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Crazyball is a look at the wild, unusual, unimaginable, funny, and
downright strange occurrences in sports. Barry Wilner and Ken
Rappoport take us from the worst teams in history to sports'
craziest superstitions, wackiest pranks, and ultimate blown calls.
This book is filled with moments that will make you laugh, shake
your head in wonderment, lose your breath, or simply ask:
"Really?!"
When Harvard came back from a 16-point deficit with less than a
minute to go to tie Yale in their now-famous 1968 gridiron tilt,
the headline in the Harvard Crimson the following Monda proudly
boasted, "Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29." This and nineteen other
improbable comebacks are the subjects of Wilner and Rappoport's
latest volume of extraordinary achievements from the world of
sports, and include the 1914 "miracle" Braves, Billy Casper's
incredible rally to beat Arnold Palmer in the 1966 U.S. Open, the
New York Giants' magical playoff run in 1951, and others. Also
included are sidebars on individual athletes whose "combacks"
included overcoming disease (i.e. Lance Armstrong) and reviving a
career (i.e. Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali).
The NFL draft features no action on the field. No passing, running,
tackling, or kicking. Hey, there isn't even a field. Yet the draft
has become more popular than many other sporting events, including
the NBA and NHL playoff games, against which it goes head-to-head
for viewers. In fact, the draft has spawned its own cottage
industry in which names such as Gil Brandt, Mel Kiper Jr., and Mike
Mayock have become as well known as any of the first-round
selections. In On the Clock, Barry Wilner and Ken Rappoport
chronicle the history of the proceedings. The veteran sportswriters
take you from the first grab bag in 1936, when Philadelphia chose
Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago
only for him to decline to play in the NFL, to the 2014
draft-considered one of the deepest in talent ever. Along the
78-year journey, learn about the competitions for the top overall
spot (Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf), the unhappy No. 1s (John Elway
and Tom Cousineau), the big flops (JaMarcus Russell), and the
late-rounders-turned-superstars (Tom Brady). Meet the draft
wizards, from Paul Brown to Bill Walsh and Jimmy Johnson, and read
about the draft whiffs that cost personnel executives their jobs.
On the Clock takes you behind the scenes at one of pro football's
most suspenseful annual events.
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