
Playing Hurt
My Journey from Despair to Hope
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Narrated by:
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Dion Graham
For the first time ever, the popular late host of ESPN's The Sports Reporters and ABC's college football openly discusses a lifelong battle with depression.
During his three decades on ESPN and ABC, John Saunders became one of the nation's most respected and beloved sportscasters. In this moving, jarring, and ultimately inspiring memoir, Saunders discusses his troubled childhood, the traumatic brain injury he suffered in 2011, and the severe depression that nearly cost him his life.
As Saunders writes, Playing Hurt is not an autobiography of a sports celebrity but a memoir of a man facing his own mental illness, and emerging better off for the effort. I will take you into the heart of my struggle with depression, including insights into some of its causes, its consequences, and its treatments. I invite you behind the façade of my apparently "perfect" life as a sportscaster, with a wonderful wife and two healthy, happy adult daughters. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I am truly grateful. But none of these things can protect me or anyone else from the disease of depression and its potentially lethal effects.
Mine is a rare story: that of a black man in the sports industry openly grappling with depression. I will share the good, the bad, and the ugly, including the lengths I've gone to to conceal my private life from the public. So why write a book? Because I want to end the pain and heartache that comes from leading a double life. I also want to reach out to the millions of people, especially men, who think they're alone and can't ask for help.
John Saunders died suddenly on August 10, 2016, from an enlarged heart, diabetes, and other complications. This book is his ultimate act of generosity to help those who suffer from mental illness, and those who love them.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2017 John Saunders and John U. Bacon (P)2017 Hachette AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"Dion Graham narrates with just the right touches of emotion to get across the gravity of Saunders's story... Something about Graham's reading evokes Saunders - his steady on-air presence and likable personality.... Graham delivers a strong narration of this gripping book." (AudioFile)
"Playing Hurt is John Saunders's personal, poignant story of how he responded to childhood traumas, abuse, clinical depression, an array of head traumas, sports injuries, suicidal thoughts, and excessive use of prescribed medications throughout his life. His hard-learned message: when depression strikes, it is a sign of real strength to talk and turn to family, friends, and experts." (John F. Greden, MD, Founding Chair, National Network of Depression Centers, NNDC)
"Playing Hurt is a public service. Here is a trusted friend, a man who has spent so many hours in our living rooms, providing an education about brain injury, about depression, and the symbiosis between the two. Knowing he died so soon after he emerged from this fog is heartbreaking. Playing Hurt is a testament to John and the hidden struggles he overcame." (Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com, six-time winner Best Writing, Football Writers Association)
From the heart
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If you could sum up Playing Hurt in three words, what would they be?
Fighter, Loving, FatherWho was your favorite character and why?
John Saunders for being so brave in telling his story!Have you listened to any of Dion Graham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No. Great Listen. Easily my favorite Audible voiceWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
YesAnd awesome story about a true fighter
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a difficult subject very well told. Thanks you
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You never know what someone’s going through
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what I needed
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Sadly honest
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Great Book!
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A Story That Can Save Lives!
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good story
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A worthwhile read!
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