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Once a Giant: A Story of Victory, Tragedy, and Life After Football
The inside story of the Super Bowl champion 1986 Giants, the extraordinary friendships that resulted--and stunning revelations about the hardships they faced, based on new interviews with Bill Parcells, Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, and Bill Belichick.
The 1986 New York Giants are legendary. A championship team coached by Bill Parcells and his wunderkind assistant Bill Belichick, featuring future Hall of Famers and All-Pros like Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Mark Bavaro, and Harry Carson. They were dominant on the field and formed a unique and lasting bond off of it. More than thirty years later, it's the friendships that have proved more important--a matter of life and death.
In Once a Giant, bestselling football writer Gary Myers tells the story of that team and what became of it. Gridiron glory eventually faded; chronic pain, addiction, and in some cases crimes have followed. Many football players face these harsh realities, but the Giants have confronted and survived them together.
With unprecedented access, Myers dives into such issues as Mark Bavaro's battle with injuries, the breakup and reconciliation of Parcells and Belichick, and Lawrence Taylor's struggles with sobriety. He creates a never-before-seen portrait of the team's run to the title, and their even more challenging fight to live after it ended.
The 1986 New York Giants are legendary. A championship team coached by Bill Parcells and his wunderkind assistant Bill Belichick, featuring future Hall of Famers and All-Pros like Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Mark Bavaro, and Harry Carson. They were dominant on the field and formed a unique and lasting bond off of it. More than thirty years later, it's the friendships that have proved more important--a matter of life and death.
In Once a Giant, bestselling football writer Gary Myers tells the story of that team and what became of it. Gridiron glory eventually faded; chronic pain, addiction, and in some cases crimes have followed. Many football players face these harsh realities, but the Giants have confronted and survived them together.
With unprecedented access, Myers dives into such issues as Mark Bavaro's battle with injuries, the breakup and reconciliation of Parcells and Belichick, and Lawrence Taylor's struggles with sobriety. He creates a never-before-seen portrait of the team's run to the title, and their even more challenging fight to live after it ended.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
62 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
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Gary Myers
40 books38 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 7, 2023
Every sports fan will have one special player or team that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. For fans of the New York Giants, most will say that the 1986 team that won the first Super Bowl in the history of the franchise is that team. Veteran football writer Gary Myers writes about that team with little journalistic neutrality and shares some great stories about that team in this book.
Any book about this team needs to start with the person who had the biggest personality on the team, head coach Bill Parcells. What was the most striking aspect about Parcells in this book and how much he cares about this particular team is the generosity of both his time and his money that he shares with these Giants. That is still the case today, more than 35 years after they won that championship. If any of them needs some help, they call the man who worked them very hard when they played football for him. The other coach featured in Myers’ writing, Bill Belichek, is not only quite different personality-wise but the relationship he had with Parcells was a soap opera in its own right and that is described in good detail here.
As for the players, just like with the coaches, their stories have to start with one particular individual- Lawrence Taylor. If he’s not the greatest defensive player to ever put on the pads, he’s certainly in the conversation. His off-field problems are well known but what was amazing to read about in the book was how he could be out all night on Saturday and yet still be the terrific player he was on Sundays.
Speaking of partying, that wasn’t limited to Taylor. Myers shares a story of how several of the Giants players would spend Friday night at the clubs, on dates or at bars and then drive to the parking lot of Giants Stadium so they didn’t miss the mandatory Saturday morning meeting. Of course, not every player did this and the stories are not all about this type of lifestyle. Some are heart-tugging (Mark Bavaria’s health issues, Bobby Johnson losing his Super Bowl ring to a pawn shop, then getting it back), some make the reader chuckle (Sean Landetta’s success with women was actual funny) and are just about living a good life and watching over everyone - that was the case for Harry Carson.
The book does jump around from topic to topic - sometimes football, sometimes medical issues, sometimes relationships - and that does make it a bit harder to follow. But for football fans of a certain age, especially Giants fans, this is a book that will bring back all the memories of that special championship season.
I wish to thank Public Affairs for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Any book about this team needs to start with the person who had the biggest personality on the team, head coach Bill Parcells. What was the most striking aspect about Parcells in this book and how much he cares about this particular team is the generosity of both his time and his money that he shares with these Giants. That is still the case today, more than 35 years after they won that championship. If any of them needs some help, they call the man who worked them very hard when they played football for him. The other coach featured in Myers’ writing, Bill Belichek, is not only quite different personality-wise but the relationship he had with Parcells was a soap opera in its own right and that is described in good detail here.
As for the players, just like with the coaches, their stories have to start with one particular individual- Lawrence Taylor. If he’s not the greatest defensive player to ever put on the pads, he’s certainly in the conversation. His off-field problems are well known but what was amazing to read about in the book was how he could be out all night on Saturday and yet still be the terrific player he was on Sundays.
Speaking of partying, that wasn’t limited to Taylor. Myers shares a story of how several of the Giants players would spend Friday night at the clubs, on dates or at bars and then drive to the parking lot of Giants Stadium so they didn’t miss the mandatory Saturday morning meeting. Of course, not every player did this and the stories are not all about this type of lifestyle. Some are heart-tugging (Mark Bavaria’s health issues, Bobby Johnson losing his Super Bowl ring to a pawn shop, then getting it back), some make the reader chuckle (Sean Landetta’s success with women was actual funny) and are just about living a good life and watching over everyone - that was the case for Harry Carson.
The book does jump around from topic to topic - sometimes football, sometimes medical issues, sometimes relationships - and that does make it a bit harder to follow. But for football fans of a certain age, especially Giants fans, this is a book that will bring back all the memories of that special championship season.
I wish to thank Public Affairs for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
Reliving Giants glory during yet another disappointing year has been the story of most of my life. This is the best book I've found on the 86 Giants, even though it focuses mostly on the relationships and life after football. I've learned that Harry Carson helped a deadbeat teammate's ex-girlfriend give birth, that Bill Parcells has loaned almost four million dollars to struggling former players, paid for their kids to attend college and helped them find assistance when they were struggling. I learned that Sean Landeta, the punter (!) was quite the ladies' man, that Bobby Johnson wrecked his career due to a crack addiction but was able to get help later in life and had the ring he pawned for drug money bought back by Bill Parcells and another man. Lawrence Taylor of course has had his share of the field challenges yet he has remained a kind and considerate teammate. Myers, who has covered the Giants since the early 80s (and in a weird twist of fate is responsible for a news story that almost got the Giants to NOT draft Lawrence Taylor), is fair and even handed. He does not shy away from the issues of drug use, womanizing and other shenanigans athletes in the 80s got up to. (Cue the MST3K music from Hobgoblins--"It's the eighhhhhties, do a lot of coke and vote for Ronald Reagan!") But he also highlights the brotherhood between them and how they have stayed involved in each other's lives through the decades, doing their best to help each other navigate life without football. And in the end, just as much as their prowess on the field, this shows the 86 Giants truly one of the greatest teams in NFL History.
September 25, 2025
Myers does a good job showing the familial bond the '86 Giants have for one another. The book provides a good mixture of humor, heartbreak, inspiration and redemption. The players had the world in their hands as celebrities living in 1980s New York, paid the price later in life for choosing a violent vocation, but could rely on each other as they navigated the challenges of life after football.
September 15, 2023
A very good read for any Giant fan. Insightful look behind the scene. Some very sad but also heartwarming stories.
February 12, 2024
This book is a look at the 1986 Giants - the first NYG team to win a championship in the Super Bowl era. The book is a look at their playing days and how the team was built, but also spends a lot of time (probably the majority) on their life after football and what came next.
As you would expect, the book focuses on the big names of the time - Harry Carson, LT, Parcells, Simms, etc. However, the author chose to spend a lot of time on some of the lesser known players as well. The emphasis also was les on the commonly known aspects of the team and more of a focus on what it was like to be part of the group. For someone who already knows a lot of stories about that team I thought this was a fresher approach. While there are some of the old favorites in there, Myers covers some other things that I hadn't seen before.
In addition to the football piece, Myers also covers what happened after the players walked off the field for the last time. As you might expect, many of them have dealt with physical injuries as their bodies show the toll from playing football. A number of them also are dealing with mental health issues. It is clear that the book was written recently since CTE takes a big role in this - whether true or not many of the players feel like their life has been impacted by it. While the players are obviously suffering in many ways, I was reminded of an article I recently read on ESPN discussing that the narrative on CTE has gotten well ahead of the science.
Again, not saying that CTE and head trauma haven't had an impact, but it is clear that there is a lot more unknown than known at this point about how to diagnose, treat, and prevent the kinds of brain problems that many of the players are dealing with. In a related note, the players covered played in an era before free agency really got going and the TV deals and salaries exploded. Health care for retired players was also not the same as it is now (although you could argue that it still should improve).
As far as the writing, the book was very easy to pick up and read through. I do think it could have used some better editing, however. The book jumps back and forth chronologically, and while sometimes that makes sense there are other times where it feels disjointed to me. There are also chapters where the author is covering multiple storylines, or similar storylines with different players, and I think they could do a better job of jumping back and forth - sometimes I had to go back a couple of paragraphs because I realized they had switched the subject and I didn't realize it.
Overall, the book was a good read for Giants fans who want to learn more about the players, what life was like for them in 1986, and what happened afterward. For fans of other teams, the specifics might be different, but I'm sure most of the players from that era have experienced similar things post-career so this could still be enlightening. So, not a perfect book, but a good, quick read that kept my attention and told a good story.
As you would expect, the book focuses on the big names of the time - Harry Carson, LT, Parcells, Simms, etc. However, the author chose to spend a lot of time on some of the lesser known players as well. The emphasis also was les on the commonly known aspects of the team and more of a focus on what it was like to be part of the group. For someone who already knows a lot of stories about that team I thought this was a fresher approach. While there are some of the old favorites in there, Myers covers some other things that I hadn't seen before.
In addition to the football piece, Myers also covers what happened after the players walked off the field for the last time. As you might expect, many of them have dealt with physical injuries as their bodies show the toll from playing football. A number of them also are dealing with mental health issues. It is clear that the book was written recently since CTE takes a big role in this - whether true or not many of the players feel like their life has been impacted by it. While the players are obviously suffering in many ways, I was reminded of an article I recently read on ESPN discussing that the narrative on CTE has gotten well ahead of the science.
Again, not saying that CTE and head trauma haven't had an impact, but it is clear that there is a lot more unknown than known at this point about how to diagnose, treat, and prevent the kinds of brain problems that many of the players are dealing with. In a related note, the players covered played in an era before free agency really got going and the TV deals and salaries exploded. Health care for retired players was also not the same as it is now (although you could argue that it still should improve).
As far as the writing, the book was very easy to pick up and read through. I do think it could have used some better editing, however. The book jumps back and forth chronologically, and while sometimes that makes sense there are other times where it feels disjointed to me. There are also chapters where the author is covering multiple storylines, or similar storylines with different players, and I think they could do a better job of jumping back and forth - sometimes I had to go back a couple of paragraphs because I realized they had switched the subject and I didn't realize it.
Overall, the book was a good read for Giants fans who want to learn more about the players, what life was like for them in 1986, and what happened afterward. For fans of other teams, the specifics might be different, but I'm sure most of the players from that era have experienced similar things post-career so this could still be enlightening. So, not a perfect book, but a good, quick read that kept my attention and told a good story.
October 10, 2023
I tried to imagine if I would have picked up this book if it was about the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles and of course the answer was no. A book about the 1986 Giants was hard to pass up when I saw it sitting on the shelf at the Falmouth Memorial library. I cannot believe they ordered it and if they did who should have read it except for me. It's a book that every Giant fan and most football fans over 45 should read because thats the demographic that will remember this team. It's not a book about winning the super bowl which of course they did. In fact there is very little written on the game or the season. It is a book about the players , their bond and what became of them after that amazing season. It is to some extent a book on how the NFL disposes of its athletes when they are done with them and to some extent how the Maras who owned the Giants did more than they needed to which of course still was not enough. There is a lot in this book about the disintegration of players bodies and at times it's a painful and sad read. But it is a book about the reality of the NFL.
A reality that most of us look the other way on because we love football.
I don't know if my Giant fan sons will like this book because other than Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms they may not remember these guys. But frankly if you are a football fan this book gives you the feeling of a team. Well worth your time. Thank you to the extraordinary woman who orders books for our library.
A reality that most of us look the other way on because we love football.
I don't know if my Giant fan sons will like this book because other than Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms they may not remember these guys. But frankly if you are a football fan this book gives you the feeling of a team. Well worth your time. Thank you to the extraordinary woman who orders books for our library.
April 18, 2024
Our son Matsie bought this book for me.He knew that I fell in love with football watching it on black and white TV while my parents and my relatives were playing Belote. I saw Y. A. Tittle on his knees, bloodied, crying ending his career as a Giant. It wasn't fake. It was real. I was stoked. I wanted to play football.And I did . In high school.My senior year. I was a Giant fan before becoming a dyed-in-the-wool Patriots fan. But I digress. This book is a very good read. It is very sad too because of all the suffering that the players endured after the injuries from football. (Raise your hands people)Along with ix is the scope of what each player groped for after their game was over. They wanted to be part of the game even though they had no talent for coaching.There is a sense ofen entitlement that pervades the anecdotes. This is rampant from high school rot college to pro football. The eternal question rings loudly ..."What do you do when the crowd hollering and the bands no longer are rooting for you.....in fact it has passed you by.all that's left are the aches /pains and memories that either disappear or enlarge depending on that persons fractured (literally) psyche. I liked the book..I recommend to everyone. Read it with a grain of salt and look back at yourselves and others and ask .>>......
January 26, 2024
An Excellent Read About An Historic Team!! (review by Steve London)
What can I say about about my favorite football team by one of my all-time favorite newspaper football writers and authors?? Gary Myers has all the cred in the world to have written this amazing book about a team he has covered forever and with who he has so many lasting connections and relationships with players from the 1986 Super Bowl championship team; once again, I am writing a review under the auspices of my own name on my wife Mary Kay’s GoodReads account and we both thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, because we are both lifelong Giants fans, and Gary has done an amazing job, giving nuance to every detail of what that team did together, all of their diverse personalities from the owners to the GM’s to the coaches to the players and he really takes the readers behind the scenes are spectacularly details all of these men personally, and professionally, like no one else can; I think I can safely say that my wife and I both recommend this book highly because it is absolutely fantastic 🏈🏈🏈🏈
What can I say about about my favorite football team by one of my all-time favorite newspaper football writers and authors?? Gary Myers has all the cred in the world to have written this amazing book about a team he has covered forever and with who he has so many lasting connections and relationships with players from the 1986 Super Bowl championship team; once again, I am writing a review under the auspices of my own name on my wife Mary Kay’s GoodReads account and we both thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, because we are both lifelong Giants fans, and Gary has done an amazing job, giving nuance to every detail of what that team did together, all of their diverse personalities from the owners to the GM’s to the coaches to the players and he really takes the readers behind the scenes are spectacularly details all of these men personally, and professionally, like no one else can; I think I can safely say that my wife and I both recommend this book highly because it is absolutely fantastic 🏈🏈🏈🏈
October 22, 2025
Once a Giant is an unflinching, deeply human look at the legendary 1986 New York Giants not just as athletes, but as men navigating life after football. Gary Myers provides unparalleled access and insight into the friendships, triumphs, and hardships that shaped one of the NFL’s most iconic teams.
Beyond the gridiron glory, Myers exposes the real challenges these athletes faced: chronic injuries, addiction, and personal crises. His interviews with Bill Parcells, Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, and Bill Belichick bring authenticity and depth, showing how camaraderie and resilience helped the Giants endure both victory and tragedy.
For football fans and readers interested in the human side of professional sports, Once a Giant offers a rare combination of thrilling on-field action and poignant off-field stories. It’s a gripping, emotional, and ultimately inspiring account of teamwork, perseverance, and life after fame.
Beyond the gridiron glory, Myers exposes the real challenges these athletes faced: chronic injuries, addiction, and personal crises. His interviews with Bill Parcells, Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, and Bill Belichick bring authenticity and depth, showing how camaraderie and resilience helped the Giants endure both victory and tragedy.
For football fans and readers interested in the human side of professional sports, Once a Giant offers a rare combination of thrilling on-field action and poignant off-field stories. It’s a gripping, emotional, and ultimately inspiring account of teamwork, perseverance, and life after fame.
December 30, 2023
This is, in my view, what a sports book should be.
I happened to be reading this at the same as “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done” about the 1969 Mets, and the contrast stood out to me. That book is much more of a standard, “here’s what happened during that season” type of book, which I struggled to get through.
This book, on the other hand, was a look into what became of the players on the 1986 Giants following their careers. It can sometimes be a difficult read, as would be the case with any book about former professional football players, but it’s worth it.
The book features several interesting stories that make you much more aware of who these players are as people off the field.
I happened to be reading this at the same as “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done” about the 1969 Mets, and the contrast stood out to me. That book is much more of a standard, “here’s what happened during that season” type of book, which I struggled to get through.
This book, on the other hand, was a look into what became of the players on the 1986 Giants following their careers. It can sometimes be a difficult read, as would be the case with any book about former professional football players, but it’s worth it.
The book features several interesting stories that make you much more aware of who these players are as people off the field.
May 11, 2024
5 stars for content but 3 stars for editing.
I will always happily pick up a book about the Giants and especially the ‘86 team. They provided me with my earliest football memories and firmly ensconced me it my family’s fanaticism for Big Blue.
The book was absolutely helped by Gary Myers’ long standing relationships with many Giants coaches and players. They definitely opened up more for him than they would have for someone else. That said, the book suffered by a lack of editing. The story would’ve been much more effective chronologically. The bouncing around both with time and players featured made the book take much longer to get through.
Thank you NetGalley and Public Affairs Books for the opportunity to read and review.
I will always happily pick up a book about the Giants and especially the ‘86 team. They provided me with my earliest football memories and firmly ensconced me it my family’s fanaticism for Big Blue.
The book was absolutely helped by Gary Myers’ long standing relationships with many Giants coaches and players. They definitely opened up more for him than they would have for someone else. That said, the book suffered by a lack of editing. The story would’ve been much more effective chronologically. The bouncing around both with time and players featured made the book take much longer to get through.
Thank you NetGalley and Public Affairs Books for the opportunity to read and review.
February 15, 2024
A somewhat sophomoric look at the Giants 1986 Super Bowl season from an insider who covered the team for the NY Daily News. A little too much "Ben Gay in the jockstraps" lockerroom antics from the likes of Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Bart Oates and the gang. But also some good stuff you wouldn't otherwise know from the outside. Plus a look at how football and concussions affect the NFL players in the long term ~ not good! If you're a Giants fan, it's a must; if not perhaps an incomplete pass (something Simms only did 3 times in the Super Bowl win over Denver for a still record, 88 % completion rate of 22 for 25!)
April 7, 2024
Not a Giants fan per se, but always like the Parcelles teams, and the 1986 Giants, while maybe not as colorful as the 1985 Bears, had their own personalities and start power. Yet, a key part of this work is how the 1986 Giants are still bonded as a team, and how players and coaches will still reach out to check up and aid former players, from Bavarro to Carlson to Taylor. Plenty of football, but just as much a tale of personalities, helping people out and brotherly love. A fun sports read with a lot of insight that even a die-hard fan might never have heard about. Worth the read for the sports fan.
October 10, 2023
As a lifelong NY Giants fan, I was excited to read this book, particularly since the 1986 Super Bowl team is one of the best! It was interesting to get the inside info on the team, as well as the players and coaches, in general. It's obvious Myers has a great affinity for the team. Parcels. Taylor. Simms. All are legendary, for sure, and this book helps explain why. It's awesome that, all these years later, many of them still keep in touch. Any fan will love reading the tales right from the players themselves.
October 11, 2023
This is the story of the 1986 New York Giants, winner of Super Bowl XXI. Veteran sports writer Gary Myers was a beat writer covering the Giants for the NYDaily News and the AP, and he developed strong relationships with many of the Giants players and coaches. The book, while it describes the Giants’ run
to the World Championship, also details life after football for many of the players. I especially enjoyed the stories about Head Coach Parcells, Defensive Coordinator Belichick, and Linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
to the World Championship, also details life after football for many of the players. I especially enjoyed the stories about Head Coach Parcells, Defensive Coordinator Belichick, and Linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
June 15, 2023
For a NY Giants fan - and, really, an NFL fan - this was a great read. I was born in 1985 so my only knowledge of the 1986 Super Bowl team was through stories and any resurrected clips occasionally shown on television. This book was storytelling at its finest, providing great insight not only into the brotherhood of the ‘86 team but also the lives of many of the players and coaches. After reading about the play of LT and Simms - of some of the great hits and catches - I felt inspired to try to watch as much as I could of the ‘86 team. Option for a movie, anyone?
March 9, 2024
Myers has written a very good exploration of the 1986 Superbowl winning Giants team and how the players have gotten on afterwards and the solid bond they all share with each other. It's also a emotional look at the pain and hurt many players suffer physically and mentally, especially as more and more has been learned about concussions and CTE. Giants fans of all ages will enjoy this, and football fans in general should read it.
Go Big Blue
Go Big Blue
October 1, 2023
If you are a New York Giant fan, this is a MUST READ. It is one of the best sports books that I have ever read. If you are simply a sports/football fan, you should read it as well. Gary Myers covers the pre and post careers of the 1986 Super Bowl Giants in great and sometimes crushing detail, providing the reader with an insider perspective that you very rarely see. A five-star read all day long.
July 28, 2023
Found this book to be a great read! The access given to the author from all these players is astonishing. Loved the 86 Giants and learned so much about them in this book. So great they look out for each other as they age. That’s what a team should be.
October 12, 2023
Like other great books that are sports themed one doesn't have to be a fan to enjoy the book. The books strength is the focus on the team after the championship season and their lives after the cheering stops.
November 2, 2023
Definitely an unusual sports book in that there was very little sports but rather the lives afterwards was the man focus. It is one of the few books that delivers precisely on what its introduction promised.
December 21, 2023
Five stars if you’re a diehard Giants fan. Reading about the joys of winning and the struggles to survive after football sparked memories of the players breaking the huddle. I can vividly remember the hit on Montana.
Overall 4 stars. Parts of the book felt drawn-out to fill pages.
Overall 4 stars. Parts of the book felt drawn-out to fill pages.
February 21, 2024
Super interesting book. I don't like reading sports books because of their devotion to chronicling the games themselves. Gary doesn't do that, and instead relies on his research and in person interviews to tell stories I didn't know about the '86 Giants. Every fan of the Giants should read this!
June 1, 2024
I am a lifelong New York Giants fan, so I'm not quite sure how impartial I can be here. But I really enjoyed this book. Honest, thoughtful, humorous, and very humanizing. If you bleed Big Blue, you need to read this.
October 5, 2023
Great, behind-the-scenes look into the best Giants team ever
January 19, 2024
Brings back good memories. The 86 team was fun to watch.
March 29, 2024
Wanted it to be better….some really good stories, but organized in a way that’s….not organized.
April 27, 2024
Great story of the 1986 football Giants. Tells the story of the fun times of '86 along with the tragic times after football.
June 18, 2024
Solid insight to what happened to the 86 Giants after football
June 24, 2024
Quick easy read about the Giants and their run under Parcells and Belichick in the 80s and the aftermath. Interesting tidbits about the Mara family and some Giants history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews