NFL Running Back Danny Woodhead star of new children's book

Jon Goode likes to read his kids bedtime stories about heroes who never abandoned their quest, so he wrote "Danny Woodhead: A Football Dream Come True."

Illustrated by Boston College junior Rachel Gregorio, Goode's third book recounts the story of the smallest kid on the team who "always tries the hardest and has the biggest heart."

"Danny Woodhead just seemed like a natural guy to write about," said Goode, vice-president of communications for the New England Spinners Baseball Team. "Danny's pro football success is almost like a children's story with the message, ‘Never give up on your dreams. Don't give in. Listen to your heart."'

Illustrated with bright, clear images, "A Football Dream Come True" turns Woodhead's story into a never-say-die fable about the undersized and overlooked kid "with the heart of a champion."

Though written for children from 2 to 8 years old, Goode's book actually mirrors some of Woodhead's personal successes. Though a high school star in Nebraska, Woodhead was not recruited by major colleges to play football. He attended Chadron State College, with an enrollment of 3,000 students, where he set NCAA rushing and scoring records.

Danny Woodhead

Undrafted, Woodhead signed with the New York Jets and played for them for two years. Released by the Jets in September 2010, Woodhead was signed by the New England Patriots.

Goode named several characters in the book after his children. Danny's quarterback is named Brayden like his 7-year-old son. A teammate, Kylan, named after his 11-year-old son, gets the first touchdown, and the cheerleader, Kenzley, is named after his 5-year-old daughter.

Some of the proceeds from book sales will go to The C2 Mission, a foundation created to benefit children and families affect by cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis. Goode, who runs the Mission, overcame the challenges of cerebral palsy, and his niece, Alison Thomas, has cystic fibrosis.

Asked about his next book, Goode said, "I've written about the Red Sox, the Celtics and the Patriots. The next one's got to be about the Boston Bruins."