Review of "Running Tough," by Tony Dorsett and Harvey Frommer

 Review of

Running Tough, by Tony Dorsett and Harvey Frommer ISBN 9780385262484

Four out of five stars

Average autobiography of a sports star

 Tony Dorsett rose from very modest means to win the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the land and then star in the NFL. When he retired, he was second only to Walter Payton in terms of yards gained as a running back and had been to the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl many times.

 Even though he thrived in the Cowboy offense, Dorsett was often uncomfortable with the rigidity of the system. As he states in this book, he often believed that white players were being given preferential treatment by management. He also had personal difficulties when the Cowboys acquired running back Herschel Walker, an act that lowered the status of Dorsett in the offense.

 This book is primarily focused on Dorsett’s position as a football player and his interactions with his teammates and the Cowboy leadership. Although he does frequently mention his family and gives them high praise. He makes it clear that while he respected Tom Landry, he questioned whether he was always forthright and even right when it came to making decisions.

 Written before he suffered the knee injury in training camp that ended his career, Dorsett and his collaborator have created a book that is good, but not spectacular. There are no segments where you cannot put it down. It is a good book to read late at night in bed as you are winding down. The tone is very matter-of-fact and medium key.