on Friday, 31 August my neighbor Jeff and I went to Charlotte to breakfast at Weston hear my friend, coach Joe Gibbs to talk about his new book hot off the press: Game Plan for Life, co-author Jerry Jenkins.
I'd say that's a pretty good turn-out. More than 1200 people, to be exact! We sat at the table next to Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. There were several former NFL players there and some people have too much NASCAR. Joe introduced his son JD, who is now president of Joe Gibbs Racing.
Joe is always a great sense of humor and some amazing stories from football on the grill.
So here's a guy who was a physical education major from San Diego State University. He goes on to be offensive line coach at four major universities before moving to the National Football League. For seventeen years, he worked as an assistant coach at St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers before the call to become the new head coach for the Washington Redskins.
Despite losing the first five games with the Redskins, Joe went on to lead the team for 12 seasons and led them to eight playoff appearances, four NFC titles and three Super Bowl titles.
In 1996, Gibbs was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He was one of the winningest coaches in NFL history, at that time have a record of 124 wins and 60 losses, and the post-season record of 16 wins and five losses.
If this were not enough, the retired (first time) from the Redskins, in 1992, Joe turned his full attention to NASCAR racing teams and now has three NASCAR titles. The driver Bobby Labonte has a title and Tony Stewart won two championships. And this season is looking strong with their latest driver, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Bush and Joey Logano. Joey is the youngest driver in history to win the Sprint Cup race at just 19 years.
so it's definitely an honor and a privilege to know Joe and his wife Pat in person. I first met when Joe Lake Norman area's young life was born, splitting off the Charlotte area eleven years ago. My wife and I were honored to chair the Leadership Committee of the adult non-profit high school youth organzation - younglife.org. We often hold our monthly meeting where Joe Gibbs will be walking home with one of the big baby on his shoulder with a burp cloth. Joes' son JD and his wife, Melissa joined the board continues to actively support young life.
So, Joe was on this whirlwind tour to promote hard his new book, Game Plan for Life for about a month now. His fierce determination and focus that are reminiscent of his coaching days was evident as he travels the country getting the word out.
Since the beginning of this book? Thank you for asking. He was commissioned a study that essentially asked the question, what are the key issues that will lead people to "successful" life?
He has compiled an incredible list of Christian men (Josh McDowell, Chuck Colson, Ron Blue and many others), writing about various topics, which is woven together Joe's personal testimony. He will also call for a video of all of these authors (each committed to do four hours of talks with coach Gibbs next year). Gibbs believes that it is his legacy of work.
aptly foreword written by former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who also won the Super Bowl.
The book is interwoven with many fascinating stories from Joe's colorful career and suddenly starts shooting death of Redskins player Sean Taylor.
