Playing Hurt

ESPN and ABC broadcaster John Saunders chronicles his lifelong battle with depression in this raw memoir, completed with writer John U. Bacon and published after Saunders' death in 2016. The book traces his path from childhood in Canada through his three-decade career as a prominent sports journalist. Behind the professional success and public persona, Saunders faced severe mental health challenges, multiple suicide attempts, and serious physical health crises including a traumatic brain injury and heart attack. The narrative provides an inside view of both his broadcasting career and his private struggles. The memoir emerged from extensive collaboration between Saunders and Bacon before Saunders' passing, with additional input from family, friends and medical professionals who helped complete the manuscript. With a foreword by Mitch Albom, the book became a New York Times bestseller. This unflinching account breaks down stigmas around mental illness in professional sports and media, while exploring universal themes of resilience and the gap between public achievement and private pain.

Readers appreciate Saunders' raw honesty about his struggles with depression while maintaining his high-profile sports broadcasting career. Many note the book provides insight into both the broadcasting industry and mental health challenges faced by public figures. Readers liked: - Clear depiction of functioning with depression while maintaining success - Behind-the-scenes look at ESPN and sports broadcasting - Authentic voice and straightforward writing style Readers disliked: - Some sections feel repetitive - Parts of the chronology jump around - A few readers wanted more depth about specific broadcasting experiences Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) Sample review quotes: "Helps break stigma around depression in professional settings" - Goodreads reviewer "Honest but could have gone deeper into both his career and mental health journey" - Amazon reviewer "Important perspective on high-functioning depression" - Goodreads reviewer

Breaking Back by James Blake A professional tennis player's memoir chronicles his battle with depression, severe injury, and grief while continuing to compete at the highest level.

Show Me a Hero by Jeremy Schaap The biography reveals how boxing champion Floyd Patterson fought through childhood trauma and mental health struggles while maintaining his career in professional sports.

Silent Gesture by Tommie Smith The Olympic medalist's autobiography details his experiences with depression and anxiety while carrying the burden of being a civil rights icon in sports.

Darkness Visible by William Styron This memoir from a renowned writer documents his descent into depression and the intersection between mental illness and professional success.

The Game by Ken Dryden A hockey goalkeeper's memoir examines the psychological pressures of professional sports and the hidden mental health challenges faced by athletes.

🎯 Saunders worked at ESPN for 30 years, covering college football, basketball, and hosting SportsCenter before his death in 2016 at age 61. 🏒 Before his broadcasting career, Saunders played hockey at Western Michigan University and briefly in the minor leagues in Canada. 🎤 He was a founding member of The V Foundation for Cancer Research alongside Jim Valvano, serving on its board of directors for two decades. 🧠 The traumatic brain injury described in the book occurred when Saunders hit his head on ice in 2011, leading to severe symptoms that went undiagnosed for months. 📝 The book's co-author, John U. Bacon, is a New York Times bestselling writer who completed the manuscript after Saunders' death by working closely with his wife and daughters.