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As a child, Herzlich found an inspiring and grounding force in football, eventually turning his passion into a first-team All-American spot at Boston College. But after being named the conference’s top defensive player his junior season, the budding star was sidelined by a persistent, debilitating pain in his left leg.
After months of tests, Herzlich received a shocking diagnosis: He had Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Doctors put his odds of survival as low as fifteen percent—and no one thought he would be able to run, much less play, again. Then Herzlich learned of a radical alternative treatment that would give him the best chance to regain his strength and maybe even play football again. He had a choice to make, one that would allow him the chance to return to the game he loved, but it came at the risk of his life.
Herzlich relied on family, friends, faith, and deep wells of determination to help him through treatment, and his drastic plan worked. Not only could he run, but he was stronger than ever physically, and mentally ready to battle his way to a spot on an NFL roster. When he was passed over by all 32 teams in the draft, he dug deeper and continued his training, winning a spot in the Giants’ training camp, and eventually, on the team.
Mark Herzlich fought a battle against cancer, against statistics, and some days against himself. Told with candor and raw emotion, this is a story for anyone who has ever fought to beat the odds, for anyone who has ever been told that what they are about to attempt is next to impossible.
Herzlich’s story embodies powerful lessons about what can be achieved through persistence and belief, and he serves as living proof that overcoming the impossible is only the beginning.
With a foreword by New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
June 3, 2014 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780698151130
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780698151130
- File size: 14195 KB
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Accessibility
No publisher statement provided -
Languages
- English
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Reviews
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August 1, 2014
Herzlich was a promising college linebacker who nearly died from bone cancer but fought back to claim eventually a starting position with the New York Giants. While the author clearly loves the game, this book is more about facing a life-or-death obstacle and fighting it. Herzlich emphasizes that the fight is the victory, no matter what the outcome, and urges readers to have hope, fight hard, be a warrior, and believe in themselves. VERDICT This well-written, inspirational story will find popularity with a general audience.
Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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