Mind and Matter

More about the book

For John Urschel, a childhood fascination with puzzles evolved into a deep mastery of mathematics. By thirteen, he was auditing a college calculus course. However, joining his high school football team ignited a new passion that rivaled his academic pursuits. The physicality of football captivated him, leading to a scholarship at Penn State, where his love for math was reignited. As a Nittany Lion, Urschel balanced his dual passions, managing life as both a scholar and an athlete. While playing as an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, he simultaneously pursued a PhD in mathematics at MIT. Urschel intertwines two narratives, reflecting on pivotal moments in his life. He explains his decision to remain loyal to his team after Penn State faced sanctions due to the actions of former coach Jerry Sandusky, despite offers from prestigious universities. He shares insights into his parents' influences and discusses the risks of football, including the correlation between the sport and CTE. Comfortable discussing both Georg Cantor's theories on infinities and Bill Belichick's strategies, Urschel illustrates how challenges in both realms have deepened his understanding of his life’s dualities. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of reason and emotion, mind and body, questioning the tendency to categorize people into binaries.