Out of the Pocket

Football, Fatherhood, and College GameDay Saturdays

By: Kirk Herbstreit, Gene Wojciechowski - contributor

Narrated by: Kirk Herbstreit

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

This powerfully intimate, plain-spoken memoir about fathers and sons, fortitude, and football from the face and voice of college football - Kirk Herbstreit - is not just “a window into the game, but also a peek into what makes him special: his heart” (David Shaw, head coach, Stanford University).

Kirk Herbstreit is a reflection of the sport he loves, a reflection of his football-crazed home state of Ohio, where he was a high school star and Ohio State captain, and a reflection of another Ohio State football captain thirty-two years earlier: his dad Jim, who battled Alzheimer’s disease until his death in 2016. 

In Out of the Pocket, Herbstreit does what his father did for him: takes you inside the locker rooms, to the practice fields, to the meeting rooms, to the stadiums. Herbstreit describes how a combination of hard work, perseverance, and a little luck landed him on the set of ESPN’s iconic College GameDay show, surrounded by tens of thousands of fans who treat their Saturdays like a football Mardi Gras. 

He takes you into the television production meetings, on to the GameDay set, and into the broadcast booth. You’ll live his life during a football season, see the things he sees, experience every chaotic twist and turn as the year unfolds. Not to mention the relationships he’s established and the insights he’s learned from the likes of coaches and players such as Nick Saban, Tim Tebow, Dabo Swinney, and Peyton Manning, as well as his colleagues, including Chris Fowler, Rece Davis, and his “second dad”, the beloved Coach Lee Corso. 

Yes, Kirk Herbstreit is the undeniable face and voice of college football - but he’s also a survivor. He’s the quiet kid who withstood the collapse of his parents’ marriage. The boy who endured too many overbearing stepdads and stepmoms. The painfully shy student who always chose the last desk in the last row of the classroom. The young man who persevered through a frustrating Ohio State playing career. The new college graduate who turned down a lucrative sales job after college to pursue a “no way you’ll make it” dream career in broadcasting.

Inspiring and powerful, Out of the Pocket “proves the importance of perseverance and family” (Peyton Manning).

©2021 Kirk Herbstreit. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Great read for true college FB fans

One of the best sports memoirs! Kirk shares his life story with great honesty and authenticity. He has many inside stories as an athlete, sports commentator and experiences growing thru ESPN Gameday and college football TV analyst. But he brings further depth by openly including his vulnerability and honest emotions in the stories he shares. It’s a good combination of college football history/memorable games and he also talks about the recent challenges with Covid. And the future issues in college football. Highly recommend!

A book for all!

Really enjoyed this book and coming from a 54 year old mother of 4 daughters, I think that’s saying a lot!

Kirk, thank you for sharing your story. You are inspirational, genuine, and a beautiful soul. I’m looking forward to seeing you this fall on GAME DAY!

Inspriational highlight reel for anyone

Kirk delivers and proves that drive, determination, honesty and passion are key fundamentals to a successful professional life and personal life. You do not need to be a fan of sports to relate to his journey of life. I believe this book would be a helpful tool for the younger generation to read. Nothing was handed to him, whatever opportunity presented itself, he was prepared (overprepared) and was ready to give it his all. He also goes above and beyond to credit and thank anyone who has been a part of his journey. Bravo Kirk!

From the Heart

I didn't know what to expect when I began this book. It certainly surpassed my expectations. At times I laughed out loud, it brought tears to my eyes, & made me proud to be from The Ohio State. Great job Kirk - write another one. 🙂

Build Bridges

it was wonderful to see how Kirk handled challenges in his life and how once he was prosperous still remembered to be one of the guys. he did this through building relationships and maintaining relationships. I can identify with several of the struggles that he had so this book was incredibly helpful.

If you like College Football: Must listen

Kirk did a tremendous job with his book. Great stories while showing humility and vulnerability. Kirk reading the book made it that much better.

Totally Kirk Greatly read and written

My first audio book, listened to completely! Even the credits at the end.
Enjoyed his life, his jobs but mostly his family. Well passed! Complete exposure.

Great book for all college football fans

Great book for all college football fans. It keeps you interested from start to finish.

Thank you for sharing your personal life

Kirk - had a chance to meet you a couple times in Columbus at world gym/metro fitness in Worthington. I greatly enjoyed this book and am a big fan of you on game day. You have a great family and should be very proud of your accomplishments. Looking forward to watching and listening to for years to come!! Hope to see you live someday again. Until then be well.

Chris Coe

Great Story

I was very impressed with Kirk Herbstreit story,it wonderful to read/hear a story about the up and downs of a sports personality.