A Few Seconds of Panic
Encyclopedia
A Few Seconds of Panic is a nonfiction first-person narrative by Stefan Fatsis
, published in 2008. The book chronicles Fatsis, a professional 43-year old sportswriter working for the Wall Street Journal, and his attempt to play in the National Football League
. Along the way, he relates the personal stories and struggles that professional football players face in the league. After some setbacks, Fatsis eventually finds some success as a backup placekicker
for the Denver Broncos
. The book's title comes from Jason Elam
's description of being a kicker as "hours and hours of boredom surrounded by a few seconds of panic."
A Few Seconds of Panic has been compared to George Plimpton's Paper Lion
, a 1963 book wherein the author joins the Detroit Lions
as a backup quarterback
.
Stefan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis is an author and journalist. He regularly appears as a guest on National Public Radio's All Things Considered daily radio news program and as a panelist on Slate's sports podcast Hang Up and Listen. He is a former staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal.-Biography:Fatsis grew up...
, published in 2008. The book chronicles Fatsis, a professional 43-year old sportswriter working for the Wall Street Journal, and his attempt to play in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Along the way, he relates the personal stories and struggles that professional football players face in the league. After some setbacks, Fatsis eventually finds some success as a backup placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The book's title comes from Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
's description of being a kicker as "hours and hours of boredom surrounded by a few seconds of panic."
A Few Seconds of Panic has been compared to George Plimpton's Paper Lion
Paper Lion
Paper Lion, published in 1966, is a non-fiction book by prominent American writer George Plimpton.In 1960, Plimpton, not a professional athlete, arranged to pitch to a lineup of baseball stars in an All-Star exhibition, presumably to answer the question, "How would the average man off of the street...
, a 1963 book wherein the author joins the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
as a backup quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
.
Kickers
- Jason ElamJason ElamJason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
- Paul ErnsterPaul ErnsterPaul T. Ernster is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
- Tyler FredricksonTyler FredricksonTyler Fredrickson was an American football placekicker in the National Football League. He most recently played for the Oakland Raiders in some pre-season games in the 2007 season but was cut on September 2 of that year before the start of the regular season.While at University of California,...
- Micah KnorrMicah KnorrMicah J. Knorr is a former American football punter in the National Football League. He played college football at Utah State University and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. Norr most recently played with Denver Broncos, but was waived by the team before the start of regular season on...
- Todd SauerbrunTodd SauerbrunTodd Scott Sauerbrun is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft...
Other players
- Jay CutlerJay Cutler (American football)Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
- Preston ParsonsPreston ParsonsPreston Thomas Parsons is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
- Jake PlummerJake PlummerJason Steven "Jake" Plummer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State....
- Bradlee Van PeltBradlee Van PeltBradlee Van Pelt is an American football quarterback and safety who currently plays for Leicester Falcons in the United Kingdom. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and was also a member of the Houston Texans...
Coaches and staff
- Pat BowlenPat BowlenPatrick Dennis Bowlen is the Majority Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos. The Bowlen Family, including his two brothers and sister, purchased the team from Edgar Kaiser in 1984 and saved the team from possible bankruptcy.-Biography:Pat's father, Paul D...
- Ronnie BradfordRonnie BradfordRonald L. "Ronnie" Bradford is a former defensive back who played for the NFL's Denver Broncos , Arizona Cardinals , Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. He also served as a defensive assistant coach for the Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs...
- Mike ShanahanMike ShanahanMichael Edward "Mike" Shanahan is the 28th and current head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Shanahan also holds the title of Vice President of Football Operations with the Redskins, giving him full control over player personnel with the team. Shanahan previously...
- Paul WoodsidePaul WoodsidePaul Woodside is an American football placekicker who played college football at West Virginia University where he earned first-team All-America honors and set numerous placekicking and scoring records...
See also
- Paper LionPaper LionPaper Lion, published in 1966, is a non-fiction book by prominent American writer George Plimpton.In 1960, Plimpton, not a professional athlete, arranged to pitch to a lineup of baseball stars in an All-Star exhibition, presumably to answer the question, "How would the average man off of the street...
- Gonzo journalismGonzo journalismGonzo journalism is a style of journalism that is written without claims of objectivity, often including the reporter as part of the story via a first-person narrative. The word "gonzo" is believed to be first used in 1970 to describe an article by Hunter S. Thompson, who later popularized the style...
- Word FreakWord Freak (book)Word Freak is a non-fiction narrative by Stefan Fatsis published in 2001 .The book is subtitled Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive SCRABBLE Players...
- Fatsis's previous book, a look into the world of competitive Scrabble