Love, Zac Small-town football and the life and death of an American boy

Sportswriter Forgrave stuns in this moving debut about the life of Zac Easter, a former high school football player from small-town Iowa who committed suicide following a lengthy struggle with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a "disease that seemed to be eating his brain from the inside." Forgrave charts how Zac, a friendly and fun-loving young man who was emblematic of "the very archetype of the American male that football creates and represents," deteriorated following the repeated concussions suffered during high school football games, which led to the development of CTE. Forgrave draws from Zac's own words in text messages, emails, and journals, to paint an intimate portrait of his inability to understand what was happening to his brain and why he no longer felt like himself ("I kept up the super muscle image to look tough on the outside when I was really crying everyday on the inside"). Along the way, Forgrave weaves a cultural history of football in America, from its early hold on college campuses in the late 19th century to current fears over concussions and brain damage, and professional football's willful ignorance of what the author calls "sport's biggest existential crisis in a century." Forgrave shares his insights in a manner that educates, but never patronizes, his audience. This unflinching exposé is one anyone who loves the sport should pick up. (Sept.)

In Iowa, Zac Easter grew up playing football and was known for his hard-nosed and aggressive style of play. Tragically at the age of 24, he died by suicide, after repeated head trauma and the ongoing effects of CTE. In Love Zac, award-winning sportswriter Forgrave tells the tragic story of Easter through those who knew him best: family, friends, coaches, and teammates. The opening of the book will immediately grab readers' attention and leave them wanting to know more about this tragic story. Easter knew he was losing control, and wanted to make an impact on the future of how CTE is researched. While there are other books being published about the tragic impact CTE can have especially on young athletes, it is important that these stories get told. This book differs from Growing Up on the Gridiron in that it is more about the history of football, and the violence that is involved in playing the sport. Forgrave delves deep into football's violent origins and the lasting impact it has had on the game. VERDICT A tragic, moving story that will linger with readers of sports and biographies in general.--Pamela Calfo, Bridgeville P.L., PA

A sportswriter and social commentator explores the culture of football through the story of a young man who suffered life-altering brain damage from playing the sport. Zac Easter grew up in a family in which the men worshipped football. His father, Myles, was a high school and college football coach, and his brothers were respected high school players. Despite Zac's reputation as "the toughest dude" on the gridiron, he was smaller than his teammates and had to work harder than others to build up his physique. Perhaps in response to these factors--an "intimidating hard ass" father and Zac's own perceived physical inadequacy, especially in comparison to his brothers--Zac routinely led with his head on most plays. His strategy resulted in head pains that he discussed only with his trainer or in his journal. An exceptionally bad concussion ended Zac's football career when he was a senior. When a doctor suggested that Zac may have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a disease found in the brains of many similarly troubled NFL players, it was too late. Zac had already begun an emotional and physical spiral that eventually culminated in his suicide at age 24. Forgrave adds a poignant intimacy to Zac's tragedy by interweaving it with portions of Zac's journal and personal correspondences. He also offers a detailed look at the evolution of football into "America's most…lucrative sport" and a game that has defined American conceptions of masculinity over more than a century. Awareness about CTE continues to grow, but, as the author suggests, the American "obsession" with football is still far too complex to do away with the sport or negate the violence that is part of its enduring allure. An intelligent, provocative tale that will give pause to many parents of football players at any level. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.