“This game means a lot to me, and by the grace of God, I’ll never lose sight of the privilege it is to play it.” ― Kirk Cousins Kirk’s book is a reflection of who he is―not just a football player, but someone who is committed to making those around him better in every walk of life. ― Mike Shanahan, head coach, Washington Redskins In 2011, the NFF selected 16 college football players as "National Scholar Athletes", one of the highest honors a college football player can receive … Kirk was one of these distinguished 16, which says everything you need to know about him. ― Archie Manning, chairman, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Kirk Cousins is a lot more than an outstanding quarterback. He walks the talk. Few people I've met can inspire like he does. ― Jon Gruden, ESPN announcer and former head coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers In a world with far too many bad examples, Kirk is a bright light of hope, inspiration, and leadership for a new generation. ― Bill Huizenga, United States Congressman, Michigan What’s it really like for a person of strong character to live in the spotlight of pressure and fame? Sit down with Kirk Cousins, record-setting Michigan State quarterback and 2012 draft pick of the NFL’s Washington Redskins. In Game Changer , Cousins gives readers an inside look at his life―as experienced under the bright lights ofcollege and professional football―and how he put his faith and values into action, both on and off the field.
Game Changer By: Kirk Cousins This book is all about football and how Kirk Cousins came to be a very successful quarterback in the NFL and at Michigan State University. This book is all about getting through hard times and all the roller coaster rides Kirk has had during his football career so far (For MSU, Washington RedSkins, and now for the 2018-2019 season he will be the highest paid quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings). This is a nonfiction book written in Kirk’s perspective. The topics and settings of this book all vary. Most of the settings in the book however is on the football playing with his friends or playing competitively for MSU or the Redskins. So, like expected the setting is focused all around football. This book was pretty good and that why I’m rating it a 4 star. People will love this book if they love the joy of winning and losing and sports. This book teaches lessons that Kirk had to go through while he was playing football at MSU especially. He remembers one in particular when he was a freshmen coming into the weight room the captain of the team at the time was a senior and he said congratulations for making the team and how he was glad to meet Kirk. He said “It’s good you came here to our workout today, thanks for coming.” Some of the statements and conclusions Kirk says and promotes is definitely go out and have fun, always do your best, and have faith in God. The author Kirk himself did a good job at writing this book, he included many nice details in all of his thoughts and moments throughout the book. He did a nice job of teaching a lesson in the book, like a memoir. So yes he did do very good for the writing standards. This book again was pretty formative, it would keep telling you little life lessons that can help you later on in life. The strengths of this book is the writing and the way Kirk used his words to form pictures in his mind. One weakness in the book that I wish was resolved is the fact that I wish it talked more about how he made it pro and all the hard work and dedication he had to do to make it. One of the questions in the rubric is “Is the author credible for what he is doing.” Which I find kind of funny, YES! He’s credible for what he is writing it’s a biography written by him, so unless he’s lying lol than he’s very credible. To sum up this book review, the book was very good and again I would recommend this book to people that love sports, and some little tips that could help you succeed down the rode, I thought this was one of the most enjoyable book I've read this year only because I love sports and my favorite team is MSU. So it’s kind of cool to read a book of someone you loved to cheer for as a younger kid. But all in all good book and glad I read it.
This book is very interesting and inspiring. I really enjoyed this book.
The book I read is called Game Changer by Kirk Cousins. The setting of this book is in Holland when he is a child, Michigan State, and different places where NFL training camps are held. The point of view in this book is from the perspective of Kirk Cousins. Some other major characters in this book are Kirk’s parents, his siblings, and his teammates and coaches. Kirk Cousins is an NFL quarterback, who attended Michigan State University, and Holland Christian. This book is a biography of his family life growing up, his faith, and his journey through college and the NFL. The main ideas the Kirk is trying to make is to follow your faith, to always believe in your dreams, and to never quit at anything that you love doing. Some conclusions drawn in this book are when he gets drafted into the NFL, and all of his hard work paid off. This book has very good organizational structure, the book switches from parts of when he is a child, to high school, to college, and to the NFL.
I think that the did reach his primary purpose. The book was motivating and very interesting. In my opinion this writing is very powerful. Some strengths of this book is the message it sends, especially to young people, and this book makes you just want to keep reading. The weaknesses of this book are that sometimes it is easy to get lost with the setting of the book, because the time and place is always changing. The author is super credible to write about this topic, because the book is about his life. I really agree with the message the author is trying to spread, witch is to never give up and to chase your dreams.
This book left me wanting to read more of it. I would recommend this book to any people who love sports, because this is a great book about sports.
Game Changer is the first book that Kirk Cousins has ever written. It is an autobiography. Kirk Cousins is a quarterback that played at Michigan State and now plays on the Washington Redskins. In this book, Kirk talks about the privilege and responsibility it takes to be where he is at. He also talks about the challenges he has had to overcome and what he did to overcome them (All challenges that the reader can relate to). Kirk also mentions the important role that God plays in our lives. Basically, this book is a guide to life. I personally, really liked this book. I liked this book because in the beginning of each chapter, there is a quote/phrase that reflects on the main idea of that certain chapter. Some of the quotes/phrases come from the Bible, while others come from influential people like Martin Luther King Jr. For example, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher." - Luke 6:40 (Bible). This quote starts a chapter about the power of role models. I also liked this book because it taught me many life lessons. These life lessons were personally learned by the author of this book, Kirk Cousins. For example, this book taught me to do what is right instead of what feels right. Throughout this book, Kirk shares stories that taught him this life lesson, hoping these stories will teach the reader, so that they will not make the same mistakes that he has. To me, this writing is powerful. It is powerful because the author, Kirk Cousins, is currently the quarterback for the Washington Redskins, my favorite NFL football team. This book is also powerful because Kirk Cousins is Christian athlete, just like me. I would recommend this book to Christians, athletes, or anyone that needs or wants to learn important life lessons. Overall, I think Game Changer is a great book, with amazing stories/lessons, that anyone should read if they are a Christian, an athlete, or need/want to learn important life lessons.
Kirk Cousin’s, Game Changer, impressed me with it’s unique story and example of dedication. This book is written by Kirk Cousins, the current quarterback for the Washington Redskins. This book is very powerful and relates specifically to christian athletes and gives life lessons that Kirk himself has been through.
The style of this book is interesting. Being an autobiography, this book gives direct quotes and experiences from Kirk himself. Each chapter starts off with a quote from a respected leader of Kirk’s, or scripture from the bible. These quotes and bible verses will depict what the chapter is going to be about. The quotes really relate to your life and most of them will stand out to you and relate to something that you might be going through as a person.
In this book, the characters are mainly Kirk himself, his family, and friends/ teammates. Kirk depicts himself as being very loyal and trustable, discussing his experiences with god and life, such as being drafted later than he thought. He dealt with the pain of falling in the draft and explained his drive and will to become the NFL player that he is today. His family seems to be very kind and supportive, it talks about them driving 6 hours and sleeping in their cars to be able watch his college games.
The setting of this book relates to the struggles that Kirk goes through. As it talks about how he did not get to go to the college of his dreams, he ended up having to go to Michigan State. He is very positive, even when things in his life don’t go his way. His life is full of ups and downs and the setting shows the distance and struggle that he went to in order to achieve his dreams.
The plot of this inspiring book is in order of his life, based off of his real experiences. This book can connect to young readers and inspire them. Almost anybody can relate to this autobiography, and it is a very enjoyable read. When reading the book, you will almost feel like you are in his situation and it will show you how to handle different struggles that life will throw your way.
I would totally recommend this book to anyone. This book can be used to refer to when going through something tough in life. It can directly help you with specific situation and show you how a successful NFL athlete was able to make it. I would hope that everyone would take the time to read this book.
During my reading of the book Game Changer, I found myself enjoying this book entirly. Some of the reasons for this is the fact that Kirk Cousins emphasizes his faith throughout the book. Another reason is that Kirk grew up in Michigan which relates to me seeing taht I am also from Michigan. First, Kirk uses the name of his book to be a guide for his faith. Many will think when picking up the book that the title Game Chnager refers to his ability upon the football field. While that is not entirely false the title is refering to his faith in Jesus Christ and how it is a game changer within his dailey life. Some of the examples within the book are, when Kirk tells the story of how he got to Michiagn State to play football. He says that after coming off injury, and getting an opening which then lead to a scholarship seeing that another kid had decommited. Cousins tells that this was God calling him to be at Michigan State. He knew going into college that many would not share the same belifs as him upon his faith, and that his faith would be tried, but through that he would become a stronger perosn. Second, Cousins talks about his upbringing in west Michigan, where he went to high school at Holland Christian. He tells the fact that they had just started a football program when he was a freashman, and it was a new beginging for him. Cousins reflects upon his injury as a jounior sidlining him for most of the season. He tells about the toughts and wishes he had that he would get noticed by scout, for his dream was to play divison 1 college football. He talks about Keith Nicole , a star quarterback from Lowell Michiagn who had recived nurmerous offers to play football at the college level. Cousins refers back to his faith during this period and offers insight upon how God got him thorugh this troubling time. In conclusion, I liked this book and give it a 5 star rating. Cousins love for the game of football draw the reader closer to his story, and explor the use of his faith during his life. He ties it all together with his career in the NFL, and lets the reader get a taste of what its like in the NFL.
(4.5 stars) My daughter went to Michigan State when Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback there and I heard that he was a christian, but it wasn't until I watched the Netflix show "Quarterbacks" (highly recommended) that I understood what kind of christian Kirk is. There is one memorable scene where he is putting his kids to bed at night and they sing a gospel song together before praying. Cool moment. The point being, Mr. Cousins walks the walk, he doesn't just talk the talk. Indeed, he has in his contract that he doesn't have any football duties on Tuesdays during the season so he can spend time with his family.
Anyway, this book was written just after he entered the NFL, being drafted by the then, Washington Redskins. It's mostly about his early years and then his years at Michigan State. What I really liked about his book was that he doesn't just spend a bunch of time recounting football anecdotes. Rather, he uses football anecdotes as a jumping off point to talk about life lessons, which makes the book in my opinion.
A couple of things about Kirk Cousins you won't read in the book, but should know anyway:
1. He never talks down about his fellow teammates. You'll never hear Mr. Cousins say, "well if my wide receiver would have caught my well-thrown pass, we would have won the game." What he WILL say is, "If I could have gotten that pass in just a little better, it would have given my receiver a better chance at catching it." Classy guy.
2. Mr. Cousins was voted one of the team captains his sophomore season, not because he was the starting quarterback, but because his fellow teammates liked him and appreciated his leadership.
3. My daughter tells me that when Mr. Cousins had a rare bad game while at MSU, his fellow teammates wouldn't let anyone at MSU talk bad about him, they held him in that high regard. To me this says a lot.
I took a lot away from this book written by professional quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins. In Game Changer by Kirk Cousins, Kirk goes over his journey to the NFL from his high school days until the day he was drafted. In this autobiography, he also goes over all the life lessons he took away from his experiences and how he grew in Christ and helped others grow in Christ on his path to the NFL. This book always left me thinking when I put the book down of how I could use what I was reading in my life to become a more successful athlete and a more well-rounded person in all aspects of life. It was even easier for me to connect to the book coming from an athletes point of view since one of his main points he goes over is how to balance being a student/Christian athlete. I would recommend this autobiography to any person in life that is 12+ but especially those of which who are athletes and struggling to balance sports with school and church. It is a pretty easy and quick read as well, that is packed full of information that is both interesting and informative.
Game Changer, by Kirk Cousins, is about his success starting at a high school athlete having big dreams and pursuing them. Kirk Cousins was a stud at the high school varsity level eventually being scouted by MSU and other colleges. Kirk Cousins tries to stay as humble as he can when he makes it to the NFL coming out of the bug college of MSU. He didn't only get drafted into the NFL, he made an impact on many Redskin fans cheering him on. I really liked this book because Kirk was a cool guy, winning ¨The offensive player of the year award¨ in 2016. He also made the saying ¨You like that!¨ when people doubted him and he proved them wrong. Kirk almost inspires the reader to fulfill your dream no matter what it may be. What I respect most of him though is how he maintained a good attitude about everything and remained humble through his wins and losses. This book was really good, I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in sports and football.
What I thought of this book is that it was an amazing book. It really persuades you to not to give up on something that you have worked really hard for. I would recommend this book to everybody. If you are thinking about quitting something that you worked really hard for, read this book and it will change your mind.
this is a good book that tells kirk cousins story and how he became a nfl player but this is mosly about his faith in God and how God got him to the NFL and he knew thats what God wanted him to do. and walk in his faith. it is a good devotional book or before bed book and it really teaches you. it really good and it should be on your want to read list!
I really liked this book that is written by pro football quarterback Kirk Cousins. I really liked this book because this author really connected family, faith, and sports together. Those are all things that I value in my life so I could make a lot of connections to his story. It is also about his journey through life and how he got to the NFL which really got me hooked and want to keep reading.
As a Michigan State fan and a follower of Jesus I really appreciated this book. Kirk Cousins is a man of character and has lived that out on and off the field. You should read this book!
10/10. I felt excited to open and read this book. There was only one part I felt was a bit slow. I loved the mini lesssons chapter to chapter and the overall lesson. This book helped me connect my faith and volleyball.
I enjoyed how personal Kirk was in the book. He did an incredible job emphasizing God as the ultimate Game Changer of his life. This will be a book I'll recommend to anyone.
I think that this book was pretty good. It was his story on his journey to the NFL and all the lessons that he had been taught on the way. The only thing that I didn't like about the book, is that it was very religious. It talked about god a lot and there is nothing wrong with that I just feel like there should have been more football. Overall I think this was a pretty good book and I would recommend it to any sports fans
Not only did Kirk Cousins go to Michigan State to play football as a quarter back and then get drafted by the Redskins, he also wrote a book that has impacted my life and I am sure many other lives. This motivating book is called Game Changer. It is a non-fiction book that talks about challenges in life, school, with friends, and sports. It motivates me to be a better person, student, athlete, and friend. I found it easy to relate some of my challenges with Kirk's challenges considering the fact that we are both big athletes, Christians, and very competitive. The Gamer Changer is a book that tells you about challenges in life, school, sports, and teams. Kirk Cousins does an amazing job writing this book. He makes it very clear that we are Gods children and we were born with a plan that God has created for us. We might not always like where it is leading us, but it was meant to be. There will be people in life that are always there for you and people that aren't. There are people that will build you up and people that will bring you down. People that will bring out the good in you and people that will bring out the bad in you. You need to have strength and faith in life to get through some long dark tunnels. Kirk also talks about his doubts he has had in God. He tries to be positive and learn from a big game mistake or an injury that has kept him from being able to play. Sometimes we have to swim against the current instead of swimming with the current. This can be determined by the way your friends act and the choices they make or in other ways you want to tackle it. Just because something seems right doesn't mean it is. Anybody who plays a sport or has had challenges in life and needs to be motivated would love this book. Even if you don't enjoy football or sports I think you should still read Game Changer because of the overall message. I highly recommend this book. I loved how the book was straightforward and talked about his life and how he isn't perfect, just like the rest of us. Honestly I don't have any dislikes about this book. It's a game changer of life.
Review Review of Game Changer by Kirk Cousins. Many of us play sports and only a 4th of use will ever make it into a sport. This is a story of how Kirk Cousins came over the odds and achieved being a quarterback in the NFL. His unique perspective on the game showed real love for the game. Kirk inspired others to play the game as a team player, a leader. and a good friend to others. By showing these actions on and off the field Kirk showed other people that you can accomplish anything if you work hard for it. In this book people close to Kirk told stories of how he played football when he was a kid in high school, middle school, and so on. A coach from his college made a statement at the beginning of the book that told us what he thought of Kirk. This coach said nothing that was bad about Kirk all he had to say was only good things. He was a downright stand up guy to play the game with. He said that Kirk respected the game and everyone who played it, it wasn't just a game to Kirk it was his whole life that he had worked so hard to achieve. Kirk loved the game as much as he loved his family and life, he played it the far way and the right way he always tried to do his best. He yearned to be the best. When Kirk was in school he always loved football and he knew that if he wanted to get into the NFL he had to show that he could work hard, show sportsmanship, and play the game like you can't live without it. My brother recommended this book to me since we both like football, after reading the book I understood the hardships and struggles of life to achieve the dreams that you have been working so hard for.Kirk is supportive and stays positive even when things go wrong. I gave this book 4 stars because I really loved how Kirk worked hard and to achieve his dreams and also that he never gave up he tried his best and his dreams came true. I think people who enjoy sports and also people who like hearing an underdog story would really like the read this book. I would read this book again just so I could read about his story again so I can be impressed again by his courage, bravery, and loving heart.
Kirk Cousins has proven himself as an outstanding quarterback. He threw 66 touchdowns in his 4 year Michigan State career and worked his way into a starting position in the 2014 season for the Washington Redskins. Now, through his book Game Changer, he as also proven himself as a writer and role model. His autobiography follows his career throughout MSU and his journey into the NFL, teaching his reader the lessons he has learned throughout football, all based around one thing: God. Kirk was raised into a christian family in Holland. He attended Holland Christian High School, a small school with about 200 people per class. In his journey to the NFL, he had to face many obstacles. Wherever he went, he always seemed to be the underdog. Although, Kirk always put his trust in God, through good times and bad, and he always battled through. He faces tough questions and finds answers through the bible in Game Changer. Game Changer is NOT a action packed football thrill ride. It is NOT the story of how successful Kirk Cousins is. This is NOT a “Ooo, look what I can do!” kind of story. It is, however, a thought provoking lesson filled story of, as Cousins puts it, “Faith, Football, and Finding your way.” If you’ve ever struggled in your faith or gone through a rough time recently, I recomend this book for you. While Cousins’ writing skills are not completely fine tuned, and the book is a bit of an easy read, if you read more than the words on the page, Game Changer will strike you in a place no other place could ever. This book will make you rethink how you treat others, yourself, and your faith.
So . . . I’m not a football person, but this book is about a lot more than football. It’s not so much a biography of a star athlete as lessons for life learned through playing football at the high school, college and now NFL level. Kirk Cousins is all about positive relationships and making good choices even as he leads the Michigan Spartans to a Big Ten title and joins the Washington Redskins. Unlike some celebrities, he doesn’t try to hide his weaknesses and failures, but lets us learn with him through them—like when 80,000 fans are cheering his mistake. “My character has been challenged on so many occasions when it would have been much easier to do what I felt like doing instead of doing what was right,” he says (p. 124). “When someone lacks discipline in one area of life, it usually leads to a lack of discipline in other areas of life” (p.107).
The young athlete in your life will eat up the inside view of off-season training and media events along with the play-by-play accounts of key games. There’s lots to think about and discuss if you’re a family who reads aloud together. The inside of the dust jacket of the hard cover edition is a great poster of Cousins as a Washington Redskin. The book makes a great gift and will be a definite asset to your church or school library. Don’t tell the boys in my middle school Sunday school class, but this is what they are getting for Christmas.
[I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.]
So . . . Im not a football person, but this book is about a lot more than football. Its not so much a biography of a star athlete as lessons for life learned through playing football at the high school, college and now NFL level. Kirk Cousins is all about positive relationships and making good choices even as he leads the Michigan Spartans to a Big Ten title and joins the Washington Redskins. Unlike some celebrities, he doesnt try to hide his weaknesses and failures, but lets us learn with him through themlike when 80,000 fans are cheering his mistake. My character has been challenged on so many occasions when it would have been much easier to do what I felt like doing instead of doing what was right, he says (p. 124). When someone lacks discipline in one area of life, it usually leads to a lack of discipline in other areas of life (p.107).
The young athlete in your life will eat up the inside view of off-season training and media events along with the play-by-play accounts of key games. Theres lots to think about and discuss if youre a family who reads aloud together. The inside of the dust jacket of the hard cover edition is a great poster of Cousins as a Washington Redskin. The book makes a great gift and will be a definite asset to your church or school library. Dont tell the boys in my middle school Sunday school class, but this is what they are getting for Christmas.
[I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.]
This little auto-biography is filled with faith! As I read this small paperback, I was inspired by this famous record-setting quarterback's obvious deep faith in Christ. This is the kind of book your sons need to read! A well-written story of an athlete who doesn't live just for the game, but for his Saviour! Mothers and sisters will be happy to know they can give this book to their sons/brothers...even husbands resting assured that it will inspire them in their manly walk with God! Even as a woman, I found this an enjoyable and inspiring read! Even though I didn't understand much of the football terminology. (and even despite the fact that I'm not even interested in sports!) Kirk Cousins does a wonderful job with writing this autobiography. It is easy to comprehend, well-planned and delivers a fantastic message of faith. A great gift for the men in your life! I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I've read a lot of books written by Christian athletes, but this is the best of the best!
It is written for a younger person, probably late elementary to middle school, but I personally found it encouraging. Here are a couple of positives:
1. Cousins is a good communicator. He writes well and organizes his thoughts well. His story and points are easy to understand and follow.
2. He talks very openly and clearly about his faith. He provides a lot of helpful breadcrumbs for a young person to follow.
3. He tells some great stories about his football career, especially at Michigan State. But this is not the focal point of the book. His focus is clearly on being an encouragement to young people, especially in their Christian faith.
If you know a younger person you would like to encourage in the Christian faith who enjoys football, this book is a slam dunk (or rather... a touchdown!).
When I read the sports autobiography Game Changer by Kirk Cousins I enjoyed it but occasionally got bored. I enjoyed it because it was a book written all about one of my favorite athletes and all of the different challenges he had to overcome to get to where he is today. However, I got bored at some parts that were constantly repeated such as all of the motivational speeches. There also wasn't necessarily a plot, every chapter had its own story. I didn't like the writing style but it's probably the best you'll get from an NFL quarterback or any sports autobiography for that matter. I did like how Kirk portrayed himself, he never bragged about everything he earned he would just say there's still room for improvement. I would recommend this book to any young Michigan State University or Washington Redskins fans who look up to Cousins.