The Water Boy: From the Sidelines to Owner's Box: Inside the CFL, the XFL, and the NFL - Softcover

Ackles, Bob; Mulgrew, Ian

3.74

31 ratings by Goodreads

9780470155912: The Water Boy: From the Sidelines to Owner's Box: Inside the CFL, the XFL, and the NFL

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470155914 ISBN 13: 9780470155912

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2011

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When Bobby Ackles became the B.C. Lions’ originalwater boy, he probably never dreamed that he wouldlead the team to a Grey Cup victory over 50 years later. Fromhis earliest days with the team to becoming its general managerand now president, Ackles has demonstrated a commitmentand dedication to football in the CFL, NFL and XFL. After leaving the Lions in 1986, Ackles joined the DallasCowboys as Vice–President and served six seasons withthem before moving onto the Phoenix Cardinals and laterthe Philadelphia Eagles. In 2000, Ackles was named Vice–President and General Manager of the XFL’s Las Vegas Outlaws.With this achievement, Ackles became the first and onlyman to hold executive positions in all three football leagues. Finally, in 2002, Ackles returned to the home of his firstfootball triumph, and brought the struggling B.C. Lions backto the top of the CFL by 2006. In this engaging personalmemoir, Ackles takes the reader through the growing andchanging world of football, both from a Canadian and anAmerican perspective, where he lays down the differencesbetween the two sport cultures, and reveals the dynamics ofcreating a winning team. It’s the story of his passion and hisdrive, and his rise from a humble beginning to becoming oneof football’s most respected executives.

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Review:

"From league to league, from country to country, from small towns to big cities, Bob has seen it all! His football tales and football travels are fascinating. Bob Ackles has literally gone all the way!" — Chris Berman, ESPN "I have known Bobby Ackles since he was the Water Boy. Now he is the Wonder Boy ! Bobby Ackles didn’t put the BC Lions on the map once. He put them on the map twice! Bobby has done more for the game of football than anyone I know. And he isn’t stopping yet. Go, Bobby, go!" — Allan Fotheringham, Author "Bob Ackles is in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He is also a charter member of the ‘Nice Guys Hall of Fame.’ I’m honored to call Bob a friend. He is one of the most accomplished executives in all of sports and his story will be must reading for any sports fan." — Bill Pollian, President of the Indianapolis Colts "Bob and Kay Ackles have experienced ultimate highs and lows in every level of professional football in two countries. In the years Bob worked for me both with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins he was a loyal, tireless worker. He was always upbeat and positive. Bob and Kay are wonderful people who have some great stories about their experiences." — Jimmy Johnson, Former Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys "Bobby Ackles is truly a living legend in British Columbia. He proves that nice guys can win! They don’t make ’em any better than Bobby!" — Jim Pattison, President, the Pattison Group "Every once in awhile I get very, very lucky. I had been looking for over a year–and–a–half for a new President and CEO for the BC Lions and I had interviewed several excellent candidates, but none of them had the proper football background. Bob Ackles was truly a great acquisition for the BC Lions and for the community of Vancouver. With his enormous talent and knowledge he has developed the Lions, once again into a dominant position in both Vancouver and the Canadian Football League." — David Braley, Owner of the BC Lions Football Club "Everywhere Bob Ackles has gone in football––Vancouver, Dallas, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas and back to Vancouver––he’s made things better. We, here in Vancouver, are doubly blessed because what could be better than that?" — Kent (Cookie) Gilchrist, Sports Columnist for the Vancouver Province "I have known Bobby Ackles for more than 25 years. His football knowledge is unquestioned. It’s his ability to relate that knowledge to both the game and the communities in which it is played that makes him unique. Bobby is honest and straightforward. He promises exactly that – qualities that will jump off the pages and make for great reading." — Brian Williams, Commentator, CTV & TSN

About the Author:

Bobby Ackles is President and CEO of the BC Lions Football Club and has been an integral part of the team for over 50 years. From his earliest days as the team’s first Water Boy, Bob rose through the ranks to become Director of Football Development, Assistant General Manager, and was the Lions’ General Manager for 11 years. After 34 years with the Lions, Ackles joined the Dallas Cowboys as Vice President of Pro Personnel and then Vice President of Player Personnel. He has also been an executive with the Phoenix Cardinals, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, as well as Vice President and General Manager of the Las Vegas Outlaws. This put Bob in the history books as the only man to hold executive positions in the CFL, NFL and XFL. He rejoined the BC Lions in 2002, promising to deliver another Grey Cup within five years. This promise was fulfilled a year early when the Lions captured the Cup in 2006. Ackles is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. He has been honoured with the Jack Diamond Award by the Jewish Community Centre as Sportsman of the Year and is a Schenley Award of Excellence winner. He sits on the board of directors for the Vancouver YMCA, and he was presented the President’s Award for Excellence for his fundraising work for Nanook House. Bob and his wife, Kay, live in Vancouver. Ian Mulgrew is currently a senior feature writer and legal affairs columnist for The Vancouver Sun . Ian’s work is regularly featured in national magazines, and several film and television companies have optioned his stories. He has co–produced and hosted numerous television programs ranging from current affairs to music. He is the author, co–author, or ghostwriter of six other books.

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