In Spite of the Odds

A review copy was provided

IN SPITE OF THE ODDS

by Richie Contartesi

Ever wonder what it takes to earn a full D1 football scholarship as a walk-on?

Standing a stellar 5’7″ and weighing in at a magnificent 150 pounds you wouldn’t think Richie would be much of a football player. Instead, he looks more like a chess player.

Richie Contartesi is a small town kid who dreamt his entire life of playing big time college football in the SEC. He had the heart, passion, tenacity, and love for the game but there was a nagging problem that haunted him from youth football through college, his size. Standing at 5’7 150 pounds, he was never the biggest, fastest, talented, or strongest wide-receiver on the team.

Richie’s journey chronicles the trials and tribulation of a boy with a dream and the realities of Division I college football at Ole Miss. An inspirational story of hope, determination, and success that will fuel your inner desire to be the best you can be and defy the naysayers and odds to reach your dreams.

What happens next shocks the world and will most definitely shock you too. "It is like watching the movie Rudy, but with a machine gun"-- Pat Canuso.

My Review

Filled with determination and hard work Richie has made his dreams come true and he tells his story in a very compelling, even captivating, way.

I am impressed with all the accomplishments he has made just by putting his mind to it and his back into it :)

In one part he tells of how "the stars needed to align" in order for him to get what he wants--

And while it is true that it looked almost impossible-- he made it happen.

I also loved that when he had set-backs he didn't let it get him down-- he learned from it and moved forward with even more determination.

He jokes about his height and weight-- but when facing a coach those things really do matter--

And in "spite of the odds" Richie proved to them all that he had what it takes :)

A FANTASTIC book!
Richie's story is very motivational!
A PERFECT read for anyone!
Do not miss out on this one!

About the Author

Despite the odds and the naysayers, Richie walked on at Ole Miss and eventually received a football scholarship, started every game his senior year and earned the scholar athlete award twice. His inspirational book, "In Spite of the Odds" tells the triumph and determination.

After football and as a graduate of Ole Miss, Richie found himself sleeping on couches when he decided to start a business with only $700 in his bank account. That business has became successful and Richie now has a full-time staff managing operations. Born on December 10, 1987 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Richie is the only boy and has four sisters. He knew his athletic ability and resilience for success at a very young age by taking on the challenge of riding a 2 wheel bicycle at 3 years old and winning. His football career started when he was 10 years old and right away he found his passion. Richie was determined to play college football and from hard work in high school he had earned awards and accolades such as: Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, and Team Captain among others.

Currently, Richie speaks to Kids and Adults. He has realized through all of this that no matter how much he enjoys defying the odds, his true passion is in helping others defy theirs. As a youth motivational speaker, he helps teens and adults understand that their dreams are closer than they appear. Through all the noise and out of reach possibilities, speaking is truly his favorite way of communicating his passion.

In his spare time when Richie isn't challenging himself with CrossFit, he spends time with family, friends, golfing, writing, playing/watching football, learning, reading, and running.

You will find Richie a great source of motivation and inspiration for your next school assembly or youth conference. Richie is available for school assemblies in middle school, high school, leadership students, and talking to Parents and Community programs about helping their teen athletes reach the top of their sports and how to go about scholarships.