
Dat
Tackling Life and the NFL
Texas A & M University Press
Will be published approx. on 30. September 2005
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-58544-472-4 (ISBN)
Description
In a quintessentially American game, for an organization often called America's Team, Dat Nguyen stands as the first player of Vietnamese descent ever to play in the NFL. Yet if asked for his job description, he would probably answer simply, ""I tackle."" He tackled so well at Rockport-Fulton (Texas) High School that he earned a scholarship to Texas A&M University, becoming the first Vietnamese American football player in school history. As part of the storied ""Wrecking Crew,"" Nguyen's tackling earned him All-American honors and led the Aggies to their first Big 12 title. And, even though he was once deemed too small to play middle linebacker in the NFL, he has earned All-Pro recognition with the Dallas Cowboys. For Dat Nguyen, though, tackling the various obstacles of life - not just running backs - gives him the most pride. He learned how to tackle life from his parents, who narrowly escaped from the North Vietnamese Army in 1975. Nguyen offers the story of his faith, his family, and his career, a true story of the American dream lived out, as an inspiration to others. He recounts his father's decision to flee Vietnam; the boat trip that took his family to freedom; and their eventual settling in Rockport, Texas, where a community of Vietnamese shrimpers established an economic livelihood using skills brought from the old country. He describes the racism his family encountered while he was growing up and how the friendship of one young Caucasian boy and his family overcame prejudice through an invitation to participate in sports. Nguyen's insightful look into the life of a big-time football player offers first-hand glimpses of the personalities and playing (or coaching) styles of many celebrated stars of college football and the NFL. His stories offer excitement, romance (as he pursues his college sweet-heart, now his wife), faith, fatherhood, and humor. Dat is a lively, engaging story of growing up in a refugee family, of big-time football, and of human struggle and success.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
College Station
United States
Illustrations
50 b&w photos, index
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 166 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
611 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-58544-472-4 (9781585444724)
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
Persons
DAT NGUYEN, the leading tackler in the history of Texas A&M University, is now the starting middle line-backer for the Dallas Cowboys. Born in a refugee camp in Arkansas, he grew up in Rockport, Texas, and has played his entire football career in the Lone Star State. RUSTY BURSON is a sports writer for 12th Man Magazine at Texas A&M. He and his wife, Vannessa, are co-authors of Reveille: First Lady of Texas A&M, and he has also written Texas A&M: Where Have You Gone?