Quarterback Dads: Wild Tales from the Field

Quarterback Dads love the attention. They love their son. They love football. But too often, they go overboard. In Quarterback Dads, you'll hear from a father who says his 14-year-old can become "the LeBron James" of football. Another who let his 13-year-old drive to the gym. Another who tweets so relentlessly, his son blocked him. And one who created a three-minute hype video of his kid for Facebook. When he was 6. The book provides a mix of jaw-dropping stories and advice for parents whose kids participate in youth sports. Joel Klatt and Brady Quinn are adamant that young athletes refrain from specializing. Play shortstop. Play point guard. Play tag. Illinois coach Bret Bielema suggests young QBs work on their communications skills - even acting. Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald says it's essential to build a relationship with your son so "you'll know when it's time to push, when it's time to hug and when it's time to give 'em a kick in the britches." Longtime Chicago Tribune columnist Teddy Greenstein interviewed nearly 50 coaches, private quarterback trainers, recruiting analysts, top youth QBs, dads, sons and a few moms in his quest to paint a vivid picture of Quarterback Dads, whom ESPN's Pete Thamel described as "the most important power brokers in college football.