Books

1. Sports Illustrated The College Football Book
2. Bowled Over: Big-Time College Football from the Sixties to the BCS Era
3. Saturday Rules: Why College Football Outpasses, Outclasses, and Flat-Out Surpasses the NFL
4. Rites of Autumn: The Story of College Football
5. 50 Years of College Football: A Modern History of America’s Most Colorful Sport

Movies:

1. Rudy
2. We are Marshall
3. The History of the SEC
4. Univeristy of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Collector’s Edition
5. Gridiron Generals
6. Rivalries: History of Ohio State & Michigan

Housewares

1. Handpainted Glasses
2. Coola Can Party Fridge
3. Football Stadium Chip & Dip Server
4. College Football team Logo Mini Fridges
5. Football GameDay Crock Pot: You can’t have a football Sunday Funday without chili and this football themed crockpot is the perfect way to cook up the weekly batch!
6. Football Shaped Snack Bowl: The Football Snack Bowl will SHOCK your friends as it transforms from looking and feeling like a real football into a snack bowl. Just press the air inflation button and the top of the football swings open and plays the FOX NFL THEME music. After you reach in to get your snack the football will automatically close.
7. house rules football glasses: These pint-sized glasses are perfect for the football party host/hostess in your life! Each glass features a different rule for guests to obey! House Rule #1: Rooting for the opposing team is a personal foul. House Rule #2: Dip fumbles may result in loss of possession. House Rule #3: No guest shall intercept another guest’s seat. House Rule #4: Extra points for getting your own refills.Sold as a set of 4.
8. Football Shaped Beer Tumblers: These beer glasses are perfect for any football lover! These tumblers are actually shaped like footballs! They’ll fit perfectly in your hand and keep your beer nice and chilly!

Fashion:

1. College Football Sweatshirts
2. College Football Flannel Pants & PJ Pants
3. College Football Tees
4. College Football Hats
5. College Football Jerseys

Gifts for Her

1. Hot Flops Football
2. Sweatshirts, jersey tops, tees, sweat pants
3. Halftime Designs
4. college football charms & pendants
5. college belly button rings
6. college tag bracelets
7. College football Snuggie
8. Game-Day Goddess: Learning Football’s Lingo

Florida Gators

1. What It Means to be a Gator
2. THe Boys from Old Florida: Inside Gator Nation
3. Florida Gators Wing Sauce
4. Florida Gators Tailgate Party Pack Hot Sauce, Picante Salsa, BBQ Sauce
5. University of Florida Gators Grilling Set: Peach, Lime and Cajun Grilling sauces
6. Florida Gators Divided Tray
7. Florida Gators Snack Helmet
8. UF Gators “The Swamp” Stadium Platter
9. Florida Gators Scultped Coffee Mug
10. Florida Gators Tent
11. Florida Gators Car Gear
12. Gatoropoly
13. Florida Gators Gas Grill

Ohio State

1. Ohio State Mustard
2. Ohio State Wing Sauce
3. Ohio State Coffee Lover basket
4. Ohio State Buckeyes Tailgating Pack
5. 100 Things ohio State Fans Should know and do before they die
6. What it means to be a buckeye
7. The Winners Circle for the game of life: Jim Tressel
8. Buckopoly
9. Ohio State Mr. Buckeye Head
10. The History of Buckeye Football
11. Michigan vs. Ohio State: The Rivalry
12. Ohio State Popcorn Machine
13. Ohio State Hot Dog Grill Topper
14. Ohio State Forest Face

For me, nothing says “I love you” or “I know you” then giving me the perfect must-read book. Maybe that’s because I’m a book junkie. But I’m going to use the super cheesy like “books are a gift that keeps on giving” because I truly believe that. There are some books that have stayed with me for over 25 years!

Sports books are even more likely to strike a powerful chord with the receipient because most of them are very inspirational and full of “overcoming the odds” stories that make you feel like You Can Do Anything!

Here is my list of Must-Read Sports Books for 2009 that I have either read (and cried to) or I have on my holiday wish list! (keep in mind this is just the ’09 list! Also check out the Stiletto Sports Bookshelf for other great sports reads)

• Open: An Autobiography Andre Agassi (Read the Reviews) This is definitely the must-read book of the season. Agassi’s book hit the stands only a few weeks ago and was at the top of the list before it even debuted. I hate to quote someone else here but I couldn’t say it better myself: After 20 pages, I knew that this was unlike any other biography I had ever read. Couldn’t put it down. Couldn’t stop thinking about it. Agassi dug deeper inside than most of us ever will have to, to get to core of what made him so powerful as a player and so conflicted as a person. It is all conspicuously real: The small moments, the outlandish triumphs and the friendships that sustained him and/or corrupted him. The gauntlet he had to run through to arrive at the balance and joy he has today. It’s transformative. –H.S. Brice via Amazon Reviews

• When The Game Was Ours Larry Bird & Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Read the Reviews)This is the must-read book of the season in my house! The book, written by digs deep into the past of on-court rivals Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The two were the fiercest of competitors for nearly . This book takes you on their journey through those pivotal games, key moments and highlights and better yet, gives us a glimpse of what was really going on, what they really thought. This should go down as one of the most intriguing and best reads about pro basketball and even sports”
  
• The Yankee Years Joe Torre (Read the Reviews) Ask any Yankees fan what he or she did on Feb. 3, 2009 and a majority of them could probably answer “Bought Joe Torre’s book,” (except of course those who had preordered it!) This was one of the most highly anticipated sports books of all time. It almost reached Harry Potter or Twilight release levels of excitement. Yankees fans, haters and even those bored by baseball were dying to know what was in this book. And it lived up to the hype. Not only does it recount amazing memories about America’s beloved team but also “The Yankee Years chronicles the end of an era in baseball, a more innocent time before steroid scandals, big money and executive decisions based on advanced statistical analysis.”
  
• The Blind Side The Michael Oher Story (Read the Reviews) Written by Michael Williams The Sandra Bullock The Blind Side has been getting rave reviews in the theaters and the book the movie is based on is just as good. However…..it is very different from the Disney-esque movie version (note: the movie was not done by Disney, just has that feel-good vibe, ya know?) which focuses more on the the inspirational family aspect of the story. The book still delves into Michael’s story and shows how truly remarkable his upbringing and raise to fame really is, but the book is so much more. It shows great insight into sports and American society and the evolution of both. Highly recommend.
  
• Hard Work: My Life on and Off the Court Roy Williams(Read the Review)I’ve been a huge Roy Williams fan since his coaching days at Kansas. He’s always radiated class and sound philosophies. This book details just how much hard work and struggle he had to go through to get to where he is today: the coach of the National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels. But shows you that with hard work and perserverance, you can accomplish anything.
• 
• Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance Tony Dungy(Read the Review) The motivational words behind former NFL coach Tony Dungy’s book, and his life, are simple: “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people.” In this follow-up book to Quiet Strength, Dungy explains the foundations of how he lives his life and how to become uncommon. The book is a wonderful mix of autobiographical tales, self-help, inspiration and football.
• 
• First Things First: The Rules of Being a Warner Kurt Warner (Read the Review) In a sense, this is the sequel to All Things Possible: My Faith, Football and The Miracle Season, which I also highly recommend. The story of Kurt’s struggling rise to fame will make you truly believe that all things are possible. They are the perfect books for the holiday season–and during these difficult times.

• The Catch: One Play, Two Dynasties, and the Game That Changed the NFL Gary Myers (Read the Review) Gary takes one of the most famous moments in NFL history
  “The Catch” in the endzone and brings the story to light from both sides in this tale of Two Dynasites. A must read for any football fan–or any sports fan for that matter—since it is based on an iconic moment in sports history.
• 
• Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic Alyssa Milano (Read the Review) I have been dying to read this book for months now (hint hint for all those shopping for me!) First, I’m a huge Alyssa fan—follow her on Twitter and watch old episodes of Charmed pretty much every night! So if she loves baseball, that’s a pretty good way to get me—and any anti-baseball girl— to love it too. Once again, the book is just about her life or her love of the Dodgers. Her book illustrates how sports are the last real social interation and connection we have today.
• 
• On the Line Serena Williams (Read the Review) Originally I had this book higher up on my list—and in my wish list cart in amazon—because it hit the best seller list and I thought, hmmm, she’s a sports figure I’d love to know more about. However, the reviews for the book have been so ….well, so-so….that I’ve shoved the book to the bottom of my list. Apparently the book doesn’t really even scratch the surface of Serena, on or off the court. But hey, if you are a tennis or Serena fan, then check it out and let me know what you think!
• 

Have you read any of these or have them on your wish list? Leave me a comment below! I’d love to know what you think. Also, don’t forget to check out the Stiletto Sports Bookshelf Archive which features other amazing sports books that make great reads and even better gifts!

Over the next month we will be bringing you The Ultimate Gift Giving Guide for Sports Lovers. Every day a new post designed to find the perfect present for the sports fans in your life! From World Champion Yankees, Steelers and Tar Heels merchandise to the most unique tailgating gift ideas EVER, these posts will have something for everyone on your shopping list.

And not only will we tell you what to get, we’ll help you figure out where to find it!

Now most of you probably know all about Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year… the day that has retailers going to bed on Thanksgiving with visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads. But do you know about Cyber Monday? Because somehow I didn’t! Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30th and it’s the day that online retailers have insane specials!

I have a whole bunch of coupons and deals to share with you from places like Finish Line, Foot Locker, Champs, Shoes.com, Zazzle eSportsOnline, Sports Authority and Amazon.com! I’ll get those up as soon as I can!

Later this week we’ll be going through the most popular NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, and college jerseys as well as top tailgating gifts, 10 must-read best-sellers for any sports fan, and the most unique sports gifts of the season.

But for right now, since I also have a day job in retail and it’s a big week for us there as well, I’m just going to give you a little Holiday Guide Preview by recaping & linking to all of our best Stiletto Sports Giving Guides from the last year!

Also, I’m going to send you to the Stiletto Sports Fierce and Fabulous Boutique because all of the products featured in the guides are available for easy purchase through our store, which is an Amazon.com affiliate.

Oh… and, I’m a big fan of “one for them, two for me” when it comes do gift shopping. So don’t forget to check out The Stiletto Sports Shop to pick up something cute for yourself!

*****These are all links to older posts on Stiletto Sports, NOT random websites!

Stiletto Sports Complete Gift Giving Guide for Sports Loving Moms

Stiletto Sports Complete Holiday Gift Giving Guide for Sports Fans

Great Gifts  Ideas for Basketball Fans

• Slam Dunkin’ Best Gifts for NBA Lovers
• NCAA Basketball Books
• The Best Damn Basketball Books
• The Best Damn Basketball Movies for Fans Who Love the Shake and Bake
• UNC Tar Heels National Championship Gear

Great Gift Ideas for Baseball Fans

• Fun-est Baseball Gifts EVER!
• Great Gift Ideas for Yankees Lovers
• Tales of Modern & Past Baseball: Great books for any baseball fan!
• The Best Damn Baseball Movies for Guys who JuSt Love baseball!
• The Best Damn Baseball Movies for Girls who Like Crying in Baseball

Great Gift Ideas for Football Fans

• The Best Damn Books for the Football Fanatic
• The Best Damn 5-Star Football Movies
• My Favorite Football Gift Ideas

A few More Great Gift Ideas for all sports lovers

• . The Best Damn Sports Movies: Hockey, Boxing, Golf
• Stiletto Sports Ultimate Sports Lover Gift Sets/Baskets

I’ve already given a list of great Football Movies and great Football Books, any of which I would like–actually a lot of the movies, I already have! (Just watched Invincible again the other night and am so watching Rudy this weekend!) I highly recommend both of those lists for any football fan. But there are so many other ideas out there that it would be impossible for me to analyze the best of the best of the best. So instead I give you…

What I would want for Christmas if I was A Football Fan:

1. A Collector’s Book

These all sound really cool and fascinating. And I don’t even care that much

-Football’s Greatest Stars

-The Football Game I’ll Never Forget: 100 NFL Star’s Stories

-How Football Explains America: I kid you not, it’s real and it sounds really good!

-Sports Illustrated: The Football Book

2. NFL Team History DVDs:

Some quick links for you: Giants, Jets, Patriots, Cowboys , Or NFL DVD List

3. Superbowl Collector DVDs

-My fave was the big Super Bowl I-Xl Collector’s Set.  My only question, do they come with the commercials? Because that’s the best part!

-There are tons of others out there. Pick by Year or by team!

4. NFL Historic Moments Commemorative Book

-I loved this and am getting it for a friend of mine.  It is a hardbound book personalized on the front with the receipient’s name. You pick their favorite team and inside the book is famous moments of the team as documented by the New York Times. Really nice and a very unique gift.

5. Tailgating Gear!

I’ve already discussed my love of tailgating! Who doesn’t love a party in a parking lot where you get completely schnockered before the actual even that you were supposed to go to? I found lots of fun sites but one of my favorites was the Tailgatingideas.com’s Holiday Gift Guide

-Tailgating Grills

6. Laptop Skins (or cell phones, PDAs, pretty much anything)

Thought these were pretty fun! Give your laptop a piece of personal flair!

-Skinit: Very comprehensive site. You pick the team, the device, and all the specifications. It was a bit overwhelming but it makes sense. Not every laptop is the same shape & size.

7. Football Cookbooks!

If I am being forced to watch the game, you better believe I’m going to at least enjoy the football. I’m all for pizza, wings, beer and pigs-in-a-blanket on occasion but every single Sunday for like 17 weeks? I think not.

-NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook

-The NFL Gameday Cookbook

-Tailgating Cookbooks! ( I liked The Cookbook for Tailgating Recipes: Hosting a Superbowl or any kind of Tailgating Party)

Instant Replay: The Day that Changed Sports Forever by Tony Verna

Another one of those arrogantly boasting titles, but again, for good reason. Tony Verna was the creator of the most key components of televised sports today: “Instant replay.” The technology was first introduced in 1968 in a college football game between Army and Navy. However, the book doesn’t just discuss this historical event. Verna was a very influential person in the movie industry and it also chronicles his life and impact there.

Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

The book is where the whole t.v. show began. Okay, well actually it began in small towns across the country on your typical Friday night in the fall. But Bissinger, took this everyday norm–the high school football game–showcased it and discovered the inner truths. He reveals the pressure and struggles the high schoolers are under to be the best and the demands the the coaches, parents, and the town place upon them.

When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi: by David Maraniss

I knew the name and who he is (The head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967–well okay I knew he was A coach anyway) but other than that, no idea. I asked “why do we love Vince Lombardi” and I was told: “he is considered the greatest coach in the history of football. He formed the first football dynasty in the 60s and all of his assistant coaches went on to have amazing careers. All of his players where completely devoted to him and he has become synonymous with the NFL.” And then he also sent me 5 really long paragraphs of Lombardi’s accomplishments that totally overwhelmed me and would have taken over the whole page so um, yeah, read the book! His saying “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” is legendary. Although I violently disagree with his philosophy of “Lombardi Time,” meaning always arrive 10-15 minutes early otherwise you are late. That’s a negative. Ten minutes late is very early for me!

Why Fantasy Football Matters and Our Lives Do Not by Eric Barmack and Max Handelman

I don’t even care if the book is good, I’m judging this one soley on it’s title and I think it’s hilarious. Totally LOLed at this one. And the description makes it sound like the perfect book for guys…and the girls that need to understand their crazy behavior.

“U.S. businesses lose $200 million in productivity each football season because employees are managing their fantasy squads instead of working.

In Why Fantasy Football Matters (And Our Lives Do Not), two grizzled veterans revel in the addiction that is fantasy football. From pre-draft hijinx to post-draft trash talk, from tumultuous trades to the perils of free agency, it celebrates the eccentric personalities, absurd rituals, and hilarious superstitions of one of the most fanatical fantasy leagues on earth.

With humor, insight, and a dash of advice, Why Fantasy Football Matters celebrates the thirty-two million Americans who prefer managing their fantasy squads to relaxing with loved ones. And it gives girlfriends, coworkers, and sports purists all the proof they need to accept that this is an obsession that really matters.”

Committed: Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie by Mark St. Amant

Buy him this and buy yourself Confessions of a Shopaholic. Then trade books. Then you can be understanding with his fantasy football leagues and he can come with you when Becky Bloomwood hit’s the big screen in Shopaholic movie in February 2009! The book gives the history of fantasy football and some how-tos. But the best part is the narrative of St. Amant’s life and how he somehow managed to convince his wife that he should quit his job to play fantasy football, and write about it.

1. Brian’s Song

This was actually a made for TV movie in 1971 that was so successful that they brought it to the theaters, to DVD and in 2001, had a remake by Disney with Mekhi Phifer. It is the true story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. Amazon.com describes it as “one of those transcendent stories that struck a rare cultural nerve, a sensitive film about love, friendship, cancer, racial harmony, and football that came along at just the right time.”  I like to call it the Guys Version of Beaches, much to my boyfriend’s dismay. But it is. The two friends, while in competeion for the same spot on the Chicago Bears, become friends against the odds and the social stereotypes of the times. And together, with their wives, they battle against Piccolo’s cancer. It’s actually known to bring grown men to tears. And…if he ever picks on you again for watching cheesy Hallmark or Lifetime movies, remind him the Brian’s Song got it’s start as a made-for-tv special!  The Quote: “I love Brian Piccolo…and tonight, I want you to love him too.” – Gale Sayers

2. Rudy

Gosh, I really don’t know anyone that doesn’t like this movie or wasn’t moved by it. How could you not love Sean Astin as Rudy Ruettiger? Little Rudy grew up dreaming of playing Notre Dame football but his small size and poor grades didn’t give him much of a chance. But he kept on, despite the negativity around him, the lack of support from friends and family and the odds stacked against him. He went to junior college and kept plugging away in the hopes that one day he would get in to Notre Dame. And the end, when he is carried off the field and everyone is chanting for him “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy…” not only is it an iconic movie moment it really is heartwarming. Such a feel good story set in a college football movie. And there is just something about it that makes you think he was living the dream for all of us. Even though I have never once hoped to play for the Fighting Irish.

3. Remember the Titans

First, who will complain if Denzel is in a movie? IMy mother always said she just wanted to nibble on on his lower lip (sorry Dad). Oh wait, I forgot, this is supposed to be a list of movies for guys! Um. It’s Disney and it’s football, how bad could it be? This is the true story of Herman Boone who is asked to coach a Virginia high school team right after the school had been desegregated in the 70s. He overcomes the blatant rascism to lead the team onwards towards an undeafeated season and inspires teamwork and comraderie throughout. The film has been so motivational and influential it was been used before NFL games to actually inpsire the players to work together.

4. Invincible (mark wahlberg! yay)

I don’t care if this is for guys, this one has Mark Wahlberg and I love him. In fact that is the reason I was given this movie. But I will say that once again Disney + football + true stories ( + hot actors) = an unbeatable combo. Invincible is the story of Vince Papale, a down-on-his-luck 30-year-old bartender from South Philly. In 1976, new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dick Vermeil announced he was having open tryouts for the team and Papel reluctantly went to the tryouts. And remarkably made the team!

5. the longest yard (1974)

This one has been remade by Adam Sandler a few years ago but, shockingly that one doesn’t really make the top lists anywhere. But this one does. It’s a story about a former pro quarterback who is doing time in jail. The warden makes him organize a football league of innmates to challenge the other guards, aka let the guards beat them up. Then the quarterback is offered an early release if he throws the game. Funny and unqiue storyline. Not your typical sport movie with the true story and underdogs!

6. North Dallas Forty

This is loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s. It’s about a team called the North Dallas Bulls and a player on the team that is getting close to the end of his career. It takes a look at the wilder side of the sport: the drugs, the violence, the rock and roll lifestyle that the pro athletes endure. Almost thirty years old and somewhat dated in certain aspects of the movie, there are other themes that are still prevelant in the pro football world today.

7. All the Right Moves

A very young Tom Cruise plays a high school football star desperate to get a college football scholarship so he can get out of his small Pennsylvania steel town. After a blowout with his coach, he is kicked off the team and becomes blacklisted among the top colleges until they make up. If anything watch it just to remind yourself of how things used to be, before Tommy went crazy.

8. Friday Night Lights

From typical Friday night event in every town across the courtry, to a best-selling book, to this movie to a popular TV Show…who knew high school football could be this contagious! I’m actually going to quote from imdb.com on this one because I really liked what they said about it: “Friday Night Lights displays the stress that the town gives the high school players to win, and the hope that the team gives to a small town, and how a team has its low points, its high points, and how they come together as a team on their way to victory.” Although I swear my little town wasn’t like that growing up, was it?

9. Jerry Maguire

Oh that’s right, I went there! How could I not put this on a list! It may be way over-cliched but come on, who doesn’t love the scenes in this movie? “Show me the money!” I’m not really saying its the best football movie of all time, but it is a great lighthearted romantic comedy with a some football thrown in there! Jerry Maguire was the top of the top in sports agents until he wrote a “mission statement” that got him booted from his agency. Now he tries to start his own with only one client: a very tempremental, very egotistical, very-not-so-great football player Rod Tisdale (played by a sometimes shirtless Cuba Gooding, Jr!)

10. School Ties

Yeah, just look at the cover and you will understand why this is on here. Matt Damon. Ben Affleck. Chris O’Donnell. Brendan Frasier. Are you kidding me? It’s like a buffet of the hottest actors, and this is before they were even really known! And I think there is even some football in there somewhere. The main story is about a young Jewish boy who goes to an elite prep school in the 1950s. But he is not one of the “good old boys” that comes from an upscale background, a Cathlotic background. He got in purely for his football talent to help the struggling school team. And everything is good until it is discovered that he is Jewish. A very powerful film.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000J122?ie=UTF8&tag=stisetspo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00000J122

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I will, for God only knows why, add the Adam Sandler football movies and other spoof comedies on here, too. Apparently, guys think these ones are funny.

The Waterboy

The Longest Yard, remake

The Comebacks

I am also adding The Replacements because even though no one but me likes it, I do. I find it quite hysterical. And everytime I hear “I Will Survive” I think of the football players dancing to it.

And I am being forced to add Any Given Sunday. Even though REALLY no one likes it. In fact it’s been hailed in the worst football movie hall of fame on occassion. But for some reason, my boyfriend said that if it is on tv, guys always find themselves watching it.