JOHN SAUNDERS with JOHN U. BACON


Playing Hurt My Journey from Despair to Hope


A candid mem0ir about confronting a crippling disease by the late host of ESPN’s Sports Reporters and ABC’s college football


I


n playing hurt,a leading figure in the sports world—the quintessential “man’s man,” who seemed to have it all—confesses


to his constant battle with depression. John Saunders welcomes readers into the heart of his desperate struggle through insights into the root causes of depression and explanations of modern medical and homeopathic treatments. His story unfolds as so many of our lives do—among family, friends, and colleagues—but it also peers into places we don’t often discuss openly—psych wards and hospitals. Here is the honest story of a public figure who faced his own mental illness head-on and emerged far better off for his effort. Playing Hurt ultimately offers an inspiring and empowering call to action when it comes to mental illness.


JOHN SAUNDERS was a legendary and beloved sportscaster at ESPN.


JOHN U. BACON is the New York Times bestselling author of several sports books, including Endzone.


NATIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN • Advance Reader Copies • ABC/ESPN launch event • Social media campaign • Online marketing • Tie-in to Father’s Day promotions


APR 6


MEMOIR $27.00 | $35.00 (Can.) ISBN 978-0-306-82473-9 6 x 9 | 320 pages | 8 pages of black-&-white photographs Selling Territory: WxUK,CW EBOOK ISBN 978-0-306-82474-6


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