Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Jeffrey Marx‚ THE LONG SNAPPER chronicles one of the most improbable and inspirational sports stories of our time -- an extraordinary journey that became about so much more than just winning a Super Bowl.
Brian Kinchen was a thirty-eight-year-old husband‚ father of four‚ and seventh-grade Bible teacher whose professional football career had been over for three years when the New England Patriots called on December 15‚ 2003. With the Patriots riding a ten-game winning streak and the playoffs only a few weeks away‚ their long snapper had been injured‚ so they desperately needed someone who could perform the obscure but vital job of snapping the ball for their punter and kicker. Brian was torn. Living a comfortable life in his hometown of Baton Rouge‚ Louisiana‚ professional football was the last thing on his mind.
His students could hardly believe that a professional football team wanted their teacher. On a whim‚ Brian let them vote to see if he should go‚ and the outcome was a unanimous yes. Seven weeks later‚ with the Super Bowl hanging in the balance‚ Brian snapped the ball on the winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri.
Winning the Super Bowl should have been the ultimate tirumph. Yet when he returned home‚ Brian soon realized that the measure of a man wasn't about how many trophies he won but in his impact in people's lives. Any place you are filled with passion and purpose is the place God wants you to be.
