Once a Giant

A Story of Victory, Tragedy, and Life After Football

By: Gary Myers

Narrated by: Charles Constant

The inside story of the Super Bowl champion 1986 Giants, the extraordinary friendships that resulted—and stunning revelations about the hardships they faced, based on new interviews with Bill Parcells, Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, and Bill Belichick.

The 1986 New York Giants are legendary. A championship team coached by Bill Parcells and his wunderkind assistant Bill Belichick, featuring future Hall of Famers and All-Pros like Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Mark Bavaro, and Harry Carson. They were dominant on the field and formed a unique and lasting bond off of it. More than thirty years later, it's the friendships that have proved more important—a matter of life and death.

In Once a Giant, bestselling football writer Gary Myers tells the story of that team and what became of it. Gridiron glory eventually faded; chronic pain, addiction, and in some cases crimes have followed. Many football players face these harsh realities, but the Giants have confronted and survived them together.

With unprecedented access, Myers dives into such issues as Mark Bavaro's battle with injuries, the breakup and reconciliation of Parcells and Belichick, and Lawrence Taylor's struggles with sobriety. He creates a never-before-seen portrait of the team's run to the title, and their even more challenging fight to live after it ended.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Gary Myers (P)2023 PublicAffairs

Must Read for Big Blue Fan

Great inside look at the NY Giants team of 1986. In season and life after football. Loved every minute

Phenomenal.

If you’re a Giants fan this is a must! So well done. Great Job, Gary Myers!

Great read for any Giants fan

Very insightful book sharing some fantastic stories, Also some sad stories about the toll football takes.

Looked forward to, Enjoyed even more

Really looked forward to a nostalgic look at an iconic team. It was far more. How CTE, addiction, long term injuries, racial harmony, NFLPA negotiations, ownership dysfunction and loyalty, legendary coaching, and a continuing team bond has effected the lives of a team of aging champions full of iconic characters. Enjoyed immensely, with a fresh view of the business and costs of an NFL career.

A final stamp

This book gave me the final stamp on my personal memory of the 1986 Giants. I learned a lot about there lives after football. This is a must read for all Giants fans.

The love that that team still has for each other and how they keep in touch and help each other out to this day.

I liked the whole story. Was great to hear the stories about the best Giants team in their history.