I reached out to [Brett Favre] early on; sent him some of my books and a letter. Then I had two or three arranged times with him, and was blown off. Then I sent him another letter, and he sent me a text, explaining that he didn't wish to talk. I'm not mad - it's his right, obviously. Plus, his family members were amazingly open and cool.

I know people my age (early 40s) who insist upon only writing. You know what we call them? Ex-journalists.

There are more great guys than jerks, so it's a huge list.

Donald [Driver] is a good guy, a righteous guy. I have no beef with him. But I have multiple sources on this; people not connected with one another who verified it.

A ton of athletes, even if they know your name, pretend they don't.

If I'd had covered [ Brett Favre] in Atlanta, I'd presume he'd go down as another Todd Marinovich. Talent out the gills, but lacking the control and discipline to make much of himself.

Dyan Favre, Brett's nephew, is also a gem. Not just a favorite person from the book - a favorite person, period. I actually wound up writing this about him. Simply a good, righteous man.