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Stop-Action
In this sizzling, you-are-there book, you get a "stop-action" replay of Dick Butkus' (and the Bears') season.
221 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 30, 2009
Growing up in Illinois in the 1960s, it was impossible for people interested in football not to know of Dick Butkus. First, as a ferocious linebacker (and sometimes center) at the University of Illinois. Second, as the successor to Bill George as middle linebacker of the Chicago Bears, the Monsters of the Midway.
This is a book in which Butkus shares his reflections on one season, 1971, in which he sometimes talks to his knee. At this point in his career, wear and tear was beginning to show up. Nonetheless, he remained one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL.
This book takes a look at a disappointing football season, providing Butkus' first hand view of what was going on. Some poignant moments--like Chuck Hughes of the Detroit Lions dying on the field, reflections on Brian Piccolo's health problems, defensive end Ed O'Bradovich's lugubrious final years, and so on.
This is ancient history now, but when the book came out, it was a timely view of the football season through the eyes of one of the most focused and aggressive defensive players of his era, one of the most feared players "in the day."
I just looked back at this work again, and it takes me to another time. As a Chicago Bears' fan since the days of Rick Casares, George Blanda, Willie Gallimore, Doug Atkins, Bill George, et al., this remains an intriguing work. 5 stars because it features Butkus' reflections and provides some insight to the Bears that season.
This is a book in which Butkus shares his reflections on one season, 1971, in which he sometimes talks to his knee. At this point in his career, wear and tear was beginning to show up. Nonetheless, he remained one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL.
This book takes a look at a disappointing football season, providing Butkus' first hand view of what was going on. Some poignant moments--like Chuck Hughes of the Detroit Lions dying on the field, reflections on Brian Piccolo's health problems, defensive end Ed O'Bradovich's lugubrious final years, and so on.
This is ancient history now, but when the book came out, it was a timely view of the football season through the eyes of one of the most focused and aggressive defensive players of his era, one of the most feared players "in the day."
I just looked back at this work again, and it takes me to another time. As a Chicago Bears' fan since the days of Rick Casares, George Blanda, Willie Gallimore, Doug Atkins, Bill George, et al., this remains an intriguing work. 5 stars because it features Butkus' reflections and provides some insight to the Bears that season.
December 31, 2022
This book about “the most feared man in football,” Dick Butkus is surprisingly tame. There are several videos available online where opponents portray Butkus as a maniac with a killer nature on the field. In one video, he is proclaimed the all-time most feared tackler in the history of the NFL. Which puts him ahead of people such as “the Assassin” Jack Tatum and Ronnie Lott.
There is almost none of that controlled fury in this book. It is a rather tame description of his family life as well as his frustrations in playing for a team that rarely won and even more rarely had a winning season. Most of the failures were on the offensive side of the ball, and Butkus is extremely critical of their performance. However, according to him, he rarely took them to task for their failures.
If you are looking for the textual equivalent of the fury that Butkus demonstrated on the football field, this is not the book for you. However, it does show Butkus as a human outside of his profession as a human wrecking ball.
There is almost none of that controlled fury in this book. It is a rather tame description of his family life as well as his frustrations in playing for a team that rarely won and even more rarely had a winning season. Most of the failures were on the offensive side of the ball, and Butkus is extremely critical of their performance. However, according to him, he rarely took them to task for their failures.
If you are looking for the textual equivalent of the fury that Butkus demonstrated on the football field, this is not the book for you. However, it does show Butkus as a human outside of his profession as a human wrecking ball.
January 22, 2020
Old fashioned pro-football autobiography. Actually, was pretty good, though un-even. The book kind of abruptly ends. What I liked about it was discussing the controlled chaos inside the game, and hearing the names of a lot of guys I had football cards of as a kid. Obvious this is almost a 50 year old book, there were several "politically incorrect" statements made in it -- which added to the enjoyment. Actually had Dick sign this copy last year -- beautiful autograph and genuinely nice man (though, I doubt if many offenses in the day would say that). Overall, a quick and entertaining read...but definitely not "Instant Replay".
July 28, 2022
This man was my football idol growing up. Of course, I loved the book.
February 22, 2024
RIP Dick Butkus
My football hero growing up in central Indiana.
A great Lithuanian-American role model..I think.
Knarly of the knarlies.
My football hero growing up in central Indiana.
A great Lithuanian-American role model..I think.
Knarly of the knarlies.
June 1, 2020
This is the oldest book in my library; probably 1973 or 1974 when my Dad bought it for me. I’ve read it numerous times, and even though it’s a short read and fairly mundane, it brings me back to being 8-9 years old again when I first started becoming interested in pro football. Thus my 4-star rating for what probably is a 3-star book.
Stop-Action is a week in the life of Bears great Dick Butkus. It’s the last week of the 1971 season, and Butkus walks you through the life of an NFL player. In it, he sprinkles in personal recollections of his childhood, high school, and college life, along with memories of his early career.
Coming a year or two after “Ball Four”, it’s fairly tame in comparison, although Butkus does give some frank opinions on some of his teammates, coaches, and opponents.
Stop-Action is a week in the life of Bears great Dick Butkus. It’s the last week of the 1971 season, and Butkus walks you through the life of an NFL player. In it, he sprinkles in personal recollections of his childhood, high school, and college life, along with memories of his early career.
Coming a year or two after “Ball Four”, it’s fairly tame in comparison, although Butkus does give some frank opinions on some of his teammates, coaches, and opponents.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews