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.
WittyWordsmith
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease.
The Happy Jock
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Video Game Heroine
ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
High Heel Goddess
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
DeathDancer
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Vicious Street
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Duchess
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Purity
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Duke Electro
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Orange Teflon
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
King Panther
This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ«
Dark Horse
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Tall Honey
The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Journeyman
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
2nd Hand Joe
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Whip 2T
Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook! ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Reed Lady
π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
The Final Judgement
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ
StormCake
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. I'm addicted to this app β it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks.
SpellTansy
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
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