The Husky Hitman: The Life and Times of a Linebacker in the Golden Age of Washington Football

As a football-crazed boy growing up in Texas, Dave Hoffmann discovered within himself a burning intensity and ferocious hitting ability that few others possessed. As a prep player in San Jose, California, he battled with a stuttering problem while developing into a talented linebacker under the mentorship of a former NFL player. When he arrived at the University of Washington in 1988, he played a central role amid an incoming recruiting class that banded together and vowed to take the mediocre Huskies to the top of the college football world. Over the next five seasons, Hoffmann became an All-American linebacker whose teams played in three consecutive Rose Bowls, won a National Championship and were regarded by many as the greatest defense in college football history. Written with author Derek Johnson, The Husky Hitman presents Hoffmann's voice - earnest, vigorous, plainspoken, insightful, and funny - along with the voices of those who knew him best, including Don James, Jim Lambright, Mark Brunell, Steve Emtman, James Clifford, Chico Fraley, Ed Cunningham and others. Says Hoffmann: I always thrilled at expending every ounce of energy I had on the field. Going into battle and winning championships. Hitting guys so hard that my helmet would dig into my forehead, causing rivulets of blood to trickle down my face. That was a special feeling for me - tangible evidence that I was doing a good job out there... that I was bringing intensity and violence to the opponent and they were feeling it. I appreciate those days and more importantly the people I was blessed to be surrounded by. We truly were a band of brothers, giving all we had and backing each other on and off the field. Our accomplishments were just evidence of the love we had for each other and for the game of football.

Derek Johnson is the sportswriter for The Woodinville Weekly and the author of four books, including Husky Football in the Don James Era, The Dawgs of War (Marques Tuiasosopo's Rose Bowl Season), Bow Down to Willingham and the Husky Hitman.