Brian Kilmeade - The Games Do Count: Americas Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports

T here are so many people to thank for taking this project from concept to completion that its almost impossible to remember all of you, but I will try. First, I have to thank Judith Regan for green-lighting the book while pushing for the very best subjects this country has to offer. Also, thanks to Cal Morgan for reviewing the manuscript, Cassie Jones for editing it, and Anna Bliss, Marissa Shalfi, and Liz Grotyohann for handling the photographs. I particularly want to thank and acknowledge Charles Salzberg, a terrific writer, editor, teacher, and sports fan. Trident Medias Paul Fedorko has been a tremendous asset, as has the indefatigable Shannon Firth, who had the unenviable task of tracking down these photos from the busiest people on the planet. Dana Benningfield was also a key member of the team. Id like to single out two people who helped me assemble this team and school me on the business: Joel Mowbray and Monica Crowley. Speaking of business, for clueing me on the many athletes in the corporate community and providing unwavering support, Id like to also pay homage to Peter Kash.

Many people have supported me from beginning to end, but I have to salute Fox News Channel Vice President Jack Abernathy. I felt this concept would work, but it wasnt until Jack was sold on it that I truly believed this book should and would happen. Hes also one of the few diehard Nets fans I know.

Stepping back even further, I would like to thank the people who placed me in a position to pull off this project, and thats the first-class management at Fox News Channel. Legendary TV executive Chet Collier took the risk and brought me to the Major Leagues in 1997, and Kevin Magee kept me there, and for that immense sustained break I am forever grateful. Im also honored to have news superstars Bill Shine and John Moody in my corner (most days). This job gives me a chance to cover every major sports story and event while cohosting the number one morning cable show, and its an honor I relish and cherish every day. Its allowed me to meet the most important and interesting people in the world, many of whom are featured in The Games Do Count.

When I reached a certain age, I thought I had stopped looking up to people, but that changed when I began to work for Fox News President Roger Ailes. He has achieved more than most could dream of in his careerand seems the least impressed by it. Hes a master communicator from whom I learn every day. He has allowed me to stumble and shine for the past seven years and to be who I am, while making sure we all strive for excellence. Not only did he green-light the book, he provided one of the most inspiring personal stories included in it.

Providing incredible support in every way is the morning show team at Fox & Friends, headed up by Matt Singerman. Matt and his A team have been an invaluable sounding board and great resource for contacts while making all three hosts look good by producing the most important people on the planet three hours every day, seven days a week. I have to recognize Stephen Herzog, Joe Kraus, Megan Abernathy, Kim Agle, Fred Cwerner, Maria Donovan, Marcelo Grate, Paul Guzman, Sebastian Hill, Karrah Kaplan, Joe Kraus, Paulina Krycinski, Jose Lesh, Ron Messer, Tara Ruotolo, Jess Todtfeld, Melissa Smith, Laurie Weiner, Jonathan Glenn, Sean OHeir, Kate Policastro, Kyle Crise, Lauren Sivan, Alexis Valez, and Mavel Jimenez.

The studio crew did a wonderful job of pretending to be interested in the book for the past year, and Id like to give this all-star cast, led by director John Basuino, its due. I salute Don Presutti, Chris Ciullo, James Burt, Joel Fulton, Steve Gender, Hardy Kluender, Ian Faust, Toba Potosky, Anthony Aurecchione, Frank Scudero, Brenda Salamon, Laura Finan, Mark Togno, and Jim Gorman.

Of course have to recognize Steve Doocy and E. D. Hill, the two blue-chip cohosts of Fox & Friends, who have to deal with me every day, who made it clear they were in my corner (at least for this anthology), and who also tell their moving personal sports story in the book. And who can forget the former Miss Minnesota-turned-anchor Lauren Green?

Id also like to salute the other outstanding hosts on the Friends franchiseKiran Chetry, Juliet Huddy, Mike Jerrick, and Julian Phillipsalong with sometime hosts and contributors Judge Andrew Napolitano and Dr. Georgia Witkin.

For every superstar in business politics, television, sports, and modeling there was a stalwart member of their support staff championing this books cause. I know how much weight most of you have with your clients, and how many calls we all had to make to get this to happen, and I am truly honored to have earned your trust. An extra-special thanks to Dan Bartlet, Pam Stevens, Krista Ritacco, Ed Gillespie, Tom Frechette, Dag Vega, Jim Wilkinson, Colby Cooper, Mara Boxbaum, Laurie Famera, Mike Simon, James Dixon, Penny Circle, Norma Foerderer, Jessica Incao, Scott Novak, Jeff Smith, Steve Greener, Eric Kritzer, Chip Unruh, Bill Bosen, Julie Polkes, Makida Wubneh, and all the many others who helped make the seventy-three-plus interviews happen.

The most enjoyable aspect of this project was actually conducting the interviews, and many of them were done over the phone. I knew that sound quality mattered, and the Fox News radio crew took time out of their busy news day to help me each and every time. Im not sure how Condi Rice got disconnected, but apart from that they were simply A-plus. A big thank you goes out to Mitch Davis, Bernie Pigott, John Griffin, and Jim Donaldson.

And most of all, thank you for taking the time to read The Games Do Count.

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed and benefited from this journey to collect the sports stories of the most accomplished people in America. It was a privilege to talk openly and honestly to a collection of such fascinating people as they re-connected with a life they never quite let go of, but often had filed away. Many of the interviews seemed to me to be therapy sessions. By asking the questions, I helped these former athletes dust off their memories and share a original story that they have rarely if ever told before.

Something about this book prompted the most in-demand people in America to set aside time to thoughtfully tell their personal sports saga. As much as I would like to think I was the attraction, it just wasnt the case. It was the subject! Why else would Robin Williams reach out to me from the outer reaches of Canada? Why would Kurt Russell pick up my fax and call me back at the office with his home number? Why would the president of the United States say I could stop by the Oval Office for a ten-minute chatwhich turned into a twenty-five minute talk and a signed ball? Why else would Senator John Kerry use my call-waiting feature to share his memories on a Friday afternoon in between a mind-numbing number of campaign stops? Its sports, stupid! They have a story to tell and know that people could benefit from hearing about it.