by Jeffrey Marx
First published 2009
Brian Kinchen stands in front of his Bible study class, never imagining he'll soon be snapping footballs in the NFL. This former college player turned religious educator finds himself pulled back into professional sports when the New England Patriots desperately need a long snapper. Kinchen must navigate the brutal world of professional football while staying true to his faith and family values. His teammates wonder if this soft-spoken teacher can handle the pressure of playoff games and championship stakes. As the Patriots march toward the Super Bowl, Kinchen discovers that his greatest challenge isn't mastering the technical demands of his position, but proving he belongs among elite athletes who seem to live in a different world. This story follows one man's unlikely path from classroom to championship, exploring how faith and determination can overcome the longest odds in professional sports.
Genres: christian-fiction, sports, biography-memoir, inspirational
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: New England, NFL
Period: 21st-century
320 pages · Paperback · HarperOne Large Print