The thrilling behind-the-scenes account of how the NFL's most sensational scandal culminated in sports history's greatest comeback, featuring dozens of exclusive interviews with Patriots players -- including Tom Brady himself. In January 2015, rumors circulated that the New England Patriots -- a team long suspected of abiding by the "if you ain't cheating you ain't trying" philosophy -- had used under-inflated footballs in their playoff victory against the Indianapolis Colts. As evidence began to build, however, a full on NFL investigation was launched, exploding an unsubstantiated rumor into an intense scandal that would lead news coverage for weeks. As shockwaves rippled throughout the NFL system, the very legitimacy of one of the league's most popular teams and their star quarterback began to erode, even as the Patriots and Brady went on to win that year's Super Bowl. But as the celebrations gave way to the offseason, the investigation only intensified, reopening old wounds between the Patriots' powerful owner, Robert Kraft, and the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell. Brady was devastated and seemingly more nervous in front of a judge that on a game-winning drive. When the dust settled, Brady would be able to play again - but only after watching the first four games of the 2016 season from his couch. The pressure couldn't have been more intense: Brady's legacy was at stake. If he failed to return to his usual self, all the critics and even the history books would have to put a giant asterisk next to his name, signifying one thing: he was a cheater. 12 is the propulsive story of this gritty comeback. It's a drama that unfolds in the locker room, the court room, and under the brightest lights in all of sports -- the Super Bowl. Now for the first time, readers will have an exclusive look into Tom Brady's experience and the NFL's shocking strangle-hold on their players. With unprecedented access to Brady himself, his teammates, and his lawyers, we will see just how a football legend went up against one of the largest corporations in the world to stage the greatest comeback in NFL history and emerge a god of the gridiron.

本書が描くのは、巨大組織に挑む個人の尊厳と伝説の真価を問う極上の人間ドラマです。著者であるシャーマンとウェッジは緻密な取材に基づき、疑惑の霧の中で削り取られていくトム・ブレイディの孤独と執念を、硬質な筆致で鮮烈に描き出しました。 法廷とフィールド、二つの戦場で揺れ動く英雄の苦悩は、無敵の象徴が持つ人間的な脆さを露わにし、読者を物語の深部へと誘います。逆境を糧に史上最大の逆転劇を果たす姿は文学的なカタルシスに満ちており、栄光の影に潜む正義の在り方を鋭く問い直す一冊です。