The Whole Ten Yards

Sporting News, The, Nov 29, 1993 by Steve Gietschier

Chop off most of this book's last two chapters, the mushy stuff about Gifford's life with Kathie Lee and the kids, a what you'll have left is a pretty decent memoir. Reviewers are supposed to approach their work with open minds, but in truth, "The Whole Ten Yards" is about 7 yards better than one might have imagined.

For one thing, it includes an honest and deeply revealing account of Gifford's early life as the son of an itinerant oil worker and a mother who struggled mightily through as many as 15 moves in a single year. Gifford came late to the importance of education, and from high school on he was also handicapped by coaches who did not quite know how to position his multiple talents.

Once Vince Lombardi became the New York Giants' offensive coach and Tom Landry their defensive coach, Gifford found a permanent spot at halfback and reveled in the glory years of the football Giants, as they were then cared. The comforts of the Meadowlands aside, it is a pleasure to be reminded of the years when a fine football team played in New York proper.

Gifford covers his years as a sportscaster, too, yet he avoids any temptation to lash out at those who have criticized him, including now nearly forgotten Howard Cosell.