His first book, The Bad Guys Won, was a biography of the hard-living 1986 Mets. He was criticized by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for a quote attributed to Cashman in a book Pearlman wrote about Roger Clemens. He applauded Hofstra University's decision to discontinue its football program in 2009, and regularly posits the most extreme, unpopular views in his columns for Sports Illustrated.
There should not be much surprise, then, that Pearlman has received some backlash for his latest book, on former Bears running back Walter Payton.
"I'd spit on [Pearlman]," said former Bears coach Mike Ditka, who coached Payton from 1982-87, in an interview with NBC Chicago. "I have no respect for him."
Pearlman's book, The Hero No One Knew, challenges the myth that Payton was a flawless hero. The former NFL career rushing leader struggled with drugs, suicidal thoughts and engaged in extramarital affairs, Pearlman writes.
An excerpt of the book published recently in SI also highlights Payton's love for his children, his generosity of his time to young fans and his camaraderie with his teammates. Failing to provide an honest look at the hero does a "disservice," Pearlman is quoted as saying.
Ditka, Payton's family and many former Bears have denounced the book.
"Walter, like all of us, wasn't perfect," reads a statement by the family. "The challenges he faced were well known to those of us who loved and lived with him. He was a great father to Jarrett and Brittney and held a special place in the football world and the Chicago community. Recent disclosures — some true, some untrue — do not change this. I'm saddened that anyone would attempt to profit from these stories, many told by people with little credibility."
It's unclear if Ditka read the book, or if he and the family were reacting to excerpts published elsewhere.
View Ditka making his comments in the video below.
View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.
