A lifetime in sports and entertainment has taught me that you never accomplish anything alone. This book was a labor of love for the all-star team I was blessed to have around me.
Jofie Ferrari-Adler and his team at Simon & Schuster’s Avid Reader Press are world champions, and a pleasure to work with. Agent David Black is not only a Hall of Fame agent but also a source of life wisdom as well.
As you might imagine, this book was an emotional journey for me. Having Pro Bowl writer Larry Platt along for the ride gave me the strength and confidence to go the distance. As proud as I am about working with him, I’m even more proud of the friendship that has come from our partnership.
None of these pages would have come to fruition if Mike Tollin, a great friend, hadn’t convinced me that my story could be both entertaining and inspirational.
I’m indebted to my man Tim Mooney, who was not only indispensable in shepherding this project to completion, but has also always been in my corner. And I shudder to think where I’d be without the wisdom over so many years of Dr. Kevin Elko. I also want to thank Patrick Bilow and Hannah Keyser for their tireless research and fact-checking as well as transcribing. Mike Vagnoni’s Ambrosia Key West resort was the perfect tranquil setting to pen many of these pages. And Becky Roe, who was kind to a shell-shocked twelve-year-old when she prosecuted my dad, remains so to this day, having provided me with the trial transcript.
Finally, here’s to Randy—keep rockin’ and rollin’, bro. As you might imagine, these pages are a love letter to the many characters who have so positively influenced my journey. I want to single out and address just a few: Annalise, Amaya, Susan, Nonnie and Poppy, and Krissy.
“If it’s fun, it’s never work,” Hobie Alter, the surf and sailing entrepreneur, once said. “And if it’s not fun, it will never work.” You guys have made my life fun and our lives together sure ain’t dull, huh?
I’m Jon Dorenbos. Peace out!