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My Dirty Little Secrets - Steroids, Alcohol & God: The Tony Mandarich Story
As Tony Mandarich left Green Bay in February, 1993, his football career in shambles, Packer Plus staff writer, Tom Mulhern, wrote the
"The overriding sentiment, however, is one of emptiness. Not so much for promises unfulfilled, but for sins not repented. Maybe some day Mandarich will set the record straight and answer all the nagging questions he leaves behind. I hope so."
For all the sports writers, fans, coaches, friends and family, My Dirty Little Secrets sets the record straight. On the 20th anniversary of his draft in 1989, Tony reveals the reasons why he never achieved what the nation expected of him, and what he expected of himself. His story is an inspiration for alcoholics and drug abusers, and offers hope for those trying to help themselves out of the nightmare of addiction.
My Dirty Little Secrets promises to help readers " My Dirty Little Secrets is a testament that faith in a higher power can bring us to salvation and light. Tony's story is touched by magic and brushes against the tragic. It's a great human journey and a victory for the human spirit."
--Jim Irsay, Owner, Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl (r) XLI Champions
After a highly successful and nationally publicized college career at Michigan State Unviersity, Tony Mandarich was drafted number two in 1989. The hype about his power and standing as a football player along with Tony's addictions, was more than he could live up to, and his life came crashing down around him. After three more years of alcohol and painkillers' abuse, Tony accepted God's hand, went into treatment and now considers it a privilege to be able to help other addicts when called upon.
Learn more at www.TonyMandarich.com
Book #6 in the Reflections of America Series
from Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
"The overriding sentiment, however, is one of emptiness. Not so much for promises unfulfilled, but for sins not repented. Maybe some day Mandarich will set the record straight and answer all the nagging questions he leaves behind. I hope so."
For all the sports writers, fans, coaches, friends and family, My Dirty Little Secrets sets the record straight. On the 20th anniversary of his draft in 1989, Tony reveals the reasons why he never achieved what the nation expected of him, and what he expected of himself. His story is an inspiration for alcoholics and drug abusers, and offers hope for those trying to help themselves out of the nightmare of addiction.
My Dirty Little Secrets promises to help readers " My Dirty Little Secrets is a testament that faith in a higher power can bring us to salvation and light. Tony's story is touched by magic and brushes against the tragic. It's a great human journey and a victory for the human spirit."
--Jim Irsay, Owner, Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl (r) XLI Champions
After a highly successful and nationally publicized college career at Michigan State Unviersity, Tony Mandarich was drafted number two in 1989. The hype about his power and standing as a football player along with Tony's addictions, was more than he could live up to, and his life came crashing down around him. After three more years of alcohol and painkillers' abuse, Tony accepted God's hand, went into treatment and now considers it a privilege to be able to help other addicts when called upon.
Learn more at www.TonyMandarich.com
Book #6 in the Reflections of America Series
from Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
204 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 3, 2020
I remember when Tony made the cover of SI. He was going to be HUGE in the NFL, as well as huge on the field. Unfortunately for Tony he harbored dirty little secrets of addiction. Never the less, he met God where he was at, God redeemed him and he eventually made his way back to the NFL where he was a success. Well worth reading.
March 31, 2026
Anybody who remembers when Mr Mandrich was drafted and what occurred after will love this book. The authors stone honesty about his addiction is very real(if you know you know). Just a great quick read. Hope we get more in future.
On a side note I have been with the author on social media a bit. Unlike his persona when drafter he is a sweet and real guy. So author get to work on the next book.
On a side note I have been with the author on social media a bit. Unlike his persona when drafter he is a sweet and real guy. So author get to work on the next book.
December 27, 2023
I really enjoyed Tony’s candidness and honesty in telling his story with the good and the bad. He is an example in humility and hard work and how people can change for the better and recover.
July 2, 2009
A hero comes in all shapes and sizes. This particular hero is big; has a big heart, a big body, accomplished big dreams, and overcome some very big obstacles. Tony Mandarich is a hero. Not because of his world-class career at a college then professional football player but because of how he overcame his “little secrets” which were huge. Many who have traveled down the path as he never had the opportunity to reach the other side of the tunnel. Tony not only came to the other side but came thru a much stronger person and player.
As a child in Canada Tony know what he wanted to be. He wanted to be a professional football player and set out with mature-beyond-his-years determination to do just that. Convinced to allow their child to move to the United States in high school to better secure his path to stardom was a difficult decision for Tony’s parents. This single decision set in motion one of the greatest stories in NFL history.
Tony walks us thru his drug and alcohol filled years with the Green Bay Packers where it was truly all about him. Tony lived up to all of the hype of being the second round draft pick. Giving us behind-the-scenes detail of just how it happens I sat crying for Tony when he lost it all. Seeing this same scenario many times before; I do admit that I didn’t foresee the wonderful life that would follow. Imagining the courage it would take someone to recover from such devastation is almost hard to imagine. Tony shows that it can be done. What encouragement for those suffering from addiction. Tony turns his life around and starts anew. After several years away from playing football Tony returns the Indianapolis Colts and is better than ever! He follows his heart and reunites with his college sweetheart and lives happily-ever-after. Tony is a lucky individual who knows all to well that those suffering from addiction need someone to lean on. Tony is the shoulder for those who read this great gift!
Way too many times we see incidents where a professional athlete makes headlines for all the wrong reasons. The athlete appeals to the public as if they were the victim. Tony admits what happened and tells the tale from start to finish. Two thumbs up for the amazing man!
April 25, 2016
Being a lifelong Packer fan who graduated from high school the same year that Mandarich was drafted by the Packers #2 overall, I remember the hype surrounding him at draft time. I watched as he was manhandled by Reggie White, who was then playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. I remember the disappointment when Mandarich never lived up to the hype. Now I know why.
This book is a down-to-earth brutally honest expose of the most over-hyped player to ever play in the NFL (in my opinion). He tells us about his drug abuse, first with steroids and then with painkillers. He does not place blame on other players or coaches or anybody, except himself. Mandarich also tells us of the three years when he was a full-fledged junkie, the difficulty of rehab, and redemption when he was able to resume his playing career drug-free.
The book was ghost-written by Sharon Shaw Elrod who did an okay job. I think the writing was clear but it could have been edited better. There were areas where the narrative repeated itself too much (and not for emphasis) and other areas where it went off into a tangent diverting from a main point, which we forget after the tangent is over. Still, the writing was okay even though it could have been better. Still, despite its flaws, I recommend this book, and I'm thankful that Tony was able to get his life back together and his priorities straight.
This book is a down-to-earth brutally honest expose of the most over-hyped player to ever play in the NFL (in my opinion). He tells us about his drug abuse, first with steroids and then with painkillers. He does not place blame on other players or coaches or anybody, except himself. Mandarich also tells us of the three years when he was a full-fledged junkie, the difficulty of rehab, and redemption when he was able to resume his playing career drug-free.
The book was ghost-written by Sharon Shaw Elrod who did an okay job. I think the writing was clear but it could have been edited better. There were areas where the narrative repeated itself too much (and not for emphasis) and other areas where it went off into a tangent diverting from a main point, which we forget after the tangent is over. Still, the writing was okay even though it could have been better. Still, despite its flaws, I recommend this book, and I'm thankful that Tony was able to get his life back together and his priorities straight.
September 23, 2015
Tony and I went to MSU at about the same time - we overlapped about 3 years of our college experience. Going to MSU at that time pretty much guaranteed that you knew his name. He was big, brash & talented but not without issues. Of course, in the 25+ years since completing undergrad at MSU, stories about Mandarich continue. I felt like I knew the story of Tony Mandarich - he used steroids and it eventually lead to his downfall in the NFL, end of story. Well, not so much.
This book sheds light on his downfall, his resurrection (surprise!) and the real issues that plagued his life (surprise again!). Mandarich writes this without malice and with a hindsight we should all wish we had as we age.
This book made Mandarich a very real person to me versus the bigger than life character I thought left MSU for the NFL.
If you are a Spartan, an NFL fan, or just someone who loves to read a great story, pick this book up. You won't be disappointed.
This book sheds light on his downfall, his resurrection (surprise!) and the real issues that plagued his life (surprise again!). Mandarich writes this without malice and with a hindsight we should all wish we had as we age.
This book made Mandarich a very real person to me versus the bigger than life character I thought left MSU for the NFL.
If you are a Spartan, an NFL fan, or just someone who loves to read a great story, pick this book up. You won't be disappointed.
Want to Read
May 7, 2009How did I make it almost three full months from the release date without hearing about this book? I ran across what I can only assume is an absolute gem while considering a purchase of Dan Clark's (a/k/a "Nitro") Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption on Amazon.com. Now I have an extremely difficult decision to make--which book to read first. Being from Green Bay, I have feeling that this one will win. I can't wait to hear Mandarich's version of the story about the time his neighbor shot his dog.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews