Power Player: NFL Super Bowl Icon Reveals Trials, Tribulations & Truths In Inspiring Memoir
A Legend’s Legacy: New autobiographical book, ‘Playing Ball,’ tackles NFL superstar Vernon Davis’s remarkable journey, including lessons learned about teamwork, leadership, responsibility and what winning—on and off the field—is ‘really’ about
By Merilee Kern, MBA
The book digs even deeper, taking readers on an extraordinary journey from his challenging upbringing in Washington, D.C., through the entirety his illustrious 14-year NFL career, to his current success in the entertainment industry. It also addresses critical social issues such as blended families, absentee fathers, parental addiction, and mental health, all while celebrating the transformative power of perseverance and teamwork. Weaving personal reflections with frank, real-world advice, Playing Ball is an eye-opening story of what winning—on the field and off—is all about. Davis’s story is sure to resonate with all who read this moving memoir, particularly among those who enjoy inspiring life stories with historical significance.
With over 2.7 million followers across socials, Davis’s popularity—and impact on sports, business and culture—cannot be overstated, particularly when one considers the breadth of his activities.
Without question, he achieved an elite NFL career. This former American football icon’s career includes a decade with the San Francisco 49ers, a Super Bowl 50 victory with the Denver Broncos, and a final four years with his hometown team in Washington. Davis is widely recognized as one of the best athletes and tight ends in the U.S. He was the sixth pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and went on to have a stellar career, playing ten years for the team. Winning a Super Bowl in 2016 with Peyton Manning after being traded to the Denver Broncos, Davis played a final four years of professional football for his hometown team in Washington and retired in 2019.
He also make a noteworthy transition to the Hollywood entertainment scene. Since retiring in 2019, Davis has embraced his passion for acting and producing for both TV series and feature films. This seamless transition into the entertainment industry, and his numerous achievements in the industry, exemplifies his adaptability and drive for continuous self-improvement.
A Career Retrospective
At the time, Davis was a young, talented player drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006 at number six, one of the highest drafted tight ends in NFL history. He played ten years for the 49ers, including a 2013 Super Bowl loss to the Baltimore Ravens in a 34–31 heartbreaker, where Davis recorded six catches for 104 yards. He later won a Super Bowl in 2016 with Peyton Manning and the Broncos, after nailing a crucial downfield block that sprung teammate C. L. Anderson for a key 34-yard run that helped the Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers 24–10 for the ring.
Davis retired in 2019 after four final years of playing for his hometown team in Washington, DC. He’s now deeply involved in his new passion for acting and producing. Here, he rewinds his real-life tape to reflect on his youthful beginnings, his career and competitive spirit—and the insights on teamwork, leadership, and responsibility that came in the aftermath of Coach Singletary’s press conference that prompted Davis to transform his football career and his life for the better.
Davis’s current mindset is one of reflection and self-growth. He likens his approach to personal development to reviewing game footage—analyzing successes and missed opportunities to refine strategies for the future. His memoir, Playing Ball, eloquently reflects this outlook, offering valuable life lessons applicable to readers of all backgrounds.
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