sports misc.

First, a good article about Alabama basketball player Jermareo Davidson and the struggle that he's had following the death of his brother and girlfriend within a few weeks of each other. I think that I sent an article about him before, but this is a new one from this week's Sports Illustrated. Here's a quote:

How has Davidson found the strength to play basketball? How has he stood up to the pain? Perhaps the answer lies in the scene that took place on Dec. 28, during his brother's funeral at the Capitol View United Methodist Church in Atlanta. The night before, he had stunned his mother by telling her he wanted to be baptized in the church that he and Dewayne attended as children. So after giving his eulogy, Pastor Otis Pickett asked the congregation if anyone wanted to be saved. Davidson came forward. "It really was a powerful moment for every one of us who was there to witness it," says Croom, the brother of Mississippi State football coach Sylvester Croom.


And so, in a church that was filled to capacity, a grieving giant kneeled on a pillow, asked for forgiveness and gave his life to the Lord. Afterward, nobody could tell whether it was holy water or tears running down Jermareo Davidson's face.

Here's the article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/grant_wahl/01/29/davidson0129/index.html.

Here's an article about a charity golf tournament held by the Yankees Derek Jeter: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070129&content_id=1788935&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, a good article about Butler basketball player A.J. Graves. Here's a quote:

"That's the main reason I committed to Butler so early," Graves said. "I didn't think I could have played anywhere else but Butler. Coming from a small school and with the slight stature I have, I knew I had to go to Butler. That's where I had to be. Major teams play more physical and they're faster. I don't have those skills. God didn't bless me with those skills. I had to go some place where the coaches and system could make me a better player."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2747216.

Here's another article about Colts tight end Dallas Clark, a Christian, giving the credit to God for his knee injury back in November not being as bad as it was originally feared. Here's a quote:

"Yeah,'' the veteran tight end said, "I feel very blessed. The Lord works in mysterious ways. The game can be taken away from you so fast, with an injury, being cut, not doing a good job, whatever.''

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701300360.

Also, an article about the A's Mike Piazza's charity involvement: http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070130&content_id=1789491&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about the Mets Jose Reyes, John Maine, and Omar Minaya visiting children in a hospital in New York: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070130&content_id=1789990&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, a great article about Colts chaplain Ken Johnson and head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5534.

Here's another great article on Bears coach Lovie Smith, a Christian: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5533.

Also, an interesting article on the Bears Nathan Vasher's mom, who has manic depression and what she has to go through: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2748764.

Here's a quote about the Bears Tommie Harris, a Christian, in an article about Bears rookie defensive end Mark Anderson:

He credited the entire defensive line for teaching him how to adjust to the pro game, but singled out Harris, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle lost to a season-ending torn left hamstring after 12 games.

"He came in and took me under his shoulder," Anderson said. "We used to watch film together and work out. He was probably the first person to help me out."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701310456.

Lastly, a good article on the Colts Jeff Saturday's strange road to the NFL. He is also a Christian. Isn't amazing how God works sometimes? As a Colts fan, I'm just glad that the Ravens didn't keep him! Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701310459.