Away from the Ball pre-release party

The party for Alan Ross’ Away from the Ball book release was celebrated at La Paz Green Hills, Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday Sept. 7, 2008. Away from the Ball looks at the benevolence of NFL football heroes off the field. In the wake of the negative headline-grabbing actions of Michael Vick, PacMan Jones, and others, Away from the Ball takes an in-depth look at three superb humanitarians—a recently retired head coach, a current star running back, and a legendary NFL alumnus, plus a brief look at 20 other true league heroes—the selfless players who place helping others above playing football.


The author

















with John Mitchell, friend and editor of Away from the Ball












Celebratory cake, held by son-in-law Owen Walker and kibitzed by grandson Xander Ross