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Touchdown Tony: Running with a Purpose
In the movie tie-in to the Fall 2015 film, Woodlawn, Tony Nathan (the central character of the film) shares his experiences as an African American running back on a mostly white team in 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. His courage and superb ability helped heal a city and propelled him to a successful football career as both a player and coach in the NFL. The movie stars Jon Voight, Nic Bishop, and C. Thomas Howell.
When Tony Nathan got his hands on a football, it was like Superman putting on his cape for the first time. He stepped onto the field and became a different person—a hero destined to change the course of Alabama history. Somehow, when he held a football, he knew exactly what to do, and it was those instincts that helped him navigate life in one of the most tumultuous cities in America.
In this powerful memoir, Tony reveals how he summoned the courage to “run with purpose” during the times when racial tensions ran high as he grew from a boy trapped by the racial divide in Birmingham, Alabama, into a successful man and football hero.
Tony’s courage, character, passion, and strength contributed to his impressive career on the field—including two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins—and then as a coach who helped train other winning players.
Inspirational and uplifting, Touchdown Tony is not only a behind-the-scenes look at a great football player’s life and career, it is also a story of redemption and one man’s hope to change the future.
When Tony Nathan got his hands on a football, it was like Superman putting on his cape for the first time. He stepped onto the field and became a different person—a hero destined to change the course of Alabama history. Somehow, when he held a football, he knew exactly what to do, and it was those instincts that helped him navigate life in one of the most tumultuous cities in America.
In this powerful memoir, Tony reveals how he summoned the courage to “run with purpose” during the times when racial tensions ran high as he grew from a boy trapped by the racial divide in Birmingham, Alabama, into a successful man and football hero.
Tony’s courage, character, passion, and strength contributed to his impressive career on the field—including two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins—and then as a coach who helped train other winning players.
Inspirational and uplifting, Touchdown Tony is not only a behind-the-scenes look at a great football player’s life and career, it is also a story of redemption and one man’s hope to change the future.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2015
12 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 18, 2017
IT WAS AWESOME
September 27, 2018
really good book
February 21, 2019
I was there to see Tony in action at Woodlawn. I am still a fan of Tony.
September 10, 2015
Review:
Football fans may know of Tony Nathan because of his college career with the University of Alabama or during his professional career with the Miami Dolphins. Maybe he is recognized because he was on Crimson Tide’s national championship team in 1978 or for his key roles in helping the Dolphins win two conference championships in the 1980’s. He has also been a coach for the Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens.
However, after reading “Touchdown Tony”, one will realize that none of those accomplishments are Nathan’s proudest moments. His story of what he experienced during his childhood and his high school years will make a reader realize how grounded Nathan’s values are to make him the man he is today. He writes about those times, and his times at the University of Alabama, with a great deal of pride. Not necessarily about what he accomplished on the football field, but about the values instilled into him by his family, his coaches and his environment.
His years at Woodlawn High School make for the best reading in the book. This was during the time when integration of schools was just beginning in Birmingham, Alabama and there was much tension in the air. Nathan writes about those times with a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t hold any grudges, airs any dirty laundry or complains about what he endured. Instead he recalls his time at Woodlawn with fondness. He talks about the excellent relationship he had with Jeff Rutledge, a white quarterback who was a star at a rival school that beat Woodlawn in a championship game. It seemed only fitting that the two of them would later be teammates at Alabama.
While the book does address the issue of race in the 1970’s, the story that touched Nathan the most was not something in his school or on the field, but observing the interactions of ordinary citizens, both black and white, in the immediate aftermath of the championship game Woodlawn lost. Nathan wrote about observing people interacting with each other in a manner that transcended race. Whether it was congratulating fans of the winning team or consoling fans of the losing team, he felt it was something special to just observe. That was a very unique perspective to look at how people of different races would interact – something I would not expect to find in an autobiography of an athlete.
Nathan also writes of his faith, his family and his love for his wife Johnnie in a manner that the reader will see how grounded he is in his values. Because he developed these values in his younger years, the book concentrates on that portion of his life. While Nathan does write about his years with the Dolphins and as a coach, the bulk of the book is about his years growing up and going to school in Alabama. It is a refreshing account of those times and a book that would be enjoyed by anybody.
I wish to thank Howard Books for providing an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pace of the book:
This was a very quick read as Nathan’s telling of his experience growing up and playing for the high school and college teams was very conversational. It felt like you could be sitting on the porch listening to him reminisce about those times.
Do I recommend?
This book will be appealing to a broad range of readers. One doesn’t have to be a football fan to be inspired by Nathan’s enthusiasm for both his life and his faith. However, the football sections, especially those about his days on the Crimson Tide, will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who follow the game.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
Football fans may know of Tony Nathan because of his college career with the University of Alabama or during his professional career with the Miami Dolphins. Maybe he is recognized because he was on Crimson Tide’s national championship team in 1978 or for his key roles in helping the Dolphins win two conference championships in the 1980’s. He has also been a coach for the Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens.
However, after reading “Touchdown Tony”, one will realize that none of those accomplishments are Nathan’s proudest moments. His story of what he experienced during his childhood and his high school years will make a reader realize how grounded Nathan’s values are to make him the man he is today. He writes about those times, and his times at the University of Alabama, with a great deal of pride. Not necessarily about what he accomplished on the football field, but about the values instilled into him by his family, his coaches and his environment.
His years at Woodlawn High School make for the best reading in the book. This was during the time when integration of schools was just beginning in Birmingham, Alabama and there was much tension in the air. Nathan writes about those times with a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t hold any grudges, airs any dirty laundry or complains about what he endured. Instead he recalls his time at Woodlawn with fondness. He talks about the excellent relationship he had with Jeff Rutledge, a white quarterback who was a star at a rival school that beat Woodlawn in a championship game. It seemed only fitting that the two of them would later be teammates at Alabama.
While the book does address the issue of race in the 1970’s, the story that touched Nathan the most was not something in his school or on the field, but observing the interactions of ordinary citizens, both black and white, in the immediate aftermath of the championship game Woodlawn lost. Nathan wrote about observing people interacting with each other in a manner that transcended race. Whether it was congratulating fans of the winning team or consoling fans of the losing team, he felt it was something special to just observe. That was a very unique perspective to look at how people of different races would interact – something I would not expect to find in an autobiography of an athlete.
Nathan also writes of his faith, his family and his love for his wife Johnnie in a manner that the reader will see how grounded he is in his values. Because he developed these values in his younger years, the book concentrates on that portion of his life. While Nathan does write about his years with the Dolphins and as a coach, the bulk of the book is about his years growing up and going to school in Alabama. It is a refreshing account of those times and a book that would be enjoyed by anybody.
I wish to thank Howard Books for providing an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pace of the book:
This was a very quick read as Nathan’s telling of his experience growing up and playing for the high school and college teams was very conversational. It felt like you could be sitting on the porch listening to him reminisce about those times.
Do I recommend?
This book will be appealing to a broad range of readers. One doesn’t have to be a football fan to be inspired by Nathan’s enthusiasm for both his life and his faith. However, the football sections, especially those about his days on the Crimson Tide, will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who follow the game.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
September 26, 2015
I give this book 4 stars.
Touchdown Tony: Running With a Purpose, is the inspiring autobiography of Tony Nathan, who was a running back for the University of Alabama and the Miami Dolphins. Tony was an African-American from Birmingham, Alabama, who grew up at a time when schools in the South were still segregated. This obviously caused some hardships for Tony and his family, especially when he started high school and was just one of a handful of African-Americans at a high school which had just started busing students as part of forced integration. Not only was he in a very small minority of students at Woodlawn High School, he was also trying to become part of a football team which was mostly white. Throughout his life, Tony was lucky enough to be raised by supportive parents, hard-working people who instilled in Tony their values, such as a strong work ethic as well as a deep faith. He and Pops, as he called his dad, were extremely close, and his mother was always looking out for what was best for her son. Besides his parents, he was always surrounded by coaches, assistant coaches, and staff who reiterated the values that his parents had taught him. Tony had a lot to overcome, not just as a football player, but in day to day life, and the support he received from everyone was instrumental in his success. Tony was also blessed with God-given athletic talent, but he had to avoid the pitfalls that many talented people struggle with.
Because this is an autobiography, you get a real sense of who Tony Nathan is and was. Tony doesn't pull any punches, and he is honest in his story about mistakes he made, as well as things that he accomplished, both on the field and off. Touchdown Tony is a heart-warming story, as well. The relationships that he had with his parents, his wife, his coaches, and his teammates are written about in a very warm, sometimes humorous manner. His stories about legendary coaches Bear Bryant and Don Shula were very revealing about those 2 men, and how they also influenced Tony's life.
This is not just a book about sports. It's a story of faith, love, and achieving your goals, despite the odds.
Touchdown Tony: Running With a Purpose, is the inspiring autobiography of Tony Nathan, who was a running back for the University of Alabama and the Miami Dolphins. Tony was an African-American from Birmingham, Alabama, who grew up at a time when schools in the South were still segregated. This obviously caused some hardships for Tony and his family, especially when he started high school and was just one of a handful of African-Americans at a high school which had just started busing students as part of forced integration. Not only was he in a very small minority of students at Woodlawn High School, he was also trying to become part of a football team which was mostly white. Throughout his life, Tony was lucky enough to be raised by supportive parents, hard-working people who instilled in Tony their values, such as a strong work ethic as well as a deep faith. He and Pops, as he called his dad, were extremely close, and his mother was always looking out for what was best for her son. Besides his parents, he was always surrounded by coaches, assistant coaches, and staff who reiterated the values that his parents had taught him. Tony had a lot to overcome, not just as a football player, but in day to day life, and the support he received from everyone was instrumental in his success. Tony was also blessed with God-given athletic talent, but he had to avoid the pitfalls that many talented people struggle with.
Because this is an autobiography, you get a real sense of who Tony Nathan is and was. Tony doesn't pull any punches, and he is honest in his story about mistakes he made, as well as things that he accomplished, both on the field and off. Touchdown Tony is a heart-warming story, as well. The relationships that he had with his parents, his wife, his coaches, and his teammates are written about in a very warm, sometimes humorous manner. His stories about legendary coaches Bear Bryant and Don Shula were very revealing about those 2 men, and how they also influenced Tony's life.
This is not just a book about sports. It's a story of faith, love, and achieving your goals, despite the odds.
October 25, 2019
In the movie tie-in to the Fall 2015 film, Woodlawn, Tony Nathan (the central character of the film) shares his experiences as an African American running back on a mostly white team in 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. His courage and superb ability helped heal a city and propelled him to a successful football career as both a player and coach in the NFL. The movie stars Jon Voight, Nic Bishop, and C. Thomas Howell.
When Tony Nathan got his hands on a football, it was like Superman putting on his cape for the first time. He stepped onto the field and became a different person—a hero destined to change the course of Alabama history. Somehow, when he held a football, he knew exactly what to do, and it was those instincts that helped him navigate life in one of the most tumultuous cities in America.
In this powerful memoir, Tony reveals how he summoned the courage to “run with purpose” during the times when racial tensions ran high as he grew from a boy trapped by the racial divide in Birmingham, Alabama, into a successful man and football hero.
Tony’s courage, character, passion, and strength contributed to his impressive career on the field—including two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins—and then as a coach who helped train other winning players.
Inspirational and uplifting, Touchdown Tony is not only a behind-the-scenes look at a great football player’s life and career, it is also a story of redemption and one man’s hope to change the future.
What a great book... I really wasn't sure whether or not I would like this book as I know absolutely nothing about NFL... It was a very well written and frank book which I thoroughly enjoyed
When Tony Nathan got his hands on a football, it was like Superman putting on his cape for the first time. He stepped onto the field and became a different person—a hero destined to change the course of Alabama history. Somehow, when he held a football, he knew exactly what to do, and it was those instincts that helped him navigate life in one of the most tumultuous cities in America.
In this powerful memoir, Tony reveals how he summoned the courage to “run with purpose” during the times when racial tensions ran high as he grew from a boy trapped by the racial divide in Birmingham, Alabama, into a successful man and football hero.
Tony’s courage, character, passion, and strength contributed to his impressive career on the field—including two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins—and then as a coach who helped train other winning players.
Inspirational and uplifting, Touchdown Tony is not only a behind-the-scenes look at a great football player’s life and career, it is also a story of redemption and one man’s hope to change the future.
What a great book... I really wasn't sure whether or not I would like this book as I know absolutely nothing about NFL... It was a very well written and frank book which I thoroughly enjoyed
September 19, 2015
In his inspiring memoir Touchdown Tony: Running with a Purpose, Tony Nathan shares his story of growing up in the segregated South, only to be forced to attend a school out of his neighborhood due to federal bussing policies. Yet, it was at this school that Tony first realized his potential as a football player and the ability of sports to bring the city of Birmingham Alabama together. It was Nathan’s incredible work ethic and determination to give everyone respect that not only propelled him to stardom at the University of Alabama under legendary coach “Bear” Bryant, but also gave him the opportunity to play and coach in the NFL, including two Super Bowls.
Touchdown Tony is a beautifully written autobiography of one man’s refusal to be a victim and rise above racism. Nathan shares openly and honestly about his faith, family, and football. He is a living testimony of how one can thrive in the midst of volatile circumstances. His football story is both fascinating and informative.
The only reservation I have about Touchdown Tony is a statement made by one of Nathan’s mentors during his high school years that God would make Tony “a superstar” in exchange for obedience. The assumption that God promises worldly success to anyone who follows Him is unbiblical and should be disregarded. However, the statement does not reflect the tone of the rest of the book which I found to be entertaining, inspiring, and a delight for any football fan. I highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review
Touchdown Tony is a beautifully written autobiography of one man’s refusal to be a victim and rise above racism. Nathan shares openly and honestly about his faith, family, and football. He is a living testimony of how one can thrive in the midst of volatile circumstances. His football story is both fascinating and informative.
The only reservation I have about Touchdown Tony is a statement made by one of Nathan’s mentors during his high school years that God would make Tony “a superstar” in exchange for obedience. The assumption that God promises worldly success to anyone who follows Him is unbiblical and should be disregarded. However, the statement does not reflect the tone of the rest of the book which I found to be entertaining, inspiring, and a delight for any football fan. I highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review
September 24, 2015
Memoirs of former Alabama and Miami Dolphins running back, Tony Nathan. Inspiring tales of overcoming adversity in racially torn Birmingham, winning championships at Alabama, and onto a solid NFL career that led to an equally successful career in coaching. Themes of hard work, determination, respect, and doing the right thing. And most importantly, testimonies of faith. Many may recognize Nathan too as the central character in the upcoming feature film, Woodlawn. Moving book any reader will appreciate and feel connected to in a motivating and spiritual way. And definitely a must-read for any fan of University of Alabama football and its storied lore. Roll Tide.
October 4, 2015
I was anxious to read this book, because I grew up in the East Birmingham-Woodlawn area. Nathan clearly describes his path to the University of Alabama and later the NFL. I got lost in some of the football jargon though. Nathan clings to his faith and admits that it changed the entire aura of the Woodlawn High School football team in the early to mid 70's. It is touching that he married his high school sweetheart and they are still together. Nathan cites his wife as his motivation and strength during his high school, college, and NFL career. I look forward to seeing the self-entitled movie, Woodlawn for which Tony Nathan character is featured. Good Read!
August 6, 2015
This book captures what the "post-desegregation " climate was in Alabama. The African-American athletes who were pioneers in the University Of Alabama football have their journey described by Tony Nathan. These athletes built and transformed football at SEC schools. Great book from a great "Native Alabamian".
Read
March 18, 2016I would recommend this book to any fan of a sport , specifically football . Especially since this book was written by the player himself it gives a good insight on how it is to be a football player and life the day and life of playing in high school , college , and pros . At times the book does occasionally hit boring points but as you keep reading the action intensifies .
August 14, 2016
Touchdown Tony was a great autobiography and reminder of playing for something greater. That no matter what we do, we are doing everything for the glory of God. Tony finds his purpose (playing for God in high school) and every since then has transformed his way of thinking from everything self-serving to serving others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2015
Even better than the movie Woodlawn
March 15, 2018
It’s always inspiring to read about what God has done in and through people’s lives. There’s a great story in here from coach Bear Bryant about respecting others.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews