My Dad My Dying Sun: A True Story of Love and Legends by David Sahadi, Lou Sahadi
Lou Sahadi was born into a life of adversity, but he overcame it. For nearly three decades, Lou was a successful magazine publisher and also authored thirty-one acclaimed sports books, many of which became best sellers. From the 60s through the 90s he was the most prolific sports author of his time. Lou loved sports. Lou also absolutely adored his son.
David Sahadi landed his first job at NBC Sports when he was just twenty-three. His love and passion for the sports industry combined with Lou’s connections opened doors. With his guidance, David became an Emmy-Award winning television producer and director. He has been honored to receive 27 PROMAX Gold Medallion Awards. And though many believe the son became more famous than his father, there was never an ounce of envy. Lou was simply so proud and in awe of the son he loved and guided.
At eight, David met Cassius Clay at the Fountainbleu Hotel. Lou was interviewing him. As David boarded a plane the following day, there he was. With immediate recognition, Clay vaulted him up onto his lap, telling the flight attendant, “He’s sitting with me.”
At thirteen, Lou ushered his scrawny kid David into the locker room at Shea Stadium. The New Orleans St. beat the Jets. Payton and Eli Manning’s dad Archie who was the NFL’s best quarterback at the time. Archie at over 220 lbs handed David his sweaty t-shirt from the game. It must have weighed ten lbs. David would wear that over-sized shirt for ten years.
When Lou was sixty-eight, the tables turned. David was working for the WWE and Lou showed up at one of his son’s shoots in South Beach. Lou met The Rock. The connection was instantaneous. David made Lou an extra in the commercial, with his new found friend, The Rock.
Adversity found Lou on August 30th, 2020, after suffering a horrific fall. Cracking his skull and causing severe brain trauma, with the doctors saying he had only an 8 percent chance of survival. Miraculously, through boundless love and Lou’s unrelenting determination to stay alive for his five children, Lou made a full recovery.
Lou lived another two-and-a-half years before succumbing. David knew that Lou hung on because of his five children. David was with him that day. David kissed Lou’s lifeless forehead after his last breath was released into the ethers, torrents of tears rolling down his swollen cheeks, and said, “I love you so much Poppa. And don’t worry about your children. They are my children now, and I will take care of them.”
This book is Lou’s story. David’s story. The emotional story of Love, Connection and the Blessed lives they lived together in the shadows of Legends.
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