highlight a phrase and deface a beautiful book in the process. But, not-to-worry, I did mark the pages with convenient pieces of torn scrap paper. Alas, I have now located a few quotes in the book that I particularly liked.
"She cared. My dream of a pro career wasn’t unrealistic to her. It wasn’t pie in the sky. It was something I believed in, so she believed in it too because she saw us as “we.”
I asked myself what if, over and over. I couldn’t give up my identity as an athlete. It made me tough and confident.
You won’t be successful if you just focus on what you do wrong."
This is the story of a hyperactive child who was able to direct his drive toward something he wanted badly. It’s a story that shares his ups and downs with honest accounts. It’s a love story. It’s a book with pictures included. And finally, it’s a page-turner that is well written and will hold your attention.
My Concerns
Absolutely nothing concerned me.
Final Thoughts
Fair weather sports fans or avid sports fans will not be sorry they picked up this book. Sean's journey is a story I highly . But if you get nothing more from this review remember this, if the occasion arises you want Sean Conley and Karen on your team!
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book and the ability to post a review without any stipulations.
Secondly, I want to say if you ever have the opportunity to have Sean Conley or his wife Karen on your team, sign them up quickly! I don’t ever remember reading about such tenacity and support before. And those qualities belong to both of them.
This story covers Sean’s childhood, football career, and family life. Surprisingly, remember I’m not a major sports fan, it captured my interest almost immediately and didn’t let up. The story felt honest and didn’t seem to hide anything. This is a man who never played football in high school, but had a dream and determination to make it to the NFL. Sound impossible? It nearly was for this young man who had such drive that he ignored pain and let his dream rule his behavior.
And this dream wasn’t ignored by his cheer leaders who completely stood beside him regardless of the brick walls that he continually encountered. His cheer leading family didn’t offer words of wisdom or try to talk him out of continuing with such a big goal. What if it didn’t work out and he became depressed, or worse? He was so determined that he became obsessed. At times this had to have been difficult for his family to endured. Yet on the upside they had to have felt elated for the positive things he was accomplishing.
This story does recount Conley’s football experiences, but it’s filled with much more. Below are a few quotes from the book that I particularly enjoyed:
(It took a little bit to locate these quotes, since heaven forbid I highlight a phrase and deface a beautiful book in the process. But, not-to-worry, I did mark the pages with convenient pieces of torn scrap paper. Alas, I have now located a few quotes in the book that I particularly liked.
"She cared. My dream of a pro career wasn’t unrealistic to her. It wasn’t pie in the sky. It was something I believed in, so she believed in it too because she saw us as “we.”
I asked myself what if, over and over. I couldn’t give up my identity as an athlete. It made me tough and confident.
You won’t be successful if you just focus on what you do wrong."
This is the story of a hyperactive child who was able to direct his drive toward something he wanted badly. It’s a story that shares his ups and downs with honest accounts. It’s a love story. It’s a book with pictures included. And finally, it’s a page-turner that is well written and will hold your attention.
My Concerns
Absolutely nothing concerned me.
Final Thoughts
Fair weather sports fans or avid sports fans will not be sorry they picked up this book. Sean's journey is a story I highly . But if you get nothing more from this review remember this, if the occasion arises you want Sean Conley and Karen on your team!
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book and the ability to post a review without any stipulations.
April 3, 2021
“When I thought about giving up, I told myself I didn't want to live with any regrets. If I didn’t do this, I’d always look back and wonder, what If?” - Sean Conley
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 :
The point after is an inspiring, emotional, entertaining, funny, and adventurous journey of sean Conley the author of this book. How a good-for-nothing kid in school became an NFL kicker. The story doesn’t end here, it has layers and layers of character unwrapping during this wonderful journey.
The book is a self-discovery of the author, how he was able to achieve things that once seemed impossible through visualization, resilience, and singleness of purpose.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:
One of the key features of this book is how brutally honest it is, I think that’s what makes it entertaining and emotional at the same time. You’ll feel very connected with his life, you’ll laugh with him, cry with him, will feel a touch of sadness when he fails and an adrenaline rush whenever he succeeds.
The flow of the book is just mesmerizing and you get hooked right from the very first page.
After reading this book you’ll have to reframe your priorities in life and you’ll ask some very deep questions to yourself.
Is it all worth it, at the expense of everything else?
Our success at all cost mindset tends to make us sit on a horse whose reins are no longer in our hands.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮?
It’ll help you understand the “power of a dream” and when you put everything in it, how it manifests itself in front of you. So this book is for all the believers and non-believers who have a dream to achieve something. No matter the odds you’ll get there if you put your everything in it.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 :
If you like memoirs, then you couldn’t ask for anything more wonderful than this book.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 :
The point after is an inspiring, emotional, entertaining, funny, and adventurous journey of sean Conley the author of this book. How a good-for-nothing kid in school became an NFL kicker. The story doesn’t end here, it has layers and layers of character unwrapping during this wonderful journey.
The book is a self-discovery of the author, how he was able to achieve things that once seemed impossible through visualization, resilience, and singleness of purpose.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:
One of the key features of this book is how brutally honest it is, I think that’s what makes it entertaining and emotional at the same time. You’ll feel very connected with his life, you’ll laugh with him, cry with him, will feel a touch of sadness when he fails and an adrenaline rush whenever he succeeds.
The flow of the book is just mesmerizing and you get hooked right from the very first page.
After reading this book you’ll have to reframe your priorities in life and you’ll ask some very deep questions to yourself.
Is it all worth it, at the expense of everything else?
Our success at all cost mindset tends to make us sit on a horse whose reins are no longer in our hands.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮?
It’ll help you understand the “power of a dream” and when you put everything in it, how it manifests itself in front of you. So this book is for all the believers and non-believers who have a dream to achieve something. No matter the odds you’ll get there if you put your everything in it.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 :
If you like memoirs, then you couldn’t ask for anything more wonderful than this book.
May 28, 2023
"The Point After: How One Resilient Kicker Learned There Was More to Life Than the NFL" by Sean Conley is an inspiring memoir that goes beyond the football field, delivering a powerful message about personal growth and finding purpose. Conley's story of determination and self-discovery will resonate with people from all walks of life.
What sets "The Point After" apart is Conley's introspection and willingness to share the lessons he learned along the way. As we follow his path, we witness his transformation from a single-minded athlete to someone who recognizes the importance of finding fulfillment beyond the confines of professional sports.
Conley's candidness about the pressures and sacrifices inherent in pursuing an athletic career is commendable. He addresses the challenges head-on, offering valuable insights into resilience and the power of embracing personal passions and relationships. His story reminds us that success is not solely defined by external achievements, but by the inner growth and fulfillment we attain along our unique journeys.
While the book primarily focuses on Conley's experiences, it also provides a broader perspective on the world of professional sports and the toll it can take on athletes. This wider lens adds depth to the narrative, giving readers a glimpse into the realities of the industry.
Overall, "The Point After" is a thought-provoking memoir that transcends the boundaries of sports, leaving readers with a renewed sense of purpose and a greater appreciation for the journey of self-discovery. Sean Conley's resilience and personal growth will undoubtedly inspire and motivate anyone seeking to find meaning and fulfillment in their own lives.
What sets "The Point After" apart is Conley's introspection and willingness to share the lessons he learned along the way. As we follow his path, we witness his transformation from a single-minded athlete to someone who recognizes the importance of finding fulfillment beyond the confines of professional sports.
Conley's candidness about the pressures and sacrifices inherent in pursuing an athletic career is commendable. He addresses the challenges head-on, offering valuable insights into resilience and the power of embracing personal passions and relationships. His story reminds us that success is not solely defined by external achievements, but by the inner growth and fulfillment we attain along our unique journeys.
While the book primarily focuses on Conley's experiences, it also provides a broader perspective on the world of professional sports and the toll it can take on athletes. This wider lens adds depth to the narrative, giving readers a glimpse into the realities of the industry.
Overall, "The Point After" is a thought-provoking memoir that transcends the boundaries of sports, leaving readers with a renewed sense of purpose and a greater appreciation for the journey of self-discovery. Sean Conley's resilience and personal growth will undoubtedly inspire and motivate anyone seeking to find meaning and fulfillment in their own lives.
May 8, 2021
“You won’t be successful if you just focus on what you do wrong.”
I want to first say I was honored to take this journey with Sean Conley and grateful he sent me his book so I can rave about it. His story is one of perseverance and determination to get to where he wanted to be in life - the NFL - no matter what it took. And ultimately, he talks about his passions off the field and how he was able to move on when injury ended his career.
Conley makes you feel like you are a part of his story. He brings you into “real time” and describes each moment like it is currently happening. I felt connected to him through his vivid storytelling as I was able to picture each and every moment while he was in it.
Nervous you don’t know football? Conley explains regular football terms, game plays, and more, so no fear if you don’t know much about the sport! + He says these terms like everyone needs the refresher, so you don’t feel like the only one who “doesn’t get it.”
What I loved most about The Point After is the way it made me understand the strong desires my students have about their sport. I never played a sport, so I have never truly understood that desire to keep pushing and pushing after so much struggle, injury, etc. This story made me empathize more with that desire. I realized that students’ dreams of playing professionally in college is sometimes the only thought to them and it can dramatically effect how they view themselves and the world. I appreciate that inside-look into Conley’s life to better understand people in my own life who are chasing that same dream.
Again, I am grateful for being able to read The Point After. It was a gentle reminder to find happiness throughout life - in both the big and little moments. I definitely recommend picking this story up!
The Point After by: Sean Conley // 🌙🌙🌙🌙
I want to first say I was honored to take this journey with Sean Conley and grateful he sent me his book so I can rave about it. His story is one of perseverance and determination to get to where he wanted to be in life - the NFL - no matter what it took. And ultimately, he talks about his passions off the field and how he was able to move on when injury ended his career.
Conley makes you feel like you are a part of his story. He brings you into “real time” and describes each moment like it is currently happening. I felt connected to him through his vivid storytelling as I was able to picture each and every moment while he was in it.
Nervous you don’t know football? Conley explains regular football terms, game plays, and more, so no fear if you don’t know much about the sport! + He says these terms like everyone needs the refresher, so you don’t feel like the only one who “doesn’t get it.”
What I loved most about The Point After is the way it made me understand the strong desires my students have about their sport. I never played a sport, so I have never truly understood that desire to keep pushing and pushing after so much struggle, injury, etc. This story made me empathize more with that desire. I realized that students’ dreams of playing professionally in college is sometimes the only thought to them and it can dramatically effect how they view themselves and the world. I appreciate that inside-look into Conley’s life to better understand people in my own life who are chasing that same dream.
Again, I am grateful for being able to read The Point After. It was a gentle reminder to find happiness throughout life - in both the big and little moments. I definitely recommend picking this story up!
The Point After by: Sean Conley // 🌙🌙🌙🌙
July 14, 2021
🏈 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 🏈
By Sean Conley
𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝟺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰.
From the cover you think this is just about football but 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘵, it’s not. It’s about a guy who was sidelined with an injury that changed his outlook on what mattered in his life.. it was his strength throughout the words that connected me. And as my catch-phrase says (𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦), I have a soft spot for anyone who struggles and yet finds themselves taking that pain and finding a new path. Perhaps it’s why I enjoy memoirs lately, but the vulnerability that I’ve read in novels such as these is a reason I’ll continue to showcase them on my page.
My husband was sidelined with a broken jaw and hand-in-hand with other issues, it’s one that put his hockey in his past. Over the past decade he’s moved from being a patient in an athlete world to a new calling through the medical industry.
The connections to overcoming an injury and dealing with the closure of something they had worked towards their whole lives… is the common thread that connected me to this book. And anyone who enjoys to read about resiliency and passion will enjoy this one too.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘐𝘎 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴.
By Sean Conley
𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝟺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰.
From the cover you think this is just about football but 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘵, it’s not. It’s about a guy who was sidelined with an injury that changed his outlook on what mattered in his life.. it was his strength throughout the words that connected me. And as my catch-phrase says (𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦), I have a soft spot for anyone who struggles and yet finds themselves taking that pain and finding a new path. Perhaps it’s why I enjoy memoirs lately, but the vulnerability that I’ve read in novels such as these is a reason I’ll continue to showcase them on my page.
My husband was sidelined with a broken jaw and hand-in-hand with other issues, it’s one that put his hockey in his past. Over the past decade he’s moved from being a patient in an athlete world to a new calling through the medical industry.
The connections to overcoming an injury and dealing with the closure of something they had worked towards their whole lives… is the common thread that connected me to this book. And anyone who enjoys to read about resiliency and passion will enjoy this one too.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘐𝘎 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴.
August 9, 2021
A few things really strike me in The Point After, including Conley’s passion and perseverance as he proactively pursued his goal of becoming an NFL kicker. I love that Conley believed in himself even when others doubted him and he did the work and put the time and effort in to achieve his goals even after experiencing rejection.
Conley’s experiences also show the reader the limitations of the human body and how challenging it can be to change courses when one area of our life defines us.
Conley’s book also includes a peek inside of the world of college and professional football.
“...just 6 percent of those who play football in high school go on to play at the collegiate level, Division III included. Of the almost 70,000 who play in college, only 300 will make an NFL roster each year. Of the over one million kids playing high school football right now, more than 99 percent will never play in the NFL.”
I found the insight into NFL training, cuts, and salaries to be really interesting.
My dad also read The Point After and he enjoyed reading it. I asked for his opinion and, always the joker, he said, “I liked it. It was pretty interesting. Less boring than Nomadland.”
Conley’s love story with his wife is one of my favorite parts of the book. I love how they supported one another and built a life together. By the end of the memoir, we get a sense of Conley’s family life and post-football priorities.
Thank you to the author @seanconley2 and @lyonspress for sending a copy of The Point After in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5. A really good sports memoir about dealing with adversity, persistence, and learning to listen to your body.
A fact you may not know about me: I love football! I also have two pre-teen boys who LOOOOVVVEEE football. So when the author reached out to see if I would be willing to review his memoir about becoming an NFL kicker and beyond, I told him I was game! Initially, I thought I would just let my kids do a guest review, but they liked it so much that I decided to read it too.
Summary from the author: The Point After describes my journey from being an NFL kicker that includes struggling with ADHD, to suffering career-ending injuries, discovering life-lessons along the way, healing from yoga, and becoming a yoga teacher with my own studio. It is also a slow-love story, since along the way, I had the ongoing and sometimes distant support of my friend and now wife, Karen.
Monica’s take: While I appreciate Sean’s sales pitch to me that this is a love-story/yoga/football book, it is actually 95% football. Which was fine by me! I was really impressed by Sean’s ability to make me feel the pressure that he felt as a kicker. OMG the pressure!!! I had no idea that each NFL team carries only one kicker (no back-up) or that the NFL pre-season was quite so ruthless. When he shared that he felt like he was either good or no good based on whether his last kick had been good or no good, it truly broke my heart. The book has great lessons for aspiring athletes: work hard but don’t over train, perfect your craft but don’t lose your confidence, and try to realize that there will always be life after football. And I’m so happy for Sean that he has found his new passion in yoga. I really enjoyed it.
Daniel (12) and Cam (10): We love sports and books about sports. This one was great! As I was reading, I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. It is really hard to be a kicker because people expect you to make every kick. Kickers are always scared to lose their job because each kick is so important and there is always someone waiting to take your place. I couldn’t believe that the author made the NFL and his high school did not even have a football team. Amazing!
Thank you to Sean Conley and Rowman & Littlefield/Lyons Press for the gifted copy.
A fact you may not know about me: I love football! I also have two pre-teen boys who LOOOOVVVEEE football. So when the author reached out to see if I would be willing to review his memoir about becoming an NFL kicker and beyond, I told him I was game! Initially, I thought I would just let my kids do a guest review, but they liked it so much that I decided to read it too.
Summary from the author: The Point After describes my journey from being an NFL kicker that includes struggling with ADHD, to suffering career-ending injuries, discovering life-lessons along the way, healing from yoga, and becoming a yoga teacher with my own studio. It is also a slow-love story, since along the way, I had the ongoing and sometimes distant support of my friend and now wife, Karen.
Monica’s take: While I appreciate Sean’s sales pitch to me that this is a love-story/yoga/football book, it is actually 95% football. Which was fine by me! I was really impressed by Sean’s ability to make me feel the pressure that he felt as a kicker. OMG the pressure!!! I had no idea that each NFL team carries only one kicker (no back-up) or that the NFL pre-season was quite so ruthless. When he shared that he felt like he was either good or no good based on whether his last kick had been good or no good, it truly broke my heart. The book has great lessons for aspiring athletes: work hard but don’t over train, perfect your craft but don’t lose your confidence, and try to realize that there will always be life after football. And I’m so happy for Sean that he has found his new passion in yoga. I really enjoyed it.
Daniel (12) and Cam (10): We love sports and books about sports. This one was great! As I was reading, I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. It is really hard to be a kicker because people expect you to make every kick. Kickers are always scared to lose their job because each kick is so important and there is always someone waiting to take your place. I couldn’t believe that the author made the NFL and his high school did not even have a football team. Amazing!
Thank you to Sean Conley and Rowman & Littlefield/Lyons Press for the gifted copy.
August 13, 2021
“Confidence is the most important quality a kicker can possess, more important than talent, health, conditioning, and endurance. It’s the intangible. It separates the good kickers from great kickers. It’s the thing that makes you able to bounce back after a miss.”
Football is America’s pastime. Boys grow up dreaming of playing in the NFL, and Sean Conley was no different. This book is the story of the underdog who had more grit and determination than most, and fought with every fiber of his being to see his dreams come to fruition. Also I LOVE the chapter titles. So clever. 👏🏻
Meet Sean. He stayed later, trained harder, and ground it out. He played through injuries and, despite rejection after rejection, made his dreams come true. The Point After is a testament to the old adage that hard work pays off. What an inspirational story of what one can accomplish if you just put your mind to it. But also, how to know when your body has just had it and being smart enough to honor and respect your limitations.
I LOVE football (#PatsNation ) and had no idea how cutthroat the NFL was until I watched Hard Knocks. Wow. I was gutted every time I saw that walk of shame when the player knew they were getting cut. I felt the same angst for Sean reading his story. It made his determination all the more admirable, knowing all of the ins and outs of preseason. You don’t have to watch sports to enjoy this story or to get some inspiration from it!
Football is America’s pastime. Boys grow up dreaming of playing in the NFL, and Sean Conley was no different. This book is the story of the underdog who had more grit and determination than most, and fought with every fiber of his being to see his dreams come to fruition. Also I LOVE the chapter titles. So clever. 👏🏻
Meet Sean. He stayed later, trained harder, and ground it out. He played through injuries and, despite rejection after rejection, made his dreams come true. The Point After is a testament to the old adage that hard work pays off. What an inspirational story of what one can accomplish if you just put your mind to it. But also, how to know when your body has just had it and being smart enough to honor and respect your limitations.
I LOVE football (#PatsNation ) and had no idea how cutthroat the NFL was until I watched Hard Knocks. Wow. I was gutted every time I saw that walk of shame when the player knew they were getting cut. I felt the same angst for Sean reading his story. It made his determination all the more admirable, knowing all of the ins and outs of preseason. You don’t have to watch sports to enjoy this story or to get some inspiration from it!
May 27, 2021
This is a fantastic sports memoir that highlights the highs and lows of trying to make it to the NFL. Sean Conley had an unconventional and unlikely path to joining the pros. Not playing football in high school, Conley fought his way onto college teams to earn his spot as a walk on kicker. Despite setbacks and injuries, Conley showed sky-high determination in the pursuit of his dreams. Conley shows that there is life after the NFL and how yoga has allowed him to find his greater purpose.
I really enjoyed reading about Sean's journey. From the blurb, I knew he was going to eventually make it to the NFL, but as I read, I could not believe the amount of setbacks he had in his journey. Dealing with ADD as a child, chronic hip pain, transferring colleges and being cut by several teams, the amount of shear will Sean exhibited was truly inspirational. I also loved the story of Sean's romance with his now wife Karen and all the experienced in the early years of their marriage.
Being a collegiate athlete and coach, this book truly resonated with me. I recommend The Point After for any athlete that has hopes of playing at a higher level. This is like a playbook on how to persevere against all odds.
Thank you to the author for sending a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed reading about Sean's journey. From the blurb, I knew he was going to eventually make it to the NFL, but as I read, I could not believe the amount of setbacks he had in his journey. Dealing with ADD as a child, chronic hip pain, transferring colleges and being cut by several teams, the amount of shear will Sean exhibited was truly inspirational. I also loved the story of Sean's romance with his now wife Karen and all the experienced in the early years of their marriage.
Being a collegiate athlete and coach, this book truly resonated with me. I recommend The Point After for any athlete that has hopes of playing at a higher level. This is like a playbook on how to persevere against all odds.
Thank you to the author for sending a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2021
🏈The Point After • @seanconley2
🏈IT’S GOOD! I love sports so I was excited when Sean reached out to see if I would be interested in reading his book. I’m from a small town right outside of Pittsburgh, so when I found out he was from Erie, played at Pitt and currently lives in Da Burg I knew this would be a memoir I would enjoy as it’s not my go to genre.
I was hooked from the prologue. It felt like I was in that stadium watching my favorite team, it literally gave me chills! All the behind the scenes NFL talk was awesome, and it was cool to get some insight into the inner workings as a fan. What surprised me was that I enjoyed reading about Sean’s family just as much as the football. You do not need to be a fan of the sport to enjoy this one. This book will give you all the feels. Sean’s journey from self trained kicker with no team to play for, to a walk on starter for the Pitt Panthers was awe inspiring. I was so anxious reading about him visiting NFL teams awaiting the outcomes and what he would do with all that determination once football was over. This is a book about working hard to make your dreams come true, even if somewhere along the line those dreams change. Next time I visit home maybe I’ll try to squeeze in a yoga class at his families studio in between a Steeler game and stuffing my face full of Primanti’s.
Thank you to Sean and his publisher Lyons Press for a copy of this book!
🏈IT’S GOOD! I love sports so I was excited when Sean reached out to see if I would be interested in reading his book. I’m from a small town right outside of Pittsburgh, so when I found out he was from Erie, played at Pitt and currently lives in Da Burg I knew this would be a memoir I would enjoy as it’s not my go to genre.
I was hooked from the prologue. It felt like I was in that stadium watching my favorite team, it literally gave me chills! All the behind the scenes NFL talk was awesome, and it was cool to get some insight into the inner workings as a fan. What surprised me was that I enjoyed reading about Sean’s family just as much as the football. You do not need to be a fan of the sport to enjoy this one. This book will give you all the feels. Sean’s journey from self trained kicker with no team to play for, to a walk on starter for the Pitt Panthers was awe inspiring. I was so anxious reading about him visiting NFL teams awaiting the outcomes and what he would do with all that determination once football was over. This is a book about working hard to make your dreams come true, even if somewhere along the line those dreams change. Next time I visit home maybe I’ll try to squeeze in a yoga class at his families studio in between a Steeler game and stuffing my face full of Primanti’s.
Thank you to Sean and his publisher Lyons Press for a copy of this book!
May 18, 2021
Both me and my husband are huge NFL fans (numerous Wembley trips when the NFL visit the UK and we’ve even taken a trip to Pittsburgh where our friends live and toured Heinz Field where the Steelers play), so when Sean reached out to me to ask if I’d review his book I jumped at the chance.
I’ll be honest I very rarely read autobiographies / memoirs as I don’t always feel like they grab my attention, however Sean has this way of storytelling which had me completely hooked from the very first page. This book doesn’t feel like a memoir and throughout I had to remind myself that Sean was real and this all actually happened.
Understandably this is heavily focused on American Football and even if you know nothing about the sport don’t let that put you off. Sean explains everything so well and even as someone who does know a fair bit about the sport I was still absolutely fascinated, especially learning about the college process, agents and the hurdles many players face before getting their big break.
This book is about the determination of one man to land his dream, being an NFL kicker and whilst we see just how much effort he puts into this, we also see just how this ‘obsession’ can affect not only yourself but those around you too. A special mention to his wife Karen who was his rock and what a phenomenal woman she sounds.
I adored this book, not just for the football aspect, but I was completely invested in Sean’s story and I think we can all learn a lot from it. Ambition and determination is great but at the end of the day surround yourselves with those you love, focus your energy on that and everything else will fall into place.
Overall this was a fantastic book, so well written and a journey I thoroughly enjoyed reading about!
I’ll be honest I very rarely read autobiographies / memoirs as I don’t always feel like they grab my attention, however Sean has this way of storytelling which had me completely hooked from the very first page. This book doesn’t feel like a memoir and throughout I had to remind myself that Sean was real and this all actually happened.
Understandably this is heavily focused on American Football and even if you know nothing about the sport don’t let that put you off. Sean explains everything so well and even as someone who does know a fair bit about the sport I was still absolutely fascinated, especially learning about the college process, agents and the hurdles many players face before getting their big break.
This book is about the determination of one man to land his dream, being an NFL kicker and whilst we see just how much effort he puts into this, we also see just how this ‘obsession’ can affect not only yourself but those around you too. A special mention to his wife Karen who was his rock and what a phenomenal woman she sounds.
I adored this book, not just for the football aspect, but I was completely invested in Sean’s story and I think we can all learn a lot from it. Ambition and determination is great but at the end of the day surround yourselves with those you love, focus your energy on that and everything else will fall into place.
Overall this was a fantastic book, so well written and a journey I thoroughly enjoyed reading about!
May 22, 2021
Ever since Sean Conley was eight years old, he knew he wanted to be a kicker in the NFL. This memoir follows his journey to and from the NFL, finding himself and the key to happiness along the way.
This is an inspiring tale of perseverance and a reminder that as easy as it is to be caught up on focusing on the future, envisioning happiness for ourselves once we reach a certain goal or milestone, true happiness is actually found in the present moment surrounded by the people we love. Hard work always pays off, but often in ways we could never have predicted or expected.
As an avid sports fan, I thoroughly enjoyed following along as Conley chased his dream of playing in the NFL, only to find his life’s purpose was even greater than he could have ever imagined. This memoir provides an inside look into what it really takes to join the NFL, the continuous trials once you do and the daunting task of figuring your life out after you leave.
Overall, this book is the life journey of a determined underdog football player with an underlying love story and ode to embracing life. A recommended read for those that enjoy sports memoirs, especially anyone that follows American football.
This is an inspiring tale of perseverance and a reminder that as easy as it is to be caught up on focusing on the future, envisioning happiness for ourselves once we reach a certain goal or milestone, true happiness is actually found in the present moment surrounded by the people we love. Hard work always pays off, but often in ways we could never have predicted or expected.
As an avid sports fan, I thoroughly enjoyed following along as Conley chased his dream of playing in the NFL, only to find his life’s purpose was even greater than he could have ever imagined. This memoir provides an inside look into what it really takes to join the NFL, the continuous trials once you do and the daunting task of figuring your life out after you leave.
Overall, this book is the life journey of a determined underdog football player with an underlying love story and ode to embracing life. A recommended read for those that enjoy sports memoirs, especially anyone that follows American football.
July 12, 2021
We are a sports family through and through. During football season, you will not walk into our house on any weekend where there is not college football playing on Saturday (GO BIG RED) or NFL playing on Sunday. This was such a fascinating look into the ins and outs of pro football and how training camps work.
I also loved the family story line! The love between Sean and his wife Karen is so clearly meant to be. And, the insight into how your dreams shift as you create your own family is one that is so poignant and powerful.
Sean writes a great memoir about how to cope with things when life doesn't always turn out the way that we envisioned it. He spotlights his own struggles with ADHD as well as the impact that our own financial status has on our ability to meet our dreams. And, despite it all, his positivity and optimism are infectious.
My only complaints are that the end of the memoir felt a little rushed. I was following along and then all of the sudden the whole thing changed! I mean, I enjoyed the change, however it was a little abrupt. I also wish that he had spent a little more time highlighting the impact of mental health and his own attention issues, but that's probably just because of my occupation :)
I also loved the family story line! The love between Sean and his wife Karen is so clearly meant to be. And, the insight into how your dreams shift as you create your own family is one that is so poignant and powerful.
Sean writes a great memoir about how to cope with things when life doesn't always turn out the way that we envisioned it. He spotlights his own struggles with ADHD as well as the impact that our own financial status has on our ability to meet our dreams. And, despite it all, his positivity and optimism are infectious.
My only complaints are that the end of the memoir felt a little rushed. I was following along and then all of the sudden the whole thing changed! I mean, I enjoyed the change, however it was a little abrupt. I also wish that he had spent a little more time highlighting the impact of mental health and his own attention issues, but that's probably just because of my occupation :)
July 12, 2021
Thank you author Sean Conley and publisher Rowman and Littlefield for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
The phrase "You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need" was ringing as I finished reading this memoir. Sean Conley had the talent, extreme motivation and work ethic to be a kicker in the NFL. However, life had other plans for him. In this book, he chronicles his life and struggles from high school to where he is now - a successful yoga instructor and business owner with his wife.
The writing in the memoir had me hooked from the beginning. I found myself constantly rooting for him and wanting to keep reading to discover his successes in each phase of his life. Sean was also from Erie, Pennsylvania, played for the University of Pittsburgh Football team and settled with his wife and family in Pittsbugh. Being from Pittsburgh myself, I was fascinated by all of his experiences with the city. This was a quick, easy, read.
Sean Conley's story would appeal to a vast number of readers, not just football fans. Anyone who has ever overcome hurdle after hurdle to reach dreams, or who is thankful for life working out differently than originally hoped, will connect with this book! Check it out!
The phrase "You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need" was ringing as I finished reading this memoir. Sean Conley had the talent, extreme motivation and work ethic to be a kicker in the NFL. However, life had other plans for him. In this book, he chronicles his life and struggles from high school to where he is now - a successful yoga instructor and business owner with his wife.
The writing in the memoir had me hooked from the beginning. I found myself constantly rooting for him and wanting to keep reading to discover his successes in each phase of his life. Sean was also from Erie, Pennsylvania, played for the University of Pittsburgh Football team and settled with his wife and family in Pittsbugh. Being from Pittsburgh myself, I was fascinated by all of his experiences with the city. This was a quick, easy, read.
Sean Conley's story would appeal to a vast number of readers, not just football fans. Anyone who has ever overcome hurdle after hurdle to reach dreams, or who is thankful for life working out differently than originally hoped, will connect with this book! Check it out!
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October 24, 2021Since it’s Fall and we are into football season I thought this would be a great time to share this book. Thank you to the author and @lyonspress for my free review copy.
Conley's story is an interesting tale of determination in his quest to be a player in the NFL. Where his story differs from the thousands of other kids that have tried to make the NFL, is that Conley never played organized football at any age before college. Lucky for him he was trying to make it as a kicker, a position unique in that it requires one repetitive skill, with very little chance of physical contact.
Through sheer determination and a no-quit attitude, Conley was able to play Division 1 college football and pre-season games for a few NFL teams. His dream didn't quite become the reality that he hoped for, but to see what he went through to make it come true against very difficult odds is truly inspiring. Teenage athletes in particular would benefit from reading this book and seeing the work that goes into a professional sports career. And to know that even if they don't make it, just battling and trying is victory in itself. After football Conley went on to follow other pursuits that became very important to his overall happiness and life.
Conley's story is an interesting tale of determination in his quest to be a player in the NFL. Where his story differs from the thousands of other kids that have tried to make the NFL, is that Conley never played organized football at any age before college. Lucky for him he was trying to make it as a kicker, a position unique in that it requires one repetitive skill, with very little chance of physical contact.
Through sheer determination and a no-quit attitude, Conley was able to play Division 1 college football and pre-season games for a few NFL teams. His dream didn't quite become the reality that he hoped for, but to see what he went through to make it come true against very difficult odds is truly inspiring. Teenage athletes in particular would benefit from reading this book and seeing the work that goes into a professional sports career. And to know that even if they don't make it, just battling and trying is victory in itself. After football Conley went on to follow other pursuits that became very important to his overall happiness and life.
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