They Call Me ""Sweet Lou""

""As an undrafted free agent from Northern Iowa who played for eleven years in the NFL, I know the dedication it takes to suit up for a game. But that virtue doesn't pertain to just players and coaches. Just ask any football official. Better yet, just read about the career of Sweet Lou, and you'll discover the domain of tryouts, training camps, clinics, chalk talks, and film sessions does not belong exclusively to players and coaches. For over fifty years, Lou has been officiating football at every level. To last that long, you simply have to love the game. Having played in Baltimore before and after the Colts moved, I know about the love affair between the fans and its team. Having grown up in Baltimore, Lou was one of those fans. His passion for the game is unparalleled! It's a love story worth reading!"" -Steve Wright, author of Aggressively Human, entrepreneur, NFL veteran with the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Raiders ""Despite playing seventeen years of organized football, including six in the NFL, I learned so much about the intricacies of officiating that I had never realized. People don't know how difficult it is to become a respected official and the time and effort that has to be invested from the sandlots to the NFL. Lou has embodied all the traits that go into being a successful official, husband, and father. My only wish is that I had met him sooner. His story is an easy and entertaining read!"" -Sam Havrilak, NFL veteran with the Baltimore Colts and New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl V champion, first player in Super Bowl history to complete a pass, catch a pass, and take a handoff ""When Lou Hammond states that he came from the sandlots, correction. He earned his stripes on the dirt lots just like his childhood hero, Johnny Unitas. This book gives you the other angle of pro sports, the side of the officials who work their way up to the bigs to be loved or hated. Going back over fifty years, it's a sports history lesson on how the game has changed and those who changed it. Lou is a true professional who has heart and pride in his job. If you want to witness the game from the field to the press box, then I highly recommend They Call Me Sweet Lou."" -John Ziemann, Band President Baltimore Colts' Marching Band/Baltimore's Marching Ravens ""As a football coach, I have always had a great relationship with the officials. With Lou, I had a great relationship with a great official. This is evidenced by the fact Lou issued me my only penalty in my thirty-six years of coaching. It was well deserved as I was making my point past the hash mark. I've always found Lou to be a referee who was knowledgeable about the complicated rules of football. Our friendship remains despite that one penalty."" -Gordy Combs, head football coach for seventeen years at Towson University, commentator with Towson Football Network for ten years