• Both Sides of the Line

  • The True Story of a Life-Changing Football Mentor Who Became a Longtime Target of America's Most Wanted
  • By: Kevin Kelly
  • Narrated by: Lyle Blaker
  • Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Both Sides of the Line  By  cover art

Both Sides of the Line

By: Kevin Kelly
Narrated by: Lyle Blaker
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

High school players in a working-class neighborhood in the 1970s gain desperately needed structure and guidance from Jack "Clyde" Dempsey, a scrappy, charismatic coach who seems like nothing more than a football geek. But Coach also happens to be the toughest guy on the streets of Boston, with a temper to match, and it's his secret life as a mob enforcer/collector that forces him to flee the country, becoming one of America's most wanted.

In this memoir a devoted Dempsey disciple, who later became a dean at a private school outside Boston, tries 35 years later to understand his former coach, role model, and mentor - both his good side and his very dark side - and Dempsey's impact on his own life. A completely true story.

©2016 Bancroft Press (P)2016 Bancroft Press

What listeners say about Both Sides of the Line

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

CM alum and enjoyed hearing of the success

Well done, some Boston street name mispronunciations. Truly too bad for Dempsey demise, seemed to be a great help

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

An engaging story

"Both Sides of the Line" is fascinating story about the undersized 1974 Bosco Bears in Massachusetts, with a strange twist, as a former player shares his appreciation for a former coach who was secretly connected to the mob. The former inner city technical school ended the long winning streak of Catholic Memorial, en route to a state football championship. Despite being a popular coach, and mentor to many young men, Clyde Dempsey was revealed to be a mob enforcer. Despite fleeing to Canada, and being featured on America's Most Wanted, Dempsey was captured and received a life sentence for second degree murder, and died in prison before he could be interviewed for this spectacular book. The author reunites with members of the 1974 championship team, as they share their thoughts and memories of that thrilling season, and ultimately learning the truth about their former coach. Highly recommended!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!