I Am Third

I Am Third is an autobiography by NFL Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, written with Al Silverman. The book covers Sayers' path from his youth in Omaha to becoming a star player for the Chicago Bears in the 1960s. At its core, this memoir explores Sayers' relationship with teammate Brian Piccolo, who becomes his roommate when the Bears decide to break the NFL's racial roommate barrier. The narrative tracks their evolution from reluctant roommates to close friends through their time together on and off the field. The book details Sayers' recovery from a career-threatening knee injury and parallels this with Piccolo's battle against cancer. Sayers explains his personal motto "I am Third" - putting God first, others second, and himself third. This memoir transcends standard sports autobiography by examining friendship, faith, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The book stands as a testament to breaking racial barriers and finding brotherhood in unexpected places.

Readers consistently highlight the emotional depth of Sayers' friendship with Brian Piccolo and praise his honest portrayal of their relationship. The book's straightforward writing style and personal insights into NFL life in the 1960s resonate with sports fans. Readers appreciate: - The authentic voice and lack of sensationalism - Detailed football strategy explanations - Coverage of racial issues without preaching - Life lessons that extend beyond sports Common criticisms: - Simple, basic writing level - Too much focus on football plays/games - Desire for more personal anecdotes - Brief treatment of some major life events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) "The humanity shines through on every page" - Amazon reviewer "Not literary excellence but raw truth" - Goodreads reviewer "A time capsule of NFL history told firsthand" - LibraryThing review

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🏈 The book's title "I Am Third" comes from Gale Sayers' personal motto: "The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third." 📖 The 1971 Emmy Award-winning TV movie "Brian's Song" was based on this book, starring Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers and James Caan as Brian Piccolo. 🤝 The memoir details the profound friendship between Sayers and teammate Brian Piccolo, who became the first interracial roommates in NFL history. 🏃 Gale Sayers set an NFL record by scoring 22 touchdowns in his rookie season (1965), a record that stood for over 40 years until broken by Eric Dickerson. 💪 Despite a career-threatening knee injury described in the book, Sayers returned to lead the NFL in rushing in 1969, showing the determination and resilience that became central themes in his memoir.