Just Give Me the Damn Ball! : The Fast Times and Hard Knocks of an NFL Rookie

Rating:
Summary: understated, bold, brilliant
Review: Keyshawn Johnson's memoir, Just Give me the Damn Ball, is a chronicle of one man's journey to understand himself. The "Ball" as every reader of Johnson's prose understands, is not an actual leather ball, but a metaphor for the unnameable phatom that evades all of us, and the thing that can give us, if we could just get our hands on it, a true spiritual balance that could once and for all stop the longing we all feel and that some people attribute to our being made in the image of a creator to satisfy this creater's longing. Using a musical and lyrical style, he paints a portrait of the difficulties and obstacles faced by many of our young men in this country today. And he pulls no punches; make no mistake, Keyshawn writes like he plays: often dropping the "ball", but rarely failing to dwell in those small moments of triumph. While the narrative is first person, the voice Johnson achieves can give an impression of almost total detachment. He describes his battles as uphill conquests, relaying little detail other than those of his own ability to catch the "ball", though we all know no one can hold on to the ball forever. Johnson understands this, though he never comes to the point where he feels comfortable saying it. The idea that one thing, the ball in this case, can satisfy a being, one made of skin and nerves and thick red blood, is nothing new, but Johnson is able to breath life into it by creating a world where we, while, at our core, understanding that the grasp of one object could never satisfy our depths, the pursuit of this object could give a life purpose and, ultimately, could satisfy the pointed ends of the "ball" which would only leave the middle, and though the middle could never be satisfied, the pursuit of it all, the endless journey we put ourselves in, is one that will one day be rewarded. But when will we know for sure?

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Summary: Keyshawn's Book of Prophecy
Review: This highly controversial book provides a fascinating glimpse into the thoughts of a future hall of fame receiver. Keyshawn speaks with candor about his rookie season and many of his comments seem prophetic in light of the Jet's recent successes. This is a highly entertaining and engaging read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, a must read for antyu football fan.
Review: This is a great book. Keyshawn tells his story as if he has no care about any criticism he may receive. This makes the book that much more interesting.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read. I always liked Keyshawn, but after reading this book I really like him. An excellent biography of his life and his season with the Jets.

Rating:
Summary: good read for a sports fan
Review: when written this was a somewhat controversial book, and it is still being made refrence to on sportscenter now and then. it talks about his life growing up....scalping tickets, getting shot, growing up in da hood' , college days , and his rookie season..where he critisizes his coaches and teammates... this is a good read for all sports fans..
peace.

Rating:
Summary: A must
Review: while i'm a big time Bills Fan i give Keyshawn Johnson madd Props for this Very Honest&Open Book.it details a Season&the Politics involved in the NFL.I'M Pulling for The Bills Vs Tampa Bay in The Superbowl.THe JEts were Dumb for Letting KeyShawn go.after what he had to deal with Growing up, The NFL is like Sesame Street by Comparison.