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Playing for More: Trust Beyond What You Can See
Case Keenum has traveled one of the most unique paths in the NFL. Recruited by just one college, undrafted, and released three times, Case has overcome every obstacle to become a successful starting quarterback. In 2017, Keenum captured America’s imagination by leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record and an NFC North title. His game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of their divisional playoff game against the Saints, the "Minneapolis Miracle," made Case part of NFL history.
Keenum shares stories from every stage of his life, starting out as a ball boy for his father’s college team in West Texas, going on to win a state title in high school, and rewriting the NCAA record book at the University of Houston. A devastating knee injury almost derailed his football career, but helped him get closer to the woman who would soon become his wife.
Throughout his story, Case will explain how being a Christian helped him navigate the winding path to success. No matter what obstacle has been placed in front of him, Case believes God has a plan for him. That’s why he plays football and that’s why he’s writing this To glorify God and to help others who face adversity in their everyday life.
“Am I a football player who happens to be a Christian?” Case writes, "No, I’m a Christian who happens to be a football player. That’s my calling. That’s my defining characteristic. Once I realized that, everything else fell into place. I became a better football player and, more importantly, a better person.”
Keenum shares stories from every stage of his life, starting out as a ball boy for his father’s college team in West Texas, going on to win a state title in high school, and rewriting the NCAA record book at the University of Houston. A devastating knee injury almost derailed his football career, but helped him get closer to the woman who would soon become his wife.
Throughout his story, Case will explain how being a Christian helped him navigate the winding path to success. No matter what obstacle has been placed in front of him, Case believes God has a plan for him. That’s why he plays football and that’s why he’s writing this To glorify God and to help others who face adversity in their everyday life.
“Am I a football player who happens to be a Christian?” Case writes, "No, I’m a Christian who happens to be a football player. That’s my calling. That’s my defining characteristic. Once I realized that, everything else fell into place. I became a better football player and, more importantly, a better person.”
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 4, 2018
1 person is currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 28, 2018
I absolutely loved this book.
My son is a walk-on for Nebraska s0 I really appreciated Case's experiences and insights. Especially his faith. I have heard my son make similar statements, that he is a Christian first and a football player second. Nebraska is sorting through a lot of adjustments in this first year with Coach Frost. It is not an easy process so I am grateful for football players like Case who have experienced the highs and lows of the sport and can be role models for kids like my son.
He is in my prayers. Go Bronco! Go Huskers!
Linn Schommer
My son is a walk-on for Nebraska s0 I really appreciated Case's experiences and insights. Especially his faith. I have heard my son make similar statements, that he is a Christian first and a football player second. Nebraska is sorting through a lot of adjustments in this first year with Coach Frost. It is not an easy process so I am grateful for football players like Case who have experienced the highs and lows of the sport and can be role models for kids like my son.
He is in my prayers. Go Bronco! Go Huskers!
Linn Schommer
October 24, 2018
My 13-year-old son, who absolutely devours sports figure biographies, read and loved this book. The book is a shorter, just under 200 pages, volume but held my son's attention. Case's story is told in a conversational tone. My son kept coming to me as he read telling me some about the different pieces of Case's life.
Case clearly presents his faith in the book...
"Faith is the foundation for everything. I play for an audience of One. I don't just play for the name on the front or the back of my jersey. I play to glorify God. Life is too hard to go about it alone."
I'm thankful that Case Keenum shared his faith story with us through this well-written book. Our sons and daughters need more role-models like Case.
Case clearly presents his faith in the book...
"Faith is the foundation for everything. I play for an audience of One. I don't just play for the name on the front or the back of my jersey. I play to glorify God. Life is too hard to go about it alone."
I'm thankful that Case Keenum shared his faith story with us through this well-written book. Our sons and daughters need more role-models like Case.
August 14, 2025
I loved it! I followed Case Keenum’s college career and was aware of his journeyman career in the NFL, but had no idea how important his faith was. Highly recommend it!
September 18, 2018
My absolute favorite part of this book is Keenum's emphasis on the fact that he is a Christian first, and an athlete second. Several times throughout the book he says the phrase "I'm not a football player who happens to be Christian. I'm a Christian who happens to play football." He intentionally throughout the book gives God the glory in his life and makes it a point to emphasize God's will over his own. He had a long road to the NFL, but he is grateful for the humility it produced in him. He has built strong Christian relationships with players from each team he has been on. His hope is that his faith is visible to all around him, and that they will look to Christ as well.
Another part that stuck with me was the mission trip that Keenum went on with a few other players and their wives. He said:
"...no one even cared that we were professional football players. It wasn't even worth explaining that I held the all-time college football passing record. I realized that, frankly, those things really didn't matter. What mattered to them was not my accomplishments or my accolades--it was my heart. It mattered that I was there, in their world, loving, teaching, playing, and praying with them" (Pg 136).
Isn't that an awesome perspective to have? How often do we see our own accomplishments as praiseworthy and seek the praise and approval of others? Often athletes are put on a pedestal just as movie stars and musicians are. But Keenum makes the point that all of it is worth nothing if you don't have Christ. The biggest goal one can have in this life is to have a relationship with Christ and to live for Him.
Despite Keenum's sharing of his faith throughout the book, it's also important to enjoy football if expecting to really get into the book. There is a lot of name-dropping and technical terms used throughout. I found his journey interesting to read, but I am also a big fan of football. I actually watched several of the games he talks about in the book. It was interesting for me to see his perspective on the events.
This book has definitely caused me to have a deeper appreciation for Case Keenum not only as a player, but as a fellow brother in Christ. His desire to give God the glory in everything he does and to keep his eyes fixed on Him, is refreshing to see in his current position. Unfortunately in today's world, many stars in the limelight are only concerned with their own fame and spreading their approval for the things of this world instead of the things of above. The fact that Keenum sees his role as a platform to share Jesus with the world instead of praise his own fame, is a testament in itself. The world needs more of that. I'm thrilled I had the opportunity to read this book, and I absolutely highly recommend it.
*I received a copy of this book through B&H Publishers. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Another part that stuck with me was the mission trip that Keenum went on with a few other players and their wives. He said:
"...no one even cared that we were professional football players. It wasn't even worth explaining that I held the all-time college football passing record. I realized that, frankly, those things really didn't matter. What mattered to them was not my accomplishments or my accolades--it was my heart. It mattered that I was there, in their world, loving, teaching, playing, and praying with them" (Pg 136).
Isn't that an awesome perspective to have? How often do we see our own accomplishments as praiseworthy and seek the praise and approval of others? Often athletes are put on a pedestal just as movie stars and musicians are. But Keenum makes the point that all of it is worth nothing if you don't have Christ. The biggest goal one can have in this life is to have a relationship with Christ and to live for Him.
Despite Keenum's sharing of his faith throughout the book, it's also important to enjoy football if expecting to really get into the book. There is a lot of name-dropping and technical terms used throughout. I found his journey interesting to read, but I am also a big fan of football. I actually watched several of the games he talks about in the book. It was interesting for me to see his perspective on the events.
This book has definitely caused me to have a deeper appreciation for Case Keenum not only as a player, but as a fellow brother in Christ. His desire to give God the glory in everything he does and to keep his eyes fixed on Him, is refreshing to see in his current position. Unfortunately in today's world, many stars in the limelight are only concerned with their own fame and spreading their approval for the things of this world instead of the things of above. The fact that Keenum sees his role as a platform to share Jesus with the world instead of praise his own fame, is a testament in itself. The world needs more of that. I'm thrilled I had the opportunity to read this book, and I absolutely highly recommend it.
*I received a copy of this book through B&H Publishers. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
October 1, 2018
If you are a fan of football, this may be one book to add to your list. With a foreword from Tony Dungy, this book chronicles Case Keenum’s journey from childhood to being on top after winning the Super Bowl. Along the way, in addition to learning his football path, the reader also learns about Case’s faith journey. And, for him, faith comes first, then family, then football.
In a world seemingly full of negative news everywhere you turn, it’s refreshing to read a positive story, such as Case’s (and it was fun to see my favorite team, the NY Giants, mentioned a few times, as well!). Case is upfront about the fact that he is a Christian first and foremost, and he uses football to glorify God.
You can read the full review on my blog: https://lmckeeediting.blogspot.com/20...
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher (B&H Blogger Program), but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
In a world seemingly full of negative news everywhere you turn, it’s refreshing to read a positive story, such as Case’s (and it was fun to see my favorite team, the NY Giants, mentioned a few times, as well!). Case is upfront about the fact that he is a Christian first and foremost, and he uses football to glorify God.
You can read the full review on my blog: https://lmckeeediting.blogspot.com/20...
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher (B&H Blogger Program), but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
November 4, 2019
"I AM A CHRISTIAN WHO HAPPENS TO BE AN ATHLETE, NOT AN ATHLETE WHO HAPPENS TO BE A CHRISTIAN." A great way to start a book, a great way to set the tone. Case Keenum shares his story about how his faith led him through struggles (being cut, traded, and benched), injuries, uncertainty (playing in the NFL), and even fame (Minnesota Miracle). All those situations might have broken Case if it where not for His faith and His relationship with God.
Really good book especially if you enjoy football, college football, or the Minnesota Vikings. I think the best part about the book is not only the vulnerability he shares when it comes to his struggles but his faith in God and God's guidance in his life during those times. His focus is not on fame or fortune but his focus is on glorifying God. I wish I could give it a 4 1/2 stars or even 4 3/4 stars. Definitely not a higher 4 star....worth reading!
Really good book especially if you enjoy football, college football, or the Minnesota Vikings. I think the best part about the book is not only the vulnerability he shares when it comes to his struggles but his faith in God and God's guidance in his life during those times. His focus is not on fame or fortune but his focus is on glorifying God. I wish I could give it a 4 1/2 stars or even 4 3/4 stars. Definitely not a higher 4 star....worth reading!
January 12, 2024
Case Keenum was a starting NFL quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, when he led them to a 13-3 record. The Vikings would go all the way to the NFC championship, but just fall short to the Eagles. Keenum started his career as a ball boy for his fathers team. He would then go on to win a state championship for his highschool. Keenum was good enough to earn him 1 offer to go division 1 in football to the Houston University Cougars. He suffered an almost career ending injury but then he found his faith in Jesus. Keenum said without his faith in Jesus he would've never have returned from the injury he suffered. This book expresses his faith and journey through his years in football. I would recommend this book to people who have a strong faith in Christianity, and football. The author Tony Dungy was really straightforward, and strong with his grammer which i liked a lot. Tony was not good at his ongoing sentences about the topics he spent a lot of time on a non relative topic in the book. I would have loved to see more on his life with Christ and how he learned of him.
December 16, 2020
Absolutely motivating and inspiring. As someone who has several Christian athletes as friends, I want to give all of them this book to encourage and educate them. This man is an example for Christians and athletes alike.
September 28, 2018
Review to come!
March 1, 2022
This book was super easy to read. He didn't drag it out with a bunch of detailed football talk.
September 26, 2018
If you are a fan of college football you will enjoy Case Keenum's story. Case not only shares his football history but also shares his faith. In Case's world it is faith, family and football in that order. His faith is what has gotten him through many difficult days on the football field. Those days include both injuries and disappointing performances. His days at the University of Houston are a who's who of college football coaching names from Kevin Sumlin to Kliff Kingsbury. He shares with us his courtship with his wife Kimberly which started in FCA. With all the negative news coming out of the NFL in the last year or so it is really refreshing to read about a positive individual. I will leave you with what Case and his dad text before every game. This pretty much sums up Case. Pray hard. Play hard, Take care of the ball. Have fun.
October 5, 2018
This was such a great read for overcoming adversity and proof that you only need to believe in yourself not have others believe in you. After being instated and released three times from different NFL teams, Case Keenum made it on as the starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings. If that does not demonstrate overcoming adversity, I don't know what will. An inspiring autobiography with an important lesson we can all learn from.
Thank you to NetGalley and B&H Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This title will definitely be considered for our biography collection in our library. That is why we give it 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and B&H Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This title will definitely be considered for our biography collection in our library. That is why we give it 5 stars!
March 13, 2019
This book shows that when you can work hard it pays off. Case Keenum earned to get to the spot he was at. He had God by his side walking with him day by day.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews