The Water Boy: From the Sidelines to the Owner's Box: Inside the CFL, the XFL, and the NFL

by Bob Ackles, Ian Mulgrew

Overview

When Bobby Ackles became the B.C. Lions' original water boy, he probably never dreamed that he would lead the team to a Grey Cup victory over 50 years later. From his earliest days with the team to becoming its general manager and now president, Ackles has demonstrated a commitment and dedication to football in the CFL, NFL and XFL. In this engaging personal memoir, Ackles takes the reader through the growing and changing world of football, both from a Canadian and an American perspective, where he lays down the differences between the two sport cultures, and reveals the dynamics of creating a winning team. It's the story of his passion, his drive, and his rise from a humble beginning to becoming one of football's most respected executives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781443430265
Publisher:	HarperCollins Canada
Publication date:	01/21/2014
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Bobby Ackles is President and CEO of the BC Lions Football Club and has been an integral part of the team for over 50 years. From his earliest days as the team’s first water boy, Bob’s star rose quickly. He ascended through the ranks to become Director of Football Development, Assistant General Manager, and was the Lions General Manager for 15 years. After 34 years with the Lions, Ackles joined the Dallas Cowboys as Vice President of Pro Personnel and then Vice President of Player Personnel. He has also been an executive with the Phoenix Cardinals, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, as well as Vice President and General Manager of the Las Vegas Outlaws. Ackles is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. He has been honoured with the Jack Diamond Award by the Jewish Community Centre as Sportsman of the Year and is a Schenley Award of Excellence winner. He sits on the board of directors for the Vancouver YMCA. Bob and his wife, Kay, live in Vancouver.

Table of Contents

Telephone Calls & Thursdays     1
And Bring Your Playbook!     19
Starting Over     37
Water Boy     53
What It Takes     77
The Executive Box     107
America's Team     133
NFL Menagerie: Cardinals and Eagles     173
Jimmy/Bob     197
Vince McMahon, Wrestling and Football     213
Big Losses and Psychology     229
Winning     239
Epilogue     261
Select Bibliography     273
Index     275

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Praise for The Water Boy

"From league to league, from country to country, from small towns to big cities, Bob has seen it all! His football tales and football travels are fascinating. Bob Ackles has literally gone all the way!"
—Chris Berman, ESPN

"I have known Bobby Ackles since he was the Water Boy. Now he is the Wonder Boy! Bobby Ackles didn’t put the BC Lions on the map once. He put them on the map twice! Bobby has done more for the game of football than anyone I know. And he isn’t stopping yet. Go, Bobby, go!"
—Allan Fotheringham, Author

"Bob Ackles is in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He is also a charter member of the ‘Nice Guys Hall of Fame.’ I’m honored to call Bob a friend. He is one of the most accomplished executives in all of sports and his story will be must reading for any sports fan."
—Bill Pollian, President of the Indianapolis Colts

"Bob and Kay Ackles have experienced ultimate highs and lows in every level of professional football in two countries. In the years Bob worked for me both with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins he was a loyal, tireless worker. He was always upbeat and positive. Bob and Kay are wonderful people who have some great stories about their experiences."
—Jimmy Johnson, Former Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys

"Bobby Ackles is truly a living legend in British Columbia. He proves that nice guys can win! They don’t make ’em any better than Bobby!"
—Jim Pattison, President, the Pattison Group