The Yards Between Us: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Football

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Synopsis
In 2019, Russell, or "Russ," as his friends and family call him, broke the mold when he came out as bisexual and reclaimed his life and his identity as an athlete in an essay and exclusive interview for ESPN. Now, in his powerful memoir, The Yards Between Us, he shares his full story and explores his love of football, his attraction to both men and women, the devastating challenge of keeping his sexuality secret, the tension between his private and public lives, and the importance of crashing through barriers. Russell dips back in time to Buffalo, New York, the tragic loss of his stepfather, his early life as a shy kid struggling with the expectations on a Black boy, his move to conservative Dallas, the pull between his quiet nature and his athletic ability, and an uncertain adolescence in which his love for the game meant he had to hide things about himself. From being bullied to fighting back, his first kiss and middle school love, his first moment understanding his own physical talent, the moment he truly fell in love with football after his mom brought him to his first NFL game, college at Purdue, being drafted by his hometown team, and then on to seasons with he Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Yards Between Us traces the highs and lows of Russell's life and career. Over time, the secret of his sexuality weighed heavier and heavier. Finally, he had a deep understanding that it was time to make a change. In Los Angeles, Russell fell in love, and it was the final push he needed to stand up for all the different parts of who he is--a professional athlete, a writer, a son, a friend, a lover, a bisexual Black man. In the years since his coming out, Russell has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights by working with the NFL, HRC (Human Rights Campaign), and GLAAD. R. K. Russell's memoir shows us the power, the love, and the life-changing force of embracing who you are--and fighting to make space so others can do the same. R. K. RUSSELL is a former professional football player in the NFL, a social justice advocate, a published poet, an essayist, and an artist. A decorated defensive end who has played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has sacked Hall of Famers and gone up against the fiercest competitors at the height of their game. Since coming out, he has written about his experience as a Black queer man in sports for the New York Times, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, and Out magazine, among others. He was included in the prestigious Out100 List in 2019. He lives in Los Angeles.
Copyright:
2023

Book Details

Book Quality:
Excellent
Book Size:
300 Pages
ISBN-13:
9781368081368
Publisher:
Disney Publishing Worldwide
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Ryan K. Russell
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
Nonfiction, Sports, Biographies and Memoirs, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender
Submitted By:
Terry Gorman
Proofread By:
Terry Gorman
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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