Hear My Story Before I Forget: The Traumatic Journey of a Former NFL Player: A memoir of faith, hope, healing, transparency and a renewed strength in Christ

by Darryl Clack

Overview

"Hear My Story Before I Forget" chronicles former Dallas Cowboys Darryl Clack's celebrated sports career, his coping mechanisms for multiple concussions, PTSD and depression, and journals the dark months of uncertainty and his fight to live after acquiring TTP, a rare autoimmune blood disease.

A valuable book for athletes, parents, sports fans or anyone suffering from a chronic illness, that will aid in understanding how to detect symptoms of neurological damage, TTP, and concussions. It also discusses how young athletes in contact sports may protect themselves on the field and what measures to take to get help.

A narrative of inspiration, edification, and insight that unapologetically shows Darryl's renewed strength in Christ. Above all else, though, it is a memoir of faith, hope, healing, recovery, and transparency.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780578490892
Publisher:	Darryl Clack
Publication date:	01/21/2020
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.32(d)

About the Author

Inducted in the 2006 Colorado Springs Hall of Fame, and the Colorado High School Hall of Fame in 1993, Darryl Clack began his college football career at Arizona State University in the 1982 season, becoming the first freshman to lead the Sun Devils in rushing in 30 years. His freshman season culminated in the Sun Devils' victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, with Clack scoring a third-quarter touchdown. Even as a freshman, his popularity galvanized Arizona State fans, to the extent that metal noisemakers were created known as "Darryl Clackers," and were sold by stadium vendors at games. He continued to excel at Arizona State, leading the Pacific-10 Conference with an average of 93.2 yards rushing per game in his sophomore year and rushing for over 1,000 yards, earning MVP honors, in his junior year. His promising collegiate career was cut short after a broken leg sidelined him for seven games as a senior. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft, to be the backup and possible successor to Tony Dorsett. With Herschel Walker's arrival to the team, the talent level at running back relegated him to returning kickoffs. He was the NFC's third-leading kickoff returner in 1988. In 1990 he signed with the Cleveland Browns. In 1991 he was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League where he played in the Grey Cup championship game. In 1992, he signed with the Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football. He became the team's starter at running back and received All-World League honors at the end of the season. After football, he buckled down and returned to school earning a B.A. in Kinesiology and Sports Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso, and an M.A. in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. He was in his first year of working towards a Ph.D. when he fell ill to Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare blood disorder. Although he is no longer playing ball, he keeps his hand in the game as President and co-founder of SportMetric, along with co-founders Josh Jakubczak and Darius Perry, a company emphasizing education, community involvement, and athletics for the youth. Also, he has over 15 years of extensive experience in management and leadership.

Lithobit Publishing is a self-publishing agency, that caters to the new authors. They hold the hand of their clients and advise them every step of the way. Offering writing, editing, formatting, design, self-publishing, PR, and marketing they help clients realize their dreams while providing the highest level of service.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

FIRST QUARTER: My Road to the NFL

• Concussion: What You Should Know
• Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
• What Every Youth Coach and Parent Should Know and Do
• When is it Safe to Return to the Field?
• Arizona State University
• Dallas Cowboys Here I Come!

SECOND QUARTER: Get It Together, Clack!

• Depression
• The Fumble
• Fumble Recovery
• My Purpose Driven Journey
• Going Back to A.Z.
• Half Time

THIRD QUARTER: Working Through The Pain

• Dementia! Really?

FOURTH QUARTER: My Fight To Live

• Time Out
• Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
• TTP Symptoms
• Atypical HUS or Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura?
• Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
• aHUS Symptoms
• The Brain, Heart, Kidneys and Nervous System
• The Mystery of the Mind: Comatose
• Platelets and Their Function
• My Medical Journey: Mayo Clinic
• Femoral Neuropathy
• Faith Without Works is Dead
• I'm Going Home! Wait. Am I Going Home?
• Out-Patient Chronicles
• Come on, Man! PTSD! Really?

OVERTIME

• Q&A with Marsharne Graves and Derek "DK" Kennard
• EXOS to the Rescue

CONCLUSION

RESOURCES

REFERENCES

Editorial Reviews

This is a much- needed book that shows former NFL Alums that they're not alone." -- Derek "DK" Kennard, Super Bowl Champion and NFL Alumni for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, New orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys.

I like how Darryl shares his health issues and what it took for him to overcome them. I also like how the book is broken down in medical detail. He shares what a lot of guys go through and will go through at some point in their football career. A much-needed book." -- Former NFL Defensive tackle/Defensive end for the Phoenix Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals.

This book is needed to create education and awareness of real-life medical emergencies. The signs and symptoms help readers identify with what is being shared.-- Darius Perry, Retired Military Veteran

From the Publisher