Close
Pulitzer Prize–Winning Author Jeffrey Marx Coming to First Presbyterian
Posted: 12/23/2024
Nationally known Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, author and speaker Jeffrey Marx will be our guest speaker at a special Men's Ministry dinner on Tuesday, February 4 at 6 pm. Jeffrey has written for Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, Time, and the Baltimore Sun. Jeffrey will be with us to talk about his classic book, "Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood." Marx’s account of Baltimore Colt turned pastor Joe Ehrmann and his ministry Men for Others is one you won’t want to miss. Marx an in-demand speaker and we are fortunate to have him here in Baton Rouge! This is a great event to bring your son, your father, or your friend from work. Dinner and door prizes will be involved. $20 per person (increases to $25 on Monday, January 27). Scroll to the bottom for the online registration link.
Jeffrey and our Associate Pastor Scott Graham both attended Northwestern University at the same time. Marx has lived in Baton Rouge a number of years and their paths crossed last year, leading to an opportunity to have Marx meet with us February 4. Using Marx’s most famous book, "Season of Life." Scott caught up with Jeffrey for this interview.
Scott:
Jeffrey, you’ve also written a book, "Walking with Tigers", that provides fascinating stories about a number of athletes right here in Baton Rouge. What’s something distinctive about our city and its people that you’ve enjoyed as you’ve gotten to know it?
Jeffrey:
Well, after four years working on that LSU sports book, I’d say two things were clear as could be. One was the remarkable passion – unlike anything I’ve ever seen – of LSU fans. The other was that all roads in Baton Rouge somehow lead to or through the world of LSU sports. As someone who has always gravitated to sports – in both my personal time and my work as a writer – that allowed for a lot of enjoyment. It also led to some great friendships with people I met while working on that project.
Scott:
You’ll be joining us to talk about Joe Ehrmann, the Baltimore Colt you first knew when you were a ball boy, then reconnected with when he was a high school coach and pastor. The title of your book is "Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood." Share a little on what you mean by the last part.
Jeffrey:
The “journey” reference has multiple meanings. The broadest speaks to everything Joe teaches in a program he calls "Building Men for Others." It’s all about teaching boys and men a whole new definition of what it really means to be a man – really ought to mean – in our culture. The book also includes a number of personal journeys to manhood. One of them is Joe’s remarkable story. Now in his mid-70s, he remains one of the most impactful people I’ve ever known. Another journey is my own path from NFL ball boy to adult “student” during that season with Joe and his team. And then there are the experiences of some of the boys on that team. Those boys and their stories gave me great hope … and I think they have done the same for readers.
Scott:
I recently saw that "Season of Life" has gone into its 50th printing. Groups from the Dallas Cowboys to the US Naval Academy have asked you to come speak about it. What would you say is the “chord” this book has struck?
Jeffrey:
I’m not sure that there is a single chord. Readers have so many different takeaways. From 20-plus years of feedback, though, I’ve definitely concluded that many of us, men and women, young and old, no matter what the demographics, are still searching for greater meaning and purpose in our lives. I know Joe and his messages – messages first taught on a high school football field, of all places – have helped an awful lot of people with that.
Scott:
You’ve been traveling all over the country speaking on this book, as well as appearing on podcasts such as “Art of Manliness.” Do most of the questions come from the younger guys or the older ones?
Jeffrey:
I’d say the younger guys and older ones have about the same amount of questions. Given the material – and especially discussion of father-son relationships – I’m not surprised by that. What I was initially surprised about was the outpouring of comments and questions from girls and women. I had no idea they would be equally drawn to Joe’s program and to this book. But now I get it: Girls and women are the ones who have to deal with us knuckleheads! So they want to understand us better. I’ve heard from lots of moms about raising their sons. I’ve also heard from a whole lot of wives who wish they could somehow do a better job of “raising their husbands!” That one always gives me a chuckle.