Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History
The century-old Toronto Argonauts, like the rest of the Canadian Football League, seemed to be in shambles in 1991. Then everything changed. The Argos were acquired by an unlikely trio: the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky; a universally beloved comic genius, John Candy; and an upstart sports magnate, Bruce McNall, whose apparent Midas touch masked dark secrets. They audaciously swiped from the NFL the most-hyped college athlete in years, Rocket Ismail, by signing him to the richest football contract ever, and set their sights on a league championship. Candy’s friend Dan Aykroyd summoned the Blues Brothers band to fly in from Europe and perform, along with Candy, Jim Belushi, and Mariel Hemingway, at the Rocket’s first game. And the season only got crazier from there... Year of the Rocket is the untold saga of one of the greatest gambles in sports history, and one of the most unforgettable seasons on any gridiron, brought to life by a veteran sportswriter who combines meticulous research with the perspective and passion of a lifelong fan.
1139972230
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History
The century-old Toronto Argonauts, like the rest of the Canadian Football League, seemed to be in shambles in 1991. Then everything changed. The Argos were acquired by an unlikely trio: the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky; a universally beloved comic genius, John Candy; and an upstart sports magnate, Bruce McNall, whose apparent Midas touch masked dark secrets. They audaciously swiped from the NFL the most-hyped college athlete in years, Rocket Ismail, by signing him to the richest football contract ever, and set their sights on a league championship. Candy’s friend Dan Aykroyd summoned the Blues Brothers band to fly in from Europe and perform, along with Candy, Jim Belushi, and Mariel Hemingway, at the Rocket’s first game. And the season only got crazier from there... Year of the Rocket is the untold saga of one of the greatest gambles in sports history, and one of the most unforgettable seasons on any gridiron, brought to life by a veteran sportswriter who combines meticulous research with the perspective and passion of a lifelong fan.
19.95 In Stock
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History

Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History

by Paul Woods
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History

Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History

by Paul Woods

Paperback

$19.95 
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Overview

The century-old Toronto Argonauts, like the rest of the Canadian Football League, seemed to be in shambles in 1991. Then everything changed. The Argos were acquired by an unlikely trio: the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky; a universally beloved comic genius, John Candy; and an upstart sports magnate, Bruce McNall, whose apparent Midas touch masked dark secrets. They audaciously swiped from the NFL the most-hyped college athlete in years, Rocket Ismail, by signing him to the richest football contract ever, and set their sights on a league championship. Candy’s friend Dan Aykroyd summoned the Blues Brothers band to fly in from Europe and perform, along with Candy, Jim Belushi, and Mariel Hemingway, at the Rocket’s first game. And the season only got crazier from there... Year of the Rocket is the untold saga of one of the greatest gambles in sports history, and one of the most unforgettable seasons on any gridiron, brought to life by a veteran sportswriter who combines meticulous research with the perspective and passion of a lifelong fan.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781989555446
Publisher: Sutherland House Books
Publication date: 09/01/2021
Pages: 275
Product dimensions: 9.00(w) x 6.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Paul Woods is a journalist, Canadian football historian, and author of Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs.

Table of Contents

The Summer of Argonaut Love 1

Just Wild About Harry 7

Gods of Football 17

Shoot the Lights Out 28

The Three Amigos 44

Rocket Man 55

The Gandy Man 80

Launched 96

Deer in the Headlights 110

The Argonaut Twist 122

Blitzkrieg 139

Winterpeg 148

The Pride and the Glory 166

The Throw 184

Stomped 191

Nowhere to Hide 212

Fun While It Lasted 225

Unhappy Ending 244

The Money Trail 249

Epilogue 255

Acknowledgments 265

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