A Few Seconds of Panic

In "Word Freak" author Stefan Fatsis shifts from the realm of competitive Scrabble to the rugged world of professional football, immersing himself in the life of an NFL player. Over the course of a year, he trains rigorously, ultimately becoming a part of the Denver Broncos, where he faces the same grueling drills and challenges as elite athletes. Throughout this journey, Fatsis gains the respect of his teammates and embraces the mindset required to endure the pressures and physical demands of the sport, echoing the pioneering spirit of George Plimpton's earlier explorations in sports journalism.