Out of Bounds: Coming Out of Sexual Abuse, Addiction, and My Life of Lies in the NFL Closet

this is one of those book that after you read it ..that it just stay with you ..days, months , years later...it`s sad ,happy and funny, all at the same time..after time ..i found a tears rolling down my face ..i`d just love it..i would buy this book again...

If you think you are going to read a bio of an athlete, or a good gay nonfiction read, fasten your seat belt. This rollicking life story of Roy Simmons goes well beyond both of those matters to take you on a journey of sex, fame, money, and living on the wild side. A young high school football star, Roy Simmons had no idea what lay ahead of him. Soon he was courted by colleges, pro teams, and hot men and women alike. He would be the first to admit he was gullible to all the attention, and he quickly indulged in all of it. At the heart of this story, though, is the dark childhood secret that drove him (in both negative and positive ways), styling his future until he realized what he was doing to his body and mind. Even if you are not a sports fan, you would enjoy this incredible life story. I was shocked at the levels he'd risen to in the NFL yet for the hunger of drugs would stoop to being a male hustler for his latest fix. His breathless honesty took tremendous courage. This is a story that is not only gripping to read, but which will take you through several layers of thought as you see this man's incredible path.

I once had the pleasure of meeting Roy Simmons. And before you skeptics start to open your big mouths - no, I have nothing to gain from writing this review. I am not involved with him, his book, his sport, his bank account or his long lost aunt! All I can say is, Roy is a genuinely nice person, unassuming and kind. He is not pushy or egotistical and speaks from his heart. I asked him about some of his former experiences and I saw the sincerity for myself. He was honest and open with me. You don't get that these days. So, if you've got a few dollars to spare get the book and decided for yourself.

Audre Lorde said "We need a litany for survival." I sooo appreciate when black gay men and lesbians write about their lives, whether they were successful or unsuccessful in their struggles. Here, Simmons speaks of his life in the NFL, having sex with both genders, contracting HIV, surviving childhood sexual abuse, and battling drug addiction. I think this book will be helpful to many populations of readers. When many people say, "I like doing X", they also mean, "I hate doing Y." or when they say, "I like group X" they let it be known that they "hate group Y." This can be painful for people in Group Y to hear. However, Mr. Simmons is a man who likes everything. Not only does he like men and women, he's cool with blacks and whites. He is proud to do all types of things in the bedroom. This is a football player who likes to pitch and catch, in addition to playing on both teams. This will make many readers comfortable. My big critique is how he never acknowledges racism or homophobia. Here's a black man who never questions how he easily gets into predominantly white gay spaces. He never once links his jail time to the disproportionate number of brothers who are locked up. Simmons is clearly no Donald Suggs or Keith Boykin, but I wish he spent some time looking at the societal forces that affect him, and others like him. In so many ways, Simmons embodies the "down-low" phenomenon which J.L. King wants to solely represent. Straight women that have loved gay or bisexual men, especially within the African-American community, may appreciate learning more from him. Usually, layperson-y, chatty autobios have photo sections. This book did not. That surprises me because many of his lovers and relatives still support him despite his lies and conduct while under drugs' influence. His co-author's name is misspelled on the spine of the hardcover. There are times when Simmons discusses scientific or historical matters and it is clearly information that his co-author found and inserted rather than something the football player actually knew. I like the way that Simmons conveys that he is a work in progress. He may not have conquered drugs or promiscuity. Still, he may offer hope that people can do so. I won't say that I couldn't put this book down, but I will say it was highly enjoyable reading. It's so amazing that though only 3 NLF players have come out, all have written autobiographies.

Roy Simmon's has lived one crazy life and he shares it with us in his great book Out of Bounds. It starts with the story of his childhood in poor Savanah and his rape at the hands of a neighbor, his realization of his homosexuality, right through his awesome career as a football player and his fight with drugs. It is one rollercoaster ride that you shouldn't miss. Gay or straight, jock or not, this is one great book. Lets just hope that other gay athletes start to step forward and tell their stories because only the truth will set us free.