Book description
Out of the Pocket - A Heart-felt Audiobook Journey Through Football and Family
Kirk Herbstreit's Out of the Pocket turns into a vivid, almost cinematic experience when you listen to it. From the very first words, his voice-warm, conversational, and unmistakably familiar to anyone who has watched College GameDay-draws you into the locker rooms, the practice fields, and the backstage buzz of ESPN's flagship show. It feels less like a traditional memoir and more like a guided tour through the heart of college football, with Herbstreit as your personal host.
What sets this audiobook apart is how seamlessly he blends the roar of the stadium with quieter, deeply human moments. He shares the story of his father, Jim Herbstreit, battling Alzheimer's, and explains how that struggle shaped him into the resilient narrator you hear today. When he describes the late nights in the production meetings or the electric energy on GameDay's set, you can almost taste the sweat and smell the popcorn. Yet the narration is never lost in spectacle; it is anchored by stories of perseverance-his own rocky years at Ohio State, the decision to turn down a lucrative sales job for broadcasting, and the emotional journey through his parents' divorce.
The audiobook also benefits from Herbstreit's natural pacing. He speaks with an authenticity that makes each anecdote feel personal: the way he recounts meeting legends like Nick Saban or Peyton Manning, or how he describes the "second dad" figure of Coach Lee Corso, feels like a conversation over coffee rather than a polished monologue. The sound quality is crisp, and the occasional background hum of stadium crowds adds an immersive layer without distracting from his storytelling.
Listeners will appreciate the subtle rhythm Herbstreit uses to keep the narrative engaging: short, punchy sentences during high-energy game recaps, and longer, reflective passages when he delves into family or personal growth. The result is a balanced listening experience that stays fresh for the full 90 minutes (or more, depending on your version).
In short, Out of the Pocket isn't just an audiobook about football; it's an invitation to feel the pulse of the sport and the beating heart behind it. Whether you're a die-hard college football fan or simply looking for a story that celebrates perseverance, family, and authenticity, this narration delivers with sincerity and charm. It reminds us all that the game is more than scores-it's about the people who play it and those who support them, and that resilience can be found both on the field and in our everyday lives.
Risen
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Santa's Little Helper
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Chasm Face
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience