After the Cheering Stops

An NFL Wife’s Story of Concussions, Loss, and the Faith that Saw Her Through

By: Cyndy Feasel, Mike Yorkey

Narrated by: Michelle Lasley

Former NFL wife Cyndy Feasel tells the tragic story of her family’s journey into chaos and darkness resulting from the damage her husband suffered due to football-related concussions and head trauma—and the faith that saved her.

“If I’d only known what I loved the most would end up killing me and taking away everything I loved, I would have never done it.” – Grant Feasel

Grant Feasel spent ten years in the NFL, playing 117 games as a center and a long snapper mostly for the Seattle Seahawks. The skull-battering, jaw-shaking collisions he absorbed during those years ultimately destroyed his marriage and fractured his family. Grant died on July 15, 2012, at the age of 52, the victim of alcohol abuse and a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Cyndy Feasel watched their life together become a living hell as alcohol became Grant’s medication for a disease rooted in the scores of concussions he suffered on the football field. Helmet-to-helmet collisions opened the door to CTE and transformed him from a sunny, strong, and loving man into a dark shadow of his former self. In this raw and emotional memoir that takes a closer look at the destruction wrought by a game millions love, Cyndy describes in painful and excruciating detail what can happen to an NFL player and his family when the stadium empties and the lights go down. A powerful tale of warning for football moms and NFL wives everywhere, After the Cheering Stops is also a story of the hard-won hope found in God’s presence when everything else falls apart.

Insightful Book

Very well written book on a tragic life. Why aren't such books written about boxing?

A story every parent and every spouse of a pro athlete should read.

This story was poignant. Thank you Cyndy Freasel for being completely transparent. Your story needed to be told. It's so tragic, but God never gives us more than we can handle and this raw and emotional book is compelling. You may, very well, save more lives than you will ever realize. I pray that your children will realize the love and sacrifice you made for them and for Grant. I was a freshman at ACU when you and Grant were seniors and the story breaks my heart. I went to Hamby Church of Christ from Aug 80 till December 81 and I remember both of you. I am praying for you and your family and everyone who loved Grant Feasel.

I knew

I live in Barstow where Grant was raised and knew his dad DeWayne. Such a sad turn of events for Cyndy and the Feasel family. I enjoyed this book and wish them well

makes you think

this book definitely makes you think twice about encouraging children to play football.

It’s just not worth the long term brain injuries it can cause