Local writer Elrod to co-author autobiography on Mandarich

The memoir "Off the Film, The Tony Mandarich Story" is being shopped to publishers right now.

Mandarich Media Group (www.mandarichmediagroup.com) announced this week Tony Mandarich's tell-all autobiography is in the hands of his agent, Tristram C. Coburn. Sharon Shaw Elrod of Palestine is a co-author and “Off The Film” is her second book. Mandarich is her son-in-law. Her first book was titled “Shar’s Story: Mother and Daughter Reunited.”

Coburn's agency, Tristram C. Coburn Literary Management, will take the book to a publisher for a royalty contract within two weeks.

"Coburn said the working title of the book is “Off the Film — The Tony Mandarich Story."

Mandarich enjoyed a highly successful football career at Michigan State from 1984 to 1989, was two time All-American, and captained the 1988 Rose Bowl Championship team. He was drafted second overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. But he didn't live up to all the hype and, in his own words, '…didn't have my heart in the game.' Mandarich's book reveals what happened in Green Bay and the years that followed, ending the speculation that surrounded his career.

His return to football with the Indianapolis Colts in 1996 was considered by some as the comeback of the year. He is credited with helping resurrect the offensive line for the Colts in 1996 and 1997.

Following his retirement due to a shoulder injury, he managed a golf course in his native Canada until 2005, when he and his wife, Charlavan, moved to the Phoenix area, where they now live with their four children.

The Mandarich's recently expanded their businesses Mandarich Photography (www.mandarichphotography.com) and Mandarich Models (www.mandarichmodels.com) into a full service media company. Mandarich Media Group now offers web site design and optimization services, full service commercial, lifestyle and advertising photography, commercial digital video production and internet marketing, general marketing and public relations.

Mandarich Media Group is located in the Kierland Corporate Center at 7047 E Greenway Parkway, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ, 85254, 480-277-7888.