Beyond the Final Score: There's More to Life Than the Game

A personal testimony from a man who backs it up with character and a strong faith. Beyond The Final Score by Tom Osborne is a must read book.

This is a tricky title - like Faith in the Game - it has a double meaning. You might think it means "What is important in football besides the final score" and that would be partially right. But more importantly it means (I think) "What I have been doing since the last (final) time that an Osborne-coached team scored." In some sense, it is an update or extension of Dr. Osborne's previous books - More Than Winning, On Solid Ground, and Faith In The Game. The book is divided into short (one to four page) essays. At times the essays are closely related to develop an integrated story, and sometimes they are more stand-alone. The first two chapters are a review of his principles of integrity, honesty, doing things the right way, selflessness, the need to have a purpose in life, the importance of process, his spiritual journey as a Christian, and the Christian world view in contrast to other world views. The remaining chapters deal with Dr Osborne's service as a U. S. Congressman, his unsuccessful run for governor, leadership, his mentoring organization, his hobbies, and serving. Most of these chapters left me wanting more depth and breadth on the topic. Dr. Osborne has taught college courses in leadership, and I think he could write a book on leadership. Such a book could have wide appeal to anyone who wants to be a better leader. As it is, Beyond the Final Score has somewhat limited appeal to people who are not fans of either the Cornhuskers or Dr. Osborne. You might think it is egotistical to conclude the chapter on leadership with 13 pages containing 18 testimonies, from football players, coaches, and congressional staffers on Dr. Osborne's leadership. But the purpose of these testimonies is to show that the transformational leadership style that Dr. Osborne advocates can be highly effective and to encourage others to adopt this style.

Tom Osborne is a "class act". I would expect nothing less with a Book written by him.

Former Nebraska football coach and one of the few useful Congressmen in the last 15 years has written a book that should provide spiritual and professional direction to all who care to read it. I have read each and every book Dr. Tom has written and never come away disappointed.