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All Heart : The Autobiography of Michael Pinball Clemons
Michael Clemons is only 5'6" tall and weighs 170 pounds. Yet this diminutive running back for the Toronto Argonauts Football Club is one of the best in the league, an electrifying player named the CFL's most outstanding player in 1990 and one of the key reasons for the Argos' three Grey Cup championships. His skill on the field is a story in itself, but it is his fight to get there that is revealing, fascinating, and above all, inspiring.All Heart is a story of winning against all odds, of succeeding while others predicted failure, of giving more when less would have been satisfactory. It is the story of a young man growing up without a father, but guided by the fierce determination and love of his mother and great-great-grandmother.
It is the story of a young man who would realize his dream of the NFL, but make his career in the Canadian Football League, where the larger field and faster game suit his ricochet speed. Here, Michael Clemons tells of his battle to find his niche, revealing the inner workings of two quite different professional leagues, the management, the coaches and the players.
It is also the story of an athlete with true character, an incredibly generous spirit and a quiet dignity that shines on and off the field. Michael tells how his upbringing has shaped him, how his steadfast faith has always guided him, and how his commitment to his team and his community is much more than just a professional veneer, but a deeply held feeling of true spirit and belonging.
It is the story of a young man who would realize his dream of the NFL, but make his career in the Canadian Football League, where the larger field and faster game suit his ricochet speed. Here, Michael Clemons tells of his battle to find his niche, revealing the inner workings of two quite different professional leagues, the management, the coaches and the players.
It is also the story of an athlete with true character, an incredibly generous spirit and a quiet dignity that shines on and off the field. Michael tells how his upbringing has shaped him, how his steadfast faith has always guided him, and how his commitment to his team and his community is much more than just a professional veneer, but a deeply held feeling of true spirit and belonging.
215 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1998
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 4, 2023
A well-written summary of the life of Michael "Pinball" Clemons. He was a great Argo, a great family man, a Christian and motivational speaker. A couple of things are not my favourite. I am not a fan of a biography in the middle of a person's career. I believe that these books should be written in the twilight of people's careers. Being very statistically oriented, I prefer names and dates on everything and Clemons likes to generalize. I know that he is a Christian and that this is an important facet of his life. He dwells on this a little to much at the end of the book.
I will check out Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero Paperback – July 21 2006 to see if this book is more to my liking.
Good read however.
I will check out Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero Paperback – July 21 2006 to see if this book is more to my liking.
Good read however.
December 21, 2020
Michael Pinball Clemons is one of the true ‘good guys’ in this world. I had the pleasure of meeting him once in Toronto and he insisted on giving my wife and I a big hug before taking a picture with us.
In this book, Pinball goes over his career playing football for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He also discusses his early life, attempts at making the NFL, and his charity/personal works. All-in-all, Pinball is about as genuine a person as they come. Quite an incredible story, from quite an incredible athlete.
In this book, Pinball goes over his career playing football for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He also discusses his early life, attempts at making the NFL, and his charity/personal works. All-in-all, Pinball is about as genuine a person as they come. Quite an incredible story, from quite an incredible athlete.
July 21, 2023
“All Heart” is Michael “Pinball” Clemons talking all about his life and playing career. For people looking for some salacious details about his life, you won’t find it here. Pinball is one of the most revered athletic figures in Toronto and many view his as inspiring and one of the nicest people. The funny part about his autobiography was the over-arching question the reader is left with … “Is this guy for real?” Pinball actually addresses this very question! The last few chapters are more based in his philosophy and his Christianity, which is a theme throughout. A solid autobiography from one of the true role models in sport.
February 18, 2017
An engaging read by the Argonauts #31. It covers his childhood and years in the CFL. It's as upbeat and engaging as the man himself. If you like Pinball, you'll like this book.
September 3, 2016
Whether your a fan of the Toronto Argonauts, I'm sure you still admire Michael "Pinball" Clemons.
Great Autobiography on the man that has played a big role in Canadian football.
Great Autobiography on the man that has played a big role in Canadian football.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews