This book is in that surprisingly small group of truly brilliant books about pro football. North Dallas Forty, a Few Bricks Shy of a Load, the Thinking Man’s Guide to Pro Football, and When Pride Still Mattered are a few of the others in this elite group. Slow Getting Up provides a uniquely vivid insight into the experience of most pro players, the ones who are just trying to eke out another season, enduring far more pain than acclaim. Can’t recommend this highly enough.