While a small percentage of “all-stars” get all the attention (good and bad) in the NFL, most of the league’s rosters are comprised of no-names that couldn’t buy a headline. But, if NFL players were compared to the Fortune 500 companies, these no-names would reside in the 50-500 slots as they too represent the upper-crust of their sport. Former Denver Bronco’s tight end Nate Jackson is one such no-name player and SLOW GETTING UP is his honest and entertaining account of being a “fringe” player who fought to earn a roster spot each and every year of his professional career.I generally avoid reading most player-written books as they often prove to be nothing more than an effort to cash-in on a recent championship season and rarely offer anything insightful … the stories are the same, only the names of the players and teams are changed. Many years ago, former All-Pro Atlanta Falcon Tim Green wrote an “insider’s” perspective of life in the NFL (“The Dark Side of the Game”) that was billed as an expose. Unfortunately, Green’s storytelling failed to raise an eyebrow and was actually quite boring. But Nate Jackson’s book actually sheds some light on the highs and lows of what being an NFL player has to offer and the manner in which he tells his story makes SLOW GETTING UP an informative and enjoyable read.I hesitate to say that a big reason I found SLOW GETTING UP so enjoyable was that I had never heard of Nate Jackson before, so right off the bat, there was an expectation that he’d spill his guts (figuring he had nothing to lose in doing so). Another plus factor in the readability department is that Jackson is both intelligent and humble. His witty and self-deprecating writing-style portrays him as an open, honest and believable individual … confident, but in no way egotistical. What Jackson manages to do (that Tim Green could not do) is give readers a perspective of all those players who make the team, but don’t get the fortune and fame … in other words, the majority of the league. We get that fly-on-the-wall perspective of the undeniable perks that come with being a professional football player: a decent paycheck and the local fame that garners a lot of female attention. On the other hand, we also get a clear understanding of how uncertain, unforgiving and unhealthy an NFL career can be. Jackson’s “tell it like it is” approach gives readers a “ground zero” perspective of the NFL as both a game and a ruthless business. A team environment where, ironically, self-preservation (for coaches and players) is the most common virtue, but individual success only matters if it results in the team winning.What makes Jackson’s take so interesting is that he made the Denver Broncos’ team for six consecutive years despite being an undrafted free-agent and suffering from compounding injuries year-in-year-out, including his time in college. Jackson even survived a position switch (form wide receiver to tight end) that required him not only to mentally adjust to a new position, but transform physically as well. Although he didn’t get his first start until his 5th year with the Bronco’s he proves that being a “bench-warmer” on a professional team isn’t such a bad thing (he ended his six-season active career with 27 receptions for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns).The most common thread throughout the book is directly related to the book’s title: injuries. Jackson gives us a first-hand account of how the NFL is more of akin to Valleydale Foods than a sports business … it’s a real meat-grinder. During the course of his career, Jackson suffered numerous injuries, including: separated shoulders, multiple concussions, off-the-bone groin tear, torn MCL, broken leg, nerve damage, broken fingers, plantar fasciitis and a variety of other trauma-related damage. The recurring injuries resulted in him spending one season with NFL Europe and enduring a steady, career-long regimen of rehab, pills and shots (including a half-hearted attempt of taking HGH). Through it all, however, he persevered as long as he could his body couldn’t meet the demands of the game. Jackson’s account shows how the NFL is unforgiving in its never-ending search for fresh, healthy young men to chew up and spit out.SLOW GETTING UP proved to be fun, page-turning read … there are no sticking points. The sincere and humorous approach Jackson takes is what really made the difference … there is no hint bitterness or “axe to grind.” I found the book serving as a more factual, updated, written version of the Mac Davis/Nick Nolte film from the 70s (“North Dallas Forty”). Nate Jackson’s football career may be over, but his writing ability may just be taking off.