Inside the NFL's First Family
My Life of Football, Faith, and Fatherhood
Published on 10. January 2017
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-5011-4478-3 (ISBN)
Description
From the man who has played in more NFL games than any non-kicker in the football league's history comes a memoir about the Matthews family and how eight people over three generations have achieved success in the NFL-more than any other family in sports history.
No family has qualified more of its members for the demands and rewards of the National Football League than the Matthews clan-eight and counting over three generations. They include Bruce's father Clay, an original NFL San Francisco 49er; his brother Clay Jr., a four-time All-Pro for the Cleveland Browns; and nephew Clay III, a Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers. Bruce Matthews may be the best of them all, a fourteen-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, holder of the all-time consecutive starts record for offensive linemen, and inductee in the NFL Hall of Fame.
The enduring success of the Matthews family is no accident. Their competitive nature, passion for excellence, never-quit attitude, compassion for the disadvantaged, and love for each other has propelled them to the peak of their abilities and professions. For Bruce, the foundation of it all is his faith in God. Inside the NFL's First Family shows how the highs and lows of Bruce's NFL career and expanding responsibilities as a husband and father taught him the lasting significance of his commitment to Christ. This book is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of professional football, featuring the insider stories that every fan craves. It also shows how Bruce and his family successfully dealt with challenges such as depression, cancer, and Down Syndrome. Yet Inside the NFL's First Family offers readers even more-the principles and beliefs that have enabled the Matthewses to excel in football and in life.
No family has qualified more of its members for the demands and rewards of the National Football League than the Matthews clan-eight and counting over three generations. They include Bruce's father Clay, an original NFL San Francisco 49er; his brother Clay Jr., a four-time All-Pro for the Cleveland Browns; and nephew Clay III, a Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers. Bruce Matthews may be the best of them all, a fourteen-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, holder of the all-time consecutive starts record for offensive linemen, and inductee in the NFL Hall of Fame.
The enduring success of the Matthews family is no accident. Their competitive nature, passion for excellence, never-quit attitude, compassion for the disadvantaged, and love for each other has propelled them to the peak of their abilities and professions. For Bruce, the foundation of it all is his faith in God. Inside the NFL's First Family shows how the highs and lows of Bruce's NFL career and expanding responsibilities as a husband and father taught him the lasting significance of his commitment to Christ. This book is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of professional football, featuring the insider stories that every fan craves. It also shows how Bruce and his family successfully dealt with challenges such as depression, cancer, and Down Syndrome. Yet Inside the NFL's First Family offers readers even more-the principles and beliefs that have enabled the Matthewses to excel in football and in life.
Reviews / Votes
"The Matthews are the First Family of Football and Bruce is their Patriarch, one of just over 300 to have a bronzed bust in Canton, Ohio as the greatest of all time. All of us can learn from his faithful journey of commitment, character, courage and compassion-what it takes to have a Hall of Fame family and Hall of Fame life".-- David Baker, President, Pro Football Hall of Fame "I had the honor of being a teammate with Bruce for ten years. He was the most talented and versatile offensive lineman I played with during my twenty-three year career. The Matthews family to me is the "1st Family" of NFL football! It is truly amazing the talent in this one family tree. This story needs to be told, and I'm happy the sports world will get to learn more about this truly amazing family lineage. I slept better the night before games knowing that Bruce was lining up next to me!" -- Warren Moon, NFL quarterback, inductee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame "In my twenty-three years of coaching in the NFL, Bruce Matthews was one of the most competitive, yet humble teammates I ever had the privilege to coach. He was a warrior in the trenches on the gridiron and has always been a warrior for Christ. Join him in his family journey as he takes you inside the locker room and the life of a Hall of Fame player. "Button your chin straps!" . . . You're going to love this! -- Les Steckel, Veteran NFL Coach, former President/CEO Fellowship of Christian Athletes "This is an honest and revealing story about the life of one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL. It is a fascinating "behind the scenes" look at the NFL, as well as a personal story of overcoming life's challenging obstacles. Whether you are a sports fan or not, you will be inspired by Bruce's journey as a father, a husband and a Christian. I am honored to have been a close friend of the Matthews family for over 30 years and continue to be inspired by the love and support that they have for each other and the faith that guides them all." -- Mike Munchak, Hall of Fame former professional American football player, offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers "While reading this book I could feel Bruce's spirit and energy, which is raw and inspirational. Bruce embodies all of the qualities of what and who a man is. His strong core values and beliefs jump off of each page. Those same qualities permeated in our locker room where Bruce was a wise, loving, faith-filled, persistent and tenacious "granddaddy" role model. I knew without a doubt for seven of my eight years as an Oiler/Titan, I could always count on Bruce Matthews to be there, no matter what, even when injured. And I'm extremely grateful." -- Eddie George, NFL running back, Heisman trophy winner, inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame "Bruce Matthews is a winner as an NFL player, a husband, a father, and a man of God. His new book, which tells the amazing story of the Matthews family, is a winner too. If you're looking for inspiration to be better in every aspect of your life, you need to read Inside the NFL's First Family." -- Tim Brown, NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver and author, The Making of a Man Inside the NFL's First Family provides extraordinary insight into Bruce Matthews' journey from childhood to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Matthews family has embodied greatness on the field for three generations. "First Family" shows what an important role their faith in God has played in helping them become leaders and role models who set a standard that transcends the sport that has made them so successful. -- John McClain, NFL writer for the Houston Chronicle and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Illustrations
8-page 4-C insert
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
413 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5011-4478-3 (9781501144783)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2017
Howard Books
€11.86
Available for download
Persons
Bruce Matthews is a fourteen-time Pro Bowler, holder of the all-time consecutive starts record for offensive linemen, and inductee in the NFL Hall of Fame. He was named to the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Time Team. Following his retirement, Matthews began hosting golf tournaments for the Greater Houston Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Texas Special Olympics. He lives in Sugar Land, Texas, with his wife, Carrie, and their seven children. He is the author of Inside the NFL's First Family.
James Lund is an award-winning collaborator, editor, and author who enjoys helping people develop their voice and message. He is a publishing veteran who has worked with bestselling authors, public figures, and leaders including Max Lucado, George Foreman, Tim Brown, Kathy Ireland, Jim Caviezel, and others. Three of his projects have earned the ECPA Gold Medallion Award. He lives with his wife, Angela, and children in Central Oregon, where he enjoys hiking, rafting, softball, and performing music with friends.
James Lund is an award-winning collaborator, editor, and author who enjoys helping people develop their voice and message. He is a publishing veteran who has worked with bestselling authors, public figures, and leaders including Max Lucado, George Foreman, Tim Brown, Kathy Ireland, Jim Caviezel, and others. Three of his projects have earned the ECPA Gold Medallion Award. He lives with his wife, Angela, and children in Central Oregon, where he enjoys hiking, rafting, softball, and performing music with friends.