Open Book 12Open Book 12

For millions of fans, pro football is an autumn weekend ritual. But there are parts of the sport that most fans never see. This week's book "breaks down the tape," as coaches say, to delve into areas that the NFL doesn't like publicized: steroid and alcohol use, racism, and gambling, to name a few. An excerpt about training camp:

"The rest [of the players] head for dinner and slam down enough food to replenish the calories, vitamins, and electrolytes lost during the afternoon heat. If they don't, they can bet on being twisted into knots by their own cramping muscles later that night. I've seen guys cramp up like that, screaming in pain and squirming on the floor like an insect under a magnifying glass. If the body doesn't get enough potassium, it shuts down."

Players want to win, but losing isn't always so bad. Even after a playoff loss, the end of a season is cause for celebration because of the battering players' bodies take. A Dallas Cowboy told the author: "Last year we went to the championship game, and we lost. But we weren't sad. We were glad. When we were flying out to San Francisco, a buddy of mine leaned over to me on the airplane and whispered, 'You know, if we win, we win, but if we lose, we get to go home, so if we lose, we win too.'"

To win an information goody, E-mail [email protected] by noon ET Tuesday with the title, author, and answer to this question: The author played for what team?

Additional clue: The author, whose last name is quite colorful, currently works for Fox Sports, and writes a column for USA Today. The book was published in 1996.

Two respondents will be chosen randomly from correct answers and awarded a prize.

Nov. 12 quiz: Third Helpings by Calvin Trillin, who proposes spaghetti carbonara as the national Thanksgiving dish. The winners are Rebecca Anderson and Mark Judman.