Gerry Sandusky - Forgotten Sundays: A Sons Story of Life, Loss, and Love from the Sidelines of the NFL

In Praise of Gerry Sandusky and Forgotten Sundays:

William Faulkner said, The poets voice need not merely be the record of man. It can be one of the pillars to help him endure and prevail. This book by Gerry Sandusky is a piece of poetry, a beautifully told story about what makes the game of football in modern America the essence of a mans lifethe twin pillars of faith and family.

Sal Paolantonio, national correspondent for ESPN and author of How Football Explains America

True inspiration is in short supply in todays football world. Real-life inspiration, I mean. The father-son story of the Sanduskys is one of those stories. It is not always tidy, and not always the kind of good-news story that travels a straight path toward inspiration. There are disappointments, some of them crushing, along the way. But we all can learn a lesson from the way Gerry Sandusky coped with and learned from his father a generation ago, and how he does so today. Its not just a football book. Its a life book.

Peter king, editor-in-chief of
The Monday Morning Quarterback

John Sandusky was more than a coachhe was a role model who showed everyone around him how to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Even though he wasnt my position coach, Coach Sandusky taught me a lot about the game of football and what it meant to be a player in the NFL. His dedication, worth ethic, and passion for the game rubbed off on anyone who was fortunate to be around him. And he was a friend who always emphasized the importance of familywhat it meant to be a husband and a father. Those twin lovesfootball and familyare described in eloquent detail by his son, Gerry, in Forgotten Sundays, a loving portrait of a great coach and a great man.

Dan Marino, former Miami Dolphins quarterback,
NFL Hall of Fame member

I was a player for the Miami Dolphins during the trials and tribulations described in the book. Well written with a lot of thought and love. You dont have to play football to feel the impact of this book. This will inspire you to think long and hard about the value of a name and how men communicate lifes important lessons to each otherfrequently without saying a word.

Don Strock, former Miami Dolphins quarterback

A father gives you much more than a name. He gives you pride, honor, and love. This is the story of how a son refused to let all that be taken from him, no matter the price.

Rick Reilly, ESPN commentator and essayist

An excellent account of the emotional rollercoaster of the NFL and the impact this has on families.

Larry Csonka, former Miami Dolphins running back,
NFL Hall of Fame member

Whether its for the entertaining flashback to the NFL and how the game looked and felt to those of us who grew up watching it in the late 60s and 70s, or the heartwarming remembrance of the father-son relationship that is at the heart of Forgotten Sundays, Gerry Sanduskys touching memoir of family, football, and lifes passage of time is a gift of a book.

Don Banks, Sports Illustrated NFL senior writer

Gerry Sandusky has truly lived the football life. Forgotten Sundays is a poignant look at growing up in the NFL and what family meant to him.

Fred Gaudelli, producer, NBCs Sunday Night Football

This is a powerful story filled with emotion and insight about a father, a son, and football.

Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner

If youve ever had a coach, a mentor, a teacher who helped you become something special, then you understand John Sandusky. He didnt seek the spotlight. He helped others shine. This book provides a unique insight into how John played a key role in our success, but even more importantly it shows from a personal perspective how he was able to stand up to pain and loss without losing character or integrity. It paints a picture of a great coach and a great family man.

Bob Griese, former Miami Dolphins quarterback,
NFL Hall of Fame member

Gerry Sandusky captures your attention from the very first sentence. This is a rare, in depth look at a life spent in and around the NFL that few will ever experience. If you love football, you will truly enjoy this emotional, real-life story that everyone can relate to. A must read.

Sean Landeta, former New York Giants and
Philadelphia Eagles punter

Forgotten Sundays has the distinct flavor of a great football book... however, its about so much more... its about family, its about growing up, and its about a very special father-son relationship...

Mike Mayock, color analyst, NBC and NFL Network

My father meant the world to me and taught me so much about baseball and life. It was heartwarming to read the story of Gerry and his Dad in this wonderful book.

Brooks Robinson, Baseball Hall of Fame member

Inside a sport so clearly measured by lines, scores, and time, Forgotten Sundays takes readers into a world not often explored in football, a world of relationships. This book delves between the games that define careers and explores the relationships that shape lives, transcend generations, and ultimately give strength and value to a name.

Adam Schefter, ESPN Insider

A career in professional sports (or coaching if you want) represents a shared sacrifice for an entire family but that sacrifice can also bring families together. In Forgotten Sundays Gerry Sandusky perfectly encapsulates and describes that unique dynamic.

Ross Tucker, radio host, color commentator, and host of The Ross Tucker Football Podcast

FORGOTTEN SUNDAYS

FORGOTTEN SUNDAYS

A Sons Story of Life, Loss, and Love from the Sidelines of the NFL

by Gerry Sandusky

Foreword by John Harbaugh

2014 by Gerry Sandusky

Published by Running Press,

A Member of the Perseus Books Group

All rights reserved under the Pan-American and

International Copyright Conventions

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher.

Books published by Running Press are available at special discounts for bulk purchases in the United States by corporations, institutions, and other organizations. For more information, please contact the Special Markets Department at the Perseus Books Group, 2300 Chestnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or call (800) 810-4145, ext. 5000, or e-mail .

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014930071

E-book ISBN 978-0-7624-5249-1

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Digit on the right indicates the number of this printing

Cover and interior design by Bill Jones

Typography: Minion and Neutra Text

Running Press Book Publishers

2300 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 191034371

Visit us on the web!

www.runningpress.com

To Lee Ann,

Your love and belief in me makes me a better man.

CONTENTS

by John Harbaugh

L ike me, my friend Gerry Sandusky grew up in a close-knit football family. His father, John Sandusky, was a longtime assistant coach to Don Shula, former head coach, NFL player, and family man. In Forgotten Sundays Gerry highlights the importance of family, relationships, and education that shape who we are, while he also shares insights into the intensity of life in pro football. Gerry focuses on his bond with his father, and everyone will relate to some aspect of the dynamics of both Johns and Gerrys families. His tales of the father-child bond take you through periods of worship, disillusionment, vulnerability, tragedy, and friendshipand the nuances of each. This book brought tears and smiles as I was reminded of the importance of family and having each others backs.