"Mitch Wilkins is football player destined for greatness. From an inauspicious start in rural Virginia to the glamorous, ferocious heights of the NFL, his life unfolds across the stories of those who accompany him on his journey, including his patient working mom, an ambitious girlfriend, a Vietnam veteran uncle, a talkative young teammate, a billionaire team owner, and more. But success doesn't come without its costs. As Mitch and his wounded family press on, seeking meaning in a relentlessly incentive-driven and forward-moving life, the sacrifices necessary for success in sports--and in attaining the 'American Dream'--are laid painfully and tragically bare."--back cover.