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Who Says I Can't: The Astonishing Story of a Fearless Life
On paper, Coach Rob Mendez sounds like any other football coach on any other field across America: passionate, authoritative, knowledgeable. But he’s unlike any other coach you know--in fact, he’s probably unlike any other person you know.
Born with an extraordinarily rare condition called tetra-Amelia syndrome, Rob has no arms or legs. He moves with the assistance of a custom-made, motorized wheelchair that he operates with his back and shoulders.
Many people look at Rob and see limitation, yet Rob sees opportunity: Opportunity to pursue his passion for football. Opportunity to change the way people perceive physical disability. Opportunity to serve as a role model for the hundreds of kids he’s coached over the years.
Told with both humor and frankness, Who Says I Can’t? takes readers on Rob’s incredible journey, from his birth to loving parents who wanted to afford him every chance for happiness, to the emotional and physical hurdles he faced while seeking independence, to receiving the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards in 2019.
Each day, Coach Rob rolls onto the field and shows his players that dreams are achievable when you show up, do the work, and believe in yourself. And after reading this book you, too, will believe that anything is possible.
Born with an extraordinarily rare condition called tetra-Amelia syndrome, Rob has no arms or legs. He moves with the assistance of a custom-made, motorized wheelchair that he operates with his back and shoulders.
Many people look at Rob and see limitation, yet Rob sees opportunity: Opportunity to pursue his passion for football. Opportunity to change the way people perceive physical disability. Opportunity to serve as a role model for the hundreds of kids he’s coached over the years.
Told with both humor and frankness, Who Says I Can’t? takes readers on Rob’s incredible journey, from his birth to loving parents who wanted to afford him every chance for happiness, to the emotional and physical hurdles he faced while seeking independence, to receiving the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards in 2019.
Each day, Coach Rob rolls onto the field and shows his players that dreams are achievable when you show up, do the work, and believe in yourself. And after reading this book you, too, will believe that anything is possible.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 7, 2021
10 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 23, 2025
I've never heard of Rob Mendez before picking up this book. Nor do I know anything about football (or sports in general). But, wow. This was the best memoir I've read this year and may be one of my favourite memoirs ever.
Rob Mendez is a football coach who was born without arms or legs. You might wonder, how does someone without any limbs coach football? (Read the book and find out!)
You can probably tell by the title, cover, and synopsis of this book that it's going to be inspiring and motivational. Which it was. But what I enjoyed the most about this memoir was that Mendez' personality really shone through. He seems like such a likable and genuinely great guy. His optimism and passion for football and his students really radiates from each and every page without coming across as being overbearing or cheesy.
This may sound weird, but Mendez reminded me of my high school music teacher. (Just hear me out, ok?) My high school music teacher was, hands down, the most passionate and enthusiastic teacher I've ever met. His excitement (and borderline mania) is contagious and makes us eager to practice and improve. The amount of time, effort, and dedication that he poured into his music and students is what made him everyone's favourite teacher. I've never met anyone who is as passionate about teaching music. When you meet him, you can feel the positive energy emanate from him, which makes for a great learning environment and has helped many gifted musicians grow under his tutelage. Mendez is essentially the football coach version of my music teacher. His knowledge of the game coupled with his love, passion, and enthusiasm for coaching is incredibly heartwarming and inspiring. I don't doubt that his students love and respect him, and love the sport even more because of his coaching. There needs to be more teachers like these to help shape young talents and minds. It's teachers and mentors like these who help keep kids in school and make high school a more enjoyable place.
Related videos to watch:
Who Says I Can't ESPN Mini Documentary (which led to the writing of this book)
Rob Mendez's Jimmy V Award Speech
Rob Mendez on the Rachel Ray Show
*I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*** #15 of my 2021 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a memoir by a Latinx author ***
Rob Mendez is a football coach who was born without arms or legs. You might wonder, how does someone without any limbs coach football? (Read the book and find out!)
You can probably tell by the title, cover, and synopsis of this book that it's going to be inspiring and motivational. Which it was. But what I enjoyed the most about this memoir was that Mendez' personality really shone through. He seems like such a likable and genuinely great guy. His optimism and passion for football and his students really radiates from each and every page without coming across as being overbearing or cheesy.
This may sound weird, but Mendez reminded me of my high school music teacher. (Just hear me out, ok?) My high school music teacher was, hands down, the most passionate and enthusiastic teacher I've ever met. His excitement (and borderline mania) is contagious and makes us eager to practice and improve. The amount of time, effort, and dedication that he poured into his music and students is what made him everyone's favourite teacher. I've never met anyone who is as passionate about teaching music. When you meet him, you can feel the positive energy emanate from him, which makes for a great learning environment and has helped many gifted musicians grow under his tutelage. Mendez is essentially the football coach version of my music teacher. His knowledge of the game coupled with his love, passion, and enthusiasm for coaching is incredibly heartwarming and inspiring. I don't doubt that his students love and respect him, and love the sport even more because of his coaching. There needs to be more teachers like these to help shape young talents and minds. It's teachers and mentors like these who help keep kids in school and make high school a more enjoyable place.
Related videos to watch:
Who Says I Can't ESPN Mini Documentary (which led to the writing of this book)
Rob Mendez's Jimmy V Award Speech
Rob Mendez on the Rachel Ray Show
*I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*** #15 of my 2021 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a memoir by a Latinx author ***
March 20, 2025
Look at me reading a sports book!
Believe it or not, I've never seen a Super Bowl. In fact, I've never attended a football game I wasn't paid to be at. I hate sports, particularly men's sports. Grunting, growling, sweaty, competitive men throwing balls and smashing into each other?? Gross, no thanks.
I'd rather die than be within sight or sound of men playing football.
But throw a little disability representation into the mix and you have my attention. I actually saw this book on the shelf at my library, cover facing outward, and I scooped it up immediately. I just had to hear Coach Mendez's story.
And yeah, Who Says I Can't is about football, sure, but it's more about a disabled man pursuing a dream. I enjoyed the stories of his childhood, my favorite being the one where his group of friends gets into a fight with another group of boys. I also liked that his parents had their head on right. They expected him to be as independent as possible and accepted him for the whole person he was.
There's also a very interesting and real discussion of the challenges people with disability face in regard to employment; social stigma, transportation barriers, physical limitations, etc. The fact that this guy had to drive his wheelchair 3 miles to and from work at one point, hoping his battery didn't run out by the end of the day, is totally insane.
By the end of the book, Mendez accepts the fact that his story is inspirational to a lot of people. He mentions many times throughout the book that he doesn't like being thought of as inspirational or "special" or unique and I REALLY want people to hear that message.
Why?
It's patronizing to say a person with a disability is inspirational for doing something a whole lot of people in this world do, like being a football coach and having a job. Congratulating someone for completing a common task means that you thought they couldn't do it in the first place. And that right there is ableism, my friends.
There are so many people out there, most with good intentions I'm sure, ready to cheer for a person with a disability when they overcome a barrier. But then those same people, good intentions and all, never advocate for or even think about trying to remove the barrier in the first place.
And I think more people need to sit with that.
You won't catch me calling Coach Mendez inspirational, but he seems like a cool dude even though his passion is something I hate passionately.
4 out of 5 stars
Believe it or not, I've never seen a Super Bowl. In fact, I've never attended a football game I wasn't paid to be at. I hate sports, particularly men's sports. Grunting, growling, sweaty, competitive men throwing balls and smashing into each other?? Gross, no thanks.
I'd rather die than be within sight or sound of men playing football.
But throw a little disability representation into the mix and you have my attention. I actually saw this book on the shelf at my library, cover facing outward, and I scooped it up immediately. I just had to hear Coach Mendez's story.
And yeah, Who Says I Can't is about football, sure, but it's more about a disabled man pursuing a dream. I enjoyed the stories of his childhood, my favorite being the one where his group of friends gets into a fight with another group of boys. I also liked that his parents had their head on right. They expected him to be as independent as possible and accepted him for the whole person he was.
"Robert needs to be integrated into life," they [doctors] said. "The sooner, the better."
I would imagine this pushed against my parents' natural inclination to protect me from all the terrible things that can happen to any child, let alone one without arms or legs. But they were adamant that I wouldn't be treated as a freak, or even as a little boy more breakable than his peers. They wanted for me what every parent wants for their child: happiness, normalcy. (p.12)
There's also a very interesting and real discussion of the challenges people with disability face in regard to employment; social stigma, transportation barriers, physical limitations, etc. The fact that this guy had to drive his wheelchair 3 miles to and from work at one point, hoping his battery didn't run out by the end of the day, is totally insane.
By the end of the book, Mendez accepts the fact that his story is inspirational to a lot of people. He mentions many times throughout the book that he doesn't like being thought of as inspirational or "special" or unique and I REALLY want people to hear that message.
Why?
It's patronizing to say a person with a disability is inspirational for doing something a whole lot of people in this world do, like being a football coach and having a job. Congratulating someone for completing a common task means that you thought they couldn't do it in the first place. And that right there is ableism, my friends.
This is my life, and it always has been. I know nothing else. That's one of the reasons I've always been a little uncomfortable with other people defining me by my appearance or physical limitations. I don't think of myself as a football coach without limbs; I am, simply, a football coach. (p. 3-4)
There are so many people out there, most with good intentions I'm sure, ready to cheer for a person with a disability when they overcome a barrier. But then those same people, good intentions and all, never advocate for or even think about trying to remove the barrier in the first place.
And I think more people need to sit with that.
You won't catch me calling Coach Mendez inspirational, but he seems like a cool dude even though his passion is something I hate passionately.
4 out of 5 stars
March 20, 2022
This is the marvelously inspiring book about the incredible story of Rob Mendez, born with tetra-amelia syndrome, which means he was born without arms or legs. It is the story of his astonishing positive attitude and his ability to overcome the obstacles he was born with, in order to achieve independence, fame, and respect as a football coach. Throughout reading of his incredible life journey, the reader is compelled to leave all pre-conceived notions of his ‘limited’ life possibilities behind, and embrace the fact that his willpower, grace and determination have led him to become who he is, an awesome man who has achieved his lifelong dreams. The adversity he has overcome in his life only serves to inspire others to realize that their goals, too, might be achievable, even if they face obstacles in their path. This memoir is an awe-inspiring must read!
March 15, 2022
If I could pick one word to describe Who Says I Can't, it would be inspiring. Mendez gives a detailed picture of what his life looks like, and the honesty yet positivity embedded throughout is much appreciated. This book is not a difficult read which helps to draw the reader in and keeps them engaged. It's not necessary to like football to like this read.
April 21, 2024
I don't really have much to say about this book. It's been a while since I read a memoir, so I picked this one at random. It's nothing less than the story of a guy who never allowed his circumstances to define him. He had a lot of people surrounding him as support, encouraging him and seeing him for who he was rather than his limitations. One line he wrote that I think sums it up (and I'm paraphrasing here) says he wanted to be known as a coach who just happened to be in a wheelchair, rather than a guy in a wheelchair who just happened to be a coach.
I can't relate to this for a variety of reasons, but I know there are people out there who can. I love that Coach Rob acknowledged his faults and embraced the spotlight he was given. He glorifies God for where he is in life. He seems like a really cool guy, and I hope that people who need to know his story will find it.
I can't relate to this for a variety of reasons, but I know there are people out there who can. I love that Coach Rob acknowledged his faults and embraced the spotlight he was given. He glorifies God for where he is in life. He seems like a really cool guy, and I hope that people who need to know his story will find it.
September 29, 2024
Coach Rob Mendez is one of the most inspiring people I have ever heard of. I was lucky enough to hear him speak on stage and meet him afterwards. He has an incredible energy, positivity and rawness that you can’t shake off. This is the amazing story of his life and his love for football. I can’t recommend this book enough for people of all ages and backgrounds.
March 27, 2022
Wow what a great book! You learn about Rob's story and his focus on what he can do rather than can't do. A lesson everyone can use!
June 15, 2023
An inspirational story of Rob Mendez, a man born with no arms and legs and his quest to become a head football coach.
October 10, 2023
I went to practice that day, wearing my freshly laundered Gilroy jersey with number twelve on the front and back.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews