The Ball Came Out

By Tyler Campbell

The Tyler Campbell story is the journey of a man who is in constant search of finding the best version of
himself. At an early age Tyler discovers that his path in life will be a constant emotional roller coaster,
that his life will be full of faith tested trials and heartbreaking setbacks. The son of an NFL Hall of Famer
and Heisman Trophy Winner, Tyler, is on the quest to create a new path for himself and he would utilize
the game of football to do it. After his junior year at football powerhouse, Westlake High School, Tyler is
ranked the No. 2 Running Back Prospect in the state of Texas. Unfortunately, all that glitters is not gold
and a host of bad decisions placed him in the alternative education system. After losing all scholarships,
Tyler comes face to face with himself and has to decide if he can be self-motivated enough to keep a Division 1 college football dream alive. It would be life’s constant tug of war for his spirit that eventually opens Tyler’s eyes to his true gift and purpose in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyler Campbell
• Release date: Feb 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9780463584255

Book preview

The Ball Came Out

Life From The Other Side Of The Field

Copyright 2022 Tyler Campbell

Published by Tyler Campbell at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FOREWORD

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1 The 12 Yard Line

CHAPTER 2 Turnovers

CHAPTER 3 Lost The Ball

CHAPTER 4 Offsides

CHAPTER 5 Defense

CHAPTER 6 Change Of Possession

CHAPTER 7 UNDRAFTED

CHAPTER 8 SPECIAL TEAMS

CHAPTER 9 THE OFF SEASON

CHAPTER 10 TOUCH-DOWN

CONCLUSION

A Sinner’s Prayer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TESTIMONIALS

DEDICATION

To my wife and best friend Shana, thank you for entrusting me with your heart. You will always be the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you with every fiber of my being and you still give me butterflies. Our children: Messiah, Cheyenne, and Saige, let this book be proof that you can do and be anything you set your heart to. Dad loves you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Special thank you to my Father, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there were many times you could have turned your back on me but you didn’t. Instead, you loved me stronger and held me tighter. This book does not have a title without my mentor, Rodney Page. Mr. Page, thank you for being a vessel and bestowing upon me ‘Real Life, Reel Talk’. My mother, Reuna and my father Earl, I am forever thankful for teaching me humility, commitment and work ethic. I lean on those core values to this day. Christian, you are the only sibling I have; I love you, man. My mother in law and father in law, Cynthia and Tony, you all have always welcomed me with open arms and accepted me for who I I am. I love you both dearly. My sister in law, Thais, you always keep it ‘100’ and I love your children as if they were my own. My brother in law, Obed, always so calm, cool and collected.

Every teammate and coach at all levels, it was a true honor to go to battle, shed blood and cry tears as one in competition. Jumal, you opened up my eyes LYLAB (Love You Like A Brother). Matt, always thankful we sat next to each other in the cafeteria, that moment blessed me with a friend for life. Josh, I appreciate you for always shooting me straight. Bre, I appreciate you for staying on my head and pushing me to do what was so uncomfortable. John, you were the first real friend I ever had and even when I made bad decisions growing up you never turned your back on me. Lastly, Tyler, TX and all who reside in it: I thank you for always being my peace and serving as that bridge over troubled water all of my life.

FOREWORD

My wife and I have been together ever since the ninth grade and after my third MVP ('78, '79, ‘80) in the (NFL) National Football League we decided to get married. Tyler’s mom and I tied the knot in 1980 and began starting a family together.

We have Tyler and his older brother named Earl Christian II. The day my sons were brought into this world my life changed forever for the better. I tell people this all the time, that Earl Campbell’s name is a hell of a lot bigger than him. People get life mixed up sometimes with the numbers and fail to see the true person. Number 20 is the guy that won the Heisman, that's one human being or perspective of me. While the man that wore number 34 in the NFL with the Houston Oiler’s Franchise, well that's another individual viewpoint.

My sons Tyler and Christian gave me a new perspective on life itself. I would like to say my wife spent the most time with Tyler than me. I’d say that because I was always gone, and constantly working. You heard that old saying about it takes two to tango. It takes two to raise a family. In my situation, my wife, Reuna, she really raised Tyler and Christian. My wife did an amazing job with the boys to say the least.

It's one thing being an athlete, but it's another thing having children while you're a public figure. The spotlight is not only on you but the media attempts to place it on your family as well. Tyler was always able to get better the brighter the lights got. Money, fame, success, and a big name are temporal, anybody can waste it. Anyone can keep riches, any person can blow it, but to be able to see character getting passed down through generations, which you teach your children, in turn they teach their children. That's how this world gets to be a better place. Truly, I had no idea he was watching me the way he did. Tyler represents parts of the best of me, and he took the things I taught him and literally ran with it.

The same hard-core values, morals, and standards I raised my sons with came back to rescue me. When I started having health problems, I got in with these doctors and I thought physicians were next to the Good Lord. I thought what they say goes, and they got me started on those pain pills. Opioids took over my entire life. Losing control, I couldn't get how severe it was at first, but my boys talked to me and thank God they did, because if it hadn't been for my children, I probably wouldn't have never been able to see 65. Tyler and his brother will never have to give me another gift in my lifetime. It is a rarity to find a man like Tyler and not only has he helped me he is still helping to liberate the masses by the power of his story.

My introduction to the condition Multiple Sclerosis came at the hands of my son. I decided to drive over to his apartment and see what the hell was going on with him. That's when I can vaguely remember he had to take his right hand, to move his left arm. Observing Tyler, I noticed when he walked, it was like one leg longer than the other one. Of course, that was a world of awakening to myself because I knew Tyler was a healthy kid. I didn't know that's what MS does to you. I noticed he was stuttering. Nevertheless, there was still an inner strength or tenacity Tyler maintained despite the odds.

I think Tyler is one of the emerging African American voices, and I'm not saying it because he is my son. I just see how God is blessing and put something special deep down inside of him. This may be the next Steve Harvey from a positive standpoint for telling people about how life truly feels. I mean, young people need to hear a positive message and some of us old heads too because Tyler, I don't know where he got it from, but he really doesn’t beat around the bush with it. Tyler just gets straight to the point or meets you where you are. I believe he has great chance of having his own nationally syndicated show, talking about ‘Real Lyfe, Reel Talk’. I don't know if you heard some of his talks. It's amazing that the young man talks like that, and he can really get your attention, you can hear it in his voice. He doesn’t sugar coat it, inside of these pages Tyler will be sharing the truth in the process of holding you accountable. If you plan on going somewhere in this world, you may as well listen to the wisdom that comes out of my son’s heart on to these pages.

Whether you are in the basement or at the pinnacle of your success this book is for you. I can think of no one else qualified to show you how to bounce back from being broken than my son Tyler.

PROLOGUE

I looked out at my three children and thought, what am I going to leave behind for them? When it's all said and done what do I want them to remember me as? In the moments proceeding the question that I’d asked myself, it was like God Himself shined a light that illuminated my very being, as it pierced the darkness of my own self resistance. Then the thought hit me like a blindsided tackle write a book, that lasts forever.

I was left with no choice but to realize that it’s time to write it because if the Good Lord takes my soul tomorrow, what am I leaving behind for my babies, for them to truly understand their father and what he went through? So, I looked into my family’s eyes and I said, it's time I do it.

Time is truly our most precious commodity. We often find ourselves tricked by the selfies of our youth, while Father Time is steady ticking away. See, I have lost a total of nine family members and friends during COVID. I’m sure without generalizing you’ve been directly and indirectly impacted by this global pandemic. For me, life became even more precious and sacred. I realized not every day is promised and you tend to take things for granted. We all do, but going through the pandemic and seeing people dying without warning is heart-breaking and a true wake up call.

History can be told or heard. My children can know who they are and the past of their ancestors. Again, if the Good Lord takes my soul tomorrow, at least they will have something tangible that says, I know my father. I realize he's not here, but he lives in the pages of this book. Those things are something that really tugged on my spirit and I finally yielded.

I’m not determined to be famous but will leave something in the soil for my family. No, it's not about money. You get a better understanding of who you are in the chapters I will reveal here. Legacy is the six letter word that I want to beat like a battle drum in the mind, hearts, and spirits of all who skim the pages.

There are children who do not have their fathers. My dad did not have his own father for very long, and with his father passing, I remember him saying he wished he had more time. The only stories my dad has are very vivid and precise. There are no writings, no journal, barely any pictures. So I want to be better for my family and change the narrative like an audible called at the line of scrimmage.

I really want people, to say, Oh, he's not that special. And here's what I mean: what I've done, anybody can do. I want people to say, Great story, but I can too. Matter of fact, I can do it better. I can go further, I can go faster, and I can make an even greater impact. I really and truly want people to say, He's not that special. Why not me? I got blood in my veins just like you do. I have to put in my work. I have to put on my shoes and go to work just like you do. I'm married and have children like you. I've come through ups and downs just like you. But I want people