In Spite of the Odds: A True Inspirational Journey from Walk-on to Full Scholarship at Ole Miss

Being an ole miss rebel myself I was very excited to hear about "in spite of the odds" coming out. I went to the university of Mississippi around the same time as Richie and even thought I only got to hang out with him a couple times I knew this would be a good book. I love everything ole miss and totally obsessed with football. Now that I have read this book I would like to congrats Richie on such a big achievement. In my opinion this is a great book. It's a great read not only for Ole Miss fans but for young kids thinking about playing football and also their parents who are more than likely involved in the whole process as much as their kids. Not only is this book a good football read but the story is relatable to anybody who is trying to figure out their next move and how to fight to get there. I found this to be a great read because it is a very honest, down to earth book. You can feel like you are going through the journey with Richie, you get inside scoop above his beginnings and how he made it to Ole Miss and got to play with now NFL starter players. I also loved how Richie was there through the coaches transition because it gives you an idea of how the players feel and how things change for them and not just the score board. I loved reading about the "big game" and how you are shaped by this industry not just to score for your school but to grow as a person. As a teenager you don't realize all that the people around you are going through, how hard their situation is, and how little they might feel in their efforts to make a name in the football industry or any other industry. This book gave me a clear idea about how competitive this industry is and how much you have to fight to get where you want. it is not just about finding yourself but figuring out who you are, who you want to be and how to get there.

This is a surprisingly well-written memoir written by a man who pushed himself hard to become a scholarship athlete at the University of Mississippi. Richie Contartesi doesn't look like a typical football player, and throughout his sports career, he was told repeatedly that he was too small and too slow to play. Much like Rudy Ruettiger, though, Contartesi never quit on his dream. In the face of obstacles, he simply pushed himself more and worked twice as hard. As a result, he was eventually able to accomplish his goal of playing on a D1 team.I liked Contartesi's story, overall. He shows a lot of heart, and I respect anyone who is willing to persevere even when things get tough. I certainly admire his spirit. I was also very impressed with his writing skills, and I thought the book had a nice rhythm and flow to it.My only complaint is that the book could be a bit too "play-by-play" for me at parts (no pun intended). I didn't need to know so many specific details about each game. To me, that extra detail became tedious. However, I also felt that way when I read  Rudy: My Story , so I can acknowledge that younger and more enthusiastic football fans may not agree with me.Ultimately, this was a satisfying and heartfelt read. I enjoyed learning Contartesi's story, and I'd recommend In Spite of the Odds to anyone who liked the book written by or the movie based on Rudy Ruettiger.I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about football, but it's also not about football.It's about football ... Richie details his journey from a kid throwing footballs into bushes all the way to his last game on the field in front of tens of thousands of fans. He draws you in to the excitement of the game and you'll finish the book wanting to scream and yell really loudly for your favorite team. There's an insane amount of dedication and heart that goes into every practice, drill, scrimmage, and game, and Richie gets you excited about every step of the way.It's not about football...This book is inspirational in a practical way - yes, for guys who are wanting to succeed in football, but also for anyone who is in the middle of pursuing something that requires more than a couple years of work. People hear the short stories ... but they don't often here the stories of someone who spent over a decade in persistence going after the same one thing and what exactly that journey looks like along the way. Applicable both on and off the football field, despite a situation where the odds are stacked against you, Richie shows us that extreme tenacity can pay off in a big way.Our generation is so quick to move onto the next thing when it doesn't seem to be working...but the greatest accomplishments are won when we stick with things for the long run. This book is such a great reminder of that! Read it and be inspired to dream big and persevere!

I've read the books and watched the movies for some of the greatest athletic true stories ever told. Rudy, Friday Night Lights, Remember The Titans. "In Spite Of The Odds" is set to join those great tales in the folklore of American sport. Richie's story is so great because he wasn't the big and fast athlete that most people associate with big time college football. He's a lot more like you and me than he is Jerry Rice or Ray Lewis. Richie's story is inspirational in that he created his own path when one didn't seem to exist, and he did it with qualities all of us have the ability to find within ourselves, if we just look hard enough, work hard enough, and sacrifice enough. Richie had the strength and belief in himself to travel that lonely road, and it's taken him to to great heights. Richie's message transcends sports, and has the ability to motivate and inspire people from all walks of life. Whether you're about to graduate high school and haven't gotten that big time scholarship offer, or you're well into your adult life and struggling to find your place in the world, "In Spite Of The Odds" will show you that you can achieve whatever it is you choose to pursue in your life, if you're willing to do what it takes to get there.