JAY BERRY’S SPORTS ODYSSEY AND BEYOND: From Turf To Television & The Black 14 Protest Paperback – July 18, 2019

Being casually interested in sports, I found this book to be a fun memory-jogging read. Sometimes non-fiction seems like a dull encyclopedia, but from the first page, I knew I was in for a good story by the popular sportscaster, Jay Berry. For the hard core sports fans, there is plenty of action, a trip down memory lane filled with many inside stories of famous games and well-known players. I especially enjoyed the summaries of the big moments in sports we all remember, like the Tommy Hearns - Sugar Ray Leonard rematch and Kirk Gibson’s deep fly into the stands to win the ’84 World Series for the Tigers.Having lived through the period Jay Berry describes, I found there was much I did not know. Most importantly, I learned about the injustices against the Black 14 as Jay brought the problems of the era to light in a very interesting and relatable way. Through the ups and downs of his life, Jay always put his best foot forward and found a way to land on top. Detroiters will remember Jay Berry as a beloved sportscaster on a popular television station, and they may be impressed to learn about some of his favorite memories, such as his interview with underwater legend Jaques Cousteau and Jay’s appearance as the driver in what everyone knows as Aretha Franklin’s Pink Cadillac video. Yes, this is a sports book, but it is also a civil rights book and a motivational book that I will be sharing with others.

This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I was angry as Jay detailed the story of the Black 14 and how a white racist University created havoc in their attempt to destroy the lives of innocent young black men. As I continued to read I began to laugh hysterically at the stories of Jay growing up in Oklahoma. You have to read the chapter about him stealing (or attempting to) and returning the goods. He openly discussed how having a teenage mom influenced him and his determination to succeed. You must read the story about Claude (I love this man and I have never met him).I remember when Jay worked at Channel 7 in Chicago and WXYZ in Detroit. I think he got a raw deal in both cities. I think Jay was extremely diplomatic in detailing his experience with his co-worker’s and some of their narcissistic personalities. I am sure there were more details and cut throat incidents at both stations. In spite of this, because he is a nice guy he chose to take the high road. Personally, I don’t think I would have done the same.My husband and I read this book together. He loved the sports stories, replays and memories. I, on the other hand enjoyed the behind the scenes secrets and want to know more. Second book maybe?

It was interesting. Worked with Jerome at Warren he was young(as were we all) ambitious and a fun guy. I remember when he told me he was going to Channel 8 and aspiring to the Houston job!Glad you mad it Jay.Want me to ask Terry why he didn’t like you? (Maybe because you were better looking)

If you are interested in first hand accounts of significant historical experiences in the United States and learning about how motivated and hardworking people can find success, I highly recommend this book. Fascinating read!

I love history and from someone who has been there to change the narrative. Amazing story, good stuff. Who we are, who and why we are us!!! A definite read...over and over again!

Interesting to note in the beginning, Jay Berry and I worked together at the NBC affiliate KPRC-TV in Houston in the mid 1970s. Jay never whined, never uttered a bad word, nor let it be known that he'd been through the unwarranted trials he and his Wyoming 14 teammates experienced. Jay simply went about the business of becoming the best sportscaster, and the best man of God he could. I think this says so much about the greatness of the man, but the story of his and his 13 teammates so stands out for its unfairness.Less than a decade after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led Freedom Marches through the streets of the deadly Jim Crow South, Jay and his teammates unfairly found themselves removed of scholarships, college classes and a team to play on. The reasons remain unclear on the one hand, and yet extremely clear on the other. While none in Jay's group died for their specific cause, a piece of their collective soul most assuredly died, naively believing they'd receive more humane treatment.Granted. Few blacks played big time college sports in 1969, so the ones who did represented groundbreakers in the truest sense. They needed every single ounce of courage God gave them at birth--and then some--and needed that courage every single minute, on the practice field, in classes, or on game day. We now refer to their treatment, and the treatment of other blacks breaking the collegiate athletics color line as blatant racism, and no matter how anyone paints the picture at Wyoming 51 years ago, the Wyoming 14 found themselves sucker punched by the coach and school.Their story represents anything but equitable treatment, how those in power turned a blind eye to their struggle, and more importantly how far the U.S. had to travel to achieve any semblance of racial equality. We should never forget the struggles these young men faced, and this Jay Berry-written-missive, should remind us of the extremely difficult task ahead bringing the United States to a much needed place of racial equality.Mike CappsAustin, Texas

I found the book to be a very interesting read. Learning about the black 14 incident and then following Jay's transition from this ugly event to a very successful career as a sports broadcaster illustrated what determination and some Devine intervention can accomplish. As someone who spent a good portion of their adult life in the Detroit area at the time of Detroit's great sports teams, it was very interesting to learn some of the unwritten details of those legendary teams. After learning of Jay's rise through the ranks of sports broadcasting, I felt that this is someone who operated at the level of sports broadcasting royalty. Not only was there access to great sports celebrities, there was also access to entertainment celebrities as well.