A Few Seconds of Panic A Sportswriter Plays in the NFL

The "New York Times"-bestselling author of "Word Freak" chronicles his attempts to become a placekicker in the NFL. As he sharpens his skills, he gains surprising insight into the daunting challenges--physical, psychological, and intellectual--that pro athletes must master.

Stefan Fatsis is a former placekicker for the Denver Broncos. A longtime reporter for The Wall Street Journal, he talks about sports every week on NPR-'s -ôAll Things Considered.-ö