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Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy
“I just can’t live with this pain anymore,” were among the final words in the diary of Zac Easter, a young man from small-town Iowa. In December 2015, Zac decided to take his own life rather than continue his losing battle against the traumatic brain injuries he had sustained as a no-holds-barred high school football player. In this deeply reported and powerfully moving true story, award-winning sportswriter Reid Forgrave speaks to Zac’s family, friends, and coaches; he explores Zac’s tightly knit, football-obsessed Midwestern community; he interviews cutting-edge brain scientists, psychologists, and sports historians; and he takes a deep dive into the triumphs and sins of the sports entertainment industry.
Forgrave shows us how football mirrors America, from the fighting spirit it has helped inscribe in our national character to the problematic side effects of traditional notions of manhood that it affirms. But, above all, this is a story of how one young man’s obsession with football led him and many of those entrusted with his care to ignore the warning signs of CTE until it was too late. What do Zac’s life and death mean for a society addicted to a sport that can be thrilling and character forming but also dangerous and sometimes tragic for those who play it?
Eye-opening, important, and ultimately inspiring, Love, Zac challenges us to think carefully about the ideals and values we as a nation want to instill in future generations.
Forgrave shows us how football mirrors America, from the fighting spirit it has helped inscribe in our national character to the problematic side effects of traditional notions of manhood that it affirms. But, above all, this is a story of how one young man’s obsession with football led him and many of those entrusted with his care to ignore the warning signs of CTE until it was too late. What do Zac’s life and death mean for a society addicted to a sport that can be thrilling and character forming but also dangerous and sometimes tragic for those who play it?
Eye-opening, important, and ultimately inspiring, Love, Zac challenges us to think carefully about the ideals and values we as a nation want to instill in future generations.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2020
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March 10, 2021Football is seen as the great American American sport yet for Zac Easter, it became the sport that ruined his life. Zac grew up in Iowa, in a household of manly men. Two brothers and a father who hunted, fished, and were, like many in their community obsessed with the game. Zac played the game hard, often making the tackle with his head. Zac was a victim of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE. For the naysayers if you won't read the book, just read the end game, just read Zac's own words as he prepared to take his life. The sport he loved literally became the death of him and he left a diary so others would know what he tried to ignore.
November 15, 2020
Heartbreaking. The human toll of football is tragic enough when it's professionals have early cognitive decline, but when it's a bright, personable kid whose thinks his "brain is turning to mush" and takes his life? Heart. Breaking.
This was a wonderful portrait of Zac's life, his family's life, his community, and how football has touched and affected all of it. The book strays when it moves away from this personal story (the chapters on CTE, the NFL, and the history of brain injuries have been done better elsewhere) but when it focuses on Zac and his slow, terrifying decline it is riveting.
The other really interesting thing about this book is that that is touches on individual and community and it asks a question that is larger than football. How does a community react (and can it change) when something that is so central to a community's identity turns out to have negative effects on that very community. As I get a notification on my phone of the arrival of another two-day shipped package and type this to be stored on a server in a carbon-spewing data center, it's a question that haunts me. What am I willing to do to change my life when my lifestyle and the things I hold dear turn out to be worse for all of us?
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a wonderful portrait of Zac's life, his family's life, his community, and how football has touched and affected all of it. The book strays when it moves away from this personal story (the chapters on CTE, the NFL, and the history of brain injuries have been done better elsewhere) but when it focuses on Zac and his slow, terrifying decline it is riveting.
The other really interesting thing about this book is that that is touches on individual and community and it asks a question that is larger than football. How does a community react (and can it change) when something that is so central to a community's identity turns out to have negative effects on that very community. As I get a notification on my phone of the arrival of another two-day shipped package and type this to be stored on a server in a carbon-spewing data center, it's a question that haunts me. What am I willing to do to change my life when my lifestyle and the things I hold dear turn out to be worse for all of us?
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2020
Anyone who follows American football knows that the risk of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a topic of much discussion and debate. This story of a former high school football star who suffered from those conditions to point of committing suicide is a powerful book by Reid Forgrave.
Zac Easter came from a football-loving family. Every male in the family played, coached and watched football. The culture of the sport and the masculinity that was supposedly enhanced by the sport was an important part of the Easter household. Zac was certainly a member of this culture as he was a star player through high school, earning several awards. The only break he made from the family when it came to football was that he was a Green Bay Packers fan while the rest of the family cheered for their rivals, the Minnesota Vikings.
However, Zac's time wasn't all glory and fun. Forgrave gradually shows the reader some of the issues Zac was facing when all of the hits he took, especially to the head as he would often lead with his head against coaching instructions. He would fight with the team's female trainer when she wanted him to give him his helmet, a sign that he will not return to the game. His moods became darker. The book continues after his playing days to paint a great picture of the issued Zac faced with alcoholism, hypersexuality, headaches, mood swings and inability to hold jobs or focus on college courses. It led to his suicide which wasn't a surprise ending, but one that the reader will still feel stunned when it happens.
That is what makes the book so powerful. Yes, the author did his research in the topics of football, helmet design, CTE and its effects and even in-depth interviews with the Easters. But what makes the book truly a worthwhile endeavor is simply the emotions of everyone involved – from Zac to his family to his girlfriend (who stayed with him to the end) to his shocked teammates. While some people, including this reviewer, do believe that he brought some of his issues on himself by refusing to adhere to the instructions to not lead with the head, it still boils down to the loss of a young life due to a danger in a sport that is by far the most popular in the United States.
I wish to thank Algoquin Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Zac Easter came from a football-loving family. Every male in the family played, coached and watched football. The culture of the sport and the masculinity that was supposedly enhanced by the sport was an important part of the Easter household. Zac was certainly a member of this culture as he was a star player through high school, earning several awards. The only break he made from the family when it came to football was that he was a Green Bay Packers fan while the rest of the family cheered for their rivals, the Minnesota Vikings.
However, Zac's time wasn't all glory and fun. Forgrave gradually shows the reader some of the issues Zac was facing when all of the hits he took, especially to the head as he would often lead with his head against coaching instructions. He would fight with the team's female trainer when she wanted him to give him his helmet, a sign that he will not return to the game. His moods became darker. The book continues after his playing days to paint a great picture of the issued Zac faced with alcoholism, hypersexuality, headaches, mood swings and inability to hold jobs or focus on college courses. It led to his suicide which wasn't a surprise ending, but one that the reader will still feel stunned when it happens.
That is what makes the book so powerful. Yes, the author did his research in the topics of football, helmet design, CTE and its effects and even in-depth interviews with the Easters. But what makes the book truly a worthwhile endeavor is simply the emotions of everyone involved – from Zac to his family to his girlfriend (who stayed with him to the end) to his shocked teammates. While some people, including this reviewer, do believe that he brought some of his issues on himself by refusing to adhere to the instructions to not lead with the head, it still boils down to the loss of a young life due to a danger in a sport that is by far the most popular in the United States.
I wish to thank Algoquin Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
August 29, 2020
This is a raw, emotional goodbye letter from a young man who loved football more than anything. Most people today are aware of the debilitating brain disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former football players. Zac Easter and his family didn't. Zac was a hometown hero from a close knit family whose life revolved around football. In fact, Zac's entire identity could be found on the football field. Sadly, Zac began to have symptoms of CTE as early as High School, but continued to deny it to his parents and his trainers. The author was granted access to Zac's diary where Zac described his worsening brain symptoms: debilitating headaches, impaired memory and depression. This is an important book that parents whose children want to play football should read. Heartbreaking yet informative.
* I read an advance copy and was not compensated
* I read an advance copy and was not compensated
April 22, 2021
Non-fiction 4.5*
I have been fascinated by the stories regarding CTE and the NFL for a number of years. I really became interested after the Aaron Hernandez story. What this book does is bring CTE home in a way that we don't think about. Our kids are getting this disease, not just millionaires from the NFL.
This is the story of Zac Easter. He is a small town boy from relatively rural Iowa. He began playing football in the 3rd grade and never played beyond the age of 18. But at the age of 24, he killed himself, despondent over what was happening to his life. He was on a downward spiral. He found himself unable to focus, hold a job, developed memory issues and then started drinking and abusing prescription drugs. He read all the studies and did a lot of research into CTE. He was self-diagnosed with CTE as it can only be conclusively determined after death. He did see many doctors who prescribed various things or diagnosed different issues. He refused various treatment programs, some dealing specifically with brain injuries. He skipped counseling sessions or simply forgot them, he forgot how to drive home sometimes, he knew what lay in his future and felt hopeless.
Forgrave does an amazing job with Zac's story. He intersperses the various chapters about the disease, the NFL, doctors, historical cases of CTE with excerpts from Zac's own diary. There are also inclusions of text exchanges with Zac and his girlfriend as well as other family members. There are no easy answers and Forgrave presents all the possible options to make the game, which most of America loves, safer.
Well done.
I have been fascinated by the stories regarding CTE and the NFL for a number of years. I really became interested after the Aaron Hernandez story. What this book does is bring CTE home in a way that we don't think about. Our kids are getting this disease, not just millionaires from the NFL.
This is the story of Zac Easter. He is a small town boy from relatively rural Iowa. He began playing football in the 3rd grade and never played beyond the age of 18. But at the age of 24, he killed himself, despondent over what was happening to his life. He was on a downward spiral. He found himself unable to focus, hold a job, developed memory issues and then started drinking and abusing prescription drugs. He read all the studies and did a lot of research into CTE. He was self-diagnosed with CTE as it can only be conclusively determined after death. He did see many doctors who prescribed various things or diagnosed different issues. He refused various treatment programs, some dealing specifically with brain injuries. He skipped counseling sessions or simply forgot them, he forgot how to drive home sometimes, he knew what lay in his future and felt hopeless.
Forgrave does an amazing job with Zac's story. He intersperses the various chapters about the disease, the NFL, doctors, historical cases of CTE with excerpts from Zac's own diary. There are also inclusions of text exchanges with Zac and his girlfriend as well as other family members. There are no easy answers and Forgrave presents all the possible options to make the game, which most of America loves, safer.
Well done.
November 27, 2020
The subject of this book, sports-generated brain trauma, is certainly timely and I was expecting a story that would capture my interest on several levels and provide much needed information. The story quickly introduces us to Zac and his all-American family We are shown how football in small town America is often the cornerstone of social life, Zac would seem to be the perfect candidate for this football culture. He is highly competitive, willing to take risks and very eager to please his father. He is a not much of a student in the classroom but eager to do his best on the football field. Unfortunately Zac has some deep flaws, at least as far as this reader was concerned. He is totally lacking in empathy for the victims of his hard hits but his character was warped long before he donned a helmet. When I read that, as a young boy he shoved fire crackers down the throat of a snake so he could watch him blow up, I lost all sympathy for Zac. There is a vital need for the message this book has to share. I just wish the author had found a messenger more deserving of our compassion.
May 28, 2020
This was excellent, tragic, eye-opening, and gut-wrenching. The work explores the role of football in American culture and the future of football in light of CTE and other concussion based trauma and damage. These two themes center around the life of Zac Easter. An Iowa football player. The story follows Zac’s youth and high school career and exposes the dangers of football and the dedication Americans have to it.
After finishing this book, the reader is left to question why football persists in popularity despite the risks, how it is ingrained in the American psyche, and what it is about the sport that galvanized communities. Most of all the book is the tragic story of Zac and how he represents the contradictions of football in the U.S.
After finishing this book, the reader is left to question why football persists in popularity despite the risks, how it is ingrained in the American psyche, and what it is about the sport that galvanized communities. Most of all the book is the tragic story of Zac and how he represents the contradictions of football in the U.S.
June 9, 2022
December - I gave this book a poor rating because it was hard for me to follow along with. I thought that the book was going to revolve around Zac's death. Instead it mostly talked about football stats, football history and Zac's chilldhood growing up with football. I don't play football so it isn't an intresting topic for me. While reading the book I got bored very easily and rather would have read about Zac's death and the after effect instead.
October 18, 2020
This is a powerful book on the lengths players will go to play and succeed at football. Although Zac recognized there was a problem, he hid it from his coaches and trainers in order to not be seen as weak or be pulled out of games. The injuries they fight and will continue to ignore until damage becomes irreversible and serious. Life or career ending injuries.
I used to love football, but the crunches i heard as players hit each other hard, the head-to-head contact, and the positions players landed in at the bottom of a pile often made me cringe. Football players, at the very least, suffer a long life beyond football dealing with injuries, arthritis, and at worst death due to injuries.
This is the tragic story of Zac, a young player, who developed a severe brain injury that altered him so much it changed his personality completely and he was mentally and emotionally tortured to the point he could no longer take it and committed suicide. The awareness of concussion related injuries in sports is finally being recognized, making players think more about whether to pursue that as a career or not. It is more dangerous on the brain than previously acknowledged and also more common, not just in football, but in many other sports as well.
Related in some ways to "Concussion" which came out several years ago, this book addresses a crucial point. Is the damage to the body worth it for the sake of entertainment?
I used to love football, but the crunches i heard as players hit each other hard, the head-to-head contact, and the positions players landed in at the bottom of a pile often made me cringe. Football players, at the very least, suffer a long life beyond football dealing with injuries, arthritis, and at worst death due to injuries.
This is the tragic story of Zac, a young player, who developed a severe brain injury that altered him so much it changed his personality completely and he was mentally and emotionally tortured to the point he could no longer take it and committed suicide. The awareness of concussion related injuries in sports is finally being recognized, making players think more about whether to pursue that as a career or not. It is more dangerous on the brain than previously acknowledged and also more common, not just in football, but in many other sports as well.
Related in some ways to "Concussion" which came out several years ago, this book addresses a crucial point. Is the damage to the body worth it for the sake of entertainment?
September 25, 2020
Despite sitting in the stands for four consecutive years in high school as a member of my school's marching band--this doesn't even include the years I attended games before and after high school--I still don't understand all the logistics of football. My very math-averse brain just doesn't understand (or care) about all the minute rules. But I did grow up in a small-town where Friday Night Lights was king. And that's what drew me to Love, Zac.
This memoir is a heartbreaking look at how multiple concussions sustained playing high school football led Zac Easter to endure traumatic brain injuries and ultimately commit suicide at the age of twenty-four years old. Along with telling Zac's story, the author takes the reader back to the beginnings of football, the history of awareness of concussions, and how--like so many controversies in America today--the concussion crisis has became more about politics and money than health and science.
And if all that isn't enough, the author also touches on how we're raising our boys. The 'play through the pain' mentality boys are instilled with. Zac was the middle son of a football-obsessed family. He felt like to make his father proud, he had to play football and play it well. So he hid his pain, not wanting to appear weak or less manly. It's just another consequence to add to the long list of ways toxic masculinity has damaged our culture.
This book was inspired from Zac's own words, the journals, texts, and instructions he left to his friends and family. He wanted his story told, hoping no one else would ever have to suffer the way he did. I hope this eye-opening memoir gets the attention it deserves. I know, personally, I will never watch football in the same way again.
Thank you to Algonquin Books for the advanced reader copy!
Full review available at abookwanderer.com
This memoir is a heartbreaking look at how multiple concussions sustained playing high school football led Zac Easter to endure traumatic brain injuries and ultimately commit suicide at the age of twenty-four years old. Along with telling Zac's story, the author takes the reader back to the beginnings of football, the history of awareness of concussions, and how--like so many controversies in America today--the concussion crisis has became more about politics and money than health and science.
And if all that isn't enough, the author also touches on how we're raising our boys. The 'play through the pain' mentality boys are instilled with. Zac was the middle son of a football-obsessed family. He felt like to make his father proud, he had to play football and play it well. So he hid his pain, not wanting to appear weak or less manly. It's just another consequence to add to the long list of ways toxic masculinity has damaged our culture.
This book was inspired from Zac's own words, the journals, texts, and instructions he left to his friends and family. He wanted his story told, hoping no one else would ever have to suffer the way he did. I hope this eye-opening memoir gets the attention it deserves. I know, personally, I will never watch football in the same way again.
Thank you to Algonquin Books for the advanced reader copy!
Full review available at abookwanderer.com
September 8, 2020
Zac Easter is a fun loving, outgoing all american boy who plays high school football. After one too many hits to the head and countless concussions he is forced to quit playing the game his whole family loves. Feeling as though he has failed his dad he keeps quiet about all the dizzy spells, headaches, brain spasms. As his condition gets worse he fights depression, alcoholism and drug abuse til at age 24 he can't go on and Zac takes his life. It turns out Zac suffers from CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) from all the concussions he received from playing football.
This is such a sad story and I felt so sorry for Zac who felt like he had no where to go and no one to turn to. This is a must read for anyone who has kids who want to play football. If the dad had stepped up and told Zac to sit out after his first concussion instead of having the "real men shake it off" mentality, if he would have got Zac the help he needed there might have been a long life ahead for Zac. In no way though is it just the parents at fault because some of the blame has to lay with Zac who consistently lied about his condition. This story will stay with me for a long time.
I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an honest review
This is such a sad story and I felt so sorry for Zac who felt like he had no where to go and no one to turn to. This is a must read for anyone who has kids who want to play football. If the dad had stepped up and told Zac to sit out after his first concussion instead of having the "real men shake it off" mentality, if he would have got Zac the help he needed there might have been a long life ahead for Zac. In no way though is it just the parents at fault because some of the blame has to lay with Zac who consistently lied about his condition. This story will stay with me for a long time.
I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an honest review
September 1, 2020
What a very powerful book this was!
Love, Zac is the biography of Zac Easter, a young man who died by suicide at the age of 24 after losing his battle with TBI and CTE caused by too many concussions playing youth and high school football.
The book was more than just biography, it also dove in to the history of the sport of football and the culture that surrounds it. Vince Lombardi, one of the great names associated with the sport, said "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." This would end up being prophetic with many young athletes who get their "bell rung" but still end up playing the rest of the game.
Football wasn't really bin in the town where I grew up, we had no high school football team, but reading about the history and tradition of the Easter family in Iowa I can see how it becomes something that can really bond a family, especially fathers and sons.
In this book you'll learn a lot about the history of the game of football - including Teddy Roosevelt's role in saving the game and attempting to make it a bit safer. I gasped a couple of time while reading this, hearing how hard Zac would hit the opponent, especially when he shared he hit an opponent head first after his helmet had already flown off following an earlier tough hit.
Reading this book comes at an interesting time. I'm a football fan (Go Patriots!) and am looking forward to the season as perhaps a slice of normalcy, but the start of Suicide Awareness Week is just around the corner and that is on my mind as well. As those two events seem a bit at odds, the Easter's family's feelings on football are nuanced and confusing as well. They love the game, it's in their blood, but they have anger that it's part of the reason Zac is no longer alive.
This is a powerful read and would recommend it to nearly anyone, especially those wishing to learn more about the sport, mental illness, TBI, and CTE.
Love, Zac is the biography of Zac Easter, a young man who died by suicide at the age of 24 after losing his battle with TBI and CTE caused by too many concussions playing youth and high school football.
The book was more than just biography, it also dove in to the history of the sport of football and the culture that surrounds it. Vince Lombardi, one of the great names associated with the sport, said "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." This would end up being prophetic with many young athletes who get their "bell rung" but still end up playing the rest of the game.
Football wasn't really bin in the town where I grew up, we had no high school football team, but reading about the history and tradition of the Easter family in Iowa I can see how it becomes something that can really bond a family, especially fathers and sons.
In this book you'll learn a lot about the history of the game of football - including Teddy Roosevelt's role in saving the game and attempting to make it a bit safer. I gasped a couple of time while reading this, hearing how hard Zac would hit the opponent, especially when he shared he hit an opponent head first after his helmet had already flown off following an earlier tough hit.
Reading this book comes at an interesting time. I'm a football fan (Go Patriots!) and am looking forward to the season as perhaps a slice of normalcy, but the start of Suicide Awareness Week is just around the corner and that is on my mind as well. As those two events seem a bit at odds, the Easter's family's feelings on football are nuanced and confusing as well. They love the game, it's in their blood, but they have anger that it's part of the reason Zac is no longer alive.
This is a powerful read and would recommend it to nearly anyone, especially those wishing to learn more about the sport, mental illness, TBI, and CTE.
September 16, 2020
This is a heartbreaking and eye-opening look at a young football player whose life ends in tragedy after suffering from CTE. Some sections of the book that dwelled on the history of football felt a tad boring to me (as a non-sports fan), but the book felt truly captivating when the author included Zac's own words (found in journals he kept before his death). Because our nation is so obsessed with football, it worries me that a lot more lives will need to be ruined before anyone makes steadfast changes to the sport. Zac's story needs to be told so that parents can understand the incredible danger of playing football - even if their sons only play through high school. The long-lasting damage that can occur to the brain are devastating and permanent. Zac's family was so brave for sharing his story, and it's what Zac wanted - for everyone to know the truth about his struggles and his death.
June 24, 2021
** 4.5 **
I am so impressed at how well written this book was and how much I learned from it. It is evident the author spent so much time researching, editing and spending time with the family to produce a book that some are saying “belong on the shelf alongside classic literary journalism”. This book tackles so many different thing through so many different lenses that the academic in me was going nuts.
The story of Zac was/ is an absolute tragedy and one that brought me to tears. Reading about everything he went though was both heartbreaking and shocking especially since he was so young. The fact the he wrote about what he went through and wanted to share it with world is so incredible and believe that it will help so many people.
This certainly wasn’t an easy read as it dealt with some tough stuff but it was one that was worth it.
I am so impressed at how well written this book was and how much I learned from it. It is evident the author spent so much time researching, editing and spending time with the family to produce a book that some are saying “belong on the shelf alongside classic literary journalism”. This book tackles so many different thing through so many different lenses that the academic in me was going nuts.
The story of Zac was/ is an absolute tragedy and one that brought me to tears. Reading about everything he went though was both heartbreaking and shocking especially since he was so young. The fact the he wrote about what he went through and wanted to share it with world is so incredible and believe that it will help so many people.
This certainly wasn’t an easy read as it dealt with some tough stuff but it was one that was worth it.
September 30, 2020
It was fitting to receive this giveaway win at the beginning of football season. Zac Easter was a young man who grew up with football being a major influence in his life. By the age of 24, after playing only through junior and senior high school, he was suffering from severe depression, manic emotional states, substance abuse, and physical pain; he committed suicide to escape. The main culprit: CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a deterioration of the brain believed to be caused by multiple concussions, and normally only seen in older NFL players after years of hits to the head. Forgrave not only gives us Zac's story through his journal entries and family interviews. but takes a look at the football culture in America. It's a sport with a violent history, promoting the attitude of playing through the pain. But at what cost? Well researched and highly readable.
January 12, 2023
Overall I though this book was a really good book. The book had very good pacing. The only areas where I got bored reading it was when they started talking about the NFL stats. This made me bored because it happend at the beging of the book and at that point we wanted to know more about Zac. I thought that the character development on Zac was really good. Ecsecially sense its a real book so were talking about a real persons life. The pros of the story are how good the story is told. And sadly how the author shows how Zacs life goes from being pretty good/alright to dropping down really really fast. And the cons are when they were talking about the NFL stats and not talking about Zacs life.
August 31, 2020
Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy by Reid Forgrave
The True story of Zac Easter, a twenty four year old Iowa (young) man who took his life in December 2105. Zac was a young energetic football player. He suffered many concussions during his life while playing football. His life takes a turn in many ways, including alcohol and drug abuse as he learns he has CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). Ultimately this lead to him take his own life.
A fact filled heart breaking story of how football lead to the demise of a young man. With medical experts, football (experts), family members statements, and the words from Zac's personal journals, texts and emails. Told with brutal honestly and compassion Mr Forgrave brings up (the) once unheard of CTE, and the affects on those who suffer from it and the impact on family as well.
I strongly suggest this book to; young adults, adults, football players, parents of football players, young football players and those considering getting into this rough and tough sport. Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy is a heart felt memorable read, that has me thinking of football in a new light. A must read.
The True story of Zac Easter, a twenty four year old Iowa (young) man who took his life in December 2105. Zac was a young energetic football player. He suffered many concussions during his life while playing football. His life takes a turn in many ways, including alcohol and drug abuse as he learns he has CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). Ultimately this lead to him take his own life.
A fact filled heart breaking story of how football lead to the demise of a young man. With medical experts, football (experts), family members statements, and the words from Zac's personal journals, texts and emails. Told with brutal honestly and compassion Mr Forgrave brings up (the) once unheard of CTE, and the affects on those who suffer from it and the impact on family as well.
I strongly suggest this book to; young adults, adults, football players, parents of football players, young football players and those considering getting into this rough and tough sport. Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy is a heart felt memorable read, that has me thinking of football in a new light. A must read.
June 8, 2022
December Book
Love Zac is a disappointing story about a boy who grew up on the football field. Later because of the pressure he had committed suicide. Zac spent his whole life on the field concussion after concussion. He played through every one. It was incredibly sad. Although the story was super sad, the story behind him growing up was interesting to hear. You wouldn't expect his injuries to be so ignored. The author gave you a lot of football stats which in my opinion was confusing and boring but overall Love Zac was a incredible and sadly true story.
Love Zac is a disappointing story about a boy who grew up on the football field. Later because of the pressure he had committed suicide. Zac spent his whole life on the field concussion after concussion. He played through every one. It was incredibly sad. Although the story was super sad, the story behind him growing up was interesting to hear. You wouldn't expect his injuries to be so ignored. The author gave you a lot of football stats which in my opinion was confusing and boring but overall Love Zac was a incredible and sadly true story.
January 27, 2021
Essential reading for American parents of sons. This book was so sad. Zac Easter steals your heart with his simple, tender writings. How can a sport continue when such a good hearted, sweet man was subjected to brutal mental disintegration through the onset of CTE in his 20s? The author does a good job handling the words and story of Zac Easter. This book is really beautifully done, the research and history gives context and it is a book I will be grappling with for years.
June 8, 2022
this book is about a small town football star that's whole family played football for the same high school and Zac was carrying on the name in the school's history. unfortunately he suffered so many concussions that ended up in him getting CTE in the brain and he could handle all the headaches and zoning out so much so he killed himself and this story tells us all of the point of views of the family of Zac.
March 16, 2023
I gave this book a 5/5 rating because it demonstrates the account of Zac Easter, who grew up in the football culture of small town Iowa and his family, played hard, until he began to experience the consequences of repeated concussions, when his life began to unravel. It is extremely personal and heart touching. I also think as a high school football player myself there's a lot to see with football and the consequences handed out therefore
June 7, 2022
I genuinely enjoyed reading Love, Zac. Love, Zac makes you realize what athletes experience and go through mentally. Zac struggled with belonging on and off the football field which caused him to struggle. On the field Zac started to use his head to make the big hits; however this led to multiple head injuries. As time went on his mental state rapidly got worse. The book mostly reads fast, but when it talks about the history of football, it reads slow.
June 8, 2022
This book is gut wrenching. The book explores the role of football in American culture and the future of football in CTE and other concussions. These two themes center around the life of Zac Easter. It also shines light on depression and how people can seem alright but deep down but their mental health is not there. Ultimatey this is a sad story but needs to be told to the world.
February 8, 2024
This was a good book. I had been able to get the perspective of what an athlete who is struggling with mental health looks like. As where you were able to see how he kept things to himself along with cope in many different ways.
September 18, 2020
Zac is a son, brother, classmate, friend, and boyfriend (the list goes on) with a heartbreaking story that needs to be shared. Needs to be read.
September 26, 2020
Zac’s story will stay with me for a very long time- powerful for its heartbreaking Truth... and its touches just a bit too close to home.
December 20, 2020
The book expectedly conjures conflicting feelings so many of us endure about football in our communities, children, and ourselves. The book strikes a balanced tone, illustrating the nuance so many participants and supporters hold for football (or hockey as is more prevalent here in the Northeast). As a father of two energetic, physical boys who will undoubtedly participate in competitive sports it shared a cautionary tale without throwing its weight in paper behind one camp or another.
February 11, 2021
(audiobook)
His personal story is heartbreaking.
The chapters that delve into history of football and the science of concussions are frightening.
His personal story is heartbreaking.
The chapters that delve into history of football and the science of concussions are frightening.
December 11, 2021
One of the toughest and informative reads I've come across.
January 18, 2022
Mixed feelings about this one.
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