“The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.”
To millions across the globe, sportspeople are the closest things to superheroes. Their exploits on the pitch, field or stadium conjure emotions seldom few things can match, and the memories they fashion can last for a lifetime. And on the back of this, the inspiration these athletes can wield has seen their influence grow immeasurably, especially in the world of books where their stories, motivations and beliefs can be explored in incredible detail. With that in mind, check out What We Reading for the 8 most powerful sports autobiographies!
Why We Kneel, How We Rise – Michael Holding
Michael Holding was one of the most prolific bowlers in cricket history, leading the infamous West Indian attack that dominated the sport across the 1970s and ‘80s. He has also become one of the most respected voices in the game in the years since with his work as a pundit and commentator.
In Why We Kneel, How We Rise, Holding explores how racism dehumanises professionals, and how the Black Lives Matter movement has triggered a counter-offensive from strong figures from across the world of sport. Speaking to various figures who have experienced the effects of racism firsthand, this sports biography is one of the most insightful, powerful, and eye-opening pieces of education.
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Lioness: My Journey To Glory – Beth Mead
England’s win at Euro 2022 was one of the defining moments in women’s football being put on an equal pedestal, with the Lionesses being spearheaded by the exploits of Beth Mead on the pitch. The 2021-22 Arsenal Player of the Year finished as top scorer and Player of the Tournament, and Lioness: My Journey to Glory is her recounting of how she and the team finally brought football home.
As well as all the glorious days in the 2022 sun, it is also a powerful story of Mead’s rise up the football pyramid, exploring the challenges that moulded her along the way. Powerful and honest, it is one of the best sports biographies for people of all ages to feel inspired.
Too Many Reasons To Live – Rob Burrow
One of the most talented Rugby League players of his generation, Rob Burrow also served as one of his sport’s most inspirational figures. Told from an early age that he was too small to make it as a professional player, Burrow’s career was one of defying expectations.
In 2019, not long after his playing career came to an end, Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a degenerative disease that doctors only gave a life expectancy of a handful of years. However, spurred on by his wife and three children, Burrow would showcase the sort of strength his in fight that made the entire sporting world stop and stare at him in awe. Too Many Reasons to Live is Burrow’s inspiring tale of love and courage in the face of so much adversity.
Resilience – Elise Christie
Shortlisted for Sunday Times’ best sports autobiographies in 2022, Resilience is the autobiography from triple World Champion speed skater Elise Christie.
Refreshingly open and honest, the book details the torrents of mental anguish, abuse, and floods of misinformation that have followed Christie throughout her career. And yet it is also an inspiring tale of incredible strength and determination, documenting how Christie has been able to overcome hurdle after hurdle on her way to cementing herself as one of British athletics’ greatest modern competitors.
Love Of The Game – Ricky Hill
Ricky Hill was born under the shadow of Wembley Stadium, the home of English football for over a century. At the time, he was told only two for every hundred people could hope to make it as professional footballers; however, this was also a society where racism was prevalent and the hurdles Hill would have to scale in pursuit of his dream were far greater than most had to deal with.
Despite this, Hill would go on to fashion a remarkable career in the beautiful game. He would become only the fourth Black player to play for the England men’s team and became a trailblazing reformer for BAME coaches across the country following his retirement. Love Of The Game is one of the pioneering sports autobiographies on how prejudice in football coaching took one of its first steps to being tackled on the back of the experiences courtesy of Hill.
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play – Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was, and still remains, one of the biggest icons in the world of basketball. The only player in NBA history to have two jersey numbers retired, Bryant was a titan on and off the court during his twenty years in the sport and even managed an Academy Award for his 2017 film, Dear Basketball.
His sudden death in 2020 shook the world of sports, with even those outside of basketball paying homage to Black Mamba in its wake. The Mamba Mentality is the autobiography from Bryant, detailing his passion for all things basketball and the core beliefs and values that shaped him as a player. Released just after his retirement, it is one of the most intimate sports autobiographies for those looking to get into the mind of one of the all-time greats.
Hooked – Paul Merson
Paul Merson is one of the most recognisable faces in the world of football punditry today. An accomplished attacker, Merson made over 300 appearances for Arsenal, won two league titles and played for his country 21 times. He has become a familiar voice to all football fans on the back of his appearances on Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports and is one of the game’s most beloved names.
However, Merson has also become one of the most important figures in opening dialogues within the beautiful game on a number of candid subjects. His difficulties with mental health, gambling and addiction are given the spotlight in his autobiography, Hooked. An eye-opening and honest self-reflection, it is a strong reminder outside looks can be deceiving, Merson deserves huge credit for breaking the normal footy formula when it comes to sports autobiographies here.
The Death Of Ayrton Senna – Richard Williams
Ayrton Senna was one of the most fearless and mercurial talents the world of motorsports has ever served up. The three-time Formula 1 World Champion became and endures as one of the sport’s most iconic figures for his relentless pursuit of perfection and fearlessness when it came to finding the limit.
His death in 1994, however, also remains one of the darkest moments not only in Formula 1, but also across sports history. In his beautiful and classic sports biography on the complexities and brilliance of the Brazilian, Richard Williams pays homage to the life and death of Ayrton Senna. Embodying the courage and spirit that any sports fan can admire, it is an essential Formula 1 book for anyone looking to learn more about the pinnacle of motorsport.
The First Half – Gabby Logan
From Strictly Come Dancing, Match of the Day, all the way to the Olympics, Gabby Logan is one of the most recognisable presenters in British television. A staple fixture in the sporting world for over twenty-five years now, Logan stands as one of the most beloved pioneers on the small box and has continued to trailblaze a place for women with her columns, contributions and very-own podcast.
The First Half is Gabby Logan’s first-ever book. In a sports autobiography that will have readers laughing and crying in equal measure, the presenter details the key decisions that have shaped her career, the obstacles she has had to navigate along the way, and how painful losses have continued to fuel her ambitions.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
