When All the Laughter Died in Sorrow

by Lance Rentzel

LANCE RENTZEL DOES A VERY GOOD JOB EXPRESSING HIS FEELINGS AND ANALOGY DURING THIS VERY PUBLICIZED SEX FELONY. WE GET A GOOD LOOK AT HOW HE CAME TO THIS TOTAL EMBARRASMENT. THE TELLING OF HIS CAREER AND FAMILY LIFE IS MOST INTERESTING. HIS VERY SKIMPY TELLING OF HIS MARRIAGE IS ONE DOWNFALL OF THIS BOOK. BUT HIS COURAGE AND HONESTY ARE NOT TO BE DENIED. I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK AND SUGGEST IT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO READ A BOOK ABOUT BEING FLAWED AND HAVING THE STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH IT.

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction, Memoir

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Bud · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took considerable courage and humility for Lance Rentzel to write this autobiography, especially so soon after the events themselves. But for anyone looking for a salacious tell-all, this isn't your book. The memoir is seventy-five percent football, leaving Rentzel's scandal and psychological illness as almost afterthoughts. Rentzel is a very good writer, it turns out, and draws the reader into his experiences on the field. But it's mostly that - football. For fans of the NFL's golden era gone by, this is a great read. But for those more concerned with insight into Lance Rentzel's state of mind and the development of his exhibitionism and psychological torment, they'll be disappointed.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read by a young man who seemed to have it all. Successful NFL football player, Hollywood good looks, movie star wife in Joey Heatherton.

But under that All American exterior lurked a dark secret that would end Lance's career. He was a flasher with a fondness for young girls.

His account is very candid.

[Koralleen Stavish · Rating 3 out of 5]

First-person account of a disgraced football player's early career. I'm not a sports fan, but it was interesting reading anyway since his style is thoughtful and conversational (and he seems to have total recall).

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1975. Biography of pro football player who left the game due to mental illness issues.

[Cassius Shuman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was a humbling autobiography written by former star NFL wide receiver Lance Rentzel about his fall from grace. Built up by his family and peers to be an idolized football sensation Rentzel succumbs to a psychological flaw and ends up ruining his life. After achieving fame as a standout in college and subsequently for the Dallas Cowboys, Rentzel falls in love with beautiful singer/actress Joey Heatherton and struggles for some semblance of a normal life. This is a heartfelt story written with candor and humility about a shattered life and fleeting dreams. If you would like a glimpse into the life of a star athlete and all of the trials and tribulations associated with being a public figure then this book is for you.

[Jimmy Head · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second favorite player when I was 12, after his teammate Bob Hayes. I thought he was caught urinating in the park, because who would expose himself to a little girl? What would he get out of it? I think I may have read the book back in the day because some of it seemed familiar. Seen from today's prospective, the society of the day appeared to be a parallel universe.

He doesn't mention an appearance he made with other football players on the Merv Griffin show, after his second incident. He made fun of Fred Williamson's manpurse, who quickly put him in his place. Wish I could find it on the Griffin archives, but there is no record of it.