Off Center: A Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption in Professional Football

Review\n"If there's someone you love struggling with addiction, Off Center is a must-read. Randy takes you behind the scenes to the dark side of being a professional athlete, through the trenches of addiction, and shows how chronic pain is so often the gateway to the hell of prescription drug addiction, regardless of your profession. Weaving in his own personal struggles with addiction and path to recovery, Randy also shares an intimate look into the process of an intervention and the rewards of recovery. I see why Randy is one of the most sought-after interventionists. Fast-paced while filled with warmth, humility, and candor, Off Center delivers hope for anyone struggling with addiction and everyone who loves them."
—Michael Sprintz, DO, DFASAM, (triple-board certified) chronic pain and addiction expert with twenty-plus years of personal recovery\n"I saw something very special in Randy Grimes, while recruiting him from high school to Baylor University. I saw a leader, a warrior, someone who would battle through any obstacle to reach his goals. The pages of this book just reaffirm what I already knew. Nothing, not even addiction, could ever keep Randy Grimes down. A great comeback story!"
—Grant Teaff; head coach, Baylor University 1972-1992; executive director, American Football Coaches Association; College Football Hall of Fame\n"Those in the limelight often suffer when the lights go out. Randy's addiction may have started in professional football, but it's not unlike the story of any of us who have struggled to find our identity and rudder outside of our careers. This book is a true and riveting account of redemption from someone who barely made it out alive from his addiction—yet is now one of the strongest advocates and fellow interventionists. Thank you for your honesty, Randy. Your story will help many."
—Jennifer Gimenez; American supermodel, actress, reality television personality, and addiction recovery advocate
"Randy told me once that he would have liked to have played for me. And I, of course, would have liked to have coached him. By reading this book, it's obvious why: he never gives up! It's okay to get knocked down, but you must rise again. Life after football knocked Randy down, but he didn't stay there. And when he got up, he used his experience to help others. What more could a coach ask for?"
—Jackie Sherrill; head coach, Texas A&M 1982-1988; head coach, Mississippi State 1991-1903\n"I've seen athletes over the years who wanted to be great but were unwilling to do the necessary hard work. Recovery is similar. Some want to be sober—but are unwilling to do what it takes. Not only did Randy do the work, but his story is the perfect example of the fruits of recovery. This book is one of those fruits!"
—"Sudden" Sam McDowell; MLB pitcher, Cleveland Indians 1961-1975; six times MLB All-Star; author, The Saga of Sudden Sam\n"I played during the same time as Randy and shared his conference, and in fact faced his team twice a year. I know firsthand the pressures he faced to stay on the field. I also know the play-at-all-costs mentality that existed then. Randy accurately describes the dark side of the NFL, and what many were and still are willing to do to be the best. Great job, my NFL brother!"
—Eric Hipple; NFL QB, Detroit Lions 1980-1989; mental health advocate; author, Real Men Do Cry\n"As a former Olympic swimmer with three Gold Medals, I know what it takes to be the best. I also know what it's like when we are no longer that athlete who we worked so hard to become. When the cheering stops, life gets confusing, and sometimes we struggle with finding who we are in this new role. Randy reinvented himself by using his experience to help others. I applaud him and countless others who have found a way to stay clean and sober one day at a time. I'm one of them! A great read."
—Carrie Bates; three-time Gold Medalist swimmer, 1984 Olympics\n"I've studied and written about teams that consistently perform at the highest