Dancing in the Shadows

Dancing in the Shadows is Larry Gagner's autobiography of a life that went through professional sports to life as a visual artist. Larry shares with us his life from mid 1950s Ormond Beach Florida, to high school sports, to 1960s University of Florida college football, to the late 60s/early 70s professional football with the Steelers and Chiefs, then finally life as a fine arts painter and regular guy.

From high school until his departure from professional sports, Larry was a celebrated sports star. Retiring from sports, he wondered what life would be as a "regular guy." After all, he liked the attention and good money. Yet he also wanted to work as a painter and visual artist. Turns out life got better, not worse, after fame, by just being himself.

Larry found a different value in himself, people, and his work as a visual artist (https: //larrygagner.com). Larry found Christ, and with Christ's light his life makes sense, giving purpose to who he is and what he does. Love, marriage, salvation, and art. Larry has spent his life as he's always felt he should, even though much of it was not what you'd expect from a professional football player. From NFL starting offensive lineman (left guard)--to fine arts painter, well, it just doesn't follow.

Except it did. No regrets, no second guesses. Larry's Christian life and service give him the satisfaction of being true to himself, his work and everyday life. Life fulfilled. We each have our own life to live, this is Larry's, Dancing in the Shadows.

Having helped Larry with the editing of his autobiography, Dancing in the Shadows, I can say that it is a most enjoyable story of a boy who grows up in Florida during the Eisenhower era, goes to the University of Florida, studies art, becomes an All-American football player, spends a few years in the pros, and then adjusts to his post-playing days. The sports junkie will find here a number of memorable anecdotes, previously unknown and untold, but also including the time Larry was on the field of play to witness Mean Joe Green spit in Dick Butkus's face during a game--and live to tell about it.

But more important than his athletic career is the reality, found between the lines on every page, that what really matters to Larry Gagner is people: Doris, his wife, his family, teammates, coaches, and friends. And of all the people who matter to Larry, Jesus Christ matters most.

Dancing in the Shadows, then, is per-eminently a record of one man's journey that will inspire and encourage all who read it, for Larry's conclusion about life--written in his own inimitable way--boils down to this: fear God and keep His commands, for this is the whole duty of man.

Tack Chumbley

Minister, author, publisher; BS from the University of Illinois, and two masters degrees from Trinity Theological Seminary.

Larry Gagner doesn't hold back. In a rarity for modern "tell-all" books, however, he only seems to tell it all about his own youthful indiscretions and his gratitude for surviving it all. And instead of making excuses or looking for an avenue of self-pity, he blows through it in a wistful manner that makes "Dancing in the Shadows" a breezy and enjoyable read.

Coming out of Seabreeze High in Daytona Beach, then the University of Florida in Gainesville, he seemed destined for a long and successful career. That didn't happen. But he's had a long and successful life, thanks to another passion that seems to fit snugly atop his enjoyable personality.

Ken Willis

Daytona Beach News Journal sports writer.