First and Goal : The CFL and the Pursuit of Excellence

Tony Proudfoot, CFL veteran and sports broadcaster, is fascinated by the qualities that separate ordinary players from the very best. Their conversations with some of the game's former and current stars show that these athletes share a number of characteristics: self-confidence that sometimes approaches arrogance, consistency born from obsessive determination, and the willingness to take risks. But more than this, Proudfoot finds that the game's great players have an uncanny ability to anticipate what's going to happen on the field. This game-day clairvoyance, the players say, is not a gift, but a skill that can be acquired through years of training. It's all about preparation. It's about off-season workouts to stay in shape. It's about making the most of training camp. It's about knowing the playbook. It's about studying game films and about repetition, run-throughs and visualization. Ordinary players have trouble keeping up. But for its finest practitioners, those who are both talented and fully prepared, the game slows down. In this illustrated book, Tony Proudfoot takes the reader inside the Canadian game to discover the fine points that give great players and teams their winning edge. Dozens of current and former stars have given Proudfoot extended, candid interviews. Among those interviewed are Marv Levy, Ron Lancaster, Darren Flutie, Wally Buono, Damon Allen, Joe Montford, Milt Stegall, Mike Clemons, and Anthony Calvilo. The result is a uniquely informed, fascinating, and entertaining look at how these and other great players are able to excel in the CFL.Proudfoot, Tony is the author of 'First and Goal : The CFL and the Pursuit of Excellence' with ISBN 9781551683164 and ISBN 1551683164.