Playing Ball

NFL football star Vernon Davis delves into his astonishing career, from winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016 with the Denver Broncos to reinventing himself as an actor and producer, and recalls the hard-won lessons—including that infamous press conference—that paved his path to success.

INCLUDES AN INTRODUCTION FROM COACH MIKE SINGLETARY

In October 2008, after a San Francisco loss to Seattle, Vernon Davis was put on blast by Coach Mike Singletary in a fiery speech criticizing his “me-myself-and-I attitude.” It proved to be the turning point in Davis’s career, and the inspiration for him to change his mind set and his game plan, as well as his perspective on life and family.

At the time, Davis was a young, talented player drafted by the San Franscisco 49ers in 2006 at number six, one of the highest drafted tight ends in NFL history. He played ten years for the 49ers, including a 2013 Super Bowl loss to the Baltimore Ravens in a 34–31 heartbreaker, where Davis recorded six catches for 104 yards. He later won a Super Bowl in 2016 with Peyton Manning and the Broncos, after nailing a crucial downfield block that sprung teammate C. L. Anderson for a key 34-yard run that helped the Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers 24–10 for the ring.

Davis retired in 2019 after four final years of playing for his hometown team in Washington, DC. He’s now deeply involved in his new passion for acting and producing. Here, he rewinds his real-life tape to reflect on his youthful beginnings, his career and competitive spirit—and the insights on teamwork, leadership, and responsibility that came in the aftermath of Coach Singletary’s press conference that prompted Davis to transform his football career and his life for the better.

Weaving personal reflections with frank, real-world advice, Playing Ball is an eye-opening story of what winning—on the field and off—is all about.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs