Blood, Sweat, & Bears: Putting a Dent in the Game I Love

Richard Dent; (with) Fred Mitchell

ISBN 10: 098306198X / ISBN 13: 9780983061984

Published by Ascend Books, 2012

Seller Inventory # 098306198X-3-36341864

Synopsis:

Coming out of a small college with less fanfare than many of his high-profile peers, Richard Dent talks about the treatment he received, especially early in his career, even though his production rivaled that of most other players at his position. Written with veteran Chicago Tribune sportswriter Fred Mitchell, Blood, Sweat, & Bears takes the reader behind the scenes, into the huddle, and inside the locker room of one of the fiercest, most dominant defenses in NFL history.

Playing in the NFL during a time before violent helmet-to-helmet tackles weren't forbidden, Dent discusses the direction of the current game in this candid book.

Dent also discusses Hall of Fame teammates and his at-times turbulent relationship with Coach Mike Ditka. He also adds his opinions on "the bounty system" and NFL players struggle with concussion issues. A quarter of a century after the brash Bears filmed The Super Bowl Shuffle music video before winning the championship game, Dent is ready to tell his personal saga, as well as the rest of the intriguing story behind the 1985 Bears.

About the Author: Richard Dent made quite a name for himself in the National Football League after toiling in relative obscurity at tiny Tennessee State University. The Chicago Bears drafted the then tall and skinny Dent in the eighth round of the 1983 draft. He would grow to 6-5, 265, and go on to become the storied franchise s all-time leader in quarterback sacks In 1985, Dent led the NFL with 17 quarterback sacks and the Bears went on to wallop the New England Patriots 46-10 as he was named the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XX. That vaunted Bears unit led by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan also included Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, William Refrigerator Perry, Otis Wilson, Wilber Marshall, Dave Duerson, Gary Fencik, Mike Richardson and Leslie Frazier. Dent later joined the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in 1994, although he missed most of that season with an injury.He returned to the Bears in 1995 before joining the Indianapolis Colts the next season.Dent retired after spending the 1997 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dent had 141 quarterback sacks in 203 career games, including 151 starts.He also intercepted 8 passes, returning them for 89 yards and 1 touchdown, and he recovered 13 fumbles.In 1990, he returned a fumble for 45 yards and a touchdown. Since retiring from pro football, Dent has been very active in the Chicago community. The Make a Dent Foundation, a 501 (3) (c) organization, was founded over 14 years ago, with the primary goal of improving the lives of children.Over the years, the foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthwhile organizations such as The Illinois Literacy Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kentucky, Colin Powell s America s Promise, Angels on the Fairway, United Negro College Fund, the Better Boys Foundation, and many others. By partnering and raising funds for these organizations, the Make a Dent Foundation has helped many people in need achieve their dreams.

Fred Mitchell has been a sportswriter and columnist with the Chicago Tribune for the past 39 years, covering major sporting events including the Super Bowl, World Series, National Basketball Association Finals, and Summer Olympics. Mitchell was his newspaper's beat reporter covering the Chicago Cubs from 1983 to 1988.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Blood, Sweat, & Bears: Putting a Dent in the...
Publisher: Ascend Books
Publication Date: 2012
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good