It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium

By John Ed Bradley

Book Overview

"A lyrical memoir . . . about his teammates, his coaches, his parents and the magnetic power of football in Louisiana."--NPR "The best sports book of the year."-- Sports Illustrated Inspired by a classic essay about a visit to a dying coach, It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium explores in gorgeous detail the inescapable pull of college football--the cocky smiles behind the face masks, the two-a-day drills, the emotionally charged bus rides to the stadium, the curfew checks, the film-study sessions, the locker room antics, and the yawning void left in one's soul the moment the final whistle sounds. To understand why it's so painful to give up the game, you must first understand the intimacy of the huddle. "It ends for everybody," writes John Ed Bradley, "and then it starts all over again, in ways you never anticipated. Marty Dufresne sits in his wheelchair listening to the Tiger fight song . . . Ramsey Darder endures prison by playing the games over in his head . . . Big Ed Stanton never took up the game of golf, and yet he rides the streets of Bayou Vista in a cart nearly identical to Coach Mac's, recalling the one time the old man invited him for a ride." Far more than a memoir, It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium is a brutally honest, profoundly moving look at what it means to surrender something you love.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933060670
• ISBN13: 9781933060675
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: ESPN Video
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Powerful and Compelling Story

John Ed Bradley played football at Louisiana State University for 4 years, and, after his final game on December 22, 1979, with a 34-10 victory over Wake Forest, he left, never looking back until 23 years later. He had become a successful writer and journalist, and was leading the good life. But, after the death of Charles McClendon, memories of when he played for LSU creped into Bradley's head, and he was forced to go back...

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "THEY WALKED BETWEEN THE RAINDROPS!"

This is the autobiography of a young man named John Ed Bradley who lettered in football for four years at Louisiana State University. (LSU) Despite the fact that the only position more impressive in Louisiana than playing football for LSU would be Governor, this is oh so much more than a sports story! John Ed's football career at LSU culminated on December 22, 1979 with a 34-10 victory over Wake Forest in the Tangerine Bowl...

FAN-tastic!

A great read for all college football fans ... Bradley's 1st hand experiences give an accurate view of the world of a college football player and his transition into reality. A must read.

One of the best books I have ever read

This book was one of the best things that I have ever read. I also attended LSU, and can almost see John Ed Bradley sitting in the Quad, or walking to Allen Hall. He not only makes you realize a new respect for the game, but also makes you feel like you are a part of it. You start to understand that you are not the only one that is missing a part of themselves, and it helps you to realize that you, too, can get past the...

As good as it gets.

I feel like I know John Ed too well now. It's almost as if I went through his medicine chest when I was at a party at his home. The book gives the best insight into college football (and LSU in particular) that any outsider will probably ever get. I will still enjoy my Saturday nights in Tiger Stadium, but I will look at those men on the field with new respect. You won't regret the purchase.