
Closing the Gap
Lombardi, the Packers Dynasty, and the Pursuit of Excellence
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Willie Davis
-
James Seawood
About this listen
Describing how NFL great Willie Davis helped define the hard-nosed, in-your-face defense of the original football dynasty, the 1960s Green Bay Packers, this revealing autobiography also illustrates his persona off the field - humble yet ambitious, with an infectious smile and a reputation of strict discipline that matched his leadership mentality.
This audiobook recounts the competitor as one of the game’s strongest, quickest, and most agile defensive linemen in his time, showcasing a team captain who led the Green and Gold to five championships and earned a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Distinguished from many other athletes of his generation, Davis's success continued well after he took off his pads. His reputation as one of the most respected businessmen in America is discussed, including his time serving on the board of directors for Fortune 500 companies, taking part in various foundations, and speaking to audiences of all ages about his experiences.
From growing up in a poor, segregated small town in the South to the intense pressure he endured as a college athlete contemplating his future, this evocation pays homage to a man who has worked hard to achieve all that he has, always appreciating the fruits of his labors with care, respect, and devout passion.
©2012 Willie Davis and Andrea Erickson Davis (P)2014 Audible Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
America's Quarterback
- Bart Starr and the Rise of the National Football League
- By: Keith Dunnavant
- Narrated by: Jay Snyder
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No one can touch Bart Starr's record setting 5 NFL Championships including 3 straight. America's Quarterback tells the story of the man who helped create the legend of Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. This biography traces Starr’s life from childhood in Alabama to stardom in Green Bay and beyond. Not a simple sports story, Dunnavant traces the story of one man reaching for the American dream while professional football emerged from the shadows to capture the nation’s imagination.
-
-
awesome
- By Anthony nyman on 03-30-15
By: Keith Dunnavant
-
Eleven Rings
- The Soul of Success
- By: Phil Jackson, Hugh Delehanty
- Narrated by: Matt Walton
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During his storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. This is the story of a preacher's kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship - six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers. This book is full of revelations.
-
-
Listener Beware
- By Robert S. Wegener on 07-12-13
By: Phil Jackson, and others
-
Guts and Genius
- The Story of Three Unlikely Coaches Who Came to Dominate the NFL in the '80s
- By: Bob Glauber
- Narrated by: Jamie Renell
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, and Bill Parcells dominated what may go down as the greatest decade in pro football history, leading their teams to a combined eight championships and developing some of the most gifted players of all time in the process. In interviews with more than 150 players, coaches, family members and friends, Guts and Genius digs into the careers of three men who overcame their own insecurities and doubts to build Hall of Fame legacies that transformed their generation and continue to impact today's NFL.
-
-
Great history
- By Michael G. Salardino on 12-10-19
By: Bob Glauber
-
Michael Jordan
- The Life
- By: Roland Lazenby
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 21 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The definitive biography of a legendary athlete. The Shrug. The Shot. The Flu Game. When most people think of him, they think of his beautiful shots with the game on the line, his body totally in sync with the ball - hitting nothing but net. But for all his greatness, this scion of a complex family from North Carolina's Coastal Plain has a darker side: He's a ruthless competitor and a lover of high stakes. There's never been a biography that encompassed the dual nature of his character and looked so deeply at Jordan on and off the court - until now.
-
-
horrible naration
- By Hiro on 03-27-18
By: Roland Lazenby
-
The Score Takes Care of Itself
- My Philosophy of Leadership
- By: Bill Walsh, Craig Walsh, Steve Jamison
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drawn from a series of deeply revealing conversations with coauthor Steve Jamison, The Score Takes Care of Itself offers Walsh's best leadership principles illustrated by anecdotes from his entire career. Additional insights and perspective are provided by his son Craig Walsh. The book will delight football fans and guide the vast business audience eager to learn how Bill Walsh motivated individuals and crafted winning teams.
-
-
Thank you Bill Walsh
- By Jason Comely on 01-31-13
By: Bill Walsh, and others
-
More Than a Game
- By: Phil Jackson, Charley Rosen
- Narrated by: Phil Jackson, Charley Rosen
- Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Phil Jackson has done it again, led the L.A. Lakers to an NBA championship victory. For him, it's More Than a Game. Also, listen to a recent Fresh Air interview with Jackson.
-
-
More than a game
- By Jose B. on 03-11-04
By: Phil Jackson, and others
-
America's Quarterback
- Bart Starr and the Rise of the National Football League
- By: Keith Dunnavant
- Narrated by: Jay Snyder
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No one can touch Bart Starr's record setting 5 NFL Championships including 3 straight. America's Quarterback tells the story of the man who helped create the legend of Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. This biography traces Starr’s life from childhood in Alabama to stardom in Green Bay and beyond. Not a simple sports story, Dunnavant traces the story of one man reaching for the American dream while professional football emerged from the shadows to capture the nation’s imagination.
-
-
awesome
- By Anthony nyman on 03-30-15
By: Keith Dunnavant
-
Eleven Rings
- The Soul of Success
- By: Phil Jackson, Hugh Delehanty
- Narrated by: Matt Walton
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During his storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. This is the story of a preacher's kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship - six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers. This book is full of revelations.
-
-
Listener Beware
- By Robert S. Wegener on 07-12-13
By: Phil Jackson, and others
-
Guts and Genius
- The Story of Three Unlikely Coaches Who Came to Dominate the NFL in the '80s
- By: Bob Glauber
- Narrated by: Jamie Renell
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, and Bill Parcells dominated what may go down as the greatest decade in pro football history, leading their teams to a combined eight championships and developing some of the most gifted players of all time in the process. In interviews with more than 150 players, coaches, family members and friends, Guts and Genius digs into the careers of three men who overcame their own insecurities and doubts to build Hall of Fame legacies that transformed their generation and continue to impact today's NFL.
-
-
Great history
- By Michael G. Salardino on 12-10-19
By: Bob Glauber
-
Michael Jordan
- The Life
- By: Roland Lazenby
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 21 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The definitive biography of a legendary athlete. The Shrug. The Shot. The Flu Game. When most people think of him, they think of his beautiful shots with the game on the line, his body totally in sync with the ball - hitting nothing but net. But for all his greatness, this scion of a complex family from North Carolina's Coastal Plain has a darker side: He's a ruthless competitor and a lover of high stakes. There's never been a biography that encompassed the dual nature of his character and looked so deeply at Jordan on and off the court - until now.
-
-
horrible naration
- By Hiro on 03-27-18
By: Roland Lazenby
-
The Score Takes Care of Itself
- My Philosophy of Leadership
- By: Bill Walsh, Craig Walsh, Steve Jamison
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drawn from a series of deeply revealing conversations with coauthor Steve Jamison, The Score Takes Care of Itself offers Walsh's best leadership principles illustrated by anecdotes from his entire career. Additional insights and perspective are provided by his son Craig Walsh. The book will delight football fans and guide the vast business audience eager to learn how Bill Walsh motivated individuals and crafted winning teams.
-
-
Thank you Bill Walsh
- By Jason Comely on 01-31-13
By: Bill Walsh, and others
-
More Than a Game
- By: Phil Jackson, Charley Rosen
- Narrated by: Phil Jackson, Charley Rosen
- Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Phil Jackson has done it again, led the L.A. Lakers to an NBA championship victory. For him, it's More Than a Game. Also, listen to a recent Fresh Air interview with Jackson.
-
-
More than a game
- By Jose B. on 03-11-04
By: Phil Jackson, and others
-
Above the Line
- Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Season
- By: Urban Meyer, Wayne Coffey
- Narrated by: Jason Culp
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Remarkable lessons in leadership and team building from one of the greatest football coaches of our time. Urban Meyer has established himself as one of the elite in the annals of his sport, having lead his players to three national championships. In Above the Line, he offers listeners his unparalleled insights into leadership, team building, and the keys to empowering people to achieve things they might never have thought possible.
-
-
Must a read for anyone serious about leading!
- By Charles on 11-10-15
By: Urban Meyer, and others
-
Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline
- A Collection of the Greatest 49ers Stories Ever Told
- By: Matt Maiocco, Roger Craig
- Narrated by: David Crommett
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The San Francisco 49ers shaped the NFL throughout the 1980s with their unique blend of precision, panache, and preparation. Three decades later, NFL teams are still copying the system and the methods that made the 49ers unlike any other organization in professional sports. Now fans of this dynamic franchise will relive all the action and thrills of 49ers football through the eyes of one of the greatest San Francisco legends of all time: Roger Craig.
-
-
Boring!
- By JayMK on 05-14-24
By: Matt Maiocco, and others
-
Playing for More
- Trust Beyond What You Can See
- By: Case Keenum, Andrew Perloff
- Narrated by: Case Keenum
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Case Keenum has traveled one of the most unique paths in the NFL. Recruited by just one college, undrafted, and released three times, Case has overcome every obstacle to become a successful starting quarterback. Keenum shares stories from every stage of his life, starting out as a ball boy for his father’s college team in West Texas, going on to win a state title in high school, and rewriting the NCAA record book at the University of Houston. A devastating knee injury almost derailed his football career, but helped him get closer to the woman who would soon become his wife.
-
-
A must listen!!!
- By Steve R. on 11-11-18
By: Case Keenum, and others
-
The Missing Ring
- How Bear Bryant and the 1966 Alabama Crimson Tide Were Denied College Football's Most Elusive Prize
- By: Keith Dunnavant
- Narrated by: Jay Snyder
- Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Very few institutions in American sports can match the enduring excellence of the University of Alabama football program. Across a wide swath of the last century, the tradition-rich Crimson Tide has claimed twelve national championships, captured 25 conference titles, finished 34 times among the country's top ten, and played in 53 bowl games.
-
-
Fantastic
- By John Rogers on 03-29-18
By: Keith Dunnavant
-
How to Be Like Mike
- Life Lessons about Basketball's Best
- By: Michael Weinreb, Pat Williams
- Narrated by: Bob Dunsworth
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. But his preeminence is more than just extraordinary athletic ability: The lessons of his life - such as focus, passion, hard work, perseverance, and accountability - have shaped him into one of the most revered celebrities of the 20th century. In this inspiring audiobook Pat Williams, motivational speaker and senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic, reveals Jordan's method for living a life of greatness that we can all incorporate into our lives.
-
-
Great audio book!
- By lourdiny exume on 05-20-23
By: Michael Weinreb, and others
-
Earn the Right to Win
- How Success in Any Field Starts with Superior Preparation
- By: Tom Coughlin
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Cantor
- Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Preparation is easy to praise but very hard to master. No modern coach, in any sport, understands that better than NFL veteran Tom Coughlin. He led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories with his system of relentless preparation and old-school tough-mindedness. He teaches his players that you can never guarantee a win, but you can always earn the right to win - with focus, consistency, hard work, and anticipation of obstacles. And if you’ve earned the right to win, you can sleep soundly before a big game....
-
-
Very Motivational Book for Accomplishing Goals
- By Travis Hawkes on 09-07-22
By: Tom Coughlin
-
Coming Back Stronger
- Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity
- By: Drew Brees
- Narrated by: Chris Fabry
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a potentially career-ending shoulder injury left quarterback Drew Brees without a team - and facing the daunting task of having to learn to throw a football all over again - coaches around the NFL wondered, Will he ever come back? After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, leaving more than 80 percent of the city underwater, many wondered, Will the city ever come back?
-
-
Awesome
- By Nancy Justice on 02-18-16
By: Drew Brees
-
Success Is the Only Option
- The Art of Coaching Extreme Talent
- By: John Calipari, Michael Sokolove
- Narrated by: Al Kessel
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari is known for his unparalleled ability to recruit the nation's best young players, some of whom will spend just one year with him before going to the NBA, and convincing them to commit to the team without sacrificing their personal goals. It is a promise he makes to them: "Fully invest in the present - and each other - and I guarantee it will serve your future." Here, for the first time, he distills his team-building methods in ways that apply to CEOs, business owners, and more.
-
-
Narrator sounds like a robot
- By Tyler Gossett on 02-05-17
By: John Calipari, and others
-
The Thursday Speeches
- Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Football from Coach Don James
- By: Peter G. Tormey
- Narrated by: Chris Brinkley
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Thursday Speeches pulls back the curtain to put listeners in the room with exclusive access to the compelling pregame speeches from one of the best college football coaches in history. The book reveals the exact words James used to inspire the Huskies to slay the football giants of his day. It features the inspiring stories and invaluable life lessons that Coach Don James used to transform the University of Washington football program from obscurity to the national championship.
-
-
Fantastic Life Lessons from Famous Pacific Northwest Football Coach
- By Mary E. Harvill on 06-14-21
By: Peter G. Tormey
-
The Education of a Coach
- By: David Halberstam
- Narrated by: Tom Stechshulte
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pulitzer Prize-winner David Halberstam's best seller takes you inside the football genius of Bill Belichick for an insightful profile in leadership. Bill Belichick's thirty-one years in the NFL have been marked by amazing success - most recently with the New England Patriots. In this groundbreaking audiobook, David Halberstam explores the nuances of both the game and the man behind it. He uncovers what makes Bill Belichick tick both on and off the field.
-
-
Good Overall. Very detailed
- By Dean on 01-17-17
By: David Halberstam
-
Fearless
- By: Doug Pederson, Dan Pompei - contributor
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How does an underdog become a champion? One of the most innovative, gutsy, and dynamic head coaches in the NFL reveals the strategies behind building the Eagles team that shocked the world by winning the Super Bowl. In Fearless, Doug Pederson reveals the principles that guided him through the ups and downs and tough times of his career and what it took to become a champion.
-
-
I am not an Eagles fan, but this is still a GREAT book!!!
- By Jimmy Larrison on 09-03-18
By: Doug Pederson, and others
-
The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban
- How Alabama's Coach Became the Greatest Ever
- By: John Talty
- Narrated by: Barry Abrams
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With coach Nick Saban at the helm, the Crimson Tide has won six of the last twelve national titles. The 2020 championship team showcased Saban's evolution as a leader and further solidified what many long suspected was true: Nick Saban is college football's greatest coach ever. Leaders of any kind, including coaches and beyond, stand to gain great wisdom and inspiration by learning from his success.
-
-
A Regrettable Use of a Credit
- By Jeremy Barnett on 01-22-23
By: John Talty
What listeners say about Closing the Gap
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Douglas W Lentz
- 12-25-14
Wonderful book.
Loved the book. Learned so much about the Packers and Willie Davis. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful