Talking to GOATs: The Moments You Remember and the Stories You Never Heard

by Jim Gray, Tom Brady (Foreword)

A riveting, insightful memoir of never-before-told stories from Jim Gray, twelve-time Emmy Award-winner, Hall of Fame sports broadcaster, and renowned interviewer— that explores the author's career and the inside stories and memorable moments of the famous legends he has covered including, Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson.

Jim Gray looks back at his four decades of sports reporting from the unparalleled perspective of one of the world’s most respected and skilled interviewers.  A journalist who many iconic athletes have trusted to tell their stories (of both triumph and disgrace), Jim has had unprecedented access to the people, places and extraordinary events in the world of sports. Asking fair but tough questions, he has broken numerous stories, and landed squarely in the middle of others, from the Ben Johnson and Barry Bonds steroid scandals, to Michael Jordan’s surprise retirement, to the off-the-court Kobe/Shaq feud which led to their on-the-court break up, to being part of the live broadcast for twenty-two Super Bowls.  He’s climbed into the ring to interview Mike Tyson after he bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear, and stood next to Ron Artest when the  “Malice at the Palace” melee erupted, and was on site at the bombing of the Atlanta Olympics.

Anyone who has watched Jim effortlessly engage his subjects at the precise moment of triumph or tragedy has little idea what it takes to secure the interview, or what actually happens when the camera cuts away.  These are real, mesmerizing, and previously untold stories. The book features numerous world-class athletes, including Muhammed Ali, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Floyd Mayweather, Michael Phelps, Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods, and world leaders George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Mikhail Gorbachev, and many more. On each page, Jim gives the reader a coveted all-access pass as he reviews the best interviews, the best athletes, and the best games in modern sports history. It’s like a personal introduction to the characters and careers of these heroes and villains we’ve known since childhood. He examines how money, celebrity, the media, and power interact, and how sports, more than any other institution, has led to momentous transformations in American society.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Biography, Biography Memoir, True Story, Memoir, Drama

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2020

About the author

Jim Gray has won twelve National Sports Emmy Awards, been inducted into four Sports Hall of Fames, including the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was named Sports Reporter of the Year three times by the American Sportscaster Association. Currently he works for Showtime, Fox and Westwood One Radio. At Westwood One, he is the studio host for NFL >Monday Nigh > Football and the Super Bowl, with broadcast partner Tom Brady, the most decorated quarterback in Super Bowl history. Jim lives with his wife, Frann, in Los Angeles, California.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Dave Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed behind the scenes stories with high profile athletes and people.

[Alex Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have been 5 stars but no mention of the GOATest GOAT John Elway

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. Good stories, and not every one is sports related.

[Awallens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. The only thing wrong with it was there was only one woman represented, and that was just an honorable mention. Come on, you couldn't have mentioned Simone biles? Or any of the other women who have really made a difference in sports?

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. A highlight for me was reading of the integrity and good character described of the various athletes and famous people. They were good examples of people willing to do the right thing, even at the risk of their career.

[Lance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book with great anticipation, hoping to learn more about the GOAT's and their lives. For the most part, that wasn't the case for this book. Instead, it was all about the author and how many friendships he has made from interviews and how he handled some unpopular and unsavory characters such as Pete Rose, Barry Bonds and Mike Tyson. It is entertaining and drops a LOT of names beyond just those that Mr. Gray has interviewed, but after awhile it reads more like a celebrity tabloid instead of a good memoir.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t as much about the athletes he encountered but more about himself. Wasn’t a fan of his writing style. Didn’t know anything about him before the book, but I’m not a huge fan of him

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up after listening to 46% of the audio book narrated by the author. At first I was enjoying it even though I couldn’t get over how poorly the author was at reading his own words. Jim, you speak to the public for a living! How can you be so bad at reading a book YOU WROTE?
I liked the chapters on Tyson and Ali. But then I got to the chapter about Pete Rose and wow, is this guy bitter! It’s evident by the length of the chapter and how long he whines about the situation that even after 20 years he’s still not over it, and I got sick of listening to him prattle on about it. I decided to skip the steroid chapter because I was sure it would also be a downer, but could only get through a few minutes of the Tiger Woods chapter before the whole “someone did Jim wrong” vibe came back full force and I decided to quit the book entirely.

[Lietke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories are interesting to a point. Journalistic, but in a way that deflects the blame for anything and everything he ever did.

He spent 95% of the Pete Rose Interview chapter stating why he believed he was right to ask the questions he did and in the manner he did, and it does not serve him well.

He also deflects all blame on Tom Brady for Inflategate in saying their was no evidence, it was a witch hunt, Travesty of Brady being suspended 4 games, etc.. But he did not offer a shred of evidence why he believed this all to be true.

Much of this is colored by sharing a studio with Brady for a Monday night radio program every week for 10 years and their close friendship.

Their are better sports and sports journalist books out there.

[Derek Davidson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of the writing style seemed to ramble adding irrelevant details often and jump around during chapters, the book was more about himself than the “GOATS” he interviewed for the most part. Still some great insight on some legends just didn’t like how it was put together 2.5 would be more fitting.

[Stephen mcneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an enjoyable read. Gray’s ‘honest to goodness’ enthusiasm is contagious, and makes each topic fun to learn about. A book for sports fans, for sure, but the chapter about his experiences with his father go far beyond athletics, and brought a tear to my eye.

[Q Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the stuff that interested me, skipped the stuff that didn’t. Some good stories, also some inflated self-importance on the part of the journalist author, such as taking credit for suggesting the idea of LeBron’s “The Decision” (which is doubtless true, but ironic since it’s widely regarded as one of the stupidest PR moments in sports history), and the totally irrelevant tidbit he went on and on about, regarding the footage of Tiger Woods that HE (the author) OWNED, and was illegally used without permission, but then they settled with him and gave him his money, as if anyone cares. Still, I’ll give him credit—Jim Gray certainly has been familiar with (and even friends with) a LOT of great sports figures! The Kobe Shaq Phil Jackson stuff was interesting, a few good Tom Brady anecdotes as well.

[Omar Zahran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun memoir to read. I know some of the reviews have panned it because it is more about Jim Gray and his experiences as opposed to inside info about the athletes, but I found his perspective on some major historical sports moments interesting and fascinating.

As someone that grew up in the 90s, Gray was a fixture on TV and his interactions from Muhammad Ali all the way to LeBron James just indicate how plugged in he was. This was a book and a story about relationships and why they're so important. In particular the chapter about 9/11 and George Bush really got to me as a New Yorker that went through that time.

I did find his chapter about Tom Brady a little skewed to Brady propaganda which I guess is to be expected since they did a radio show together. But overall, this was a quick and fun read for any millennial sports fan. Definitely worth checking out!

[Chintushig Tumenbayar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Спортын ертөнцийн домгуудын хөшигний ардах яриа, түүхүүдийг Жимээс өөр ийм сонирхолтой тэгээд бодитоор ярих хүн ховор болов уу.

Тайгер Вүүдсийг аль 9 настай байхад нь олж харсан тэрээр бусдыг яриаг сайтар сонсож тэндээсээ асуулт асууж дүгнэлт хийхдээ гаргуун нэгэн ажээ. Боломжгүй үед ч тэр л хамгийн хэцүү яриллагуудыг хүн чанараар хийж ирсэн нь өдгөө түүх болон үлдсэн байх юм.

[Chace Witherow · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8/5

Concept was neat. Wasn’t as in depth on the relationships with the athletes as I would’ve liked. Felt more surface level on a relationship of how many people he knows.

One thing I thought was hypocritical was the change of tune between Rose and Bonds and the HOF discussion. One gambled, one used steroids but they still tainted the game. He has a bitterness towards Rose still after all of these years that is apparent in the book.

[Brannock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had never heard of Jim Gray before picking this book up. A lot of bias—Brady is a saint, Tyson is misunderstood, etc.—all seemingly based on whether Gray was friends with a person or not. Could’ve used more fact-based reporting, and less celebrity name drops. 2/5

[Matt Sparkman · Rating 2 out of 5]

an opportunity to review the last 50 years of boxing minutia and american military activity through the eyes and brain of a child.

[Jake Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank u Jim Gray for using this book to name drop and flex your accomplishments surrounded with stories of sports greats. I didn't really learn a lot other than how cool you are.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give it 2.5 stars. Pretty good for what it is. Jim Gray sure seems like a nice, decent guy.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. Just a real dearth of female athletes ( maybe bc of the times or what he covered). And definitely more of a name-dropping memoir than any real insight into the GOATs.

[Adam James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, frustrating & fascinating.

Overall, very enjoyable and a fun behind the scenes look at incredible sports moments and stars.

Confession: I have a love-hate relationship with Jim Gray. He’s been at the helm of the mic for some of the most exciting and some of the most annoying moments in sports broadcasting in my opinion.

Many I watched unfold live on air.

I was truly impressed with the mountain of achievements and connections he’s accrued throughout his life and career. But I cringed at his interview with Pete Rose. Rolled my eyes at The Decision broadcast with Lebron. Watched him dig and attack at awkward times. Seen him create an aftermath of reaction and heard him defend himself.

I’ve more often been one of his critics in those moments but after reading… I clearly see a more balanced Jim Gray. He seemed more fair and even handed. He flip flops some on things that are incongruent to me, using similar logic to stand against one star on one hand while taking the other side of the same logical argument to support another.

But there’s no question it’s made him a mainstay and marketable reporter. He’s unquestionably a bulldog.

The writing was really good and the sports moments and characters were genuinely fun to relive.

In the end, it’s worth every page.

[Russell Voigt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couple interesting stories but a lot of them seem like very surface level encounters with people, while he claims to be closer to them…not much depth to his GOATs. The way he put himself on the cover instead of the athletes kind of suggests this in my opinion.
Not a big fan of the media and this didn’t help lol

[Caitlin Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read if you love sports.

[Larry Coleman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went into this book wanting to know some stories about people that I wouldn't have gotten elsewhere and knowing little about Jim Gray. I came away from this book knowing almost no new information about any of them except Jim Gray, who turns out to be a bigger hot mess than a Dumpster fire on a Florida summer day.

Want to know more about the Tyson ear-biting incident? Here's what you'll learn from this book: Jim Gray was there. Jim Gray saw it. Jim Gray was in the middle of it. Jim Gray was definitely there for it. And Jim Gray thinks Mike Tyson is just misunderstood. Why did Tyson bite the ear? Jim Gray doesn't really say much because that would require him talking about someone besides Jim Gray for a second.

Here's a person who mansplains to Tiger Woods how he should act as a celebrity—and thinks he's doing him such a favor that it's one of those alleged "stories you never heard" in this book. You can feel Jim Gray's indignation when the most famous golfer on the planet does exactly what any other superstar who just got unsolicited life advice from a random mike monkey would do: Tiger blows him off and walks away. Doesn't Tiger Woods know that Jim Gray has had breakfast with about four million people? He would if he'd read Jim Gray's book.

At one point, he makes up a story about how he got Hank Aaron a seat in a restaurant. I say he makes this up because he praises Aaron for his integrity and dignity, but Jim Gray is the same person responsible for The Decision, the disastrous egofest where Lebron James demonstrated to the entire country how he has zero integrity or dignity. He can't praise Aaron and James at the same time, but when it becomes clear what a colossal failure of judgment Gray had with The Decision, he blames the fallout on everyone except himself. (The same way he did with his equally-horrible interview with Pete Rose.)

The title of the last chapter is "I'm Not Writing Another Book." To which I can only say, "GOOD. This spelling/grammatical error-riddled book didn't need to be written in the first place." Its subtitle is "The Moments You Remember and the Stories You Never Heard." This book has moments only Jim Gray remembers and can't be bothered to tell you and stories you'll never hear because they're not spelled "Jim Gray." Don't even bother with this one.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Jim Gray as he looks back on his four decades of sports reporting. The “Foreword” is written by his good friend, Tom Brady, one of the GOATS (Greatest Of All Time) that he writes about in this entertaining book.
Gray begins by writing about interviewing boxer Mike Tyson after he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear. Among the others that he writes about are Muhammed Ali, Bill Walton, of whom he writes that there is no better friend, Jerry West, John Madden and Hank Aaron. He writes at length about an interview with Pete Rose in which he was forced to apologize for. He writes that what Rose did was damaging to Gray, and the ramifications of that moment have reverberated ever since.
He writes about Bud Selig and the steroids era in major league baseball, Tiger Woods, Don Shula, Michael Phelps, Floyd Mayweather, the “Dream Team”, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest and the “Malice at the Palace”, Mike Ditka, and LeBron James and “The Decision”.
Although most of the GOATS he writes about are athletes, not all are. He writes of George W. Bush exuding courage and strength as he threw out the first pitch at a game at Yankee Stadium after the September 11, 2001 tragedy. He writes about interviewing Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Nelson Mandela, the latter of whom he writes stands in a class all his own. He writes of playing backgammon with Lucille Ball and having trouble expressing his appreciation to Carol Burnett when meeting her.
My favorite chapter of the book was about his family, specifically his father. Having lost my father not long ago, I was touched with the two-plus decade tradition that Gray had with his father at the Masters golf tournament, which brought he and his father closer in ways they could never have imagined.
I highly recommend this book (which does include some adult language sprinkled throughout), to all sports fans.

[Andy Mesecher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen a fair amount of criticism for this book's general tone and perspective. However, with knowing little-to-nothing about Gray's journalistic accomplishments, I was able to use this book as a way to learn about so many big moments in sports history, and from the journalist's perspective who was on the scene. Included are stories from the Malice at the Palace, the Decision, Pete Rose, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, and so much more. Gray also gives us insight into how his career began and the family that instilled the work ethic he brought to every interview (and how community opened several doors for his career).

Some chapters were extremely hard pills to swallow, including the legacy of his father, and also any mention of covering sports before social media (boy, what a dream job that must have been!). One thing was for sure, after every chapter, I found myself on YouTube looking for the interviews (like Kobe going public about his problems with Shaq, to the infamous Pete Rose interview on the field).

My only criticism of this book is how much time is spent on Tom Brady. I felt Gray gave a fair shake on most of his stories -- setting a scene, explaining his perspective, then telling events as they happened (Malice at the Palace is a great example). But for Tom Brady, even if he were completely innocent of all his "investigations," Gray's opinions did little to sway me and instead made me want to re-read previous chapters to see if such bias oozed there as well.

All in all, this is a great book for your Sports Savvy Dad, or a young buck who thinks he wants to go to "Dan Patrick's School of Sports Broadcasting." .... or any Boston apologist now that I'm thinking about it. Guess I know what I'm getting my friend Steve this holiday season!

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Gray like a handful of others in sports broadcasting when you hear their name you automatically can hear them like Vin Scully, Joe and Jack Buck just to name a few. This cover many of the great sports stars over the last 30 to 40 years such as Tom Brady, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather and many others. But it is not limited to just sports but also Presidents also. It is interesting to read how many people that Mr. Gray has been involved with and developed relationships with the man must be genuine to have these people be comfortable enough to not be concern that he is there just to report a story.

Anytime you read a sports book you usually are hoping to learn something you may not have known and this book really delivers. Did you know that Mile Tyson gave away a lamborghini right before Tyson Holyfield II fight because he thought it was bad luck. There is short part of this book that does delve in to politics but it is sports for the most part. I am amazed to see so much harsh criticism on this book maybe it is do to perception that those may have thought that this was strictly dealing with interviews when this all about his interactions with various people. Now I will say that there was a little to much of I,i,i, but when you are involved how do you navigate it ? I also wonder if there are many that have issues because of his relationship with Tom Brady or clear back to his interview with Pete Rose. Regardless this man is one of the top people in his field and this is a good book so give it a read. One of the side notes in this book is more then once stories that show that news and sports reporting are such in a hurry to be the first to get a story out that they will either ignore facts or not do complete research for a story.

[Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️s for Talking To GOATs: The Moments You Remember and the Stories You Never Heard by Jim Gray
⠀
Synopsis:
Talking To GOATs is a collection of short stories about the greatest athletes of all time. The book expands Jim Gray’s entire career as he delivers inside stories of memorable moments with athletes including, Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Barry Bonds and Pete Rose.
⠀
My Thoughts:
Taking To GOATs filled with big stories, about big names and big controversies. I loved the opening chapters as Jim shared personal never told before stories of Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali. Both chapters were awesome and after reading them, knew I was going to fall love Jim’s narrative.
⠀
What makes this book so special is that Jim has all the juicy, inside scoop. As a sports commentator and journalist for forty years, he has been present for many of the most memorable moments in sports history. From the infamous ear biting Tyson vs Holyfield match, to the bombing of the Atlanta Olympic Games, and the steroids scandal that rocked the world of baseball, Jim was there and now he is taking us with him inside the stories.
⠀
I found his high level of transparency welcoming. He admits to not liking some individuals (Phil Jackson to name one), and having a big heart for many others.
⠀
I enjoyed reading touching stories about Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela. And was pleasantly surprised to learn about his support of Metta World Peace aka Ron Artest.
⠀
This fast moving memoir reads like Jim’s personal diary. Each chapter is compelling and riveting. The stories are comprehensive and purposeful. I highly recommend this book to sports lovers everywhere! It is a gem you most definitely want to have in your library.
⠀
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 ARC 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 .

[Matt Daneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 star read. Longtime sportscaster Jim Gray recounts his times with some sports legends, and some notable sportscasting events like covering the Mike Tyson/Evander Holyfield boxing match with the ear biting, or LeBron James' 'The Decision' special announcing he was leaving the Cavs (the first time). Parts of it are interesting and a little dishy - Bulls coach Phil Jackson gets called out as an arrogant jerk. Parts of it are awkward - Jim Gray telling how he stopped Tiger Woods and lectured him about being more outgoing to fans and how he should stop and give autographs and how Woods gave him an 'OK, Boomer'-type response, with Gray making it sound like Woods should've listened and meanwhile I'm just thinking 'who the heck is this guy to lecture Woods'? There's the occasional groaner - the chapter about Ron Artest and the famed Pistons/Pacers brawl ends with Gray writing that after his therapy and years of looking back and personal growth, Artest/Metta World Peace, "Now it seems Metta is at peace." Ugh.
I would've liked knowing more about how Gray came to have so many friendships and relationships with pretty much everyone on Earth. Here he's getting invited to this or that party or to stay with this or that person and he knows so many coaches and players and he regularly golfs with Dr. J and he hung out with Kobe Bryant - I'm just glad when a source calls me back or emails me, this guy gets flown on Don King's private jet. How.
Decent read, sports fans might get a kick out of it. Lots of names dropped.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of Gray's stories are entertaining and give you a glimpse of some of the behind the scenes stuff that goes beyond the brief interview you may see on TV. But...

Gray has had some interviews that were not well-received by the audience when they occurred (i.e. Pete Rose, and "The Decision"). In the book, Gray seems to put more blame on the audience than on himself, since the audience didn't know all the details leading up to the on-screen interactions. But as a TV personality, he must understand that in the moment, the audience only knows what he tells us. So if we don't have all the facts, that is 100% on him.

There are a number of other short-comings / annoyances in this book. While it does seem like a catalog of name-dropping for Gray, the lack of any real info / interactions with female athletes is blatantly obvious. How can a sports journalist have this long of a career and not have meaningful interviews with female athletes? ? There are countless female GOATs at the Olympics. US Women's soccer has set the gold standard for the world and has so many interesting of the field stories as well. The WNBA just keeps getting better. Again, how can you have a book on GOATs and not dedicate a significant amount of the book on female athletes? (Based on his writing style, I suspect Gray would put the blame on me for this take as I don't understand the back-story, lol).

Takeaway from this book, if you are nice to Jim, he will write nice things about you. If you have slighted him at anytime in his career...look out for his next book.