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.

Must Read for College Football Lovers

If you love college football, you will love this book. It really is that simple. I couldn’t stop listening. Stayed up waaaaay to late on a work night listening. Herbstreit is an insightful and intentional guy who loves his family and football.

New Perspective on the Buckeyes ( a little 😏)

As a Penn State fan, the most difficult part of this book was all the talk about Ohio State. 😉 I really like Kirk and have always liked the way he presented himself as a kind, respectful, college football knowledgeable man. I love when the authors read their books! I think it gives the books more authenticity. Kirk did not disappoint. Thank you for your vulnerability. I love a good back story! Highly recommend!!

Fabulous

Really a great story that opens up the life a man we all see on Saturdays, but now get a tru opportunity to know.

Outstanding Human

This book gives you a look into Kirk’s life. While we may glamorize his celebrity status he is just one of us. He & his wife are so humble. He has always been a favorite of mine. I can appreciate that he’s not afraid to show his emotions. More men need to be like him!

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.

Inspirational

A MUST read for all college football fans! You might feel like you know him now but after the book, you will feel like he is your buddy…. A close friend who has earned success via some hard knocks. GREAT book!

Good guys do finish first sometimes

Kirk’s book is a deeply personal, real story of someone who I’ve seen on game day many times but had no appreciation for who he really is. His courage to address his trials and tribulations is indeed remarkable. A solid family man dedicated to his broadcast team and football. It doesn’t get better!

He’s got the stuff of heroes in a humble package.

He is a credit to his craft but more importantly he’s an exemplary man to be viewed by younger men as a role model outside the typical mold of overpaid, washed up super heroes who lack humility.

I would ask him about his position on BLM, racism and anti racism issues that we find society embroiled in today. I know he does not see race.

Great book well read!

Thank you

So glad I got this book

I listen to this book on audio and really I am glad. Herbstreit read it and it almost seemed conversational. Sports fans and especially football fans will enjoy this book. As a sports photographer I have met Herbstreit and he is genuinely a nice guy. Interesting book. Engaging. Highly recommend

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 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!