Slotback Rhapsody

The trials of a struggling, increasingly desperate football hopeful are chronicled in Harris's charismatic novel. Nick "Mouse" Morrison may be too small to succeed in a sport populated by lumbering linemen and huge defensive tackles, but he refuses to give up. Making a final attempt to realize his elusive dream at a training camp in Detroit, the undersized athlete befriends team employee Patrick Gasper and%E2%80%94in a last ditch effort to go pro in his waning 20s%E2%80%94begins using human growth hormones. Amid rigorous scrimmages, painful injections, and arguing with his pretty college girlfriend, Morrison's performance on the field reaches new heights. However, those heights having been achieved by artificial means%E2%80%94and this doesn't jibe with Morrison's spiritual beliefs%E2%80%94ultimately, he knows he must come clean. Peppered with football lingo, authentic play-by-play descriptions, and raw dialogue that may rise above the heads of less sports-savvy readers, the author's testosterone-fueled story trudges along at a steady clip that will keep football fans glued to the page. An ESPN commentator, Harris knows his subject matter and delivers a serviceable narrative that's lively and readable, but probably best suited for sports fans.