Larry Csonka - Head On

Contents

PRAISE FOR HEAD ON

Larry Csonka and I met at Syracuse in 1964 as 17-year-old freshmen. We were teammates for four years, and thenalong with my wife and two childrenI had the privilege of watching Larry develop into one of the finest fullbacks in NFL history. But I wasnt prepared for the candid, behind-the-scenes revelations in his new memoir, including his often-tumultuous relationship with Miami Dolphins Head Coach Don Shulaand how the two men ultimately grew to love and respect one another. Head On is a fascinating story of a rough-and-tumble Ohio farm boy who beat the odds to become an Hall of Famer.

Tom Coughlin, two-time Super Bowl Champion head coach

When Larry Csonka asked me to blurb his book, I immediately said yes, because Im a fan, and also because he is a large individual who could easily stomp me into pudding. But then I read his highly entertaining book, and I genuinely enjoyed discovering the funny, sharp andyessensitive guy beneath the badass exterior of one of the toughest running backs ever.

Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prizewinning author and humorist

My dad, Archie Manning, and Larry Csonka cut their football teeth in the same era and even had the same agent. Ive seen my dads old film, but missed out on Zonks legendary career. Ive heard some of his tales, though, straight from the horses mouth when I interviewed him for Peytons Places Who Killed the Fullback? But Head On still blew me away. It had me wishing I had a Larry Csonka in my backfield, and that there were more guys like Zonk in todays game.

Peyton Manning, Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL quarterback

A lot of kids loved superheroes when I was growing up. I knocked out my two front teeth jumping off the roof playing Batman when I was 7. But the superhero I remember most was Larry Csonka. I loved the Dolphins. I remember every once in a while a bad guy would get a punch in on Batman, but I never remember anybody tackling Zonk. Plus, Zonks nose was always bloody, which made him even more badass. Was Zonk really a superhero? To me he was. You will love this book; football is only part of the story.

Cris Collinsworth, NBC television sportscaster and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver

Larry Csonka is a true American legenda man of courage, grit, and character. Thank you, Larry, for the memories, and thank you for this beautiful book.

Peter Berg, award-winning director, producer, writer, and actor

I dont remember a time when I didnt know the name Larry Csonka. The battered horseshoe face mask, the trademark mustache, and unrelenting grit and determination are as familiar to me as the NFL logo. In a time of social media oversaturation and manufactured celebrity, Head On is a reminder that true greats really did roam the earth. A deeply personal and inspiring memoir, I felt like Id just spent some quality time with my childhood hero.

Ace Atkins, New York Times bestselling author in the continuation of Robert B. Parkers Spenser series

Matt Holt Books
An Imprint of BenBella Books, Inc.
Dallas, TX

The events, locations, and conversations in this book while true, are recreated from the authors memory. However, the essence of the story and the feelings and emotions evoked are intended to be accurate representations.

Head On copyright 2022 by ZONK! Productions, Inc.

Photos are courtesy of the Csonka family, Larry Csonkas personal collection, or ZONK! Productions unless otherwise credited. See page 331 for all other credits.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Matt Holt is an imprint of BenBella Books, Inc.

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First E-Book Edition: 2022

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022936615

ISBN 9781637743256 (hardcover)

ISBN 9781637743263 (electronic)

Copyediting by Ginny Glass

Proofreading by Ariel Fagiola and Madeline Griggs

Text design and composition by Aaron Edmiston

Cover design by Brigid Pearson

Cover photo of Larry Csonka used with permission from Surreys

Special discounts for bulk sales are available.

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For my parents, who instilled in me my love of nature and provided the farm life that shaped me.

And for Mr. Saltis, who saw the promise in me and set me on my path.

CONTENTS

January 16, 1951

Stow, Ohio

M y mother spent three days in the hospital after giving birth to my sister Nancy. I was only 5 years old, so my grandmother HeathMumMum as we called hercame to our farmhouse to stay with me and my three older siblings.

On our second night together, MumMum was bathing me. Wearing nothing but my underwear, I stood on a straight-back chair in the middle of our kitchen while she dipped a washcloth into a pot of warm, soapy water and washed me down.

She noticed I was squirming.

Whats wrong, honey?

I have to pee, I said.

Well, MumMum said, putting her hands on her hips, run on out. Our outhouse was about 100 feet away from the kitchen door, and it was pitch-black outside.

I cant, I said.

Why not?

Im scared of the dark.

Why are you scared of the dark? MumMum asked.

I paused.

Its okay, hon, she said. You can tell me.

I looked her in the eye. Im afraid of the boogeyman.

My older sisters, Anita and Norita, had told me all about the boogeyman. They said this creature had green eyes, a black face, long stringy hair, and fangs. And, they warned, I should always remember that the boogeyman loved to get little childrenespecially at night.

The boogeyman! Oh, Larry, MumMum said, smiling and shaking her head, you dont know, do you?

I stood perfectly still on the chair and waited for MumMum to tell me what she knew about the boogeyman that I clearly did not.

MumMum tossed the washcloth back into the dry sink. Then she walked over to the open doorway that separated the kitchen from the living room. She reached up and pulled the long, green curtains closed. She tugged at them in the middle to make sure no one could see in. Then MumMum untied the curtains on the window above the sink and spread them to completely cover the panes. And, finally, she walked over to the back door, which had nine windowpanes. She looked through the glass to the left, and then to the right, to make absolutely certain no one was within earshot.

MumMum and Granddad Heath. MumMum gave me the confidence to face down the boogeymen.