NFL, MLB, and NBA

First, an article about new Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who is making a comeback from a ruptured achilles last year. Here's a quote from him about his two young sons:

Stokley and wife Lana have two healthy sons, Cameron and Carson, thanks to Indianapolis doctors, who helped save Cameron from a near-fatal meningitis bout nearly four years ago.

"If we bought him into the hospital a couple of hours later, he probably would have been dead," Stokley says. "I look at him sometimes, and I just think how special he is and how blessed we are to still have him."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/2007-08-09-stokley_N.htm?csp=34.

Here's an article about 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and his organization to help foster kids to go to college, beyond just financially: http://sports.aol.com/nfl/story/_a/49er-staking-claim-in-foster-youths/20070807113109990001 (originally found at: http://goodnewsinsports.blogspot.com/2007/08/49ers-alex-smith-has-hands-on.html).

Next, an article about the "This Week in Baseball" episode last Saturday about Mets pitcher Tom Glavine and his 300th win. Here's a quote from him about his 300th win:

"This Week in Baseball" will chronicle that journey, from Glavine's years in Atlanta to his days as a Met -- setting a script to a very unscripted event. And that's precisely what made it so hectic, so chaotic. No one -- especially not Glavine -- had any idea when that win would finally come.

"It wasn't my script to write," Glavine said. "It was the good Lord's script to write, and I was just following along with it."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2139105&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Magic forward Dwight Howard, a Christian, getting the Community Assist Award for July from the NBA. Here's a quote about his foundation:

The Dwight D. Howard Foundation, Inc. is a faith-based organization whose mission is to help strengthen family relationships. The foundation’s goal is to bridge gaps that exist between parents and children. Through reading programs, after-school and computer initiatives, as well as adopt-a-child programs, Howard and his parents are committed to strengthening family relationships.

Here's the article: http://www.nba.com/news/howard_assist_070809.html?rss=true. Here's a link to Howard's website: http://www.dwight-howard.com/.

Lastly, a quote from Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, about his return from a rehab. assignment and being activated from the disabled list on Sunday, just in time for him to be involved in the Reds Faith Day:

Sunday is "Faith Day" at Great American Ball Park with a postgame concert by Christian rock band MercyMe. Hamilton, who is a participant in the day's festivities, feels fortunate to return to the club in time for the event.

"That's God's timing," he said. "Could've happened any time. Just so happened on the right day."

Hamilton, a former No. 1 overall Draft choice of the Devil Rays, made the Reds' roster out of Spring Training after being out of the game for nearly four years following a lengthy bout with alcohol and drug abuse.

"The stuff that happens in life, job-wise, is so not even close to what I went through," he said. "I have faith that God will pull me through whatever it is. A wrist injury isn't that big of a deal."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070812&content_id=2144681&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin&partnered=rss_cin.

A little more about Faith Day: I went to Faith Day in Cincinnati yesterday, and it was wonderful! Cincinnati is a 5-hour round trip from here, but it was entirely worth it. After the game Josh Hamilton and his wife, Reds coach Johnny Narron and his wife, and Bengals Hall-of-Famer Anthony Munoz all spoke before a MercyMe concert. If you ever get a chance to go to a Faith Day somewhere, do and invite others to go with you. How often do you get a chance to watch a ballgame, here some Christain athletes and others speak about their faith in God, and get to hear a Christian band? Also, MercyMe sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the Seventh Inning Stretch too, which was cool. For more information, check out the group that organizes these events, Third Coast Sports: http://www.thirdcoastsports.com/.