While it isn't common, there are examples of professional athletes who have studied law while they were still playing sports and some have gone on to prominent legal careers. One such athlete is Bob Thomas, an associate justice for the Illinois Supreme Court. His football and legal careers are the subject of this biography by Doug Feldman.

Thomas kicked 11 years in the National Football League, primarily with the Chicago Bears, but also kicked for the Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and New York Giants during his football career. Feldman does an excellent job of portraying the life of a NFL kicker being a nomadic one, as most kickers will often be signed by teams for brief periods to either replace an injured kicker (as Thomas was in San Diego and New York) or to find yet another kicker who will consistently perform under pressure. Thomas proved that during his time with the Bears, setting team records for scoring and remaining highly ranked in those categories for the team.

Despite the many changes, Thomas had settled in Chicago and that is where his family life was settled and where he not only studied law but became a practicing attorney, including late in his career when he kicked for other teams. His family's adventures were handled by his wife Maggie, whom Feldman does mention prominently, especially when they are moving around.

Once Thomas's career track changes from football to the law, the book also takes a different track as Thomas's faith is discussed more frequently. There are Biblical scripture readings that Bob and Maggie used to help them get through troubled times. Bob's legal career was very successful, moving up quickly through the process to become first a judge, then a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. There is even a trial in which Bob sues a small newspaper for defamation that reads like a quick, exciting legal thriller.

While the book is approximately 70 percent about Thomas's football career and 30 percent about his legal career, both parts are equally engrossing and make for good reading. Anyone interested in football, especially kickers, will enjoy that portion of the book while those interested in his time on the Illinois Supreme Court will like the book as well.

I wish to thank University of Northern Illinois University Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book by author Doug Feldmann is an interesting history of Bob Thomas. Being a resident of Chicago during the time with the Chicago Bears, I remember his years with the team and was disappointed when he had to leave.

For the sports fans, about 70% of the book talks about Bob Thomas’s personal history and also contains descriptions of many of his career highlights. Interviews with coaches and players fill out the pages, offering a wider view that helps the reader experience the ups and downs in his life. While familiar with his years in football, I had no idea that he had moved on to a success second career as a lawyer and judge. Mr. Feldmann’s use of interviews, anecdotes, and personal stories made this an enjoyable read, and his handling of a major crisis during Bob Thomas’s time as a judge almost made the book read like a good piece of fiction.

I recommend this book to sports fans as well as those who enjoy reading about people who persevere against whatever odds are placed in their path. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley, Northern Illinois University Press, and Cornell University Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

Pick up this biography for a chance to know NFL star, Bob Thomas. Author Doug Feldmann brings his subject to life by showing us multiple sides of this interesting man.

How many NFL fans know nothing more about a favorite player other than his position on the field and how well he plays the game? A lot of the fans I know don’t even give their favorite team’s kicker a second thought – unless, of course, he misses a field goal or an extra point. In “A View from Two Benches” we learn about this star’s background, playing years, and life in the legal field after leaving football. We find out what motivates Bob Thomas: his faith, family, and other factors all play into life choices.

I found the book to be well researched and admit to a small personal grin when I discovered that his first team, which was part of a now long defunct league, is one I remember. While I enjoy a good football game, I’m a long way from being an expert, so found it refreshing that any mention of actual on the field play could easily be understood.

I received my copy of this book from NetGalley.com with no promise of a positive review. However, I am happy to say that I found this story about life of Bob Thomas to be well written and very much worth reading. (On a side note, this book is particularly timely: I have just read that he is retiring from the legal bench and resuming the practice of law at the end of this month.)