Post by TheShadow on Jul 22, 2006 7:31:46 GMT -5
www.al.com
By Ray Melick
Perhaps you know Dr. Seuss and Father Goose; C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll.
Soon, you'll be able to add a familiar name to your list of children's authors: Ken Stabler.
Yes, that Ken Stabler. The "Snake," leader of that infamous group of counterculture heroes of the 1970s known as the Oakland Raiders has written a children's book.
It's called "Roll Tide," and it describes the game day experience at the University of Alabama for children.
And he knows what you're thinking.
"I know," Stabler said. "People have an idea of my reputation as being this or that, and think that doesn't lend itself to a kids' book."
No joke. Stabler's last book, the 1985 autobiography "Snake," was described by one reviewer as being "painfully honest with the details of his escapades. The earthy style may offend some, but this is the kind of book to be expected from one of the perennial bad boys of the NFL."
But that was then. This is now. That "Snake" has been replaced by the man his grandkids call "Papa Snake."
And "Papa Snake" is a 60-year-old grandfather of twin 7-year-old boys, Justin and Jack, who are the reason Stabler did the book.
"It feels all warm and fuzzy," Stabler said. "It is a side of me that, because of my image or reputation from when I played football, surprises some people. But when you realize I've got kids and grandkids, that my life is centered these days around my family, then hopefully it makes sense."
Snake Stabler, warm and fuzzy? What in the name of Ted Hendricks and John Matuszek is going on here?
"Everything for me, these days, is family," Stabler said. "I've got a daughter, Alexa, who is a freshman at Alabama and had the highest GPA (grade-point average) of anyone in her major this past year. My youngest daughter is a senior at Gulf Shores High School, headed for Alabama.
"And I've got the grandkids in Arizona, that I send Alabama stuff to all the time. I bring them to the campus to see everything here. And they want to know where `Papa Snake' fits into the whole mix of Alabama history. This was sort of my way of doing that."
Stabler's book is expected to hit bookstores by early August. It is one of a series of similar children's books being published by Mascot Press of Chantilly, Va., a series that includes books about Virginia Tech football (written by Frank Beamer), New York Yankees baseball (by Yogi Berra), and Georgia football (by Vince Dooley).
Oh, and Auburn has one coming, too, called "War Eagle," written by none other than Pat Dye.
For Stabler, the decision to write a children's book reflects how his life has changed in the 20 years since "Snake" hit the bookstores.
"That first book - it just kind of exposed the time when I was playing pro ball," Stabler said. "It was real honest and up front, and I guess it shaped whatever opinions people have about me.
"But this exposes a different side. My priorities have changed. This book is the result of growing up a little, aging, having children, getting a better perspective of where you fit in football, in Alabama lore."
"Papa Snake," indeed.