Goose: The Outrageous Life and Times of a Football Guy by Tony Siragusa (2012) Hardcover

by Tony Siragusa

new

Genres: Sports, Biography, Football

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Bryan]

An entertaining read and some great stories. Sadly, Tony is one if the morons who uses the word "Like" repeatedly in most every sentence he speaks. Someone thought leaving those in a book makes sense. Shame on the editor and publisher.

Other than that, football fans should enjoy the stories and find them all relatable to the game and players of the past 20 years.

I wonder, though, for all his stories about having the back if your pals, the "way things are" in Jersey, and how hard it is to be the working man, how he would feel to learn about what happens to the driver of the truck all that stuff "falls off" that he keeps mentioning? Is he dumb enough to think there are no consequences? It's reflective of an attitude that being on his team makes you a winner, and everyone else can just deal with being a loser. For a book that aims to make him out to be a man's man, he really just plays like a clueless stereotypical mook.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I enjoy sports. I knew about Tony Siragusa from the show Man Caves, and vaguely knew that he had an average but long-tenured career in football, so I decided to give his book a try. I was blown away by how descriptive his important childhood moments were, and how he really showed a different side of football than what we are used to seeing on TV. His hard-nosed, brash perspective that only a New Jersey man can have on the game and in life was very refreshing. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good laugh, loves sports, and isn't afraid of some harsh language.

[Suzanne Machler Dombrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book the day after Tony passed as my father had received a signed copy from him and I had "GOOSE" in my bookshelf. He was one of the funniest, nicest, large-hearted people I have ever met. Each chapter (17) is a segment from his life. I laughed, I cried, and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Sad that he has left this world too early.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish the book THe author spent the entire book bragging about himself. One of the worst books I ever tried to read!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

To know Tony is to love Tony. A gentle giant with a heart bigger than himself.

[C Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever seen Tony Siragusa on television you'll have a very good idea of what this book is going to be like. Siragusa is absolutely hilarious in how he relates his life and antics in the National Football League. Ironically much of his career was spent with the Indianapolis Colts (formerly Baltimore Colts) and the Baltimore Ravens, a team and city that embraced the last great comedic defensive tackle Art Donovan who played for the Colts in the 1950's and had a good career in media afterwards because of his wit and humor. Thus I have dubbed Tony Siragusa the modern day Art Donovan.

Siragusa relates his life growing up in an Italian New Jersey town through his college football career and then ultimately his professional career and beyond. This is not a book about the X's and O's of football. It's about a large guy leading a large life.

Beyond just the absolutely hilarious stories Goose tells what is refreshing about this book is he pulls no punches. You know who he does and does not like, and those he does not like get it with both barrels.

One of the funnier stories is Goose relating a college recruiting trip to the University of West Virginia:

"My next visit was to West Virginia. That was a little wacky. I went to the place, and I was waiting in this room when two white guys with Mohawks and flannel shirts showed up.

What the hell is this? Did I just land in a remake of Deliverance?

We went around the campus and the whole thing was a little weird. The campus seemed like it was literally surrounded by a trailer park."

Hey, Tony Siragusa said it not me.

And the way he describes the incompetent head coach Ron Meyer and the "different kind of guy" Eric Dickerson when they were all Indianapolis Colts together is gut busting hilarious. Goose clearly has no respect for Meyer, essentially discussing what a buffoon he was in words not suitable to place in this review. And the self-absorbed drama king Eric Dickerson doesn't get off too lightly either.

After "the whole Slick Meyer disaster was over" the Colts hired Ted Marchibroda who was attempting to turn a losing team around and had some modest success. Goose clearly is a big fan of Marchibroda and has a lot of respect for him as a coach.

The funniest story during this era is when one of Goose's friends from the team had a, shall we say, liaison with a one legged woman. The woman took off her prosthetic limb and left it in the next room where the player had a Pit Bull puppy. Well, next morning the dog had chewed up the prosthetic limb so the player had to go get her another one. He asked Goose to cover for him with the coach so he wouldn't be fined for missing meetings.

Once Marchibroda retired they brought in Lindy Infante as head coach and Goose clearly loathes this man, so much so that it ultimately saw him out of Indianapolis and to the Baltimore Ravens.

Goose of course won a Super Bowl of with Baltimore after the 2000 season and was one of the big guys up front doing the dirty work to keep the young and super talented Ray Lewis and his linebacker mates clean of blocks so they wreak havoc on the offense. Clearly Goose enjoyed his time with the Ravens.

Goose also talks about his post-football endeavors, which are often equally as funny as his exploits in football. And finally, there are some very cleaver asides told from people who knew Goose best like his mother, his best friend, and Ted Marchibroda. You get a glimpse of what a likable goofball this guy is.

So if you want a very funny romp through the life of a gregarious football player, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

[Dachokie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pro Football Needs a Whole Flock of Geese ...

This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free advance copy of the book.

In recent years (more like decades), it is pretty hard not to view the world of professional sports without some degree of disdain ... especially professional football. A world comprised of whining, self-obsessed prima-donnas that have it all and take themselves way too seriously. While on the surface it appears that the hardcore grit and grind that defined football players like Earl Campbell, Dick Butkus and Jim Brown ... or the dirty violence that made icons out of the Raiders, Vikings and Steelers are nothing more than folklore, Tony "Goose" Sirgausa proves there are still a few "old school-types" hanging around the league these days with his book GOOSE.

Siragusa ... or Goose, is someone many may call a throw-back player. A solid college defensive lineman that was conveniently snubbed by the NFL on draft day, Goose reveals he has always been motivated by the challenge of proving himself to doubters. Overweight and minus an ACL in one knee, Goose not only becomes an NFL player, but a damn good one; good enough to anchor the talented defense of the 2000 Super Bowl Champ Baltimore Ravens. While GOOSE may appear to be the against-all-odds, rags-to-riches feel good type of story, it is far from it. Sure, hidden amongst the pages is a motivating "can do"/"don't quit" message, but it is doubtful Sirgausa even realizes it. Nope, GOOSE is a hilarious life-journey of a loud-mouthed, opinionated, but lovable oaf that you end up wishing was your best friend. By never taking life too seriously, Siragusa shows that you can still have the dream job, the money, the girl and one helluva good time.

Filled with story after story, readers will likely find themselves laughing out loud as Siragusa reveals amidst the pomp-and-circumstance of the NFL there is a great deal of funny stuff that most don't realize exists. Goose's sharp wit and laid-back approach to life put him in some hilarious (and frequently embarrassing) predicaments. I couldn't stop laughing as I read about the "constipation game" and how it segued to the "paralysis game". Never one to keep his mouth shut, Goose has no problems with smack-talking to opponents, teammates, coaches ... or owners for that matter. But through all the horseplay, he shows he can still maintain focus and play professional sports at the highest level. Obviously, GOOSE is mostly football, but being retired hasn't tamed him a bit. He just channels his rambunctiousness in different directions as a sports broadcaster and the host of "Man Caves".

I thoroughly enjoyed GOOSE; it was nice to finally read a simple sports-themed book that wasn't filled with the do-or-die drama of a final drive as time expires or the whiney social lives of prissy, overpaid wide receivers. GOOSE is about beer-drinking, let the shirt hang out kind of fun. The book is thoroughly entertaining from start to finish; Siragusa certainly has the gift of being able to tell a good story. My father always loved Art Donovan, the Hall-of-Fame Baltimore Colt from the 50s and 60s that could reel-off one hilarious story after another. I see Siragusa inheriting that role as the humorous "elder statesman" of the NFL ... the league definitely needs more guys like the Goose.

[Austin LaSure · Rating 4 out of 5]

I choose to read this book “GOOSE The Outrageous Life & Times of a Football Guy” by Tony Siragusa & Don Yaeger. I told my teacher the i would like a football themed book, and he give me A book called ‘Goose’. I like this book from beginning til end. I suggest this book if you like football or if you like a guy name Tony Siragusa. Tony Siragusa is the main character in this book tony and his football buddies.

I’ll admit there was small problems in this book that i didn't understand. But after those problems, i forced more than i did in the beginning of this story. I think there is a message is this book, but i'm not telling what it is, you will just have to read it and find out by yourself. This book is based on a true story. It about his life from where he was a kid growing up and becoming a football player.



In addition to the story, i think there was some parts the mad me laugh. Tony thought he was going to get pick right away but it turns out he didn't. Tony got picked by a team, what team? you may ask. Well you will just have to read this book. Some people don’t even know who Tony Siragusa is, but if you do or wants to know about him this is a book for you.

[David Ward · Rating 1 out of 5]

Goose: The Outrageous Life and Times of a Football Guy by Tony Siragusa (Crown Archetypes 2012) (Biography) was a great disappointment. I'm a huge football fan, and I love to read accounts of old fat linemen telling tales. My favorite authors from this genre are the former players Artie Donovan and Alex Karras; they make me howl with laughter. I fully expected Tony Siragusa's new book to be cut from the same mold. However, it is not. I don't think that there's a funny story in this book. To be fair, I've heard Tony Siragusa on TV, and he is funny. His pals apparently find him to be funny, too, so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that this book was ghostwritten. Therefore, here's some advice for you, Tony: ditch this ghostwriter as fast as you possibly can, and try again. Heck, I'd gladly try another of your books - and I believe that your readers and I will be able to quickly tell whether you took this advice and found new help. My rating: 1.5/10, finished 10/10/12.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I liked Tony Siragusa more before I read this book. My objection is basically this: When someone picks on somebody, he's mean; when Tony does it, he's just being himself. When someone else plants a hard shot in a game, he's playing the game the wrong way; when Tony does it, he's playing the game the right way. But he does give his family and friends credit for supporting him and he does recognize that football gave him a good life.

[Tony Valdepeñas · Rating 3 out of 5]

If folks are expecting aliterary master piece than you are mistaken. This is a book written just like Goose speaks. Some funny stories about a lineman's view of the NFL. Also truly captures the essence of an east coast Italian American. I loved it, made me laugh and gain more of an appreciation for Goose as just a reg guido meathead ( Compliment )

[Daniel A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was caught off guard with how good this book was. Very easy read that focuses on opinions and funny stories from his career. He doesn't focus on stuff that isn't interesting so unlike most biographies, the first 100 pages are not about his childhood. He gets right into the meat of things.

[DaveH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny as hell. Good storyteller.

[Amanda (Tholke) Hollenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow i liked the book better than i like his sideline presence. Amusing read.

[Heidi Alles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for football fans, but especially those from Central NJ. I enjoyed every story in the book.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love football as I do, this is a good book to read. It's not only about Goose but football.