The Long Snapper (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

Brian Kinchen had been one of the best long snappers in the business, but frankly in an occupation like that a cheerleader would be more noticeable. He just did his job, did it well and walked off the field confident in his ability. His confidence also extended to his family, his faith in God and later in his young students at Parkview Baptist. He'd played in the NFL for the Browns, the Dolphins . . . both great teams until he ended up as an expendable player. He thought he had it licked when the Packers called him, but all too quickly his luck ran out when they unceremoniously dumped him when they decided they would make do with two tight ends. "Coach wants to see you. Bring your playbook." It was back to Louisiana for Brian because anyone who heard those words was a goner.

He was devastated, but just kept on trying. Rejection after rejection after rejection can break a man, but Brian somehow decided against repeatedly punishing his ego and decided that he would return to school and become a teacher. It was said that "the more things you can do the better chance you have of sticking around," but that only seemed to work early on in his career. With a wife and four kids he needed to be steady, to make and living and teaching would give him stability. Kinchen never figured he was going to end up being a long snapper, but teaching wasn't in his field of vision either, but he knew God does things for a reason and if he was meant to be a teacher, he'd be a good one.

Things were going well, but when he got a call out of the blue from Scott Pioli, a former Cleveland Browns teammate, telling him that New England wanted him to try out for them, he was uptight. He was too old, way too old to go through the heartbreak of rejection again. His wife Lori was encouraging and when he asked his classroom they were behind him. Brian stepped on that plane knowing "God created opportunity." Lori would take over his classroom until he returned. There was only room for one long snapper on the New England Patriots. Would Brian be able to show Him what he was made of after all these years? Could an old dude cut the mustard and more importantly, as one of his students asked, "Does God want him here or does God want him there?"

This was a heartwarming memoir of courage, faith and how Brian Kinchen listened to his heart and God. The reader need not be a football fan to enjoy this memoir, however there is enough "football" to satisfy those who do, save the die hard fan. I couldn't find anything I didn't like about this well rounded memoir and just kept on rooting for the underdog page after page. It was one of those books that say to the reader "you can do it" without laying out page after page of instructions and devotional quotes. Brian Kincher, his family and his classroom are just waiting in the pages of this book to tell you that you can do it too!

What you have here is the first edition of a book likely to become a perennial favorite for junior high bible study groups.

Unexpectedly, a former NFL player three years removed from the league, gets the chance to join the New England Patriots for the last two games of the season and whatever playoff games might follow. He's a very nice man, with a very nice spouse and family, and students who admire him. A person could do much worse. The only problem is that stretched over more than 200 pages the story wears a little thin.

Likeable as the player is, he walks a very fine line between appealing and annoying. Even his wife is confounded when he tells the team he wants to quit and go home because he seems to have come down with the "yips" and can no longer snap accurately. It's as though he were telling the team: "The chips are down, but so am I. Good luck, Patriots. This is too much for me." He ulimately stays, the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl, and the player successfully snaps the ball for the game winning field goal. Although his nerves, judgement, and skills have failed him, God has not. It's a nice story and well written. Just as long as you know what you're getting in advance, you won't be disappointed. And what you will be getting is a book that will be selling well at cathedral gift shops and religious book stores for years to come.

"The Long Snapper" is a captivating novel that any sports fan should read, especially young athletes with aspirations of playing professionally. It will inspire, motivate, and uplift the reader. This story makes dreams like playing professional ball, and excelling at it, seem very plausible and possible. The life story of Brian Kinchen is one that will warm your heart, beautifully retold my Jeffrey Marx. A must read.