MLB, football, and NBA

Hello! First of all, an article about Illinois women's soccer player Courtney Bell and her soccer/missions trip to Mexico over the summer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes: http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/100907aai.html (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Here's an article about Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton, a Christian, and his long wait to get the post-season and the unbelievable success that he Rockies are having. In his 11th season with the Rockies, he's finally playing in not just the post-season, but the World Series. However, before the season the Rockies discussed trading Helton to the Red Sox, but it fell through. It's probably one of the best trades that never happened. Here's a quote about it from Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd, also a Christian:

"Things happen for a reason," O'Dowd said, "and that (trade) didn't happen for a reason."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=AqZ6aKYeUG3CJiZ8.M8FNcI5nYcB?slug=jp-helton101007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Next, an article about Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, a Christian, and how his career got to his current role as Cardinals starting quarterback. Unfortunately, he tore ligaments in his non-throwing elbow in last Sunday's game, but he might still be able to play this Sunday (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10417426). Here's the original article: http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10400866.

Here's an article about Indians outfielder Trot Nixon, a Christian, and how his previous playoff experience with the carefree Red Sox is helping his current team: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071010&content_id=2260476&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle&partnered=rss_cle.

Also, an article about Georgia wide receiver Demiko Goodman and how he's made the most of his chances to play. Here's a quote about him and a quote from wide receivers coach John Eason:

Everybody at Timothy Road Baptist Church knows who Demiko Goodman is. And it's not because he's a Georgia football player.

It's just that on any given Sunday there's no telling what kind of outfit he might turn up in. When it comes to clothes, he is no shrinking violet.

"I'm not sure what you call it, but he's quite sporty," said Bulldogs wide receivers coach John Eason, who attends the same church. "It's a fashion show with him. I've seen some pretty neat outfits."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/10/10/gafoot_1011.html.

Staying with Georgia football, here's a good article about head coach Mark Richt, a Christian, and how he's been able to spend more one-on-one time with his players this season since he gave up the calling the plays on offense late last season. It sounds like both he and the players are personally better off for it. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/10/11/gafoot_1012.html.

Next, a Christian article about basketball player Anthony Tolliver, who finished his career at Creighton last spring and is trying to make the Cavaliers team in training camp this fall. However, if that falls through he was also drafted by the CBA's Butte Daredevils. Here's the article from The Christian Sports Blog: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/anthony-tolliver-speaks-about-his-faith.html.

Here's an article about the MLB Action Teams where MLB players work with local high school kids to promote volunteering at their high schools. One of the main MLB players involved in this is Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a Christian. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071011&content_id=2260847&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Also, a neat article about Michigan high school soccer player Hannah Hackbardt, who won a contest to get to meet Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, a Christian. Here's a quote from the article about it:

... In her winning contest entry, she expressed her long-term goal of becoming a professional soccer player as well as her commitment to her teammates, whom she'd like to lead to a District title, and her assertion that "nothing is impossible with God."

This is a sentiment she shares with Lions quarterback, Jon Kitna. The NFL veteran has been outspoken about his faith and its influence on his athletic performance. He and his wife are founders of the Eternal Blessings Foundation, which supports various Christian ministries and he credited his faith for his "miracle" comeback in September, when he rebounded from a first quarter concussion to rally the Lions to a late victory.

Just as Kitna is part of a team prayer group and hosts a Bible study for teammates at his home, Hannah also leads her team in prayer. She attends Grace Community Church in Howard City and attends youth group every Sunday night.

"I am so excited to have the opportunity to meet Jon Kitna," commented Hannah when notified she had been named a regional In My Shoes winner. "I know Jon Kitna always stands up for what he believes in. He is a strong team leader and achieves amazing things on the field."

Here's the article: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0314425.htm (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/11).

Also, another article about Trot Nixon, this one about his playing against his former team, the Red Sox, after going to the Indians as a free agent before this season: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=288782.

Lastly, an article about LSU quarterback Matt Flynn, who's finally getting a chance to start this season after three years of backing up JaMarcus Russell, who was drafted by the Raiders last spring. Here's a quote from him about it:

"It's not the way I was looking at it in high school when I signed, but I feel very fortunate to be able to stick it out and have such a great team that I'm able to lead," Flynn said. "I wouldn't trade being on this team and this one year for anything - not for four years starting somewhere else. I feel very blessed."

Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/101107acv.html.