Snake audiobook

Ken Stabler is fascinatingVery good writing and easy to follow. Mike Freeman’s admiration of Stabler is apparent, but the journalism is thorough. I gained a new found respect for Stabler

The Story of The Most Infamous Outlaw in NFL History!Great read, though honest, from an admirer of Kenny "the Snake" Stabler. As a Raiders fan thoroughly enjoyed this account of the most underrated superstar in NFL History! Highly recommend to understand not only those classic Raiders teams of the '70s, but also of football from a bygone era!

"Snake: The Legendary Life of Ken Stabler" by Mike Freeman is an interesting book that describes the exciting life of an NFL legend. This book shows the thrilling life of Ken Stabler who did many interesting things both on and off the field. He was unlike any quarterback of his time. Ken Stabler is a famous quarter back who played for multiple teams in the NFL, with the Oakland Raiders being his team for the bulk of his career. He was known for his stellar performances on the field, and his ability to make big plays. Stabler was born on December 25, 1945 and grew up in Foley, Alabama. He played football in high school there, where he earned his nickname "The Snake" after he ran for a long, winding touchdown. He went to college at Alabama, where he was a back-up for his first two years. He was temporarily kicked off the team for partying and cutting class in his senior year, but he returned and finished his college career with a 28-3-2 record as a starter. Ken Stabler was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 1968 Draft. He played the best games of his career here, where he led the Raiders to a Super Bowl win in 1977. Stabler was famous for his performance on the field, but he also was known for his risky life off the field chasing women. His exciting career ended when he retired in 1984. He threw for nearly 28,000 yards in his career.I would recommend this book to anyone who likes football, and to anyone who likes sports in general. This book showed the unique life of a quarterback who showed his strength and determination throughout his entire career. This book was fairly easy to understand, and wasn't too long. I thought this book was good because it was exciting and it talked about a football player who was unique to all others.

** spoiler alert ** Before listening to this audio book I knew that Ken Stabler was on the Raiders and years ago I had seen him in car commercials on television and I knew he liked to have a good time in his playing days. Years ago I also read a biography of Bear Bryant and I am sure it talked about him though I don't remember what it said. I had forgotten that he played for Alabama. I found the Snake audio book to be Fascinating. I learned that Ken in edition to football played baseball and basketball. He was even drafted by a professional baseball team. I also never knew that Ken did not like football when he was younger. But, when his dad offered him a car if he played football so he started playing football. I also liked learning a little about Ken's parents. I had no idea Leroy Stabler died so young. He was only 47. And I also learned that Ken even in College liked to have a good time. One thing that Surprised me was that he retired in I think 1968 from the Raiders and came back to them in 1969 or was it 1970. I had no idea he retired. One thing that I admire about Ken is that he liked to get to know the players on the teams he played for. He seemed to care about people. And he seemed to be a great father. Snake also talks a little about ken's marriages and problems with the IRS, and Al Davis. And there is plenty in the book about his football exploits and stores about partying. And it also talks about CTE. I did not know that ken had CTE. I could go on and on about all the cool things I learned about Ken stabler from listening to Snake. I will sum up by saying listening to Snake was an entertaining way to spend a little over 6 and a half hours.

Another good book by Mike Freeman, this one on one of my favorite players of all time, Kenny "The Snake" Stabler, a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders in the 1970's. The portion of the book dedicated to Stabler's days as a Raider from 1972-1978 takes up a large portion of this 222 page book, which is what I wanted. The Immaculate Reception game, where he scored the go-ahead touchdown before Franco's td, the Sea of Hands game, the number of contests against the Steelers, the Ghost to the Post and of course, the Super Bowl win over the Vikings. My one problem with this book is it felt rushed. Maybe the author was trying to make sure he got the first book out of Stabler after he died? Anyways, the portion of the book on the 1977 Super Bowl is only about five pages. Really? Just five? Also in this book is info about his days growing up, days playing at Alabama and of course, his crazy adventures off the field. The author tries to make it clear that later in life Stabler was a very good father, so he dedicates a lot of the last quarter of the book to this, but even that felt a little incomplete. What was his thoughts about not making the NFL Hall of Fame (while he was still alive) and I remember him being an announcer for TNT Sunday Night Football games in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Did he enjoy it? What did he think of what the game had become? ONe case in which I wish the book was LONGER, maybe another 75 pages of info at least. That being said, Freeman is a very good writer and I've also enjoyed his books on Jim Brown and the undefeated Dolphins team. If you like the Raiders and Ken Stabler, you'll enjoy this quick read.

** spoiler alert ** Ken “the snake” Stabler was a very good person on and off the field. After games he would sign everyone’s autographs even when his kids were there. Before games Ken would be drunk with little sleep but it didn’t matter because he was just so good. Whenever there was little time left Ken’s coaches knew he would lead them to victory. Ken grew up in Foley Alabama and stayed in home and went to Alabama University. Then he spent basically all of his career or the Raiders. I really enjoyed this book I loved the 60’s,70’s, and 80’s Raiders, know everything about them and Ken was a very famous part of that in the 70’s. Learning more about one of my favorite quarterbacks of all time was awesome. I recommend this book for people in High School up since there is a lot of language and inappropriate stuff. Still though it’s a great book to read and everyone who reads it will enjoy it!

Ken Stabler has long been one of the more underappreciated quarterbacks in the history of football. Not just in suiting up for the Oakland Raiders but also for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Foley (Alabama) high school. Stabler proved himself a high level competitor through his willingness to sacrifice himself for the team and later for those around himself. He entertained football through decisions made on and off of the field. In some cases, those decisions he would eventually regret for having created an image of himself that he did not feel was who he truly was. Who he became, or really was, was a man who valued people, friends, family and strangers. He valued giving your best when it came to game time and he exemplified that with the relationship he forged both on and off of the field.

Not your traditional athlete biography. Freeman concentrates on Ken Stabler himself and not so much what is around him. He describes the highlights of Stabler's life and his over-the-top lifestyle. After the read, Ken Stabler is more than Snake, he is a father, grandfather and philanthropist. He reviews the changes in his lifestyle as he got older and how he was taken from us just before being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He started out as the successor to The Mad Bomber and ended up an icon.

Good book but have to admit I knew so much about Kenny from following him since his days at Alabama that a lot was old news. I think the author went overboard trying to say good things to erase some of press Kenny has gotten. I really like Kenny as a player but don’t think he would be someone I would want my boys to emulate. You can’t always separate the good from the not so good. His problem from my view was that he never grew up.

Kenny Stabler, my heroI was 20 in1970 when I first became a Ken Stabler fan. My young wife and I attended a Raiders game against the 49ers at Kezar Stadium and was fascinated by Stabler talking with George Blanda on the sidelines as each awaited their turn at QB while DarylLomonica threw bombs away. When he got his chance Snake made the most of it. Still my favorite Rallyider.

Read that after Ken Stabler passed and I got a got a great idea of who he was. Mike did a great job illustrating his strengths and faults, while also weaving in stories about the 1970s Raiders. A very fun read for any football fan.

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.My husband is an avid sports fan. When this book arrived, he grabbed it from my hands and sat right down to read it. Said it was a great story of a great football player ... high praise from a man who doesn't read much.

Solid sports book. Stabler was both a great and awful person all at once.

Truly amazing. This book gave me a look at my sports hero that I never knew. Kenny Stabler is even more of a hero to me. Thank you for showing the human side of Snake.

Just win, baby.

Snake lived, "somewhere between thoughtfulness and carelessness." That sums it up.

Great book about one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

An engaging biography of one of the few sports legends I still find compelling. Freeman brings back the Raider's glory years in the 1970s with vivid descriptions of the life of Ken Stabler on and off the field. He concludes with a discussion of Stabler's battle with CTE. Snake donated his brain to the CTE study and was shown to have suffered an advanced case of the condition, which is Likely cause of some of his post-football erratic behavior. The loyalty he engendered in his teammates validates his greatness as a player and a human being. The author, who is black, points to Stabler as sort of a white Spartacus, standing up for teammates and respecting them as players and persons based on ability and dedication. Boy, do I miss those games when Snake made it happen against the odds! I hope somehow he knows he was posthumously inducted into the football Hall of Fame, because it was a grave injustice that he was not so honored in his lifetime. Snake on!