My Life on the Line

How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me, and Ended Up Saving My Life

De: Ryan O’Callaghan, Cyd Zeigler

Narrado por: Graham Halstead

Growing up in a red-state corner of California, the not-so-subtle messages he heard as a young man routinely equated being gay with disease and death. Letting people in on the darkest secret he kept buried inside was not an option, and it never would be.

Ryan never envisioned just how far his football career would take him. He was recruited by the University of California, Berkeley. Then it was on to the NFL for stints with the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bubbling under the surface of Ryan's entire NFL career was a collision course between his secret sexuality and his hidden drug use. As injuries mounted and his daily intake of opioids reached a near-lethal level, he wrote his suicide note to his parents and plotted his death.

Yet, someone had been watching. A member of the Chiefs organization stepped in, recognizing the signs of drug addiction. Ryan reluctantly sought psychological help, and it was there that he revealed his lifelong secret for the very first time. Nearing the twilight of his career, Ryan faced the ultimate decision: end it all, or find out if his family and football friends could ever accept a gay man in their lives.

©2019 Ryan O'Callaghan and Cyd Zeigler (P)2019 Tantor

What a coming out story!

Coming out is hard enough
Ryan takes it to the next level by opening up about his struggles

A+

Inspirational story and excellent narration. I was vaguely familiar with O’Callaghan’s story prior to this book, and commend him on his courage and willingness to help others.

Brave and honest

Ryan's vulnerable and transparent honesty will help far more people than any of us will ever know. His story is fascinating, tragic and inspiring all at the same time.

Truly inspiring

Truly inspiring story. I laughed, I cried, I felt Ryan’s pain and celebrated what he overcame. Read this book, you won’t regret it.

Great story of struggle and courage

Loved the book. I would have really liked to hear at least a little snippet of Ryan's voice. Thanks

From the heart

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed how real and raw it was and was able to connect with the author on a personal level. Would highly recommend.