
Head On
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Phil Thron
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By:
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Larry Csonka
About this listen
Larry Csonka ran the football with audacity and authority. He lived his off-the-field life with equal abandon. As part of the NFL's 100th Anniversary, he and his undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins teammates were named the best team in NFL history.
In Head On, Csonka shares how they achieved their legendary Perfect Season. From quitting football at a young age, to his often-combative relationship with Coach Don Shula, to brazen exploits with his NFL pals, Csonka narrates a life that is colorful, unbridled, and thrilling.
Csonka found himself hanging out with Burt Reynolds, Dick Butkus, Lee Majors, Joe Namath, and Elvis Presley during his football years. But his moments outside the spotlight reveal the most about this larger-than-life figure—raising critters and a little hell in his formative years on an Ohio dirt farm, early run-ins with the law, confronting thieves with a sawed-off shotgun, taking sniper fire on a USO tour of Vietnam, and being adrift at night on the Bering Sea with gale-force winds raging.
Csonka's Head On is a captivating account of grit, grace, and gumption told by an iconic Hall of Famer who continues to gain ground—figuratively, literally, and unapologetically—every day.
©2022 ZONK! Productions, Inc. (P)2022 HighBridge, a division of Recorded BooksListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about Head On
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- Bill
- 12-23-22
GREAT READ ABOUT A GREAT MAN !!!
Very interesting book about the behind the scenes of a great football player. Didn't want it to end.
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- Charlie Morton
- 01-23-24
Mr. Seltzer. The man deserves a statue.
Oddly, he didn't brag enough. His college football stories were way better than his pro stories.
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- Joe
- 02-06-23
An amazing life story of one of the legends.
What an amazing book. I enjoyed listening to this book everyday. Listening about the life of Larry Csonka, a true legend of the NFL.
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- Dan Arriola
- 12-23-22
Great book
As a Fins fan I loved the book. His love for football and wildlife is fantastic
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- Chickson
- 11-28-22
Entertaining and down to earth
A great look inside the life of one of the NFL’s greatest and most influential players. Zonk is an ordinary guy with extraordinary talent, morals and a true love for the game. His story is funny and inspiring for all ages.
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- John D
- 01-31-24
So happy to hear Larry's story!
I'm a lifelong Dolphins fan. Been waiting a long time for this book. It didn't disappoint!
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- Anonymous User
- 07-21-24
Head On is right on!
Superb story with an insight to the game you rarely get. These men give so much for the love of the game. Ah to go back to the days of power running. That was pure football we rarely see today. Thank you Larry Csonka!
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- BigT9512
- 04-08-24
Awesome football and family story!
Very well written and read! Loved it! This is a true testament to tough guy football players!
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- John
- 12-24-24
Good Autobiography and How Times Have Changed
Larry Csonka has taken an interesting approach to his autobiography. The book reads somewhat like a conversation, moving generally chronologically, but with frequent digressions. I actually liked this approach, but if you are a completely linear thinker, it might prove annoying.
Csonka covers his years with the Miami Dolphins which are his main claim to fame. But there is a lot more to his life, and the story is fascinating. He was recruited by Syracuse out of high school in the early 1960s at a time when Syracuse was a national football power renowned for turning out pro running backs, and Hall of Fame running backs at that. Even though he was on scholarship, Csonka worked two jobs, as a maintenance man at Syracuse and as a night watchman at a car dealership, to be able to support himself and his wife (and soon his newborn son as well). What a contrast to today, when star college players (and Csonka was one) are lavishly supported by universities and also earn NIL money.
Csonka is a good storyteller and the book is quite enjoyable. The narration is so-so. The narrator has an old-fashioned "radio voice" that did not work well with the material, at least for me.
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- William
- 04-17-25
Toughness
The true grit and determination of a childhood hero from disappointment to the pinnacle of pro football. This is a great read for any football fan.
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