The Handoff: A Memoir of Two Guys, Sports, and Friendship

by John Tournour, Alan Eisenstock (With)

Overview

John Tournour, known to his many listeners and fans as JT the Brick, is one of the biggest sports radio personalities in America. Making it as a sports radio host is almost impossible, and JT went about it in a fearless way, leaving a lucrative position as a Merrill Lynch stockbroker to pursue his dream. But Tournour's hardest challenge would come when his best friend and mentor, Andrew Ashwood was diagnosed with cancer.

THE HANDOFF is about JT the Brick's rise to sports radio stardom, and how his entire view of life changed as his best friend fought a losing battle to a deadly disease. As Andrew heroically endured chemotherapy treatment after treatment, Tournour was at his side, marveling at his friend's bravery and trying to be there for him as best he could. THE HANDOFF is about facing your fears, the power of connection, and the incredible lessons Tournour learned from his dear friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455527915
Publisher:	Hachette Nashville
Publication date:	08/13/2013
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	462 KB

About the Author

John Tournourbegan his radio career in 1995 after winning Jim Rome's first annual Great American Smack-Off. In 2001, Fox Sports Radio hired Tournour to host what has become the top syndicated nighttime sports radio show in America. He's been working for the Oakland Raiders for the past fifteen years, doing pre-game, post-game, and now the weekly Raiders Report. He lives in Las Vegas with his family.

Table of Contents

Author's Note ix

1 Walking the Empty Halls of Hope 1

2 John, Who Becomes JT 12

3 Just Give Me One Percent of Your Trust 34

4 Birth of the Brick 43

5 King of Smack 64

6 Charlie Hustle 72

7 Gorilla on Line One 98

8 Start Me Up 117

9 Voice from the Black Hole 145

10 The Boss of Me 187

11 The Best Man 199

12 Thirteen Months 219

13 Driving Andrew: "It's Not About You" 221

14 The First Session: "Make Someone's Day" 229

15 The Second Session: "You're Only as Good as Who You're With" 234

16 The Third Session: "It's Okay to Be Wrong" 239

17 The Fourth Session: "There's Always a Way Out" 243

18 The Fifth Session: "Listen" 245

19 The Sixth Session: "More Importantly, How Are You Doing?" 248

20 The Seventh Session: "Don't Back Down" 253

21 The Eighth Session: "Don't Stress, Don't Obsess, Be a Mentor" 260

22 The Ninth Session: "Good Luck, Good Life, Good Love" 263

23 The Tenth Session: "Learn to Say Good-bye" 270

24 Swimming in the Desert 283

Acknowledgments 287

Editorial Reviews

The name "John Tournour" might draw a blank with many sports radio fans because they know this outspoken commentator only as "JT the Brick." In this candid, surprisingly touching memoir, the popular late night Fox Sports Radio host (and former Merrill Lynch stock broker) describes his meteoric rise and eventful career, but he also writes movingly about his close bond with a friend battling heroically with terminal cancer. A rich spectrum of emotions in a memoir by a media favorite. Editor's recommendation.

"Reminds me of Tuesdays with Morrie with a 'bro-code.' It's fast-paced, poignant—at times FUNNY—story that leaves a lifetime impression."—Curt Menefee, host of Fox NFL Sunday

"For many people, "JT the Brick" is to sports what Edward R. Murrow was to World War II; legions of fans tune in to his radio shows for discussions of all the latest news. [A] frank portrait of grief and loss, the lessons, previewed in chapter titles, transcend pep-talk cliché and carry genuine weight. Ashwood's and Tournour's stories combine here in a way that lifts the book above others in its genre. A memorable meditation likely to resonate deeply with sports fans everywhere."—Kirkus Review

"An earnest remembrance of a friend and the wisdom he passed on to a sports talk radio anchor."—Shelf Awareness

From the Publisher

"An earnest remembrance of a friend and the wisdom he passed on to a sports talk radio anchor."

Shelf Awareness

"Reminds me of Tuesdays with Morrie with a 'bro-code.' It's fast-paced, poignant--at times FUNNY--story that leaves a lifetime impression."

Curt Menefee

Talk radio fans will know J.T. “The Brick” from his energetic hours on the air. The financial broker turned sports radio jock recounts the story of his life—from his days at a fraternity house to his first jobs, an important friendship, and, finally, a career built on hustling and fortitude. It would be difficult to imagine anyone but the radio host himself delivering this memoir. With a rough yet clear East Coast accent, he tells of his relationship with Andrew, a pal, colleague, and mentor. The book is a personal one, and the narration is that much more genuine with “The Brick” reading his own work. M.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2013 - AudioFile

Talk radio fans will know J.T. “The Brick” from his energetic hours on the air. The financial broker turned sports radio jock recounts the story of his life—from his days at a fraternity house to his first jobs, an important friendship, and, finally, a career built on hustling and fortitude. It would be difficult to imagine anyone but the radio host himself delivering this memoir. With a rough yet clear East Coast accent, he tells of his relationship with Andrew, a pal, colleague, and mentor. The book is a personal one, and the narration is that much more genuine with “The Brick” reading his own work. M.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2013 - AudioFile