Years ago, when I took over as head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, it didn’t take me long to see that Tim Brown had a special talent. I told him then I thought he could be the best player in the country. Once Tim caught that vision, he was on his way. Eighteen months after our first meeting, he and I were together at the New York Athletic Club, where he was presented the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top college player. Tim was the best and most intelligent player I ever coached.
Most people underestimate what they are capable of. This is why the task of raising expectations and inspiring people to reach for excellence falls to parents, teachers, and coaches. Some rebel against these efforts to bring out greatness. Others respond positively and thrive, achieving unprecedented levels of success. I was confident that Tim Brown would be the latter, and over the years he has proved me right time and again. His talent, confidence, competitiveness, and commitment allowed him to excel at the college level, made him a leader and a star with the NFL’s Raiders, enabled him to set numerous league records, and propelled him to what was unquestionably a Hall of Fame career.
Tim was a great football player but what impresses me most is that he is an even better person. Like any man, he has confronted challenges and temptations and struggled at times in his life. Yet he emerged from that process a man of deep faith, high integrity, and strong values. He is dedicated to his God, his family, and his standards of what it means to live a winning life. I am honored to have coached him all those years ago and proud to call him a friend today. This is a man I respect, admire, and love.
We need men like Tim Brown in our world. Too many boys and teens lack a role model who can show them what being a man is all about. Too many fathers and leaders have forgotten or never learned what true manhood looks like. It isn’t hard to find the bad examples—we see them in the news all the time. But if you look for them, the good ones are out there too. Tim is one of those guys. He is living a life of significance, helping others better themselves through word and deed.
Regardless of your age or gender, you will enjoy and benefit from reading this book. It is a fascinating look at the journey of one of football’s all-time greats, yet it is also much more. If you or someone you love needs a blueprint for manhood, I can’t think of a better place to start than The Making of a Man.
— Lou Holtz
Former Notre Dame Head
Coach and TV Analyst