Denver Broncos’ two-time Super Bowl-winning kicker and University of Hawai‘i alum Jason Elam kicks off a new career with the release of “Monday Night Jihad,” (Tyndale Jan. 2008) the novel he co-authored with Denver-area pastor Steve Yohn. Elam brings his
Denver Broncos’ two-time Super Bowl-winning kicker and University of Hawai‘i alum Jason Elam kicks off a new career with the release of “Monday Night Jihad,” (Tyndale Jan. 2008) the novel he co-authored with Denver-area pastor Steve Yohn.
Elam brings his 15-years of experience playing for the Broncos to create a realistic backdrop of professional football and along with Yohn melds it with an international effort to prevent a terrorist attack at the heart of America.
Central character Riley Covington, a linebacker for the Colorado Mustangs, thought that his deadliest enemy knelt across the line of scrimmage, but he was wrong. From living his dream job as a professional football player, he now finds himself reliving a nightmare as the Afghan-war vet is compelled for personal reasons to bring a stop to the latest radical Islamic threat against his homeland.
Drawn into the nightmare around him, Covington returns to his former life as a member of an Air Force special ops team that crosses oceans in an attempt to stop the source of the escalating attacks. Seething for revenge, he is torn by the question, “Where is God in all this?”
About two years ago, Elam fostered the idea of creating a book combining some of his football stories with his faith and world events, such as terrorism.
Elam, a Christian, sought the assistance of his friend Yohn, who serves as a pastor at their mutual church. The pair presented some sample chapters to an agent who loved the idea and encouraged them to move forward.
“Our goal was to give readers a great story full of action, adventure, a little bit of romance, and of course, football,” Elam said in a release.
According to a review in “Publishers Weekly,” the writers have met their goal. “Rich details about life as an NFL player invigorate the story, unexpected humor helps leaven the serious themes, and the sparks of romance that fly between Riley and an American Muslim woman will pique readers’ interest.” “Publishers Weekly,” Oct. 29, 2007.
Elam’s and Yohn’s rookie novel has earned them endorsements from others who’ve had experience in the game, such as Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who wrote the #1 New York Times bestseller “Quiet Strength” (Tyndale 2007) and football player turned bestselling novelist Tim Green. “Set in our perilous times, this is a frightening and all too possible scenario,” writes Green.
