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Watford's sayings influence his playing

2011-02-13T16:14:00.001-05:00

Watford’s sayings influence his playing
By Hugh Kellenberger331-4369 | hkellenberger@heraldt.com
February 13, 2011

Indiana’s Christian Watford reacts after being called for a foul against Michigan’s Tim Hardaway Jr. Saturday at Crisler Arena. Chris Howell | Herald-Times
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Two shoes. Two sentences. A window into Christian Watford’s mindset.

On the left: “If it ain’t rough . it ain’t right.”

On the right: “What can man do to me?”

The origination of the first is unknown. Watford liked it because he found it symbolic of the Hoosiers.

“That’s what we’re going through right now,” Watford said. “We’re going through a rough stage. We need to get back to the right state.”

The second is from the bible, from Psalm 56. The full version is: “In God, whose word I praise/In the lord, whose word I praise/In God I trust and am not afraid/What can man do to me?”

He wrote both on his Adidas in November, and they have been with him as he has pushed and persevered through a trying sophomore season.

He has scored 20 or more points six times, but Indiana lost four of those games. Watford scored a career-high 30 against Iowa on Jan. 23, but all coach Tom Crean wanted to talk about afterwards was how many points Watford gave up.

He responded with the best week of his career, despite shooting 10-of-29 against Illinois and Michigan State. Watford was focused, driven on defense and did everything his team needed him to do.

He, it turns out, even played with a broken hand against Michigan State. Played 38 minutes actually — diving for a loose ball late, after the injury had occurred.

Thirteen days later, Watford suited up for the Hoosiers and took the floor at Crisler Arena Saturday. He had successfully fought through an injury that can leave you on the shelf for much longer than three games. With a pad and a large bandage protecting his left hand, Watford entered the game with 15:53 remaining in the first half.

In 22 minutes on the court, he was very good. Watford did not attack the rim as well as he would have liked, and the 83.5 percent free-throw shooter did not attempt one Saturday, but he was 6-of-10 from the field and had a team-high 14 points.

With 27 seconds remaining and the Hoosiers down five, Watford dribbled into the paint with his left hand, using his body to create separation and easily put up a basket that cut the lead to 3.

“He really wanted to be back,” Indiana coach Tom Crean said. “I think that’s a big part of this, because he rehabbed very strong. . He was tired early, but he really played hard and through it late. I thought it might be the other way around.”

Watford responded to adversity the way he has so often this season. He slips on occasion — the scouting report on Watford has long had “not consistent effort” under weaknesses — but he always seems to respond. Crean challenged him to have a double-double during the team’s second game: Watford had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Then Crean emphasized getting to the free-throw line: among players in the top 10 in the Big Ten in free-throw percentage, only JaJuan Johnson has more than Watford’s 133 attempts.

You cannot put too much into the magical powers of Sharpie on Adidas. But what Watford, or any player, chooses to write does mean something. When it matters, as those 13 words seem to for Watford, it tells you something about his character.

There are five regular-season games left in the 2010-11 season, one that has the Hoosiers in last place in the Big Ten. In the NBA, where Watford hopes to one day play, this is the time of the season in which stars on losing teams choose to sit back, “rest” and wear a suit during games.

So it says something that Watford did not choose that path. That he had to get back to the team.

The key word from Crean’s press conference was “combative.” The Hoosiers played hard against the Wolverines, but were not combative, Crean said.

That has been an issue for him — he walked out of practice Friday, Watford’s first back with the team since surgery on the hand. The team was better Saturday morning, but that was not the case later in the day.

But what is the difference between hard and combative? I work with words for a living, and it is not entirely clear. The difference left at least one other Hoosier stumped.

Watford had an answer, though.

“You can play hard, but we weren’t playing together,” Watford said. “We were playing hard, but trying to do too much on our own.”

Indiana has now lost three in a row, and the momentum gained from wins against Illinois and Minnesota seems to have dissipated. Maybe Indiana does enough to merit an invite to the CBI, but the season could just as easily be over in less than a month.

It would have been easy to pack it up and focus on next season. Watford didn’t. That matters.

“I wanted to help my team,” Watford said, “with whatever I could give.”

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2010-08-29T14:47:00.002-05:00

INDIANA FOOTBALL
Chappell right at home at Indiana
What you see is what you get with Bloomington native, Hoosier starting QB

By Dustin Dopirak 331-4227 | ddopirak@heraldt.com
August 29, 2010

Indiana's Ben Chappell, a former standout on the Bloomington South football and basketball teams, is beginning his second season as the Hoosiers' starting quarterback. Chris Howell | Herald-Times

The question doesn’t seem that difficult, but no one seems to be able to come up with an answer.

What about Ben Chappell does Bloomington not already know?

The Indiana fifth-year senior has lived all but the first few months of his life here, and he’s spent a significant chunk of his 23 years in some of the more glamorous positions attainable for a young Bloomington athlete. He was the starting quarterback on Bloomington South’s football team for two-plus years and the starting center on its basketball team for three before moving up town to IU, where he’s heading into his second year as the full-time starting quarterback.

And yet in all that time in the hometown spotlight, it seems that everything that has been learned about him has fallen in the same impossibly straight lines. Bloomington knows that he’s a good-natured, smart, humble kid who stays out of trouble. That he’s a heady quarterback without a lot of speed, but a live arm. That he was a good all-around athlete and a great leader in high school, and that he’s becoming a great leader at IU now.

“He’s a golden boy,” said Drew Wood, his former football coach at South.

But doesn’t there have to be more to it than that? Doesn’t he have to have some secrets? Not necessarily deep and dark ones, but maybe just a personality quirk or meaningful anecdote known only to he and his family and friends? Isn’t there any interesting information about his life’s journey that hasn’t already made its way around town?

Perhaps, but Chappell himself couldn’t come up with much. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound redhead widened his eyes, pushed out a deep breath, shook his head and laughed when asked the question.

“Man,” he said, totally stumped. “There might not be (anything). I don’t know.”

Eventually, he mentioned his deep love for golf, but admitted that’s not that deep a secret, especially for anyone who plays Cascades.

But perhaps that’s just Chappell being his unfailingly modest and cautious self. Surely, his parents would have something new to add to the narrative, right?

There wasn’t much there either. His father Steve also pointed to Ben’s golf game as well as his closeness with family and friends. His mother Laura said Ben likes baby back ribs, onions and trips to Georgia to see her family and the beach but admitted there wasn’t a lot else.

“He’s pretty much an open book,” she said.

At least Tyson Weaver, who played football with Chappell at South and rooms with him at IU, had something worth a laugh.

“If you’re looking for something funny, it’s that he’s a terrible dancer,” Weaver said. “That would be the one thing. The kid’s got no rhythm whatsoever when he’s not on the football field.”

But other than that, Weaver said, the story of Ben Chappell is exactly what you’ve always heard it is.

“He’s the kid that every parent dreamed of having,” Weaver said. “That All-American boy. He’s the guy everyone looks up to, and he sets the standard for everything. He’s a role model for his friends. . He doesn’t keep anything in the closet. It’s all out there. Everyone who knows Ben Chappell knows what he’s about.”

It really is just that simple.

Success never slumps
Chappell has, more or less, always done what he was supposed to do, and his resume reflects it. There aren’t any epiphanies, turning points or plot twists. Virtually no drama. Just a string of achievements.

He’s been a star athlete since pitching and playing shortstop on his little league baseball team. He started playing football in fourth grade, when he had to play center because he was above the weight limit for ball carriers. Two years later he started playing quarterback and hasn’t moved since.

He was a three-year starter in high school, though the first year was cut short by a broken collarbone, and was named all-state as a senior. In the meantime, he was a three-year starter at center on the South basketball team, which reached the semistate in his senior year. He graduated high school with a 4.0 grade point average.

College has been the same. He’s already graduated from the prestigious Kelley School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a 3.7 GPA. He’s taking classes toward his master’s this year as he enters his senior football season as the leading returning passer in the Big Ten.

“He’s that kid growing up that’s done everything right all the time,” IU tight end Brad Martin said.

And yet somehow, remained stunningly well-adjusted.

Chappell himself has developed no sense of entitlement or arrogance in all that time as a “golden boy.” He’s unfailingly polite and self-deprecating. His insistence on diverting attention to teammates and coaches in interviews would be unnerving if it wasn’t so genuine.

He hasn’t lived like a monk at IU, but whatever social life he has on Saturday night doesn’t keep him from making it to church on Sunday. And he’s kept close ties to those he grew up with, still keeping in touch with his former teammates, coaches and teachers. Every home game, there are hundreds of people he knows in the stands. His kindergarten teacher still attends his parents’ tailgates.

“No one’s perfect by any means,” Weaver said. “But he’s done everything right as far as putting yourself on the right position at all times and just to make sure you don’t get caught up in the riff-raff and all the things kids get involved with. . And he’s stayed true to his roots. No matter how popular or big his name’s gotten, he’s never gotten a big head over his celebrity status.”

What’s kept him on the straight and narrow? That question has a pretty simple answer, too.

“His mom taught him that,” Wood said. “If he even started to sniff like he was going to be cocky, his mom would call him out on it. His dad, Steve, too. They’re top notch.”

Said Chappell: “It definitely all comes down to my parents, and the way I was raised. My mom is awesome, and she’s such a good person. She taught me how to be a good person and to treat people with respect. My dad taught me how to work hard and support family, and I think definitely the way I’ve been is a direct reflection of the way I was raised by my parents.”

Steve, a salesman and former baseball player at Kentucky, and Laura, who works at Childs Elementary School, also succeeded in parenting through balance, keeping Chappell disciplined without being disciplinarians. They were never ultra-strict or overbearing but made sure he got the point.

“He’s been drilled from Day 1 that whatever he does, he represents first himself,” Laura said. “He represents his family, his God, he represents his school and he represents his team.”

Team leader
Team has always been a driving force for Chappell as well. He grew up playing football and basketball with mostly the same tight-knit group of South kids and came to realize early how much he depended on everyone else. That’s why he doesn’t let any interview stay focused on him. Every positive offensive possession requires the work of 11 guys.

Sometimes, though, he can be a tad too deferential, and if there was a critique of Chappell last season, it was that he was never quite completely in control. It wasn’t that his teammates didn’t listen to him, but that his comfort level with his position wasn’t absolute because it was his first year as the starter after splitting time with the departed Kellen Lewis the season before. He still threw for 2,941 yards and 17 touchdowns, but after a 4-8 campaign, he went into the offseason feeling like he could’ve done more to get IU back to a bowl for the first time since his redshirt freshman season.

So far this year, though, that hasn’t been a problem. Since the spring, players and coaches have seen a change in the way he commands the offense. He was recently named captain by winning a team election in overwhelming fashion.

“He’s really taken over the football team,” Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. “In the spring, to me, he was a different guy in the spring. You use the expression that it became slow-motion to him, or the game slowed down. You could just tell that he was out there, and he’s at the point where he can tell the tackle what to do, he can tell the left guard what to do, he can tell the wideouts, ‘Cheat your split end, go out.’ He can tell the back, ‘They’re going to blitz here, here’s your protection.’ Now all the sudden, you talk about trust, he’s got teammates that trust him, because they know he knows.”

Chappell’s made vast improvements physically and mentally. His understanding of the playbook has always been strong, and now he knows it cold. His throws are sharper than ever before, and he seems to be able to make all of them now, hitting receivers on the hands on out routes, in the chest on slants and perfectly over the shoulder on deep balls.

“He’s got every throw in the bag,” IU offensive coordinator Matt Canada said. “He’s making throws that people on Sunday are going to want him to make.”

There’s been talk recently about Chappell playing on Sundays. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., for instance, called him IU’s most draftable player.

But Chappell doesn’t talk about that much. He’s obviously set himself up well if a pro career never happens, and his focus of the moment is still Saturdays and trying to lead IU back to a bowl berth.

That’s what the rest of the Hoosiers are looking to him for.

“This year, he’s become that complete quarterback, complete leader,” Martin said. “He’s a lot more vocal, we all respect him. He’s just taken over the leadership role completely now. Last year, yeah, we all followed him, but this year, he tells us what to do and we all do it. We all respect him.”

Because like the rest of Bloomington they all know his story. There isn’t a lot of drama to it, but that doesn’t matter.

He’s Ben Chappell. The All-American boy. The one everyone looks up to.

Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2010

Webpage link: http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2010/08/29/iusports.qp-9289235.sto

Patti Haston's legacy lives on in her son

2009-07-17T19:35:00.001-05:00

Patti Haston’s legacy lives on in her son
Former IU basketball standout trying to instill late mother’s values into his son, Kenner

BY LYNN HOUSER lhouser@heraldt.com
May 10, 2009

(from http://tmnews.com/stories/2009/05/10/sports.nw-922474.tms?1241994738)

Kenner Haston has never met his grandmother, but he has heard all about Grandma Haston.

His daddy tells him she was the best mother a son could ever wish for.

She raised him tall and straight, a gentle giant, a God-fearing man. She saw that he attended church on Wednesdays and Sundays, saw that he kept up on his studies, and that he said “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am.” She was his best friend and his biggest fan. She didn’t think twice about driving seven hours to watch him play college basketball.

What a grandmother she would have been but for that terrible day, May 6, 1999.

That’s the day a killer tornado ripped her away from her loved ones. Ten years later, her son, Kirk Haston, has come to grips with it.

Kirk Haston needs no introduction to those who follow Indiana basketball. The 6-foot-10 center enjoyed three superb years at IU from 1998 to 2000. At the end of his junior year, he entered his name in the NBA draft and went in the first round.

It was just two years earlier, a couple of months after his freshman season at IU, that he received that unthinkable phone call. It came only hours after he had spoken to his mother, Patti Haston. Her final words to him were, “Love you.”

That next day, Patti and her friend, Hollis Hinson, huddled in his home, trying to ride out a tornado gauged at 200 miles per hour. Tragically, they were directly in the furious storm’s path, and all that was left of the house was the foundation. Neither of them lived to see their 50th birthday.

Killer tornadoes are all too common in Tennessee. Earlier this spring, on Good Friday, a storm swept through the state and claimed the lives of a mother and her infant daughter — a storm too close to home in too many ways for the son of Patti Haston.

“It forces you to think about it,” Kirk said.
Many reminders
Hardly a day goes by that Kirk doesn’t think of his mother, even 10 years later. Her picture hangs in the wing of the Tennessee elementary school where she taught for 26 years, a wing now named after her.
One of her students was Kirk, who has followed in her footsteps by serving as a staff member in the same school system.

“I go down that hallway, and her picture is there,” he said.

Memories sharpen each year, as Mother’s Day approaches. For Haston they are not your typical Hallmark moments. Not only did he lose his mother around Mother’s Day, he also lost his grandmother, Betty Kirk, in that month. She perished in a car crash in May, 2007.

“There is something about the month of May,” Haston said.

The toughest of times for Haston came in the first two years following Patti’s passing, his sophomore and junior years at IU. The 300 miles between central Tennessee and Bloomington did not keep Patti from attending every home game his freshman year. How elated she would have been to see her son blossom into an All-Big Ten center. How thrilled she would have been to see him beat No. 1 Michigan State on a last-second 3-pointer. How proud she would have been to see him play professional basketball.

“The toughest part for me,” Haston said, “came after those games, especially after big wins. Those were big moments in my life, not just in basketball. I always looked forward to that reaction from her. For me, the game wasn’t complete until I heard from her. It took a long time for me to find a new ‘end’ to the moment, because that was the ending to all my moments before. After that pattern for 20 years, I had to find a new ending. Not having that closure was the toughest thing.”
His faith unshaken
Losing someone so close might have shaken a lesser man’s faith, but all those Wednesdays and Sundays in church prepared Haston for that jolt.

“A lot of people wait for that one moment to get their life right, but I would like to think my faith has been about the same all along,” he said. “I can’t say I’d lived my life any differently before than after.”
If it changed Haston in any way, his teammates didn’t notice.

“I’m sure that when by himself, those ups and downs were there, but as a teammate you couldn’t pick up on it,” said Michael Lewis, who was a junior teammate at the time of the tragedy. Lewis and sophomore Tom Geyer accompanied coach Bob Knight to Tennessee to offer support during those anguished days that surrounded the funeral.

“I don’t know how to describe what it was like down there,” said Lewis, now an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois. “I didn’t know Kirk’s mother all that well, other than seeing her at games, but I felt I just needed to go down there as a teammate. It was just the right thing to do. Publicly, Kirk handled it really well. He knew he couldn’t change it. He knew had to deal with it and move past it.”

Even so, Haston still had his moments.

“You always have that ‘why me’ thing, but God never puts more on your plate than you can handle,” Haston says. “If it took me to experience this so other people could handle something down the line … well, there is nothing fair about life. We are all going to experience four or five difficult things. Once you’ve dealt with one, it makes the others easier to deal with.”
Leaving her mark
In many ways, Haston feels his mother has never left him. He notes areas of his life where she left a permanent imprint.

“The first thing is spiritually,” he said. “I never even thought about asking the question, ‘Are we going to church on Wednesday?’ I knew we were going. Even though she was a single parent with many responsibilities, and even after a long day’s work, there was never any question whether we were going to church. What she did for me there is immeasurable.”

Haston also talked about the influence she had on his athletic career. As a parent, Patti never lost her perspective, and that carried over into Kirk’s life. He has grown to appreciate that now as he serves as a volunteer basketball assistant at Perry County High, where he is still a central Tennessee legend for having led the school to a state championship in 1997. He also is the school corporation’s health program coordinator.

“I pray I’m as good a parent to Kenner as my mom was to me,” Kirk said. “I can’t believe how some parents talk to their kids during games. It’s so painful to hear. My mom had that mentality that you work your butt off, but when the game comes you let ’er rip. I’m glad I had that environment.”
Knight saw it in him
Throughout Haston’s red-shirt year and freshman year, Knight kept waiting for him to “let ’er rip.” Losing losing his mother so unexpectedly seemed to unleash that side of him. He averaged 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds his sophomore year. Playing for Mike Davis his junior year, Haston led the Big Ten in scoring at 19 points and was named a third team All-American.

“Coach Knight was always pushing me to be tougher,” Haston said. “He said, ‘I know you’ve got toughness in you. No one can raise a child while keeping a job like your mom did.’ That was one of the great pieces of encouragement I got after Mom passed away.”

Drafted 16th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, Haston’s pro career ended after five injury-riddled seasons. In 2005 he married Kasey Foster, a homecoming queen from Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee, the same Christian school where his mom was a homecoming queen her senior year. Last August the Hastons celebrated the birth of Kenner, named after a line of superhero toys that always fascinated Kirk.

“I guess I’m kind of a geek that way,” he said.

Now that he has a child of his own, Haston is trying to be the parent his mother was. As a single mother and an only child, they were inseparable. Haston’s father was never much a part of their lives.

“I just remember all the time Mom and I spent together,” Haston said. ‘The last day of school every year, we would always go to the movies. We went on vacations every year. She was always creative even if we didn’t have the means.”

Patti would have surely doted on her first grandchild, so Kirk was quick to visit her grave following Kenner’s birth.

“I gave her the rundown — the height, weight, everything,” he said.

The day has now arrived for Kenner to join his father on one of those visits.

“I think it would be neat telling him about the first time I took him out to where Gram’ was buried,” Haston said a few days before the 10th anniversary of her death. “I think it should be the anniversary of something big. I guess May 6th is that day.”

'I Don't Know Any Other Way': Sporting News Conversation: Philip Rivers

2009-06-13T13:47:00.004-05:00

Part of this article was posted on the Sporting News website on May 31, 2009, here: <http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=555213> and the entire article is found in the Sporting News print copy from May 25, 2009. The Q&A's with an asterik (*) beside them are only found in the print copy.

*San Diego's family-man quarterback hasn't alway endeared himself to opposing fans, but he just might be the cleanest-living, cleanest-talking trash-talker in the NFL.

*There's a word for a guy like Philip Rivers. Cocky? Many NFL fans would say so, considering his yap-a-lot demeanor toward anyone--player and paying customer alike--wearing an opposing team's jersey. Annoying? The folks in Denver believe it, especially after the Chargers came from three games down in the AFC West with three games to go to overtake the Broncos in 2008. Driven? After Rivers played with a torn ACL in the '07 playoffs, then led the league with a 105.5 passer rating last season, it certainly fits.

* But the best word to define Rivers? "Homebody," he says proudly. Rivers is an old soul of 27 who married at 19, has three daughters and a son and heads home--no, races there--at the end of every workday with the Chargers, the team he has quarterbacked for three seasons after sitting behind Drew Brees in '04 and '05. On an early-May Thursday in San Diego, after 90 minutes in the weight room in anticipation of what he hopes will be a Super Bowl season, Rivers sat for an interview with Sporting News' Steve Greenberg. Then he rushed to the players parking lot, jumped behind the wheel of his black Ford F-250 and made his way toward the destination that matters most to him.

What does San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' in-game yapping at opposing players and fans alike really say about him? What does it mean to him that he outlasted Jay Cutler in the AFC West? And can he own a division for an extended period of time like some of his heroes -- Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady -- have done in their careers?

Rivers, 27, discussed those matters, as well as his devout Catholic faith and his unique family life, in a wide-ranging Sporting News Conversation with Steve Greenberg. Here are some excerpts and outtakes from the magazine interview that is on newsstands now:

Q: You say you're going to tone down talking to opposing fans. Why would you do that? It seems like fun for both sides.
A: It is fun. There hasn't been profanity on either side; it hasn't been vulgar. In Indianapolis (in a January '08 playoff game), every completion Peyton threw: "That's how a real quarterback does it!" And then we scored and I said, "Yeah, what now?" But the reasons for toning it down are, 1) so it's not a distraction for any of us, and then 2) it wasn't explained on the SportsCenter reel like I've explained it to you. People watched it and said, "This guy's out of his mind." Not that I always worry about the perception, but I'm not going win that battle by saying I'm just having a good time.

*Q: You're not going to pipe down with opposing players though, are you? That wouldn't be you.
A: It's not like I go into the game with a plan: What am I going [to] think of today to say to these guys?

*Q: You don't write messages on towels?
A: No! It's all with the game. You get a guy to bite up and throw deep over his head: "Quit bitin' the cheese now!" It's all things you'd say in the backyard that I've said to my brother: "We're gonna lay you out all day!" "Ya'll can't stop that play!" It's all fun. And, over time, you get to know these guys and you can't wait to play them. Jared Allen in Kansas City was always fun to play against, hearing him holler back and forth, "I'm gonna be on you all day!" He caught a touchdown against us and was hollering over at Antonio Gates, "Hey, how'd you like that? It was a pretty sweet catch, wasn't it?" If you can't have that, then we're kidding ourselves--because it's a game.

*Q: Is it important to you that fans know you keep it clean?
A: It really is important. Being a family man, having four children, it is important that it's clean and that I can go home and tell the story to my wife or my mom. In high school, and for 51 games at N.C. State, I was the same guy and nothing really surfaced then. There just happens to be a camera at every angle now.

Q: One of those cameras caught you gesturing to Jay Cutler during a win against the Broncos a couple of seasons ago. It sure looked like you were taunting him. Did you go too far?
A: There are obviously two sides to every story. I've seen the clip over and over. They're a division rival, our guys got a big defensive stop, they'd been going at it all day with Jay, and I was kind of congratulating Matt Wilhelm and Shaun Phillips. I had a little smirk on my face, had a little, "Atta baby, nice play!" with my eyes directed toward Jay. Is it something I regret? No, because it was clean. But I understand some of the feedback and the perception it created. Maybe it wasn't the best thing. But I can repeat everything that was said and how it went. If it doesn't get caught on TV, I don't think either one of us would have ever thought about it.

*Q: But Cutler was offended. He later said he's "not a big fan" of yours and he doesn't like the way you carry yourself on the field.
A: I've been nothing but complimentary of Jay as a player and a quarterback. I think he's a great player. I would like to think we've got a great deal of respect for each other as players, competitors. I think it's become a non-issue. It has fizzled out. But I will miss the two times a year against Jay (who was traded to the Bears in April) and the hype that it brought.

Q: How great was it for this team to hang in there last season and win the division the way you did, especially after that nutty call in Denver in Week 2?
A: It was unreal. I was talking to my wife about last season, the 4-8 (start) and how we came back. She said, "Isn't it funny how you just remember how it ended?" It's hard to put yourself back to how hard it really was and how rough and sick we felt coming in here at 4-8 and going to Wednesday practice. It was rough. ... And it was super rewarding, and a lot of people deserve a lot of credit. Norv (Turner) did a heck of a job. Maybe he doesn't get the credit he deserves for never flinching. To stand in front of the team and it looks like it's slipping away from you, it's not easy. What do you say? "Hang in there, we're almost there, keep playing hard." But he did that;
he never flinched.

*Q: How great was it for this team to hang in there last season and win the division the way you did?

A: It was unreal. I remember us quarterbacks, me and Billy (Volek) and Charlie (Whitehurst), sitting there in between meetings and film doing probability on our chances four the playoffs. Treating it as if every game was 50-50, we were going, "All right, we have a 3.5 percent chance at this point," and it kept moving up; it went to 12 and then 25 and then, obviously, in the last game against Denver it was a 50-50 chance.

*Q: You didn't have it more like 90-10 by then?

A: It was 50-50 on the board, but we said, "Shoot, it isn't 50-50."

Q: Did you know you were going to win that final game, at home vs. the Broncos for the division title?
A: Oh, yeah. We did. And I think the whole world knew it and everybody picked us. We said, "Guys, let's do it. Don't get caught up in it." But we walked into the locker room after that crazy loss to Denver in Week 2 and Norv said, "Hey guys, Week 17 is going to be for the whole division, at our place." And it turned out that way. That was awesome.

*Q: Well, the Cutler stuff is over--you outlasted him in the AFC West. Can you rule the roost in the division for a while?
A: We hope so. The division has changed a lot this offseason, with new coaching staffs--which will mean new systems--and new players. Those teams were very active in the draft and free agency. You normally go into the season with six games where you pretty much know the personnel, and those are the easiest games to prepare for. It's going to be different going into this season, but we certainly feel like we're the team everybody is chasing.

*Q: Are the Chargers going to win the Super Bowl this season?
A: I don't even want to say yes because for two offseasons now there's been so much hype around this town and in the national media that this is the most talented team in football--the Chargers have got this and this and this--and then we've gone 1-3 and 0-2. We've been battle-tested, faced every situation we could face, had every type of adversity. You can kind of just sense now in our locker room, "Let's be quiet and go play and get it done."

*Q: What are you expecting from LaDanian Tomlinson? It it possible anymore, in this offense, for him to lead the league in rushing?
A: There's no question it is. He's looked awesome this offseason. And nobody really knows but him about what he was going through with the injuries last year. He has looked as fresh and excited as he's been since I've been here. I don't see any reason he can't win that thing.

*Q: If you could play the rest of your career for Norv Turner, would you want that?
A: No question. There's a perception that he's so laid-back, he needs to be more fiery. He's as passionate and as excited and motivating and hard-working of a coach as I've seen. I don't know how much more you could ask for and what you could want. And he's a lot of fun to play for. I like to think that we're wired the same way. It's good when the head coach and the quarterback are on the same page. It sounds funny, but we both like football a lot.

Q: Was there a big difference between the undefeated Patriots team you lost to in the '07 playoffs and the Steelers team you lost to last postseason?
A: The records were different, but the Steelers have a disciplined, tough, nasty defense with an offense that gets it done. The atmosphere is a lot tougher in Pittsburgh. We'd already been there once, and we went right back six weeks later. That's as good and tough and nasty of a defense as I've played. They've got the great players -- (Troy) Polamalu, (James) Harrison -- but they've got so many guys who know their roles and play them to a T. We hung in there, but that third quarter was so crazy. It's hard to win a game when you run one play in a quarter.

Q: Who's the best player from your 2004 draft class?
A: I think, right now, it's Larry Fitzgerald. The things he does and how consistent he is and what he can do in one play, one catch, to change the game, is really unmatched.

Q: Here's an impossible question. If you were on a team with Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, who would start?
A: That is pretty impossible. I imagine you'd get three "I woulds" if you asked all three guys that question. I think I'd have to say I would.

Q: It's pretty neat, isn't it, how things have really worked out for you, Manning and Roethlisberger, but also for Drew Brees, whom you replaced here?
A: All four guys have continued to improve and have good careers. The one thing I really appreciated was the relationship with Drew here my first two years, what I learned from him about pushing myself and competing. He's meant a lot to this organization. Eli and Ben have a handful of Super Bowls and obviously have played great, and here in San Diego we've won a lot of football games. Since 2004, we're in the top four in games won in that span. New England, Indianapolis and the Steelers are the only teams that have won more.

*Q: It was quite a haul the Chargers go for Eli Manning--not only you but draft picks that turned into Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding. How would you analyze that 2004 draft-day trade?
A: I like to think the Chargers go the better end of that deal. When you think about what Merriman has meant to this team, and Nate Kaeding's one of the top kickers in this league, we have greatly benefited from it.

*Q: What has Manning been missing out on these past five years?
A: San Diego is a great place to live. I'm sure there are a lot more sunny days and it's a little warmer year-round, that's for sure. It worked out for both of us. Not knowing the type of team camaraderie they have there--obviously, they won a championship--I'm excited that I was the one who got to be around these guys and this organization. It's amazing how much Southern California has become home.

Q: What was it like to play high school ball for your father in Athens, Ala.?
A: Some of the greatest memories that I've ever had. It was awesome. Ever since I was old enough to think about it, I couldn't wait to play for him. It was something both of us couldn't wait for. And then it just flies by. I'll never forget both of us literally crying our eyes out after the last game we were together. We lost in the playoffs in the quarterfinals. We were the last two in the locker room; we sat there and had a big hug. God, it was over. It was the end of it. I remember that like yesterday.

*Q: Somebody said of you, "When he leaves here, he leaves here." As in, it's family time. What does family mean to you?
A: It means everything. I love being around the guys, but when the day is done I like to be with Tiffany and the kids, playing and swimming and wrestling on the floor, watching some videos. The Chargers and football are part of our family, certainly, but family is definitely ahead. Tiffany is great. We met back when I was an eighth-greader and she was a seventh-grader. We go way back. She loves being a mom.

*Q: A 27-year-old with a wife and four kids--that's some heavy-duty stuff.
A: I don't know any other way. Tiffany and I got married after my freshman season. I was 19. We had Halle 15 months after. I had a semester in the dorm, and that was all I needed.

*Q: How did you know Tiffany was the one?
A: I knew she was special from early on. I remember seeing her at the baseball field and telling my mom, "You see that girl over there? She's a good girl." I kind of picked her out. And I guess from then on, I was kind of in pursuit.

*Q: You are a devout Catholic who speaks out about his faith. That's kind of a rarity in the sports world, isn't it?
A: There are not a lot of us, and we need more of us. It's faith, family, football--in that order. I grew up in Alabama and was a little bit of a minority down there already. We went to Mass every Sunday. Tiffany wasn't Catholic growing up; she was a very strong Christian. It was important to us as we nurtured our relationship that, spiritually, we were on the same page. She actually converted before our wedding day. We're both very strong in the faith. We both say we're best friends, and that's where it all starts. Raising our children in the faith now, it has provided us many blessings and means a ton to us.

Q: You publicly supported Prop 4, a California ballot initiative that would have required parental notification before abortions could be performed on minors. Did you also get involved with Prop 8, which eliminated same-sex couples' right to marry in the state?
A: On Prop 8, I did not, but I have the stance that you would imagine. As for Prop 4, just having young daughters, I felt strongly enough about it to try to help out. Another thing I feel strongly about is chastity. You ask why I got married so young -- it was important to Tiff and I to remain pure until we got married. That was certainly some motivation right there to get married young. (Laughs.)

*Q: Have you struggled at times to be yourself in the jock culture, where there's a lot of sex outside of marriage?
A: Temptations are there in every profession, wherever you are, whatever you do. Me? No, I haven't struggled. I credit that to my strong faith and commitment to not put myself in tempting situations.

*Q: Do you talk to teammates about their sex lives?
A: I certainly am open to it, but I just try to live by example. I certainly stand up for what I believe with anything that may come up that I feel convicted and strong about, but I try not to be pushy or force things upon guys.

*Q: Back to football--who's the best quarterback who ever lived? And who's your all-time favorite?
A: Right when you first asked the first question, two guys popped into my mind: Joe Montana and Dan Marino. I had a poster wall of quarterbacks, and Marino, Montana, Brett Favre, John Elway, Troy Aikman, those guys were all on the wall. I wasn't a "That's my guy!" type of fan; I was just a fan of quarterbacks. I couldn't wait to watch a game and see guys play. Maybe because I see a similarity in style--toughness, grittiness, hating to lose, enjoying the game--I've always wanted to play like Brett Favre. And then Peyton Manning has always been a favorite. Playing against a Peyton Manning-led team--the way he plays the game and goes about it and respects it--it's always meant a little more.

*Q: Who do you see as the best quarterbacks in the game, and where do you fit in the pecking order?
A: The first two guys that come to mind are always (Tom) Brady and Peyton.

*Q: In that order?
A: Not necessarily. In fact, Peyton probably would be the first guy if you asked me who I'm taking today for one game. You know, these questions are hard for me because I always try to be humble as possible. But as a competitor, I want to be confident in myself. If somebody actually did ask me who I'm taking today to play one game, I'd say I want to be the guy. So I say Peyton, eliminating myself. I may be the only guy who thinks that, and that's fine. I feel like if I can continue to get better, I can be right up there in the mix with all those guys.

This story first appeared in the May 25 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.

Change That!

2008-02-22T15:38:00.003-05:00

Hi! Okay, so I will be able to post articles here on my blog to an extent. The latest articles that I've posted to my del.icio.us page will be available here near the top of my blog page. To see any articles that I posted before that, you'll still have to go to my del.icio.us page. There are links to the different article topics on my del.icio.us page at the top of this page. So this will work with both pages together after all! My del.icio.us page is at: http://del.icio.us/milligan00.

I'm moving webpages

2008-02-21T21:32:00.004-05:00

Hello! Okay, I think that I've finally decided to just completely move over to del.icio.us instead of using my blog here. I'm moving all my links over to the site a few at a time. The del.icio.us page is just a lot easier and less time consuming for me to use. I hope that everyone checks out my page over there. You can also feel free to add me to your network on there, which makes it easy to share articles, websites, etc., with everyone who uses the site too. This page will still be here with all the links, but for updated articles you'll have to go to the new page. Some new articles that I just posted over there that you might want to check out are about Clemson head football coach Tommy Bowden, a Christian, and the importance of his faith in his recruiting and for some of his recruits. Hope to see you there! The link to my page is http://del.icio.us/milligan00.

new way of doing things

2008-02-17T16:50:00.003-05:00

Hello. I'm changing the way I'm posting articles. From now on, I'm going to just post articles on my del.icio.us page at http://del.icio.us/milligan00. This is much easier and less time-consuming than the way I have been doing it. There's a way to post my articles from the other site here on this blog, but I e-mailed del.icio.us about it and it's not working right now. So eventually, hopefully sometime this week, my articles from del.icio.us will be on this blog too. For now though, you'll have to check my del.icio.us page instead. Thanks, and sorry for the inconvenience. Please let me know what you think and feel free to add me to your network (see del.icio.us link on left).

NBA, NFL, and MLB

2008-02-13T20:08:00.008-05:00

Hello. I still have extra time because of the weather, so I'll post again. I'm trying something different with posting through del.icio.us (http://del.icio.us/milligan00), so I'm going to see how that works. I'm hoping that doing it that way will be less time consuming for me. I'll see how it works and let me know what you think. Thanks.

I only have a few articles today, but I thought that I would go ahead and post anyways. The first article is about Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley hosting a coat drive to collect coats for needy people: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080211/SPORTS04/802110375/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about new Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, a Christian, and the kind of person that he is. Zorn is replacing retired Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, also a Christian. Interviewed for the article were Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer, both also Christians who worked under Zorn at his former job as Seahawks quarterbacks coach. Here's a couple of quotes about Zorn:

In the Washington Redskins' seemingly interminable search to find the replacement for Joe Gibbs, they may well have found, well, another Joe Gibbs. Just like his predecessor, Zorn — born in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier — was a college quarterback in Southern California (Cal-Poly Pomona), became deeply religious and possesses an innate ability to stay calm through chaos. Like Gibbs, he is a family man. He and his wife Joy have four children, and in Seattle they would do things as a group when they had time — even something as mundane as a shopping trip to an outdoors sporting goods store. ...

"He's very much like a Joe Gibbs," said Trent Dilfer, who played under Zorn for four seasons in Seattle. "He's wise beyond his years. His faith is at the front of his life. And he's aware of the global perspective. I think what happens in the course of a football season when you are not one of the top-echelon teams — one of the top five or six teams — and you are in a fight to try and make the playoffs, one of the biggest things the head coach needs is to create a calmness about the team. What Gibbs and the best coaches can do is put things in perspective for the football team. That's what he was able to do as a quarterback coach."When there are team dramas, there will be a lot of dialogue there between players and coach. He will handle those dramas."

Here's the article: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt_d8zornside_0211feb11,0,2119078.story (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Next a good article in the New York Times about Giants wide receiver David Tyree, a Christian, and what he overcame in his personal life to become an outspoken Christian and one of the Giants Super Bowl heroes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/sports/football/11tyree.html?_r=1&em&ex=1202878800&en=a74c75851df04bb3&ei=5087_&oref=slogin. Here's a quote from the transcript from the interview that the article is from, which is even better:

NYT: Do you think back often to your story?

DT: What has occurred now has forced me to. I’m praying that I get the opportunity to do a book. It’s more than just a feel-good story. It’s not about David Tyree. It’s bigger than this Super Bowl catch. It’s about destiny and purpose for one person’s life. It’s about one man’s willingness to submit to a Holy God. From the moment I’ve done that, my life has been filled with miracles. When you talk about the restoration of my family. I’ve been to a Pro Bowl. Been to a Super Bowl. Won a world championship. Have beautiful identical twin girls on the way, a family of four.

Here's the article: http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/tyree-talks-about-his-rise-from-rock-bottom-to-super-bowl-stardom/ (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/21).

Lastly, a good article about former Royal and new A's 1st baseman/DH Mike Sweeney, a Christian, and how much his former Royals teammates are going to miss his leadership with the team as team captain: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080211&content_id=2370717&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

MLB, football, and basketball

2008-02-12T19:37:00.000-05:00

Hello. I've got some extra time because of the snow and ice outside, so I thought that I would go ahead and post mid-week instead of waiting till the end. The first article I have to post tonight is about former Astros pitcher Trever Miller, who signed as a free agent with the Rays last week. Miller played with the Astros the last two years, but had played for the Rays for the two years before that. Here's a quote from him about returning to play for the team near where he lives in Florida:

"It's been a blessing to be able to play big-league baseball at home,'' Miller said. "I didn't think it would happen again. ..."

Here's the article: http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/02/rays-add-trever.html (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080208&content_id=2368504&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's a good article about Georgia football head coach Mark Richt and his son Jon, both Christians. On Signing Day last week Jon, a senior at Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens, GA, signed to play football with Clemson, whose head coach Tommy Bowden (also a Christian) is a good friend of Mark. Mark thought that there would be less pressure on him and Mark if he were to play for someone other than him. I thought that it was neat that Mark went to Jon signing day ceremony before going back to his office to check on his own recruits. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3234394 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/233).

Next, an article about a group of Orioles fans, the Oriole Advocates, who have a neat program called "Cardboard to Leather". The group collects new and used baseball equipment (bats, balls, gloves, uniforms, etc.) to donated to kids in impoverished countries, like in Latin America. These kids would normally have to make-do with whatever they could find for equipment, like making gloves out of cardboard and balls out of tape. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080207&content_id=2367527&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article on NC State women's basketball head coach Kay Yow, a Christian who is fighting breast cancer. This month is "Think Pink" campaign for breast cancer awareness with the women's NCAA teams, and several teams are wearing pink uniforms for one game to raise awareness. One of those teams was Yow's NC State team last week, whose uniforms all also had the name "YOW" on the back to honor her. Everyone at these games--players, coaches, fans, etc.--wear pink. Money is being raised for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, part of the Jimmy V Fund for cancer, named after the late former NC State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano who coached with Yow. He died from cancer several years ago. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/notebook?page=notebook/dish080207.

Also, an article about Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis, a Christian, whose comeback this season from a torn Achilles tendon last season was punctuated by winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award and being named to the Pro Bowl: http://news.aol.com/story/_a/comeback-led-cowboys-lb-greg-ellis-all/n20080208170809990011?ecid=RSS0001.

Here's an article about Kansas guard Brandon Rush, who tore his knee last summer which caused him to come back to college for his senior year this year instead of going on to the NBA. Here's a couple of quotes from his head coach Bill Self and him about it:

"There's no doubt Brandon's injury has been a blessing for the program," Self said. "No doubt at all. But I wouldn't go so far as to say it's been a blessing for Brandon. If he'd never gotten hurt, he'd be in the NBA right now, and that's his ultimate dream. But if he continues to progress, his draft status will be improved, in my opinion." ...

"'Blessing in disguise' _that's what my mama said. This might be a blessing in disguise," Rush said. "My mom always knows what she's talking about, especially about basketball."

Here's the article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/08/sports/BKC-T25-Kansas-Rush.php (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/260).

Next, an article about Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, who donated a custom car for a Boston children's hospital to auction off to raise money: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080209&content_id=2369324&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Bengals linebacker David Pollack, a Christian, who has a big decision coming up about whether or not he's going to attempt to comeback after a serious neck injury or not. Here's a couple of quotes from him about it:

“Even if I can’t play football again, I feel blessed that I’ve been able to play a kids’ game this long,” he said. “The experiences along the way have made me a better person, a stronger person. You learn a lot about life and who really cares about you when things like this happen.” ...

Deeply spiritual, he says he prays daily, not to play football again, but for direction and strength.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/sportscolumns/entries/2008/02/09/pollack_talks_a.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/7).

Also, an article about new Royals manager Trey Hillman, a Christian, and his style of managing: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080210&content_id=2369800&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about former Diamondbacks 1st baseman Tony Clark, a Christian, signing as a free agent with his hometown Padres this week: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3240246.

Next, an article about another Christian MLB free agent Mike Sweeney signing to play with the A's this week after having spent his whole career with the Royals: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3240225.

Lastly, a quote from a Q & A article with IU center D.J. White:

Once you sign your first NBA contract, what's the first thing you're going to buy?

If I am blessed enough to sign a contract, that would be great, but right now I am focused on my senior season and leading my team to a championship.

Here's the article: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/blogs/blogs.asp?topic_id=170.

football, MLB, basketball, etc.

2008-02-10T20:21:00.000-05:00

Hi, again. The first article this time is a good editorial about Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, by a sports columnists near Indianapolis. Here's a good quote from the article:

The late great coach Vince Lombardi was famous for his quote, “Winning isn’t everything – it’s the only thing.”

Dungy likely would understand where Lombardi was coming from, but he also would disagree. No doubt he would opt for his teams to be all they can be, both on and off the field. The victories that follow provide the icing on the cake.

Here's the article: http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/columns/local_story_033201157.html?keyword=secondarystory (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/14).

Here's an article about White Sox catcher Toby Hall and the community work that he does in both Chicago and in Tampa, where he played at before last season. Like Dungy, he still lives in Tampa, although he now works in the Midwest. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080205&content_id=2364908&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article about Franklin Central High School (Indianapolis) girls basketball head coach Pam Taylor, who is fighting breast cancer during the season. Here's a quote:

The team rallied around Coach Taylor bringing food, prayers and lots of pink.

Here's the article, including a video of the news segment: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7827426&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Here's an article about NASCAR driver Sam Hornish Jr. and his wife Crystal (both Christians), who became parents for the first time last Monday. They had a little girl, Addison Faith. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/SPORTS/802050374/1247/NLETTER12.

Also, an inspiring article about Georgia high school star football player DeAngelo Tyson, who was abandoned and abused by family and has lived in a boys home since he was eleven. He recently signed to play football at Georgia next year on a football scholarship. With the help of his middle school and high school coaches and the people at the boys home, he's been able to keep his life on the right track even without a true family. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2008/02/05/deangelo_0206.html.

Here's an article about the MLB Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), which provides financial assistance for anyone who has been involved in Major League Baseball. Those who have received help include players, families, umpires, scouts, managers, and front office personnel. Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/columnist/thorne/2008-02-06-thorne-bat_N.htm?csp=34.

Next, a Christian article about former Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, a Christian who is expected to be a top ten pick in April's NFL Draft, supporting the Christian organization Mercy Ships and its work to help people in Africa in particular: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080206/31098_Top_NFL_Draftee_Endorses_Christian_Charity.htm.

Here's an article Detroit Shock 6'8" center Katie Feenstra, a Christian, being drafted in the WNBA expansion draft by the Atlanta Dream: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/02/06/dream_0207.html.

Also, I just have to brag a little bit here. The new over-budget Yankee Stadium's facade is being made of limestone from my hometown of Oolitic, the "Limestone Capital of the World". Several important buildings in the U.S. have been made from limestone from here, including the Empire State Building and the Pentagon. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/SPORTS/802060464/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about NCAA Division 1-AA national champion Appalachian State starting next season and NCAA Division 1-A National Champion LSU. Last season Appalachian State went to Michigan and upset the then highly ranked Wolverines to start the season. Appalachian State's head coach is Jerry Moore, a Christian. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AuLZ5MeYrdOxKj8Hpu1PINV.T4h4?slug=ap-appalachianst-lsu&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, a note about Tigers pitcher Jason Grilli and his wife Danielle, both Christians, who became parents for the first time last Wednesday. The had a boy, Jayse Rowan. Here's the article (end): http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080208&content_id=2368893&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb.

Here's an article about former Tigers and Cardinals pitcher Mike Maroth, a Christian, signing a minor league contract with the Royals last week, with the hopes of making the major league team out of training camp: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080208&content_id=2368908&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Also, an article about former Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, a Christian, being named as the Redskins new head coach yesterday. He's replacing the recently retired Joe Gibbs, also a Christian. Zorn is a former Seahawks quarterback and has worked help current Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (also a Christian) a star. Here's the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080210/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_redskins_zorn.

Here's an article about Bengals linebacker David Pollack, a Christian, visiting a second doctor for an opinion about whether or not he should attempt an NFL comeback after suffering a serious neck injury in September 2006. Here's a quote from him about how he will make his decision:

"I will want to take some time, though, to fast and pray and spend time by myself a lot and try to figure out where God is leading me," Pollack told The Enquirer in January. "If it closes one chapter, it opens another."

Here's the article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080210/SPT02/802100357/1066/.

Lastly, a blog for the Christian music duo Connersvine, which includes Colts punter Hunter Smith: http://www.connersvine.com/blog/.

Super Bowl, MLB, football, etc.

2008-02-10T16:07:00.000-05:00

Hello again. First, an article about Make-A-Wish kids being treated to the Super Bowl last weekend. Some of the past and present NFL players that greeted them there were Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon, Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, and former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, father of Giants quarterback Eli and Colts quarterback Peyton. Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-02-02-make-a-wish_N.htm?csp=34.

Here's an article about MLB 3rd baseman Corey Koskie, a Christian most recently with the Brewers, whose career is limbo while he waits for the effects from post-concussion to maybe go away. He can't start playing again until the symptoms are completely gone, so right now he's staying at home with his family, which of course isn't all bad. Here's a good quote from his son about it:

In his transition from professional third baseman to Little League dad, Koskie has found that some emotional hurdles are more difficult to surmount than others. Each night, he leads his three young sons through their bedtime prayers. During one recent session, he asked the boys if they had any special requests.

"God, can you please heal my daddy's head?'' asked Bradley, the oldest at age 7.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=3224294.

Next, an article from the Saved in Sports blog about why in the world would the federal government think that it should get involved with the Patriots spy-tape scandal. I think that I would have to agree. Here's the article: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2008/02/02/patriots-spy-tapes-why-is-the-government-involved/.

Here's a couple of Christian articles about Chargers runningback LaDanian Tomlinson being awarded the Bart Starr Award from Athletes in Action (AIA) for outstanding character. The award presentation was part of AIA's Super Bowl Breakfast. The first article is a little bit more about the award itself. Here's a quote about what Tomlinson does in the community:

Tomlinson’s influence has impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation works to promote educational, social and cultural awareness and positive self-esteem to help enhance the lives of children and families who are less fortunate. The foundation hosts programs including youth football camps, Thanksgiving meals for needy San Diego families, Christmas gifts for ill children and scholarships which are presented each year to 30 college-bound students.

Here's the article: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=266.

The second Christian article about Tomlinson getting the Bart Starr Award is more about what Tomlinson and the other speakers there said. Other Christians there were Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Giants general manager Jerry Reese, Patriots team chaplain Don Davis and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, Bears Hall-of-Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, and Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks. Here's a quote from Tomlinson:

"When you're knocked down in life, Jesus Christ in us says get up and try again," Tomlinson said. "I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to stand before you."

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5765.

Also, another article about AIA's Super Bowl Breakfast, comparing it to the other secular events going on during Super Bowl Week: http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/starr/archive/2008/02/03/the-other-super-bowl.aspx.

Here's an article about another Super Bowl week event, the Day of Champions hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Some of the Christians involved were Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hays, defensive lineman Bertrand Berry, and cornerbacks Matt Ware and Michael Adams; Raiders quarterbacks Josh McCown and Andrew Walter; and Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison. Here's a quote about the purpose of the event:

More than a dozen 12 NFL players shared the stage at North Phoenix Baptist with Christian rap band Grits to underscore how true champions look to the power of Jesus Christ in their lives.

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5766.

Next, an article about another Super Bowl Week Christian event, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. The Christians involved were former Cowboys offensive lineman Marcus Price, Seahawks kicker Josh Brown, Giants wide receiver David Tyree, Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Patriots assistant coach and team chaplain Don Davis, Bears tackle Tommie Harris, Bills tight end Michael Gaines, Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli, and Jets wide receiver Brad Smith. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5767.

Here's an article about former Redskins wide receiver Art Monk, a Christian, being elected to the Pro Football Hall Fame last weekend, along with former teammate and fellow Christian, cornerback Darrell Green. Here's a quote about what it meant to Monk to go in with Green:

For Monk, being elected to the Hall of Fame with Green "just makes it even more special to know that Darrell's in there with me. We had a lot of special times out there on the field. Even more importantly to myself and to him, was our relationship off the field.

"We've spent a lot of time together working within this community serving the underserved. We fellowship together at the same church. Our families are very close. Our children call each other aunts and uncles. It's just really special to know not only that we're in, but we're going in together."

Here's the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/02/AR2008020202391.html?hpid=topnews (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Also, a Christian article listing "the top twelve evangelical Christians in sports". Those in the list are NASCAR team owner and former Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, Lakers guard Derek Fisher, Seahawks runningback Shaun Alexander, track and field sprinter Allyson Felix, Colts punter Hunter Smith, Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, NASCAR driver and team owner Michael Waltrip, PGA golfer Zach Johnson. Here's the article: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080203/31065_Top_12_Evangelical_Christians_in_Sports.htm.

Here's a Christian article about former Bear and Hall-of-Fame linebacker Mike Singletary speaking at the Giants team chapel the night before the Super Bowl. The article also tells some about Giants wide receiver David Tyree's amazing catch in the Super Bowl. Here's a quote from Singletary before he spoke to the Giants:

"Reflect God's glory, don't hold it yourself," Singletary said he would be telling the Giants.

Here's the article: http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27322.

Next, an article about Giants wide receiver David Tyree's amazing catch. Here's a quote about Tyree:

Deeply religious, Tyree fell to his knees on the field when the game ended. About a half-hour later, he was being interviewed as a star of the game.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AhzKiz.P.bDMY7DZ4OOonKF.T4h4?slug=ap-superbowl-key&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's an article about the NFL donating the Super Bowl and other playoff losers shirts to the Christian organization World Vision to give out to needy children around the world. So there will be some kids somewhere wearing Patriots Super Bowl XLII Champions T-shirts. Here's the article: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080204/31069_NFL_Donates_Super_Bowl_Loser.

Also, a great article about how faith plays a role in the decisions that high school football players make in deciding where to play college ball at. The article is especially about Clemson and their head coach Tommy Bowden, a Christian. Three Christian players who signed with Clemson who said that Bowden's beliefs were a factor in them going there are Dalton Freeman, Kenneth Page, and DaQuan Bowers. Here's a quote from Bowers about his decision to go to Clemson:

Definitely, says Clemson's DaQuan Bowers, a 6-foot-4, 267-pound defensive lineman considered the country's top prospect by ESPN and top five by most other services.

Bowers played guitar at Light of the World Baptist Church in his hometown of Bamberg and plans to take an active role with Clemson's FCA branch.

Religion "was a big part," Bowers said. "All the coaches, they're Christian men. I didn't want to go anyplace where I wouldn't fit in as a Christian."

Here's the article: http://news.aol.com/story/_a/coaches-prospects-say-faith-can-factor/n20080204162109990070?ecid=RSS0001.

Lastly, for now, a Christian article about a Christian outreach by Tennessee women's soccer goalkeeper Molly Baird and forward Sarah Van Sickle: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=267.

Super Bowl, basketball, NFL, MLB, etc.

2008-02-09T18:08:00.000-05:00

Hi. First of all, a Christian article about Giants wide receiver David Tyree, who ended up being one of the heroes of the Giants Super Bowl win. This article is from before the game and about how his leadership helped to turn their season around and how his faith allowed him to turn his life around from drug and alcohol abuse. The article also includes Giants linebacker Reggie Torbor. Here's a quote from Tyree:

"This has been a year of grace for us and we need to show God's power in all we do," Tyree said during the Giants media day Tuesday in Phoenix, site of Sunday's Super Bowl XLII.

"It's a bigger issue to give God the glory," Tyree said, "and to believe in God's greatness than anything the Giants have done.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5761.

Here's a link to an interview with Tyree on Sports Spectrum Radio that goes along with this article: http://www.rbc.org/radio_and_tv/sports_spectrum/programs/60446.aspx.

Next, a Christian article about several of the Patriots players and how God helps them keep their success in perspective. The Christian players included in the article are tight end Ben Watson, runningback Kevin Faulk, defensive tackle Richard Seymour, fullback Heath Evans, and tight end Kyle Brady. Here's a quote from Watson:

"Five years from now, nobody is going to remember who won this game and most people won't even care," Patriots tight end Ben Watson said as he was surrounded by media members from around the world Tuesday.

"God has given us a perspective as believers that there is more to life than football," said Watson....

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5762.

Here's another article on Baylor men's basketball head coach Scott Drew, a Christian, and his amazing turnaround of the program from the rock bottom: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=ncb&id=3224732.

Also, an article about Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury early this season and is now walking after doctors initially thought that he never would again. Here's a couple quotes from him about it:

He is, though, trying to figure out where his life will take him next. Though he accepts he can no longer play and already is talking about coaching, there are times it's hard to realize his playing career is, indeed, over.

"I was so used to working out and being around my teammates, that's kind of hard," said Everett, who plans on making an appearance at the Bills' training camp this summer. "But I'll be OK. ... I don't see it as God picking on me or anything. I just see it as one door closes, another one's going to open.

"I just have to figure out what it is." ...

"I have to be honest, in the beginning ... I was like, 'Wow, why did this happen to me?"' Everett said. "But I just prayed, and God just calmed me and let me accept it for what it was." ...

But it's his hands that still give him the most difficulty. Although he can again brush his hair, use utensils and hold a glass, his dexterity and fine-motor skills are nowhere near what they once were. His hands are numb, and he can't tell how hard he is gripping something.

That is something that might return with time and continued therapy. Or, it might not.

"You've just got to go with the flow, just like my whole recovery," he said. "It's a blessing if it does. And it's a blessing if it doesn't because I came this far, I can't ask for much more. I'm up, I'm moving around and walking."

Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=345486.

Here's an article about new Phillies outfielder Geoff Jenkins holding a celebrity charity poker tournament to raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs. I know that it was for good cause and all, but I'm not to sure what to think about gambling for charity. It's kind of a contradiction to me. Anyway, here's the article: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080128&content_id=2358524&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080131&content_id=2360833&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, an article about the Giants run to the Super Bowl championship being inspired by an injured Iraq veteran. Army Lt. Col. Greg Gadson was almost killed by a bomb in Iraq, but fortunately only lost his legs, not his life. A friend of Giants wide receivers coach Mike Sullivan from their football days at West Point, Sullivan recommended him to speak to the team when they were in Washington to play the Redskins early this season. His talk inspired the team on their run to the Super Bowl championship. Gadson was also at as many of the Giants games as possible, including the conference championship game in Green Bay and the Super Bowl. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=3222397.

Also, an article about Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, a Christian, and the great job that he's done with the Giants defense this year: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=345491.

Here's a Christian article about some of the Christian coaches with the Patriots: strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik, assistant strength and conditioning coach and team chaplain Don Davis, defensive coordinator Dean Pees, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Here's a quote from McDaniels:

"My faith keeps me on an even keel and I learned I can lean on it when times get tough," McDaniels said. "It's helped me to know I can stand my ground in whatever I do."

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5763.

Next, a Christian article about some of the Christian coaches with the Giants: defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, strength and conditioning coach Jerry Palmieri, and secondary coach Dave Merritt. Here's a quote from Spagnuolo:

"I think my faith is everything," said Spagnuolo, a regular in the Giants coaches' Bible study. "It's the foundation of what I am." From his faith grows "a belief that God has a hand in all of this," the coach said during the media-intensive week prior to Sunday's face-off with the New England Patriots.

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5764.

Also, an article about CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz, a Christian, receiving the "Pat Summerall Award" for character, integrity and leadership at the annual "Legends for Charity" dinner January 31st as part of the Super Bowl Week events: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5768.

Here's a good Christian blog post about former tennis player Michael Chang, a Christian, being inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/chang-elected-to-ithof.html.

Next, a good article about Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, a Christian, and how important his family is to him after he had a troubled childhood himself. He's started a foundation to help women and children from abusive situations because of that. That work, along with other work in the community led to him being nominated for the NFL Man of the Year Award. Here's the article: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/020108dnspocowlede.319ed6a.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/5). Here's Whitten's personal website: http://jasonwitten82.com/.

Here's an article about new Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, a Christian, and his plans to get involved in the community in Southern California like he was in Minnesota with his former team, the Twins: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080201&content_id=2362196&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana&partnered=rss_ana.

Lastly, for now, an article on Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan, a Christian, and his coaching tree. His coaching tree is his former assistants at Marshall and Florida: Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey, Virginia Commonwealth head coach Anthony Grant, and Marshall head coach Donnie Jones (also a Christian). Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=345987.

MLB, Super Bowl, football, etc.

2008-02-02T20:17:00.000-05:00

Hi again. Here's the last of the articles that I have read so far. First of all, a wonderful article about new Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, and the story of his comeback from drug abuse to the Majors and how important his faith was and is to that. I have read several articles about him, and this is one of the best. I guess the good thing about him being traded from the Reds to the Rangers this winter is that he has a whole new fan base in Texas to tell his story to. One thing that I was glad to read was that his friend and mentor Johnny Narron, also a Christian, was hired by the Rangers as a special assignment coach. Narron helped Hamilton last year with the Reds, and I'm glad to hear that he will do the same with the Rangers. Here's a quote from Rangers general manager Jon Daniels about the conclusion that he came to after doing a thorough background check of Hamilton before the trade:

"... I think there are two things that have played a part in why this attempt at fighting addiction has been successful: Family and faith."

And here's a great quote from the writer at the end of the article:

Because for all the amazing physical tools Josh Hamilton has displayed, the one that has made him a major leaguer is one everybody is capable of developing.

It's faith.

Here's the article: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/012708dnspowebrangersz.218a1b6.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/121).

Here's an article about the celebrity charity basketball game that Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson held last weekend to raise money for Detroit and Flint (Michigan) public schools: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080127/SPORTS02/801270698/1050 (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080128&content_id=2357635&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, an article about Indiana Ice forward Will MacDonald of the United States Hockey League (USHL), a minor league team. Last summer, he and his parents were in a serious car accident where his father David was killed. A pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old guy hit them when he crossed the median. The guy was charged with careless driving. Here's what MacDonald, who is only 19 himself, had to say about the guy:

David was an accountant who stayed calm. Will is trying to show he has that level-headed composure, too. He is willing to forgive the 20-year-old driver who hit them and was charged with careless driving.

"We rode in the ambulance together and once we got out, I looked over and he was down on the curb of the sidewalk. He had his head down and was crying," he said. "I wanted to run at him and beat the hell out of him, but at the same time, I felt sorry for him.

"I've prayed about it. I hope, after all this, he can find peace within himself so he can carry on."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080129/SPORTS/801290375/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis, a Christian, being added to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement this week: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10607089/rss.

Also, an article about Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk, a Christian, trying to get an extra year of eligibility after he was injured in the first game of the 2006 season and missed the rest of the season with a serious shoulder injury. He's currently waiting for the NCAA's decision on the matter, and here's a quote about what he's doing until then:

While he waits for the NCAA's decision, Mauk has been completing his graduate work. He's also working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to reach out to youths, using his experiences in football as motivation.

"If I can touch a life by what I say, football is definitely worth it," he said.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AqhmpDG4CgtmCO6aM9wQ3t9.T4h4?slug=ap-cincinnati-mauk&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's an article about Illinois football head coach Ron Zook, who won the 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award, which came with $70,000 for him to give out to the charities of his choice. Here's what he did with some of the money:

The charities include Crisis Nursery of Urbana, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, the United Way of Champaign County and Restoration Urban Ministries. Each will receive $10,000.

Here's the article: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?LIST_ID=1&STORY_ID=15157.

Next, a Christian article about Patriots chaplain and former linebacker Don Davis and how he can connect to his former teammates because he was also a player and knows what it's like. Also, they've seen the way he's lived his life and walked his Christian walk during his playing career. He's also currently the assistant strength and conditioning coach. Here's a quote from him about how he's helped the players deal with the success that they've had this year in going undefeated so far:

While the Patriots haven't lost a game this year, Davis emphasized to the team that the fans' appreciation can be fickle at the first loss or first sign of faltering, but the players have to focus their lives on real importance, not on-the-field glory.

"You can't live for the applause of man, but only grow in the knowledge of God," Davis said.

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5758.

Here's another Christian article about Davis, this one about the spiritual game plan that he devised with the goal of having the players that he works to tell every player on the team about Christ during the season: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5759.

Also, a Christian article Giants team chaplain George McGovern, his role with the team, and what they've talked about. One thing that he's happy with is that the Giants haven't any off-the-field incidents for two years. One reason that he says is responsible for that is the good character that the team's owners and coaches have displayed since he's been there. One of the things that he does is have a coaches' Bible study. He's also the team chaplain for the Yankees. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5760.

Here's an article about former PGA golfer and current Oregon golf head coach Casey Martin, a Christian. Martin has Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, which makes his right leg weaker and thinner and doesn't allow him to walk very much at a time, which is bad for a golfer. He eventually won the right to use a golf cart during PGA tournaments. His leg is in such a condition now that he's contemplated having it cut off and getting a prosthetic one. Here's a quote from him about that:

"It's such a hard thing," he said, "but I've thought about how much happier I'd be if I just didn't have it. I'm almost praying that I go one way or the other, that it gets cured or it goes in the tank. The advances in a lot of these prosthetic limbs are incredible. You see people running marathons."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ma-caseymartin013008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Next, an article about new Bengals back-up quarterback Jordan Palmer, the younger brother of Bengals starting quarterback Carson Palmer. I know that Carson is a Christian, but I don't know about Jordan, but I thought that I would include the article anyways. If Jordan makes the team, they will be the first brothers to be quarterbacks on the same NFL team in many years. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AosixJy8RW4NLHCpHq8bAT05nYcB?slug=ap-bengals-palmerbrothers&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's a blog post by IU runningback Bryan Payton, a Christian, about the team's winter conditioning beginning this week. What I wanted to point out was this quote that he included at the end of the post:

WORD FOR THE ROAD: "Hard work provides us with today's needs, prepares us for future uncertainties, and supplies us with opportunities for life." -Tom Ellsworth, Senior Minister of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church

Here's the post: http://insideiufootball.blogspot.com/2008/01/winter-conditioning-begins.html.

Also, an article about Falcons runningback Warrick Dunn being awarded the inaugural winner of the "NFL Neighborhood MVP" award this week, which is given to "a player making a positive impact through charitable programs and contributions". He was given the award for "his foundation's work to help single parents purchase homes". Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=345234.

Here's an article about former Astros/Padres 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg, a Christian, signing with the Yankees this week to try and make the team as a 1st baseman: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10611471/rss.

Sticking with the 1st base theme, an article about Rockies 1st baseman Todd Helton, a Christian, having his baseball number retired at his alma mater, Tennessee, this week: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3224406&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines.

Lastly, still staying with the 1st base theme, an article about Sean Casey, a Christian most recently with the Tigers, signing with the Red Sox this week: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10613070/rss.

more Super Bowl, football, and MLB

2008-02-02T15:27:00.000-05:00

Hello! Only one more day til the Super Bowl! Staying with that topic, here's a list that I've compiled of players and coaches on the Giants and Patriots that are Christians. I've compiled this list from articles and things from BP Sports (http://www.bpsports.net/) and Sports Spectrum (http://www.sportsspectrum.com/). I don't know if this is a complete list, and I definitely hope that it isn't and that there are actually more Christians on each team. Here's the Christians that I do know of on the Patriots: Ben Watson (tight end), Rosevelt Colvin (linebacker), Chris Hanson (punter), Kyle Brady (tight end), Heath Evans (fullback), Richard Seymour (defensive lineman), Junior Seau (linebacker), Kevin Faulk (runningback), Mike Woicik (strength and conditioning coach), Don Davis (assistant strength and conditioning coach and team chaplain), Dean Pees (defensive coordinator), and Josh McDaniels (offensive coordinator). The Christians that I know of on the Giants are Tank Daniels (linebacker), David Tyree (wide receiver), Reggie Torber (linebacker), Steve Spagnuolo (defensive coordinator), Jerry Palmieri (strength and conditioning coach), and Dave Merritt (secondary coach). I will include more on most of these players and coaches in this and the next posts.

Also, when double-checking the spelling of Rosevelt Colvin's name I happened upon his personal website: http://www.r59.com/index.php.

Here's an interesting article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, and his decision to come back and coach the Colts this year while his family is living in Florida. The article talks to some Christian family experts and some people who have lived away from their family for work or their spouse did. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080127/SPORTS03/801270418/1058/SPORTS03.

Next, an article about new Braves pitcher Tom Glavine, and how he put his terrible start for the Mets in the final game of last season into perspective. The loss lost the division for the Mets, and the media and Mets fans were upset with Glavine because he didn't seem upset enough about it. When asked if he was devastated, he said no, just disappointed, which wasn't enough for them. He later said that it was one of the worst moments of his career, but that there are worse things in life than playing poorly in baseball. He compared it to a friend of his 11-year-old son who is losing his leg from cancer. I thought that this was a great article about how sometimes fans and the media think that a bad performance in sports is the end of the world, when really there are a lot worse things in the world. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080127&content_id=2356949&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym&partnered=rss_nym.
Also, a good article about new Baylor head football coach Art Briles, a Christian, and how losing his parents in a car accident while he was in college has effected the rest of his life: http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/01/27/0127briles.html (originally found at: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/012808aac.html).

Here's a Christian article about Patriots tight end Ben Watson and the importance of faith and family in his life. Here's a good quote from him:

Watson's career is approaching its zenith, yet as he has established himself as a respected member of the Patriots, he simultaneously has answered the call of his faith. Last week, while his teammates enjoyed a three-day hiatus from football, Watson formally kicked off his "One More" Foundation, created to promote educational and enrichment opportunities through charitable programs.

"So much of football relates to Christian life - sacrifice, commitment, discipline," said Watson. "I know God has a plan for me. I don't know what it is. After football? Who knows? My grandmother and my father always said I would end up as a missionary. Well, I feel like I am one now."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/01/28/0129_watson.html.

Next, an article about former Braves outfielder and Falcons safety Brian Jordan's daughter Briana, who is a star basketball player at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Atlanta. I don't know anything about their faith other than the fact she's going to the Christian school, but I thought that I would include this anyway: http://www.ajc.com/highschool/content/sports/highschool/stories/2008/01/28/hsgirlfeature_0129g.html.

Here's an article about how Christianity at least seems to have had an effect on the new NFL Personal Conduct Policy that was put in place last year, although the NFL would never admit it. Also, the article tells about several Christian events being held in the Phoenix area in conjunction with the Super Bowl: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5753.

Also, an article about Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, and his unlikely rise to being an important player on the Patriots because of his lack of size. Again, I don't know anything about his faith, but here's a great quote from his mom Shelley:

... They pray for him a few blocks up the road, in the Welker home, that he'll be safe among 300-pounders and 6-foot-3 burners who belong in the league.

Here, they always believed Wes belonged, too.

"It was all part of God's plan, and we know that," Shelley says. "It worked out just like it was supposed to."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3214646.

Here's an article about Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon receiving an award because of his work with an organization that helps soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3218378&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines.

Next, an article about Phillies shortstop and reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins, a Christian, being named the Most Outstanding Pro Athlete by the Philadelphia SportsWriters Association: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080128&content_id=2358360&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Broncos Pro-Bowl safety John Lynch, a Christian, considering retirement: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3219465&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines.

Also, an article about Giants wide receiver Dominek Hixon, who was hit by Bills tight end Kevin Everett early this season and causing Everett to sustain a severe neck injury. It was originally thought that Hixon would be paralyzed, if he survived. However, with the help of cutting-edge technology Everett is walking again. Although the injury wasn't Hixon's fault and there was nothing that he could have done to have prevented it, he still felt guilty. Hixon was playing for the Broncos then, but later this season was released an signed by the Giants. The two didn't know each other before the incident, but have since gotten together and became friends. Here's a quote about the hit:

As Hixon ran with the football, a powerful force crashed into him, a hit like he had never felt before.

"It was probably the hardest hit I ever had to take," Hixon said Tuesday during the Giants' Media Day activities here for Super Bowl XLII.

Hixon said he was dazed. But then he saw Everett down. And he didn't see him get up. When the ambulance came to take Everett away, Hixon prayed. He knew it was bad.

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10607339/rss.

Lastly, for now, an article about Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe speaking to kids about skin cancer and the importance of sun screen, after he had a cancerous tumor removed from his nose five years ago: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080129&content_id=2358736&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Super Bowl, NFL, basketball, and baseball

2008-02-01T19:24:00.000-05:00

Hi. This is my first of three posts for this weekend. There are a lot of extra articles and things with the Super Bowl coming up, so I'll divide the articles up into more managable posts. First, a couple of Christian websites for the Super Bowl. The first site is Athletes in Action's Beyond the Ultimate, which is designed as a witnessing tool. It's redesigned to correspond with each major athletic event, including the Super Bowl. Now it has testimonial articles from the Giants David Tyree and Reggie Torbor and the Patriots Rosevelt Colvin and Ben Watson, along with videos from Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Bears head coach Lovie Smith. Here's the link: http://www.beyondtheultimate.com/default.aspx.

The other Christian Super Bowl site is the Baptist Press' Beyond the Game. They have a writer in Arizona covering the Super Bowl festivities from a Christian perspective who has written articles all week. I'll post the articles separtately later, but here's the site to check out now: http://www.bpnews.net/BPCollectionNews.asp?ID=124.

Another general football site is the NFL Players website, which includes short video interviews and more of seven different players, including two Christians: Colts center Jeff Saturday and Dolphins quarterback Trent Green. The whole website is pretty good, but especially the Saturday and Green parts: http://www.nflplayers.com/server/index.html.

Here's a Christian article about Washington State men's basketball head coach Tony Bennett. The article also mentions two Christian players on the team, guard Taylor Rochestie and forward Daven Harmeling. Washington State came from nowhere last year to have great success, and have had an even better season so far this year. Here's a quote from Bennett about that:

So the Cougars march on, unsure if more blessed March Madness awaits them, but intent upon doing things the right way, regardless of their destination.

“God is teaching me, as always, to walk by faith and not by sight because now we’re in a season that’s more in the spotlight,” Bennett said. “We were higher in the preseason expectations. We talk about not worrying about the end result. We have to walk through the process.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5749.

Next, a Christian article about Chadron State runningback Danny Woodhead and his winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, the NCAA Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He is hoping to get a chance to play in the NFL now. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5750 (originally found at: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/danny-woodhead-wins-harlon-hill-trophy.html).

Here's a good Christian article about Tony Dungy's decision to return and coach the Colts for at least one more year. It's talks about one of the reasons for Dungy's return is the platform for sharing his faith that being the Colts head coach gives him. Here's a quote from him about that:

"I enjoy my job, the players, the staff we have here and Bill (Polian) and Jim," Dungy told reporters. "But it is a platform and that's something I talked to my wife and pastor about. I said 'I could stop and start a ministry, but I might not have a platform like this.'"

"I look at this as a job," he said, "but I also look at it as a ministry ... I might not have as effective a ministry as I have right now."

Here's the article: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080124/30960_Dungy_Sees_Return_to_Colts_as_Chance_to_Share_Faith.htm.

Also, a couple of articles on Bengals defensive lineman David Pollack, a Christian, who suffered a serious neck injury in September of 2006. Lately he has been training for a potential return to the NFL at the Ignition group, Christian-oriented facility near Cincinnati. There he has been working with NFL hopefulls, including Southern Illinois quarterback Nick Hill, a Christian. On February 8th, what he's calling "D-Day", he'll meet with his doctor to make a final decision about whether or not returnning to play would be worth the risk of injuring his neck even more severely. So this would be a good prayer request too, that he makes the right decision for his health. Here's some quotes from him about what he's been doing, his decision-making process, and how the injury has changed him as a person:

... He is instructing and training with 11 NFL hopefuls, including four players from the University of Cincinnati, and leading Bible study for them on Wednesday nights at his Liberty Township home. He’s preparing his body and mind for his potential comeback as a player. ...

“I will want to take some time, though, to fast and pray and spend time by myself a lot and try to figure out where God is leading me,” he said. “If it closes one chapter, it opens another.” ...

The experiences of this past two years have changed Pollack.

“I’m always running around. The Bible verse I always think about is: 'Be still and know that I am God.' I’ve never been still in my life,” Pollack said. “I have had time to sit back. It has been a rewarding experience. It’s hard to explain how breaking your neck can make you better.

“I have learned a lot about myself and my wife. I am domestic now, which is crazy. Football players are selfish people. We think we work so hard and have the hardest job in the world. It’s just not true. I had to step out of the box to figure that out.

“Now, I come over here to train, and before I leave I put a load of laundry in. Then I go home and clean and do the dishes. I am more rounded. I help my wife out more. I am a more patient person.”

Here's that article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/SPT02/301240057/1066/.

The other article about Pollack has these quotes about his decision-making process:

"Trust me, I'm not going to do anything stupid," Pollack said earlier this week. "If someone says there is a 50 percent chance I'll break my neck [again], I'll never go anywhere near a field again." ...

"Things happen for a reason," said Pollack, who is deeply religious. "I pray a lot, not so much to ask God to allow me to play again, but to help me make the right decision when the time comes. If I'm meant to get back on the field, it will happen. And if not, well, I'm not going to play that what if guessing game. I'll just move on to whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing and attack it just as hard as I do football." ...

"We're getting closer to a decision," Pollack said. "Whichever way it comes down, I'm really mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared for it."

Here's that article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3215632&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines.

Next, an article from an interview with Tony Dungy, with some more about returning to coach since his job is a ministry too:

Q: You said in the press conference that you consider this more than a job. It’s also a ministry. How much did that influence your decision to return?

A: If it was just about football and winning the Super Bowl, we’ve done that and I have said that I’m not going to be in this forever. I do feel like I’m getting close to when I’m going to finish. I have a great deal of respect for (Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer) Jim Irsay and want to do what would help him, but if it was just that, I probably wouldn’t still be in it. But the fact that you do feel like you’re doing more than just coaching a football team and you can accomplish some things because of the position – you still have to do your job and you still have to win and all of that – but I get to do more.

Q: Is that why you mentioned that missionaries are often away from their families . . .

A: That’s something my wife (Lauren) and I talked about. It’s something that we feel like the Lord has given us right now for this time. He has put us in a great team, a great organization and we feel like there’s a reason for it.

Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=185a6dc9-28c8-434f-aaad-75914207b012&rssrefer=south_bend_tribune.

Here's the article about IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) men's basketball head coach Ron Hunter, Christian, and the results of his drive to get donations of shoes and money for the Christian organization Samaritan's Feet. He coached one of the team's games last week barefoot to raise awareness of the organization, with hopes of gettting 40,000 pairs of shoes. Because of the publicity about it in the days leading up to the game, he had reached that goal by lunchtime that day, and ended the day with 110,000 pairs and even more promised later! Hunter plans to take the shoes to Africa himself, and some of his Jaguars players have expressed interest in going along too. Here's a quote from the article:

For the record, Hunter's exposed feet weren't stepped on during the game. It bears noting that he almost never sits down when the action -- and the feet -- are flowing.

"My feet hurt so bad," he said after the game. "But imagine a child or a human going their whole lives without shoes."

Hunter, 43, said his month-long association with Samaritan's Feet has already affected him, and he knows it could be on the verge of changing the lives of others.

Several of his players have vowed to join him on the summer trip, which he'd like to take to Cameroon, home to Jaguars freshman guard Christian Siakam. In Siakam's family, shoes are a luxury; not everyone has them.

Now, a man with no ties to IUPUI has offered to charter a jet to fly the team to Africa, pending NCAA approval, of course.

"I knew when I saw Siakam's face we were doing the right thing," Hunter said.

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/SPORTS06/801250407/1068. Also, here's an article with a video of the news segment from the local news about it: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7771854&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Also, an article about Colts safety Antoine Bethea, who was named as an injury replacement for the Pro Bowl last week. Here's some of what he had to say about it:

“It’s a great feeling,” Bethea said. “It’s been a long road, coming from where I came from and how I had to fight an uphill battle. It’s just a continued blessing for me: last year playing in the Super Bowl and now this year, my second year, being selected to go to the Pro Bowl.

“All the hard work you put into it, to get rewarded for it is just a blessing.”

Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=7214cc89-86eb-4609-ae56-e2ea9ff54daa.

Here's a couple more articles about Colts associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell, a Christian, who was named to succeed Tony Dungy as head coach when Dungy retires. The first one is an interview article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=85f25998-5166-4677-adec-a93d0558cb7d, and the other is more a biographical one and about how similar he is to Dungy: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/SPORTS03/801280350/1247/NLETTER12.

Next, an article about Cubs minor-league pitcher Donnie Veal, a Christian, and about how he lost his father in a scuba-diving accident last November, almost three years to the day after his mother died from cancer. The article tells about how he's dealing with the deaths, as well as his brother Devin, who is a red-shirt freshman football player at Arizona: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080125&content_id=2355174&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Brewers pitcher Jeff Suppan, a Christian, and the new restaurant that he and his wife own and run in California: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_entertainment.jsp?ymd=20080124&content_id=2354591&vkey=entertainment&fext=.jsp.

Also, another article about retired Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell's (a Christian) 90th birthday last Friday. Here's a quote about some of the things that he's doing now:

He still finds time to stop in at Comerica Park once in a while, occasionally working with Baseball Chapel, other times doing a guest spot on various telecasts....

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080125&content_id=2355587&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's another article about Baylor men's basketball head coach Scott Drew, a Christian, and the success that the team's having this year after turning the program around from the absolute bottom. Here's a quote about the advice about dealing with adversity that his father, Valparaiso men's basketball head coach Homer Drew (also a Christian), gave him when he took the job at Baylor:

"He was very supportive, and he gave me one piece of advice that was really good," Drew said. "When he went to Valparaiso, they never had had a winning season in their Division I history. He said the Book of Job really helped him."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/SPORTS/801260433/1247/SPORTS.

Lastly for now, an article about the celebrity charity soccer game that Dodgers 3rd baseman Nomar Garciaparra and his wife, retired soccer star Mia Hamm, held last weekend: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080126&content_id=2356447&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp.

more NFL, MLB, basketball, etc.

2008-01-27T21:53:00.000-05:00

Hi again! Here's the second post for the weekend. First, some articles on Colts head coach Tony Dungy deciding to return for at least one more year (Yeah!) last Monday. Here's a quote about how Dungy came to his decision:

During the past several days at their Tampa, Fla., home, the Dungys weighed the pros and cons of being divided, of Tony being a thousand miles away in Indy while Lauren looked after four kids in Tampa.

They talked, prayed, sought advice from their pastor and some of Dungy's current and former players.

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/SPORTS03/801220374/1247/NLETTER12.

The other two articles are about Colts associate coach Jim Caldwell, a Christian, who will become the Colts coach when Dungy does decide to retire. Here's a quote from him about why he decided to do what he did:

Over the past three years, Jim Caldwell has spoken with Buffalo, Minnesota, Arizona, Dallas, Baltimore and Atlanta about their head coaching vacancies. They called because he was an attractive candidate.

He was shrewd enough to recognize an attractive job. Home was the place to hang his hat.

"Typically you go into a situation where you have to restructure, rebuild, etc.," Caldwell said Monday, when he was formally introduced as the Indianapolis Colts' associate head coach. "Here's an opportunity that doesn't come along very often, so I really feel blessed."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/SPORTS03/801220350.

The other article has some more on Caldwell: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ak6id1n7I35Jx5ngf3kib_B.T4h4?slug=ap-colts-caldwell&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's an article on recently retired Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian, who's back to working with his family NASCAR team, Joe Gibbs Racing. He formed the racing team after he retired as Redskins head coach the first time, and one of his sons took over control of the team when Gibbs went back to the Redskins. Here's a quote from him about returning to racing:

``The whole time I was in football, we knew football was going to be for a limited amount of time,'' Gibbs said. ``And we knew, hopefully and Lord willing, racing was going to be forever. We want this to be something we continue into the future.''

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AgjMJpH2xG7lW5AeuziW3fB.T4h4?slug=ap-nascar-gibbs&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, an article on retired Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, a Christian, who celebrated his 90th birthday last Friday. Here's a quote from him about what he thinks has allowed him to live so long:

When it comes to his longevity, how high is fitness on the list of important factors?

"That would be in the top one or two or three, I would say," Ernie says. "I'd say diet and physical fitness and mental attitude would be the three top things."

Any big dos or don'ts on diet?

"My biggest don't is I don't eat a lot of fats and sugars," Ernie says. "But I have a tendency to break over once in a while and have a dessert.

"I don't drink alcohol because I don't like it that much and I don't want to expend all my calories on it. It's sort of an empty kind of thing as far as nutrition is concerned.

"I stay away from bread as much as I can. My big bugaboo is going to a restaurant and they bring out the bread and butter before they serve you. It's a great temptation to load up on that before they bring the entrée."

As for attitude, Ernie says, "The greatest thing is my trust in God. I know that whatever happens is for the best, and I try not to worry about anything, because worrying is a sin and He's going to take care of me."

Here's a quote from him about keeping busy since he retired:

These days, Ernie is more than fulfilling what he said in his farewell to his radio audience on the final day of the 2002 season, moments after he called the Tigers game that marked the end of his run as a full-time announcer:

"I'm not leaving, folks. I'll still be with you, living my life in Michigan, my home state, surrounded by family and friends. ... Now God has a new adventure for me. And I'm ready to move on."

Here's the article (including a video): http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/SPORTS02/801220365/0/COL01 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/113). Also, here's a link to his website: http://www.eharwell.com/ (originally found in Sports Spectrum's Power Up!).

Here's an article about Virginia high school wrestler Nathan Shuler, a Christian, who's following in the footsteps of his dad and two older brothers in wrestling. The four of them have gone on wrestling mission trips to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. Here's the article: http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA/MGArticle/LNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354306184&path=!sports.

Also, an article about the MLB Players Trust giving time and money to help out the victims of Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080123&content_id=2353697&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's a touching article about Northwestern forward Kevin Coble, who set out the first semester to be at home in Arizona with his mom while she was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. He came back in time for their first Big Ten Conference game in January, and has been their leading scorer. Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/bigten/2008-01-22-Coble_N.htm?csp=34.

Next, another touching article, this one about how the New York Giants have been inspired this season by an injured army veteran. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, who is still undergoing treatments for injuries that he suffered in Iraq, spoke the team early this season. The team was so inspired by what he said that it helped turn around their season and they've kept in touch with him. He and his son were on the sidelines when the Giants beat the Packers last Sunday. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-twoquestions012308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Here's an article about MLB free agent Mike Sweeney, a Christian who has spent his entire career so far with the Royals, being awarded the Hutch Award which "is presented annually to the MLB player who 'best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire' of the late Fred Hutchinson, a former Major League pitcher and manager from Seattle." He was also taken on a tour of the Hutchinson Center. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I work out and go to church regularly with a couple of previous Hutch Award winners, Mark Loretta [2006] and Trevor Hoffman ['04], so I pretty much knew what this award is all about," Sweeney said.

"But it's different when you actually go to the Center. The research being done there is amazing."

A five-time American League All-Star, the 34-year-old Sweeney has been active in Kansas City's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, and also started the Sweeney Family Foundation, which encourages people of Catholic faith to work with youth and families through a variety of urban-outreach missions, including youth baseball camps.

"I have always done my best on the field, but what I do off the field is just as important," he said.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080123&content_id=2354075&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Lastly, an article about former Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron, a Christian, being hired as the Ravens offensive coordinator: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnCSyynhRXV3N4xbVs7bjto5nYcB?slug=ap-ravens-cameron&prov=ap&type=lgns.

NFL, MLB, basketball, etc.

2008-01-27T20:32:00.000-05:00

Hello! Here's the first post for this weekend. First is a Christian article about Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver. Here's a quote from Weaver about his faith:

Weaver attributes faith in Christ as the key factor in his development, as a person, a husband and father and as a professional football player. He says the game has provided him life lessons that dovetail with his devotion.

“Football teaches a lot about faith, especially with me,” he said in the Seahawks’ locker room following a defeat in Atlanta. “There are hardships and hard times, but, if you continue to keep your head up and keep your confidence, good things will happen later on.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5745. Also, a link to former Seahawk fullback Mack Strong (a Christian)'s blog, The Strong Report, as mentioned in this article: http://www.seahawks.com/News/BlogsAndColumns.aspx?blogId=330.

Here's another Christian article about the strong Christians on the Packers team. Here's a quote from defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila:

But with all of his accomplishments, Gbaja-Biamila doesn't want any of the credit.

"By God's grace, I've had great success on the football field. I've set sack records for one of the most storied franchises in all of sports - the Green Bay Packers - and I plan to do more in my football career as long as God allows me the opportunity," Gbaja-Biamila said. "As much as I enjoy football and the success, I know that those things won't last forever. There is one thing that will, however, and that's my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This by far is my greatest victory."

Here's a link to the Freedom House Ministries that Gbaja-Biamila is involved with in Green Bay: http://www.freedomhouseministries.org/contact.html.

Here's the article: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/306408.aspx.

Next, an article about Rockies outfielder Willie Taveras, a Christian, and how he's preparing for the upcoming season: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350867&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

Here's an article about the Packers and how the area churches blend or separate the team and church. Here's a couple of quotes from local clergy with different opinions on the topic, before the Packers/Giants game last Sunday:

The Rev. Dan Dainsberg of Faith Chapel, a Christian missionary alliance church, knows some of his parishioners will certainly privately pray for a Packers victory. But he won't.

"There are people on the Giants who love God and people on the Packers who love God and to try to pit one against the other, I wouldn't do that," the pastor said. "As big of a game as this is and excited as we are, it is small in comparison to life and death matters." ...

Certainly, he [The Rev. John Becker of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church] said, some of his parishioners will be praying for a win Sunday. Children in the church's school offered a special petition last week during a Mass, praying for a Packers victory.

Privately, the priest admitted, he would, too.

"I am very strong supporter of the Packers. I will say, 'God's will be done,' but please may it be that the Packers win," he said, laughing.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnTL4iBYual6hzYhZQUQ8lsdsLYF?slug=ap-packers-prayers&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Also, a blog post on the Reds signing pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, a Christian, as a free agent from the Rockies: http://blue-collarbaseball.blogspot.com/2008/01/reds-sign-pitcher-affeldt.html.

Here's an article on Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, a Christian, and how he's worked hard to become a star: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10587154/rss.

Next, an blog post on Rick Hendrick, the NASCAR owner of Hendrick Motor Sports, who bought a special car for an injured soldier: http://christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/hendrick-helps-iraq-vet.html.

Here's an article about Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, a Christian, being named as a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The winner will be announced before kickoff on Super Bowl Sunday. The other finalists are the Dolphins Jason Taylor (also a Christian), Steelers Hines Ward, and Chiefs Brian Waters. Here's a quote from Witten about being nominated for the award:

"What I do on the field is important and my job, but I know that playing for the Dallas Cowboys and in the National Football League has afforded me the unique opportunity to contribute off the field, to make a difference in the lives of those in need," Witten said.

"To be a finalist is a great honor, and I am just proud to be mentioned in the same breath as Mr. Payton."

Here's the article: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/011908dnspowitten.3bce895d.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/5).

Also, some articles and video clips about IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) men's basketball head coach Ron Hunter, a Christian, and his helping to support the Christian organization Samaritan's Feet (http://www.samaritansfeet.org/). The organization collects shoes and money for kids without shoes throughout the world, especially Africa. Hunter went barefoot during IUPUI's game against Oakland last Thursday. These articles are from before the game, and I'll have more from after the game on a later post. Here's a quote from the first article:

With the help of Samaritan's Feet, a Christian-based group in Charlotte, N.C., Hunter's goal is to raise 40,000 pairs of new shoes during February, which is Black History Month.

"Dr. Martin Luther King had the courage and the faith to make a difference, and I hope that's what I'm about," Hunter said. "I want to use my passion to make a difference. I want people to feel it."

Hunter belongs to the same church in Indianapolis as Colts head coach Tony Dungy. Here's that article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/SPORTS06/801210351/1004/RSS02.

The next article tells some more about what Hunter was doing. There were 30,000 shoes donated by the day before the game. Here's that article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10594951/rss.

The last article about Hunter's project mainly just contains a good video segment from the local news about it: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7764687&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Here's an article about Cardinals 1st baseman Albert Pujols, a Christian, addressing false reports that he had used drugs. Here's a quote from him:

Asked if he felt any need to prove himself all over again in light of the report, Pujols didn't hesitate.

"I don't have to prove myself," he said. "Since 2001, I've been proving myself with the numbers. I've been proving myself every year. How much better can I get? Only God knows how much better [I can] get. But do I need to cheat in this game to get better? This is nothing for me.

"Baseball is just a hobby, man. God has blessed me. And I fear God too much for me to do a stupid thing. I fear him. If I do some stupid things to help me out, to hit .400 or three-something or hit 30 home runs, he's going to take that away from me. So why not be the natural guy like I've been since I was in the Minor Leagues? To cheat in this game, that's not right."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080121&content_id=2352353&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about new Royals manager Trey Hillman, a Christian. He was hired by Royals general manager Dayton Moore, also a Christian. Here's a quote from him about becoming the Royals manager after spending the last five years managing in Japan:

"I kind of look at timing as a blessing from above," says Hillman, a deeply religious Christian. "Nobody on this earth is smart enough to know when the perfect timing is for anything."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/royals/2008-01-21-hillman-royals_N.htm?csp=34.

Lastly for now, a good post from the Saved in Sports blog about Giants quarterback Eli Manning and the charity work that he's done: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/patriots-giants-who-will-make-history-eli-manning/#comment-118.

The Packer Prayer

2008-01-20T16:15:00.000-05:00

I just thought that this was cute:

The Packers Prayer, a take on The Lord's Prayer

By The Associated PressJanuary 19, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The so-called Packers Prayer -- a take on The Lord's Prayer -- that is making the rounds on the Internet:

"Our Favre,
Who art in Lambeau,
Hallowed be thine arm.
Thy bowl will come,
It will be won.
In Phoenix as it is in Lambeau.
And give us this Sunday,
Our weekly win.
And give us many touchdown passes.
But do not let others pass against us.
Lead us not into frustration,
But deliver us to the valley of the sun.
For thine is the MVP, the best of the NFC,
and the glory of the Cheeseheads,
now and forever.
Go get'em. Amen."

Found at: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aow_94yAM5H7gBdOo869vW1.T4h4?slug=ap-thepackersprayer&prov=ap&type=lgns.

MLB, football, and basketball

2008-01-19T16:10:00.000-05:00

Hi. Here's the second half of my posts this weekend. First of all, an article on White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome raising money for the Children's Hospital of Illinois: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080113&content_id=2344771&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080116&content_id=2347477&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's an article about the nominees for the Bart Starr Award given out annually at the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast. This year's nominees are Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, Chargers runningback LaDainian Tomlinson,and Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner. The award "honors NFL players who show exemplary character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community". Here's the article: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=261.

Next, a few articles about Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, who is considering retiring to spend more time with his family and on his many other ventures. As much as I'd love to see him stay, as both a Christian and a big Colts fan, I can totally understand if he decided to retire. The first article is about the players on the team and how much they want Dungy to return, but they would also understand if he didn't: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/SPORTS03/801140373.

The second article about Dungy's decision (the Indianapolis Star has ran articles every day this week I think) is about Dungy's decision itself. Here's a quote from Dungy about how he's making his decision:

"We'll probably do a lot of praying about what we want to do," Dungy said Monday afternoon. "We'll probably come to some decision this weekend and be ready to move forward on Monday one way or the other.

"It's really just making sure that I'm doing the best job I can do as a dad, and I do think that is my No. 1 job. And if I'm doing that, can I still do enough to be a good coach for the Colts? If I think I can, I'll be back."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/SPORTS03/801150404/1247/NLETTER12.

The last article on Dungy, for now, is his blog post about the season and his decision from last Tuesday. Here's a quote from him:

So many people want to know what I am going to do next year and most of the media believe I have made up my mind already. They don't believe me when I say that my wife and I will sit down this week and talk and pray about what is best for our family. But that is what we're going to do. I really enjoy coaching and wish I could do it forever, but I do know that God has placed a family in my care and I have a responsibility to them first. So we'll reach a family decision this weekend.

Here's the post: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/49dac150-6d51-426c-a85d-67f8aef57573.

Also, an article on Purdue women's basketball player Lauren Mioton publishing a recipe book to help her hometown of New Orleans: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?LIST_ID=1&STORY_ID=13870.

Here's another article about a fund-raiser for New Orleans, this one with Heat center Shaquille O'Neal and Saints runningback Reggie Bush teaming up for a fund-raiser during the NBA All-Star Game weekend in New Orleans: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ai5Y_85Gi9RMvzrRNA8aeld.T4h4?slug=ap-oneal-bushparty&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, an article about former Pirates and Braves 1st baseman Sid Bream, a Christian, re-joining the Pirates organization as a coach with their Class-A State College team: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10578914/rss.

Here's an article about University of Buffalo head football coach Turner Gill, a Christian, signing a contract extension to stay with the team: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10578894/rss.

Also, an article about the girl that got booed last Sunday at the Colts game when she was recognized for winning her age group of the Punt, Pass, and Kick competition. Why was she booed? She was wearing a Patriots jersey, the team that she was representing and the hated rival of the Colts. Patriots owner Robert Kraft got upset and invited the girl, Anna Grant, to be honored before the Patriots home game tomorrow afternoon. It's a nice gesture, but anything Patriots is going to be booed in Indiana regardless. And she realized that it was the jersey, not her. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3198479.

Here's a good article by former MLB outfielder Doug Glanville about fear in sports and life, and how it sometimes drives people to do anything to succeed: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/opinion/16glanville.html?_r=1&oref=slogin (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350277&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Next, some articles about Christian MLB players signing new contracts this week. First, a couple of articles about Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson and his new deal: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=As.rEICINK7WfqWWrtfWeNE5nYcB?slug=ap-tigers-robertson&prov=ap&type=lgns and http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5746. Other Christian players include the Braves Mark Teixeira (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080117&content_id=2349888&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl) and Matt Diaz (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350763&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl), and the Rockies Matt Holliday and Willie Taveras (http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350393&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col).

Here's an article about Colts coach Jim Caldwell, also a Christian, who is apparently next in line to become the Colts head coach whenever Tony Dungy decides to retire, should it be this year or in the future: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/SPORTS03/801170498/1058/SPORTS03.

Also, an article about Florida men's basketball head coach Billy Donovan, a Christian, and how much he's enjoying coaching his young team this year. He's had to completely start over without his whole starting line-up from his two-time defending national championship teams. Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylt=AgQQqtJ8euO9t4QN6qODXZw5nYcB?slug=jn-donovan011708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Lastly, an article about Rockies pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, a Christian, signing as a free agent with the Reds today: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080119/SPT04/301190047/1071/.

football, basketball, MLB, etc.

2008-01-18T21:06:00.000-05:00

Hello! I'm going to have to once again split the articles that I have into two posts this weekend. I just have trouble finding time to post during the week.

First of all, here's a great article about Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, a Christian. Here's a quote about him and having to go through treatment for Crohn's disease:

Garrard admits that, through quarterback controversies and physical setbacks, it hasn't always been easy to stay positive - to remain, as he calls it, a "good teammate."

One test came in 2004, when he had surgery for Crohn's disease, a painful inflammation of the intestines. He takes medication every eight weeks, a 3?-hour procedure; his next appointment is Tuesday, three days after playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs tonight.

"It's a horrible disease, something that a lot of people are affected by," he says. "But I think the Lord blessed me with it, so I could talk about it."

To Mary Garrard, her husband's Christian faith is a key to both his personality and his playing style. "About 95 percent of his temperament comes from his faith," she says. "We're both Christians: There's a higher power, God is in charge of everything, there's no reason to worry about anything."

Here's the article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/010508/met_231653371.shtml (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/15).

Here's a great article on the importance of prayer and their Christian faith for several players on the Packers. Those mentioned as Christians in the article are defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, wide receiver James Jones, and head coach Mike McCarthy. Here's some quotes from Kampman on the topic:

It's not a stretch, then, to wonder about the team in the other locker room and logically ask, why isn't God a fan of their team?

"I do believe that God is sovereign and he does orchestrate or know what's going on, yes,'' said Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, the acknowledged spiritual leader of the team. "Do I think that God cheers more for one team than the other? No.

"I think that our ways are on his ways. So the outcome of a game, while very, very important, could be part of his plan to achieve something. But a loss could do that. It's a lot bigger than trying to put God in a box for the NFL playoffs. It's the other way around. Everything filters down from God.'' ...

No one knows what will transpire at Lambeau on Saturday, but Kampman is sure of one thing: If you're looking for assistance from above at this point, you're either too late or just don't understand.

"This is my opinion, but I think if a person turns it up more, maybe they didn't understand the principles from the beginning,'' he said. "I go back to a verse in Colossians (3:23) that says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as though you were working for the Lord and not for men.'

"To me what that means is applying that to all aspects of your life, my marriage, this job here, my parenting. Work at it with all your heart. Not for the external outcomes that men will give you but for your internal gratitude for what you've been given."

Also, here's a quote about McCarthy:

Kampman leads a Bible study group on Thursdays in the team's defensive meeting room. On the eve of the game, a half-hour interdenominational chapel service will be held in the team hotel — usually led by someone associated with Athletes in Action — and then a full Catholic mass. That the mass begins 4½ hours before kickoff is a tradition handed down through the years.

The two services used to coincide but Baraniak said since Mike McCarthy, an Irish Catholic, has become head coach, the two are separated so he can attend both.

"He wants to hear what the team is hearing,'' said [team chaplain Rev. James] Baraniak, adding McCarthy uses bits and pieces from both services and weaves them into his address to the team each week.

"He pulls it all together so beautifully.''

Here's the article: http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/APC0101/801100589/1979 (originally found at: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5741).

Next, an article about a great program that the Diamondbacks have began for the upcoming season. They are giving season ticket "scholarships" for families that apply and are having hard times. Here's the article: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10571485 (originally found at: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/080114.php).

Here's a Christian article about Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry, who grew up in the projects of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here's a quote about his life:

Henry has come a long way from the mean streets of Michigan Links Court. When you survive the perils he did, life is all about perspective. Playing football is good. Being alive is better. Being alive in Christ is best.

“Growing up like that made me realize a totally different relationship with God and being thankful for what you’ve got,” he said. “Being a pro athlete with money, sometimes you take it for granted. But I want to stay focused and know that God has blessed me to be where I am, but that I also need to care for other people.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5740.

Also, a good article about how Baylor men's basketball head coach Scott Drew, a Christian, has helped turn around the men's basketball program after one of the worst team scandals in NCAA sports history. It was especially bad since Baylor is a Baptist college. Here's a quote from athletic director Ian McCaw, also a Christian:

"People were still shocked from the scandal when I got here," said McCaw, a Baptist deacon whose faith and belief in Baylor's mission convinced him to leave his post as athletic director at Massachusetts, his alma mater. "The hardest thing to overcome was the morale. It was incredibly low."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3189351.

Here's a good article about recently retired Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian, and why he decided to retire to spend more time with his family: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011102493_2.html?hpid=topnews.

Next, an article about Cowboys outside linebacker Greg Ellis, a Christian, being awarded The Associated Press 2007 NFL Comeback Player of the Year last week. He won the award after coming back this season from an Achilles injury to be a huge part of the Cowboys defense. Here's a couple of quotes from him about it:

"It's been great," Ellis said. "I thank God for blessing me, letting me get out there and have a good support group, starting from the doctors. We have good people here, the coaches have done a good job working me back into it. They've been telling me 'You're fine, you're fine.' It was just getting the confidence to get out there and do it." ...

"Guys will tell you the correct thing -- you don't seek after those awards," Ellis said. "But when you're blessed to get any award on a national level ... our (linebackers) coach, Paul Pasqualoni, says the respect of the game is one of the reasons everybody in the NFL plays. And he's right.

"So once you've got the respect of everybody in the country, if you will, at doing something -- whether it's for your efforts on coming back or for your just play on the field, whatever it is -- it's a great award to get, obviously."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArMpT1RfAGTjMifg3YncDXc5nYcB?slug=ap-comebackplayer&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Here's an article about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Chick-fil-A Senior Bowl Rally, one of the largest FCA rallies in the nation, that is held next weekend in conjunction with the Senior Bowl. Two of the featured speakers at the event are also participants in the game -- Alabama All-SEC defensive end Wallace Gilberry and Auburn All-SEC defensive end Quentin Groves. Here's the article: http://www.seniorbowl.com/2008/news/2008fca.htm (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Also, an article about Colts owner Jim Irsay offering Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, some flexibility if Dungy would decide to return as coach. Irsay would be willing to give Dungy more time off to travel to visit his family in Tampa, etc. That's how badly Irsay wants Dungy to return. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080113/SPORTS03/301130019/1058/SPORTS03.

Here's an article about Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez starting a scholarship program for college-bound high-schoolers from a section of Detroit: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080113/SPORTS02/80113080/0/BUSINESS01 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/113).

Next, an article about the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) helping to raise money for a couple who's home was destroyed and they were injured. The couple, Dave and Jan Goble, are also raising their grandchildren. Lions wide receiver Mike Furrey, a Christian, was also at the game and donated one of his jerseys to a silent auction for some of the money that was raised. Here's a quote from Dave Goble:

"God is providing all of our needs," Dave Goble said.

Here's the article: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080113/CFP02/801130452/1057/SPORTS (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/11).

Lastly, an article about a children's book that former Braves outfielder and Falcons player Brian Jordan has written, called "I Told You I Can Play". Here's a quote from him telling what the book is about, and it sounds like it should be pretty good:

"It's about believing in yourself," Jordan told the group before he began reading.

The story is about young Brian, who wants to play with his brothers, who don't allow him to because they think he is too young. They do everything they can to avoid him until one day he gets a chance. Brian not only plays, but scores a touchdown.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080113&content_id=2344870&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Gibbs, Dungy, football, baseball, and basketball

2008-01-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

Hi. Here's the second post for the weekend. First, some articles on former Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian, who retired last week to spend more time with his family. Here's a good note about the news conference from Sports Spectrum's The Daily:

THE REAL JOE: If you caught the press conference in which Joe Gibbs announced the reasons for his retirement, you got the clear picture of a man with a deep faith in God and His direction in his life. But if you didn’t see that and just read published reports about Gibbs’ retirement, you wouldn’t know how important faith is to him. That part get left out of nearly every report about Gibbs. What was mentioned was his love and concern for family, which is a good thing. But that love of family comes from Gibbs’ solid faith and Christian convictions. That’s what he said, but for most reporters, the essence of Joe Gibbs wasn’t important enough to write about.

Here's the webpage: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/080109.php.

Along those lines, here's a link to an article with video of the news conference last Tuesday if you would like to watch it, but it's kind of long--around half an hour I think--so I only watched the first part of six: http://www.wusa9.com/news/regional/story.aspx?storyid=67065.

Instead I found a transcript from the news conference, and here's the quote from near the end of the press conference referred to in the quote from The Daily:

... The last thing I want to say, it has been amazing for me to experience the fact that- we serve such a wonderful God that looks down and most cases takes a very average person, a physical education major in my case, with ballroom dancing and hand ball, and blesses him with some of the greatest experiences anybody could every have on earth. I have been blessed beyond belief. I want to say thanks to the Lord for letting me be a part of this and I want to say a personal thanks to all of you."

Here's the article: http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=33975.

Here's a Christian article about Gibbs retiring from the Saved in Sports blog, and a quote about Gibb's Youth For Tomorrow center:

Joe Gibbs is known as a hard working man of faith, both on and off the field. An outspoken Christian, he has mentored hundreds of players in more than just field plays, but life itself. His passion for providing a strong foundation for young people led Gibbs to found the Youth For Tomorrow center in nearby Manassas, Virginia, a “residential program combining character rehabilitation, quality education, personal faith, and life skills,” according to the mission statement. Since opening in 1986, Youth for Tomorrow has served 800 young people. The campus includes several specialized schools, a library, gymnasium, computer labs, auditorium, and more.

Here's the article: http://savedinsports.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/washington-redskins-to-move-on-without-joe-gibbs/. Here's the Youth For Tomorrow website: http://www.youthfortomorrow.org/.

Next, here's the general news article about Gibbs' retirement: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080108/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_redskins_gibbs_resigns.

Here's a good sports column from the Washington Post about Gibbs too: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/08/AR2008010804885.html?sid=ST2008010804632&sub=new.

Also, here's an article about Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb, a Christian, and the community work that he's involved in through his Brandon Webb K Foundation and the Diamondbacks in Arizona: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080109&content_id=2342454&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's a good blog post about NC State women's basketball head coach Kay Yow, a Christian, and her upbeat attitude during her fight with cancer. Here's a good quote:

As we all know, Yow is fighting a terrible foe every day. She never takes off the "armor"-- made up of her faith, her hope, her positive attitude. That armor has served her well so far.

Here's the post: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=ncwexperts&entryDate=20080109.

Next, a Q and A article with Washington State guard Taylor Rochestie, a Christian, talking about how well the team has done so far this season and his giving up his scholarship for next year so that they could use it for someone else: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=335345.

Here's a couple of articles on the possible retirement of Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, after this season. Unfortunately, the Colts just lost in the playoffs this afternoon to the Chargers, so now the Dungy watch is on I guess. The first article is a good one from the Indianapolis Star, and here's a quote:

It might not be enough. One of the most successful coaches in NFL history wants to be so much more.

Dungy has been involved in a prison ministry program in Tampa for several years and has devoted himself to All Pro Dad, a branch of the Tampa-based Family First. His book, Quiet Strength, recently sold its 1 millionth copy. When Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot and killed in November, Dungy spoke of the need for people in positions of influence to address a culture of violence that seems so pervasive among today's youth.

On the other hand, Dungy allows that "there's a vehicle to get that message out, and the NFL's a pretty good vehicle."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/SPORTS03/801100425/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's the other article, which gives some updated news about the Dungy retirement rumors: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArfW.TBnXvSah30L59.9ZEV.T4h4?slug=ap-colts-dungysfuture&prov=ap&type=lgns. More on Dungy another day.

Also, a couple of articles about MLB players will be receiving Thurmon Munson Awards. The awards will be given to recently retired Astros 2nd baseman Craig Biggio and Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera, along with Mets 3rd baseman David Wright, Knicks guard Jamal Crawford, and Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. The award is for "excellence in competition and philanthropic work within the community." Here's the Biggio article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080110&content_id=2343257&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb, and here's the Cabrera one: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080110&content_id=2343441&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who sustained a severe neck injury the first game of the season and is now miraculously walking on his own. Last week, he spoke at the football banquet at his high school, Memorial, in Port Arthur, Texas, to thank everyone for their support during his rehabilitation. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I feel blessed entirely," Everett said Thursday before addressing the Memorial High School football banquet. "I deal with some pain sleeping but not to the point where I can't sleep. I take my medicine and I'm good to go."

Here's a quote from New Mexico quarterback Donovan Porterie, who was also attending the banquet:

"Every night, especially in that first week, I was offering up a prayer after I heard about his injury," Porterie said. "It was all over ESPN and the NFL Network and being from Port Arthur, it was a real big blow ... a real heartbreaker."

"So it meant a lot to see a guy of his status to bounce back and be here like this," he said. "It was a big lift. Jesus came through and delivered him from his obstacle."

Here's a quote from Everett's friend and Memorial offensive coordinator Kenny Harrison:

"This guy is amazing," Harrison said. "Kevin has taught me two things. First, he's taught me that nothing is too bad and second, that with God you can overcome anything."

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10569837/rss.

Next, an article about Mariners pitcher Chris Reitsma, a Christian, signing a minor league contract with the team since he's coming off an injury: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AsB1_FEIAPyO4Y9qrD.sJFt.T4h4?slug=ap-mariners-reitsma&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Lastly, last night there was a great interview segment with Jaguars quarterback David Garrard and his wife, both Christians, before they lost to the Patriots. At least three times during the interview Garrard said "a lot of prayer".

MLB, football, and basketball

2008-01-12T19:04:00.000-05:00

Hello! I'm going to divide the articles that I have into two posts. I'll do one now, and the other either later today or tomorrow.

The first article that I have is about some past and present MLB players getting together to help raise money for the MLB Players Trust last weekend. Those involved were Ken Griffey, Jr.(Reds), Ryan Howard (Phillies), Mark Grudzielanek (Royals), Chris Capuano (Brewers), Kenny Lofton (Indians), Brian Fuentes (Rockies), Mark Loretta (Astros), Josh Barfield (Indians), and Hall of Famers Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Ozzie Smith, Paul Molitor, and Eddie Murray. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080106&content_id=2340299&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Pedro Taylor, the father or murdered Redskins safety Sean Taylor, visiting the Redskins after they lost in the playoffs last weekend: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=333996.

Next, an article about Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, a Christian, receiving the Red Smith Award, which "is presented annually to the individual who has contributed or continues to contribute to sports either on or off the field throughout the state of Wisconsin." Here's a quote from him about his work in the community:

Kampman's role in the community is nearly as extensive as his being named to back-to-back Pro Bowls as a player.

Last January, he and his wife, Linde, spent two weeks with the Gospel of Asia Christian ministry. He also previously traveled overseas with the Christian organization Unlimited Potential Incorporated. He has worked with the Packers' All-Pro Dad event in 2006 and volunteers extensively with the Green Bay Community Church youth group.

"I've done a lot of different things, speaking to different groups and just seeing what God is doing in different areas," Kampman said. "I enjoy speaking to kids. I have a degree in elementary education and just the opportunity to be an influence in people's lives, because regardless of what people think — right, wrong or indifferent — that's the responsibility you have."

Here's the article: http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/APC02/801060602/1892.

Here's an article about Rays Triple-A Durham Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo, whose 11-week-old son is fighting for his life after he was born with a rare heart ailment. The Rays and their minor-league affiliates, most of whom Montoyo managed at one time, have started funds to help the Montoyos pay for medical bills and other expenses. Here's a quote from Montoyo:

Montoyo said he has tried at times to think about baseball, a game that has been his life for decades.

"I thank God that the job I have allows me to be here everyday with my family," he said. "I don't want to miss a game, a day of baseball, so we planned to have the baby in the offseason. It worked out, it was perfect. And now I need to be here."

Here's the article: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080107&content_id=336926&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp.

Also, an article about Dodgers infielder Nomar Garciaparra and his wife Mia Hamm (former star soccer player), who are involved with a celebrity soccer game that helps raise money for Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for bone marrow transplant patients and their families: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080107&content_id=2341211&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a Christian, interviewing for the Dolphins head coaching job last week: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-01-07-3264981647_x.htm.

Next, a Christian article about Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme "was named winner of the Bobby Bowden Award, a national honor for character, service, academics, and football performance, as presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the FCA breakfast held in conjunction with the national championship game." Also at the breakfast were Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel, Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden, and LSU head football coach Les Miles. Here's the article: http://www.fca.org/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=256814F1-B388-4054-92C749EC1938B82B.

Staying with the national championship game, an article about LSU beating Ohio State in that game. Here's a quote from LSU head coach Les Miles about playing in and winning the game:

"Certainly there will be some argument as to who's the best team. But I think the national champion has been crowned tonight," Miles said. "I have give great credit to some divine intervention that allows us to be in this position."

Here's the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080108/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/fbc_bcs_championship

Also, a Christian article about former Florida State Heisman-Trophy winning quarterback and NBA guard Charlie Ward. Ward is now an assistant football and basketball coach at a Christian school in Houston. Here's a great quote from the article:

“When I look back over my life to where I am today, the Lord definitely had his hand on me because everything has happened for a reason,” Ward said. “It’s just a blessing that I had those different experiences over my career. It shaped my thought process and made me the type of husband and father I am today.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5736.

Here's a Christian article about Boise State safety Marty Tadman, who just finished his college career. Here's a quote from him:

“Football has given me a national platform,” Tadman said. “It has opened many doors that otherwise would not be opened. I have been able to reach people that would not have listened to a word I say. It’s been awesome.

“The biggest witnessing tool you have is your life,” he continued. “I am living for heavenly things. I want to share my life being a loving testament to Christ. God wants me to stand up for myself and faith in a bold way. He wants to use me in a powerful way.”

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5737.

Lastly on this post, an article about Reds high school scout Ken Neuhaus, who recently became a scout after coaching high school and college baseball for many years. Here's a quote from him about that:

"I always thought I was blessed because I got paid to coach for 26 years. Now, I'm getting a chance to get paid just for watching games."

Here's the article: http://www.thonline.com/store/view.cfm?id=JiZNUz7AhUTi9OCgz3Dz3D (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/96).

football and Phillips

2008-01-06T18:58:00.000-05:00

Hi. First of all, a couple of articles about 49ers defensive linebacker Patrick Willis, a Christian, who won The Associated Press 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award last week. Here's a quote from him about it in the first article:

"The good Lord has blessed me with skills that are uncommon, but are just something that I do naturally," he said. "I also know I couldn't do it by myself, without help from my fellow linebackers or that D-line. Knowing that, I just stay humble. Whether it's in the movies or whether it's in real life, you see guys that got bigheaded, and they're in for a rude awakening."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3181099.

Here's the second article about Willis, which goes into more detail: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtW.1imYba4V8xBeEGMuwnc5nYcB?slug=ap-nfldefensiverookie&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, an article about Seahawks runningback Shaun Alexander, a Christian, and how he's been willing to share time at runningback to help the team, for now. Here's a quote about that from Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren:

"You've all seen it ... you can go to other sports - typically in this situation, that player, an MVP player, (causes) some sort of problem," Holmgren said. "There's something that comes up that's not very healthy for your football team. Someone's mad.

"None of that has taken place. And that's a real credit to the young man, I think. Because he's used to playing a lot. He's used to being the man, and now his role has changed."

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-01-04-3701551599_x.htm (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/28).

Here's a good article about Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith, a Christian, who plays tonight in the GMAC Bowl against Bowling Green. Here's a couple of good quotes about him from Tulsa head coach Todd Graham, also a Christian:

Tulsa coach Todd Graham learned the full impact of quarterback Paul Smith on his program when he was on a recruiting trip in southern Oklahoma and heard a prospect bragging.

Not about Smith's record-setting numbers as the school's leading passer. Not about the way he directed Tulsa's confusing spread attack that led the nation in total offense.

"I've seen your quarterback," the player told Graham. "He was basically preaching down here and doing praise music."

That's the hidden aspect to the triple threat Smith has brought the Golden Hurricane in a remarkable career: a strong arm, good enough wheels and a big heart.

"Just the impact that had on him and just how impressed he was with that, just how he represents our university has been remarkable," Graham said.

"And then you combine all the intangibles he has -- the character, the discipline, his faith -- you combine that with the fact that he is a phenomenal football player."

The combination won Smith the Wuerffel Award, which honors one college football player each year for community service work in addition to great performances in the classroom and on the field.

Smith, who graduated last month with a 3.84 grade-point average, makes frequent speaking engagements as president of the campus Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and also has mixed in visits to soup kitchens and other service work along with passing for a school-record 4,753 yards this season. ...

And what will help Smith's legacy linger is his heart. After all, Graham had to explain to his disappointed 5-year-old son, Michael, why Smith wouldn't be around after this season. The two have become friends as Smith stuck around after practice to play with him and carted him around when the Golden Hurricane were on the road.

It was a role reversal for Smith, who remembers tagging along when his father, Ron, was the offensive coordinator on a state championship football team whose players treated Smith like family.

"I remember the ones that took time to talk to me. I always kind of made that commitment to myself to always make time," Smith said.

Time for faith, family, football and plenty more.

"He's incredible. He's got a gift," Graham said. "I think that's what makes him so great. He knows that the good Lord has blessed him with the talents that he has, and he really stays grounded and really stays humble in his approach.

"Man, he's a winner too, though. You say all those nice things about him, but he's intense. He's a competitor."

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10560566/rss.

Also, an article about Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom, a Christian, who's trying to take his team to the next level after leading them to their first bowl game in years. Here's a quote from him about it:

Croom is more convinced than ever that State can make a run for the title, despite the fact the Bulldogs have the second-smallest athletic budget in the SEC.

"My daddy was a minister and he used to preach a sermon, 'Use what you got,'" Croom said. "That's always stuck with me. There's no use crying about what you don't have.

"If you're going to be in this race, you better run to win. If you are in this SEC football business, you've got to decide. Are you going to run to win? Or are you just going to give in? I came here to win."

Here's the article: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jan/05/mississippi-state-football-season-in-review-for/ (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/298).

Here's an article about former Yankees 1st baseman Andy Phillips, a Christian, signing a minor league contract with the Reds last week: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10559625/rss.

Lastly, a great article about LSU tackle Ciron Black, a Christian, and his relationship with 8-year-old Mikey Conger. Conger is battling cancer-related problems at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, and the two connected through LSU football. Someone sent Black an e-mail about Conger. Conger used to wear #70 when he was healthy enough to play football, which just happens to be Black's number at LSU. Black then posted this message on Conger's website:

Hey Michael, " the note began, "I recently saw your story and wanted to have the honor to write in your guest book. My name is Ciron Black. " ...

"I am the left tackle for the LSU Tigers football team. I'm also number 70 and I saw you wearing that jersey number, that's a great number by the way :). You know some people see us as heroes because of how we play but the truth is people like yourself are the real heroes. I see all the small problems I face are nothing compared to the hardships that you may go through. God has a plan for all of us and for some reason he put it on my heart to write you tonight. If it is at all possible I would love to talk to you. My number is ***-**** anytime, day or night, if you need someone to talk to. Hang in there buddy and just know that anything is possible through Christ."

Your friend, Ciron Black

P.S. I would love to write your name on my wrist tape as I get ready to take the field on Jan. 7th for the national championship. Let me know if that is OK.

Black and the Congers then became friends. Unfortunately, Conger is not doing well, with LSU's big game in the national championship game against Ohio State tomorrow night. Here's another quote about Black:

Ciron said his character was molded by his parents, Sandra and Ronnie, both whom are preachers. Missing church was never an option, he said. Sometimes he had to be pushed in school but, when it came to getting into trouble, Ciron was never a problem.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AlcVTFyD9b5jhTJcEO9H3MA5nYcB?slug=jn-ciron010508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

football, basketball, MLB, etc.

2008-01-04T21:59:00.000-05:00

Hi. First, a good article about Auburn football chaplain Chette Williams, who is known as the team's "spiritual coordinator" (offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, spiritual coordinator!). The article talks about his life and his new memoir Hard Fighting Soldier. Here's a quote about him from head coach Tommy Tuberville, also a Christian, when he was named Coach of the Year in 2004:

Williams "has made the biggest difference in my life, our coaches' lives, our families' lives and our players' lives than anything I have ever seen," Tuberville said in accepting the award from the American Football Coaches Association.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/12/31/bowlchaplain_1231.html.

Here's an article on Texas forward Gary Johnson, who was cleared to play this week after doctors checked out a heart problem that was discovered last summer. It was originally feared that he might not be able to play again. Here's a quote from him about being able to play again:

"I feel it's a gift being able to play again," Johnson said Monday as he talked with reporters for the first time. "Right now I'm taking it as that, trying to take every minute as a gift on the court."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3175273&campaign=rss&source=NCBHeadlines.

Next, a couple of articles about all of the hardships that the Redskins have gone through this season to make it to the playoffs. They've had to deal with injuries to key players, the murder of one of the players, etc. Here's a quote in the first article from head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian:

"I just want to say a big thanks to our fans and our players," Gibbs said. "It was really a testimonial these past four weeks of really just character. The Lord's blessed us with a great group of guys. When you think about what they've gone through this year . . . everybody would have said this is just impossible."

Here's the article: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/1231nflinsider1231.html (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Here's the second article on the Redskins and Joe Gibbs: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5huhioZ9aocDiie_nAjBKnFONRzyg (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Also, an article on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, and how winning the Heisman Trophy has created increased attention on him, for better or for worse. Here's a quote from him about that:

In the three weeks since Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy he hasn't been able to go anywhere without being swarmed or having his photo taken and flashed around the Internet. He accepts the role-model part of the deal and the scrutiny that comes with it.

"It really makes you think about everything you do, that someone's watching. That's a good and bad thing," said Tebow, whose 29 passing touchdowns and 22 running TDs made him the first player in NCAA Division I-A history to achieve that 20-20 double in the same season.

"Hopefully it's a good thing, that they see things I do and are impressed with and I can influence people for the better. But it can also be a bad thing if you're not careful about what you do."

Here's the article: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-elliott31dec31,1,178156.column?coll=la-utilities-sports&ctrack=3&cset=true (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Just a note: during the Sugar Bowl on New Year's between Georgia and Hawaii, they showed Georgia's "water wife". Head coach Mark Richt's wife Kathryn (both Christians) and some of their kids fill the team's cups with water and give them out during their games. I just thought that was kind of neat.

Here's an article about former MLB 3rd baseman and new Indians minor league manager Travis Fryman, a Christian, who is eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year. Here's a quote from him about his career:

If part of the measure of a player is the effect he has on his teammates, however, then Fryman can look back on his days in uniform and feel pretty happy. That's how he likes to look at his career, and that's one reason he's giving himself a shot at managing.

"That would be what I am most proud of in my career," Fryman said, "not what I ever did between the chalk lines, but the changes that took place in my life, to the point that I began to care for the men that I played with and try to contribute to their success in life and their careers. Some of those relationships continue even through today.

"When you look back, it is about relationships. For me, those relationships were the most important thing. As athletes, we're limited by what God has given us. It's our responsibility to get the most out of that." ...

Injuries helped prompt him to retire in 2002 at age 33, but the numbers he put up were nothing to easily dismiss. Yet as he prepares to re-enter the rigors of the baseball season as manager of the Indians' short-season Class A club in the New York-Penn League, it's the relationships he values, and the values he wants to pass along to the first-year professionals he'll be leading.

"All I really set out to do," Fryman said, "is get the most out of ability that God gave me, to do it the right way, and to respect the game and guys who came before me. At the end of the day, I felt like I did that."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071219&content_id=2333710&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson, who is having a fund-raiser for his Grand Kids Foundation, which helps inner-city schools. Some of his teammates are helping him out, including Nate Robertson, a Christian. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080102&content_id=2338008&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Redskins assistant head coach Joe Bugel and his daughter Holly, who is fighting a rare form of bone cancer. Here's a quote about her from Bugel's wife Brenda:

"You pray for a miracle," Brenda Bugel said. ...

Here's the article: http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/SPORTS/735083145/1001&template=nextpage.

Also, an article about Washington State women's basketball coach June Daugherty, who is back coaching after going into cardiac arrest last summer. She had just pulled into the parking lot at a hospital for a doctor's appointment about her heart when it happened, which probably saved her life. Here's a quote from her about it:

"I'm truly blessed to have a second chance in life," Daugherty said.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/news;_ylt=AiS9FnH4FDBtezCqR1L9EAV.T4h4?slug=ap-daughertysreturn&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, an article about Colts assistant coach Jim Caldwell, a Christian, interviewing for the Falcons head coaching job: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/SPORTS03/801030483/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about former Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, a Christian, signing as a free agent with the Cardinals: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10557449/rss.

Also, an article about Colts center Jeff Saturday, a Christian, being named the NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=99835dee-b214-4f58-afea-860200994ed2&et_cid=13884153&et_rid=464416201&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.colts.com%2fsub.cfm%3fpage%3darticle7%26news_id%3d99835dee-b214-4f58-afea-860200994ed2.

Lastly, here's the website for professional freeskier Dave Treadway, a Christian: http://www.davetreadway.com/.

bowl games, NFL, basketball, etc.

2008-01-01T17:51:00.000-05:00

Hi. Happy 2008!

The first article is about Central Florida runningback Kevin Smith, who came close to setting the NCAA record for most rushing yards in a season in their Liberty Bowl loss to Mississippi State. Here's a quote from him:

His motivation is the purest of all.

"Motivation for me is going to the hotel and knowing I've got a game," he said. "Motivation in football is football itself for a person like me. I love this game and have loved playing this game since I was younger. I've been blessed to not miss a year. Me holding that pigskin and knowing I'm going to hold that pigskin motivates me enough.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls07/columns/story?id=3169011&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines and http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls07/columns/story?id=3173238.

Here's a couple of articles on Illinois star defensive lineman J Leman, a Christian, whose Illini lost to USC in the Rose Bowl today. Here's a quote about him from the first article:

His interests extend beyond the football field and the broadcast booth. He's a devout Christian and, in general, a sponge for information who wants to be "a lifelong learner."

Here's that article: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?LIST_ID=1&STORY_ID=12611.

Here's a couple of quotes about him in the second article:

The sharp-dressed TV wise guy wandered up to the dais where Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman was sitting on Saturday morning. The TV reporter had a white three-ring binder in his hand and a camera following close behind.

During an awkward moment, the reporter offered Leman what was allegedly a stolen copy of Southern California's offensive audibles. The binder even had the Trojans' logo on the cover.

"You sure you don't want it?" the reporter asked.

"No, we're good," Leman told him. "We don't need a cheat sheet."

"It isn't real anyway," the reporter admitted.

It wouldn't have mattered if the playbook were authentic. The reporter had picked the wrong Illinois player to frame. ...

NFL scouts certainly don't have to worry about Leman's character. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in speech communication in less than four years and earned a master's degree in human resources earlier this month. He was awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a finalist for the Draddy Trophy, which is given to college football's best player in terms of academic success, athletic performance and community leadership.

Leman remains actively involved with his parents' nondenominational church, Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Champaign, which [head coach Ron] Zook regularly attends.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls07/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3172780.

Next, an article about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, trying to avoid the apparent "Heisman jinx" on Heisman Trophy winners in bowl games. Unfortunately, Tebow and Florida lost to Michigan in the Capital One Bowl today. Here's a quote from the article about a conversation that Tebow had with former Florida Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, also a Christian, about the jinx:

"I've never been very superstitious, so I'm not going to start now," he said.

Tebow, though, was concerned enough that he talked to 1996 Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel about it shortly after winning college football's most prestigious award three weeks ago.

Wuerffel's advice?

"Plain and simple, you don't change," Tebow said. "You are the same person. You go about everything the exact same. You work as hard as you can. You do everything you did before you won it. Maybe other people's perception is different about you, but your perception about you and how you do things isn't different at all."

Here's the article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/30/sports/FBC-Capital-One-Bowl.php.

A note about Tebow that I heard during their game today: He's going to spend his Spring Break in the Phillippines working at his parents' orphanage their with his "brothers and sisters" there.

Here's an article about Colts safety Bob Sanders, who signed a big contract extension with the team last week. Here's a quote from him about it:

... "It's exciting. I've always wanted to be here. The organization is great. I think I fit. It's definitely a blessing.''

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071231/SPORTS03/712310383/1058/SPORTS03.

Also, several Christian articles from Sharing the Victory Magazine from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). The first article is about Raptors guard Anthony Parker, who is probably better known as the older brother of Tennessee star women's basketball players Candace Parker. Here's a good quote from him from the article:

You know, the Lord has blessed us with certain talents, and I think we should desire to give Him the glory through those talents. That doesn’t necessarily mean trying not to compete your hardest. When you’re blessed with something, you have to do it the best you can. Whatever it is! If your passion is basketball, if it’s playing the piano, if it’s painting a masterpiece—whatever your passion or desire is, you have to give it your all. And when you do that, you’re giving the glory to God. And whatever attention you get from that—if it’s hitting the game-winning shot or selling your art for thousands of dollars—whatever attention you get from that, it’s important to give Him the glory and praise for blessing you with the talent.

That’s something that I’ve really come to realize: that God’s plan for me is to share His Word. And He’s given me basketball as a platform and a vehicle to do that.

Here's the article: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=6D0127A7-3C68-4D7D-86D8340EA0487F4C.

Here's another FCA article, this one about Washington State head men's basketball coach Tony Bennett. He learned basketball and coaching from his father, former college coach Dick Bennett, also a Christian. The article also mentions some of the Christian players on the team: Taylor Rochestie, Daven Harmeling, and Rob Cowgill. Here's a quote from the article about Bennett:

Bennett, who accepted Christ in eighth grade during an FCA Camp in Colorado, and his team are throwing college basketball convention on its ear—and not just during games. After a particularly poor Saturday practice earlier in the preseason, Bennett’s players arrived at the gym the next day, fully expecting to be chewed out and run mercilessly. Instead, Bennett gathered his team and said, “I don’t want to practice today. We showed a lot of weaknesses yesterday; but I want to honor the Sabbath as much as I can this year. Today, I want you to spend time with family and honor the Sabbath.” His players were stunned.

Bennett then organized a 20-minute chapel. Virtually the entire team showed up.

“Me and [senior forward] Rob Cowgill were looking at each other going, ‘Coach is the man!’” said junior forward Daven Harmeling, a Christian. “How many other coaches do that?”

Here's the article: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=A8DB28F2-8D65-4674-965835016F260E2D&method=display.

The next FCA article is about the Drake women's basketball team, who succeeded against all odds last season when playing extremely short-handed because of injuries and illness when the team put God first. They compared their problem to the story of Gideon in the Bible, and used that to bring the team together and win their conference tournament with only seven players. Here's some of the Christian coaches and players mentioned in the article: head coach Amy Stephens, former assistant Micah Parker (who left the team after the season to concentrate on ministry), assistant Todd Voss, and player Lindsay Whorton. Here's a quote from the article:

In the end, according to Parker, the players and coaches understood it was God’s story.

“As a team, we really focused on Who we were playing for,” Parker said. “We talked about how there was no need to be ashamed; they needed to trust Him and remember who they were playing for. They really gave God all the glory.” That’s what Whorton will always remember. “Last season will always remind me that God can use something as simple as basketball, which has no eternal implications, and use it to teach me about His character,” she said. “I learned things about God and His character during that season that I will never forget. The purpose of all that was for Him to be glorified.”

Here's the article: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp&objectID=92DBD9C1-8CD8-45F3-875FC60118280CEB&method=display.

Here's an FCA article about North Carolina assistant women’s basketball coach Charlotte Smith, who also played at North Carolina and in the WNBA, and worry: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=D7F7534E-BAA0-408A-96F340BCE5C141D2.

Also, an FCA article about Stanford wrestler Tanner Gardner and anxiety. Here's a good quote from him in the article:

How I deal with anxiety in my sport: “Prayer is a great way to deal with anxiety. A lot of people pray before their matches, but I found it is really important to pray before my practices, as well. Competing against your own teammates can cause anxiety, so when I pray, it takes the stress off.

“I also pray at my matches. I never really pray to win my match; I just pray that whether I win or lose, I compete to the best of my ability and represent God in an appropriate way.”

Here's the article: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=79801A63-75EC-44E3-BCDD21BFEB7275C7.

The last FCA article is about Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver. The article, written in first-person format, talks in part about how his Christian Seahawks teammates, including runningback Shaun Alexander and fullback Mack Strong (who had to retire earlier this season because of a neck injury), help him to grow in his faith. Here's the article: http://www.sharingthevictory.com/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=7238BEE1-6200-43A6-939E57E2005423D6.

Next, an article about 76ers forward Kyle Korver, a Christian, being traded to the Jazz last week. Here's a quote about him from 76ers president Ed Stefanski after he made the trade:

"I want to thank Kyle for the positive impact he has made on this team and the city of Philadelphia through his play on the court and, even more importantly, his philanthropic efforts off of it," Stefanski said.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aog7T39iNkMe8d80a3T4OCN.T4h4?slug=ap-jazz-76erstrade&prov=ap&type=lgns. Also see Korver's website: http://www.kylekorver.com/.

Lastly, an article about why Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden, a Christian, and why he should continue to coach at Florida State, even at 78: http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/stories/2007/12/29/gimme5_1229.html.

basketball & football, especially coaches & SEC

2007-12-30T20:13:00.000-05:00

Hi. Happy New Year! This will be my last post of the year.

First, a good article about basketball player Wayne Simien, a Christian formerly with Kansas, the Timberwolves, and the Heat. He was released by the Heat and is currently rehabbing a knee injury so that he can return to play with some team in the NBA next season. Simien and his wife and daughter are living in Indianapolis now while he's rehabbing. Here's a quote from him:

Simien said he was in no hurry to give up basketball and perhaps pursue a career as a minister. A man of deep faith, he’d said in the past that might be an avenue he’d like to explore someday.

“That was in my heart at the beginning when I first had a transformation in life,” Simien said. “One of the great things I learned to look into the last few years is you can be a minister in every area of life and not be ‘Pastor Wayne’ or ‘Preacher Wayne.’ I still have it in my heart. But it’s my main focus trying to live it out every day of my life and administer with people.

“I am working in the inner city, working with high school kids here in Indianapolis in one of the poorest areas around. It is really fulfilling that desire.”

Here's the article: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/dec/25/former_jayhawk_upbeat_despite_release/ (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/260).

Here's an article about Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian, and how his style of coaching has worked through all of the years that he's coached in two different stints with the Redskins: http://washingtontimes.com/article/20071226/SPORTS01/238927720/1005/sports (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Next, an article about Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., who struggled this year with the terrible Dolphins team after playing in the national championship game with Ohio State last year. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I think God just puts you in situations where he wants you to fight," Ginn said. "That's the only thing that I can take out of it ... You go from a 12-1 team (at Ohio State) to a 1-15 team ..."

Here's the article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071228/SPT02/712280358/1066/.

Here's an article about the wives of the head coaches of the teams playing in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (CFA Bowl) tomorrow night in Atlanta -- Linda Bowden, wife of Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden, and Suzanne Tuberville, wife of Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville -- who are all Christians. Here's a couple of quotes:

Q: How do you balance the demands of football and family? How do you get used to new towns when you move or travel?

LB [Linda Bowden]: My son was in three high schools. The first thing we do is get involved with church and Bible study. That’s been my rock and foundation. The people there don’t care about what happens on Saturdays. ...

Q: If you were going to offer advice to someone who’s new to the coaching life, what tips would you offer?

ST [Suzanne Tuberville]: If I was talking to a young woman who’d just married a football coach, I’d tell her to get involved in your church, your kids’ school, your community. You’re going to have a lot of time on your hands.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/living/content/shared-blogs/ajc/social/entries/2007/12/28/catching_up_the_cfa_coaches_wi.html.

Also, an article about Mississippi State head football coach Sylvester Croom, a Christian, who turned around the football program at Mississippi State and lead the team to its first bowl game since 2000. They beat Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl last night. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls07/columns/story?id=3170858.

Here's an article about Illinois head women's basketball coach Jolette Law, who became the coach before this season after being an assistant coach at Rutgers under C. Vivian Stringer for several years. She returned to the Midwest and the Big Ten after having played at Iowa. Here's a quote from her about taking the Illinois job:

It was the call of the Midwest and the Big Ten that were pivotal in Law deciding to take this job. With Rutgers' success, she'd had other opportunities to become a head coach.

"God had been wrestling with me for some time," she said, smiling. "And Coach Stringer kept telling me, 'You're ready, you're ready, you're ready.'"

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=voepel_mechelle&id=3170965.

Next, an article about the IU football team playing in the Insight Bowl tomorrow in Arizona. They dedicated the season to their late head coach Terry Hoeppner, who died last June from brain cancer. Here's a quote about IU kicker Austin Starr and Coach Hep:

The program from June’s “celebration of life,” is still in Starr’s locker in Bloomington. It’s the only one he owns, so he didn’t bring it to Phoenix.

He’s memorized the details of Hoeppner’s face printed on the cover, as well as the Jeremiah 29:11 passage his late coach loved.

Here's the article: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/105458 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/222).

Here's an article about Georgia head football coach Mark Richt, a Christian, and about how he's been more involved with the team as a whole this season. In past seasons he ran the offense, but he gave up that job late last season. The move has seemed to help him and the team as a whole: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/12/28/bowlricht_1229.html.

Also, an article about Tennessee quarterback Eric Ainge, a Christian, and about how winning their bowl game, the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin on New Year's, will define his legacy at Tennessee. However, he wishes that his legacy would be something else. Here's a quote about that:

"Wins, rings, championships, all that kind of stuff, obviously that's what everybody wants, and I understand how it works," Ainge said. "But at the same time, being remembered as a good person who grew up at the university in the great place of Knoxville and used the system to my advantage and being a good teammate. That to me is what is most important."

Here's the article: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/29/sp-ainge-looking-to-define-legacy/ (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/401).

Here's an article about Georgia defensive lineman Michael Lemon, who has had to deal with the death of his best friend a few years ago and the murder of his mother last winter. Here's a quote about how he's dealing with the deaths from their team chaplain Kevin "Chappy" Hynes:

"Michael Lemon is a very quiet, very introverted young man," said Kevin "Chappy" Hynes, the team chaplain. "I wouldn't say he's handling it well. I wouldn't say he's not. I don't know. I do know he's internalizing it."

Here's the article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/29/sports/FBC-Sugar-Bowl-Lemons-Burden.php (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/233).

Lastly, here's the NFL Wild Card Playoff games schedule for next weekend, for your information: http://www.nfl.com/schedules?seasonType=POST&season=2007#Week.

football, basketball, NASCAR, etc.

2007-12-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

Hi. First of all, an article about Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a spinal cord injury in their first game of the season against the Broncos. It was originally feared that he would never walk again, but thanks to a cutting-edge medical procedure Everett is beginning to walk again. Last Sunday Everett was able to return to Buffalo and go to the Bills game against the Giants. Here's a quote from Domenik Hixon, the player that Everett was tackling when Everett was injured:

Everett's appearance marked the latest step in a remarkable recovery. Doctors initially feared Everett would never walk again after what was described as a life-threatening injury suffered while making a tackle on Domenik Hixon on the second-half kickoff in the season opener against Denver on Sept. 9.

Everett was paralyzed from the neck down when he arrived at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital and spent the first few days on life support.

Hixon, who now plays for the Giants, was whisked away to meet with Everett after the Giants won 38-21 .

"It's a blessing," Hixon said. "I just want him to make a 100 percent recovery. I'm going to continue praying for him, and he's going to make it back 100 percent."

Here's the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071223/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_bills_everett.

Here's a great article about Kansas star defensive tackle James McClinton, a Christian, and about how God turned his life around and then used him to bring the team together. This season the team has become what many of the players believe to be "God's Team". Others on the team that the article includes, and it sounds like they're Christians also, are head coach Mark Mangino and teammates Gary Green, Darrell Stuckey, Brandon McAnderson, Chris Harris, and Olaitan Oguntodu. Here's a quote from McClinton about his faith and football:

“I’m focused on giving God the glory,” McClinton says. “When I’m tired, he gives me strength.”

Here's the article: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/417721.html (originally found at: http://www.fca.org/).

Next, an article about long-time Valparaiso head men's basketball coach Homer Drew, a Christian. The article was written just after Valpo lost to Wisconsin by only ten points. Here's what Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan had to say about Drew:

"What a great guy for the game," Ryan said of Drew. "People in that area ought to be so thankful you got a family like that, a basketball family and a patriarch like him."

Here's the article: http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=96&ArticleID=8007 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/430).

Here's an article that Yahoo! Sports NASCAR writer Bob Margolis wrote about his overcoming two kinds of cancer in the last couple years. Here's a quote from him about it:

I'm convinced God has brought me through this most difficult year of my life for a reason. He obviously has some important work for me to accomplish before my time in this world is over.

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AqYW.cDWPmQM7qcTgDMHL5k5nYcB?slug=bm-bobsstory122507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Also, an interesting article about pro athletes, teams, and organizations giving back to their communities and the difficulties that they have. The article is mainly about Indiana sports, but it talks about others too. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071225/SPORTS/712250376/1247/NLETTER12.

Here's an article about how NASCAR and its drivers give back to kids and the outdoors: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071225/SPORTS01/712250370&theme=.

Next, an article about the top ten Christian sports stories of 2007 from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): http://www.fca.org/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=204090DE-BF59-4963-A363D26370753C22.

Here's an article about Colts center Jeff Saturday, a Christian, and how important he is to the Colts offense and quarterback Peyton Manning: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/SPORTS03/712260409/1247/NLETTER12.

Lastly, a funny article about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, and trying to find something that he can't do because he seems so perfect. Once he struck out in intramural softball, but then a hit a long homer his next at-bat. Also, apparently he's not that good of a singer. The article mentions some other things that he's not great, but improving at. Here's a good quote about him from the article:

He's just as smooth off the field, never mumbling or stuttering in front of the cameras. He preaches the Christian gospel to teammates, inmates and Filipinos half a world away.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/12/26/tebow_1227.html.

MLB Christmas

2007-12-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

Hi. I'm going to divide the articles that I have into two posts so that they won't be too long. This post has just MLB Christmas articles. Every Christmas each MLB team interviews one player, coach, broadcaster, or front office person for a Q & A article about the holidays. Following are quotes from the seven articles that stood out from a Christian perspective:

Blue Jays coach Brian Butterfield:

MLB.com: As the head of the house, are you required to still believe in Santa?

Butterfield: No. We've never really put too much emphasis on Santa. We put it more on our Lord and Savior. We have a strong faith, so the great thing of it all is the celebration of Jesus' birthday. That's big under our roof. We always remind people that he's the reason for the season.

Here's that article: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071216&content_id=2327545&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor.

Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus:

MLB.com: What's your favorite Christmas song?

Niehaus: It's always been "Silent Night." In fact, a couple of years ago, Marilyn and I went to Germany and went to this little town in Austria called Obendorf. I remember from my childhood that my mother told me the man who wrote "Silent Night, Holy Night" was from Obendorf. Anyway, we were on a bus tour and came into the town of Obendorf. There were houses painted with children's stories and all of a sudden it started snowing. I mean it was just beautiful. The snowflakes looked more like snowballs falling on this little village in the Bavaria Alps.

Here's the article: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327345&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea.

Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik:

MLB.com: Why will Christmas be special for you this year?

Bacsik: Our little girl, Mary Grace, who is almost 3 years old, has a pretty good idea about Christmas and Santa Claus. We are trying to teach her the religious part of it, too. She understands Santa Claus, which is neat for us. She will wake up Christmas morning and (realize that) Santa Claus came to our house.

Here's the article: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327306&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley:

MLB.com: What are your favorite things about the holiday season?

Trembley: Family. Good food. Reflection. Church. Where I grew up, there was a lot of snow at Christmastime. But I don't miss that at all. I like sunshine and 75 degrees on the beach. That's what I like now.

Here's the aritcle: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327287&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal.

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian:

MLB.com: You talk often about how important family is to you. How big a deal was Christmas growing up in the Peavy house?

Peavy: It was as big as it gets. I think down south, Christmas is much more than just the toys and stuff -- Christianity, the birth of Christ. I just think that a lot of that is bred into Christmas down south. It's a great holiday. There's lot of family involved, and now that we're doing it with my boys ... that makes it very special.

Here's the article: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327311&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd, a Christian:

MLB.com: Finally, what is Dan O'Dowd's Christmas wish?

O'Dowd: My Christmas wish is that everybody's dreams come true. I believe that dreams are really an essential part of life. I think they're God-given. I think they're created down deep within you. I hope everybody's dreams true, people that do believe.

And I pray for that for my kids every day. It's the greatest feeling in the world -- in this world, anyway.

Here's the article: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071219&content_id=2333482&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col.

The last of the MLB Christmas articles, Tigers pitcher Jason Grilli, a Christian:

MLB.com: Having grown up in a baseball family, how important has Christmas been in your family, when you know everybody can be together?

Jason Grilli: It's definitely huge. Holidays for us are huge especially when you're away from them so much throughout the year. For us, the holidays that we play [during] can be tough. Any holiday, I think, especially during the baseball season, whether it's a birthday or a wedding, those are the occasions that sometimes you miss out on, unless it's someone in your immediate family. So Christmas and Thanksgiving are very huge in the sense that it's a point to celebrate the holiday for what it is. I celebrate Christmas and we celebrate the birth of Jesus and what his sacrifice means to us and we celebrate being together.

Here's the article: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071218&content_id=2330412&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det.

MLB, basketball, and football

2007-12-26T16:17:00.000-05:00

Hi. I hope that everyone had a very merry Christmas! I just have a few articles to post today. The first article is hopefully the last article that I'll post on the topic of the MLB drug report. It's a Christian article about the Christians named in the report, from the viewpoint of former Cardinals pitcher Rick Horton, who is currently the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) director for the St. Louis area. Here's the article: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4970635988821363616.

Here's just an inspiring story of Drexel basketball player Nicole Hester, who is returning to play this season after missing last season while undergoing treatment for cancer: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/columns/story?columnist=hays_graham&id=3147753.

Next, a quote about Christmas from the end of Colts head coach Tony Dungy's (a Christian) pre-Christmas blog post:

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and gets to experience what Christmas is really all about--God expressing His love to us through His son Jesus Christ.

Here's the post: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/907a8703-9c4d-4297-8539-45185fe81b88.

Here's another inspiring story, this one about Hawaii football graduate assistant Brian Kajiyama. He helps coach the defense by breaking down the opposing teams' offense even though he's confined to a wheelchair and can't speak because of cerebral palsy. In order to communicate he types words into a computer and a computer voice speaks for him. The team, who went undefeated and is playing Georgia in the BCS Sugar Bowl on January 1st, says that he's an important part of the team and their success this year. He's making his first road trip with the team to the Sugar Bowl, as he didn't travel during the season. Here's a quote from him:

Kajiyama's interest in football came early from watching Hawaii play at Aloha Stadium with his father every Saturday night. Despite being in a wheelchair, Kajiyama believed he could one day play for Hawaii.

"Back then, I thought I'd become a star athlete," Kajiyama said. "But as I grew and matured, I realized that God's plan didn't have me being that athlete. ... I began to focus on academics since that was one area where physical ability didn't matter."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AmlB.TxSLbgb61OD3FlsVn1.T4h4?slug=ap-t25-sugarbowl-kajiyama&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Also, an article about the charity involvement of Rockies owners, brothers Dick and Charlie Monfort, and the Rockies. They are especially involved with Children's Hospital in Denver, among other things. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071224&content_id=2336352&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Arizona State tailback Keegan Herring, who lost his father, sister, best friend, and aunt in four months last spring. Then he lost the starting tailback job in training camp last summer, but got it back after the starter went down to injury. He's been an inspiration to those around him though, because he's kept smiling through it all. Here's a quote from him about it:

"I don't consider myself as a role model," he said. "I consider myself as a normal person that's got a little extra to him. God put me through a test. And I think I went through the test pretty well."

Here's the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=An5t7EbrXlKIMZOc7g_1YXF.T4h4?slug=ap-t25-arizonast-herring&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Lastly, an article about the Colts, including owner Jim Irsay and punter Hunter Smith (a Christian), going Christmas caroling at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, which they do annually. Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=53d2d2ad-d062-4453-b843-bf1cfe1c3009.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

I hope that you all have a very merry Christmas! Remember the reason for the season.

NFL, MLB, basketball, etc.

2007-12-23T20:46:00.000-05:00

Hello. First of all, an article about LPGA golfer Lorena Ochoa, a Christian, winning the 2007 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year Award: http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3164961&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines.

Here's an article about Broncos kicker Jason Elam co-writing a Christian fiction book, Monday Night Jihad, along with his pastor Steve Yohn. He's used what he's learned while studying about the world's major religions through Liberty University to write the book about a Christian in espionage overseas. Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=321194.

Next, an article about Colts tight end Dallas Clark, a Christian, and how important he's been to the team's success since the start of last year's playoffs: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/colts/2007-12-21-sw-dallas-clark_N.htm?csp=34.

Here's an article about ESPN's Stuart Scott, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy after cancer was found during an emergency appendectomy. The cancer was removed, but he's having chemo as a precaution. He's continuing to work some on NBA shows. Here's a quote from him about it:

"Talk about a shocker," Scott said. "But I feel good, am in great hands medically and the doctors are confident they got all the bad stuff. I'm not the type of guy to let this eat up my life. I've got strong faith and family and friends who are tackling this with me. I can't find the words to express how much I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. I probably won't be able to get back to you all; but know it means a ton."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3163058&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines.

Also, an article about former Mariners community relations staff member Kristen Bushnell, who left the team to work for the Christian organization Children of the Nations. The Mariners are working with her and the organization, including their front office and some of the players. Here's a quote about outfielder Raul Ibanez and pitcher J.J. Putz:

Ibanez and Putz are among the most give-back-to-the-community-minded players on the team, giving their time and significant amount of money to charity. Both are financial contributors to the Children of the Nations, and Putz said he and his wife, Kelsey, plan to get even more involved next year.

The organization works with orphans or underprivileged kids in Africa, Malawi, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic. Unfortunately, the article doesn't mention that it's a Christian organization. I checked it out on their website (http://www.cotni.org/), and this is what their mission says:

To provide responsible care to orphaned and destitute children by the equipping of nationals, giving children every possible advantage available to grow in a stable, Christ-centered environment, empowering them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2335850&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about the IU men's basketball team helping out a family in the area who recently lost their home to a fire (including video of the news segment): http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/14908711/detail.html?rss=ind&psp=news.

Next, an article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, being traded to the Rangers last week before his second major-league season. It sounds like he's just what the Rangers were wanting and that he'll get a lot more playing time there. However, I'm kind of sad because we get over half of the Reds games on TV here in Indiana, but hardly any of the Rangers. He became one of my favorite players last season and it was nice to watch him last season. I'll just have to start following the Rangers now, I guess! Here's a couple of quotes from him:

... Hamilton missed 3 1/2 years from 2002-2006 because of his drug problems while going in and out of rehabilitation eight different times. He said he has been clean for over two years and his arrival in the Major Leagues last season appeared to be in the end of a long, hard road.

"I've never met anybody who hasn't made a mistake in the past or wrestled with demons," Hamilton said. "The main thing is you learn from it and you don't repeat it. I've taken some steps in my life to put God and my family first. I have a good support system in place and I'm very comfortable in saying that the past is in the past and the future is brighter.

"Now I really want to show these guys what I can do." ...

"Last year was a dream come true," Hamilton said. "I took a very different road to the Majors than most players, and that made it even sweeter. Before I was taking things for granted and going through the motions. When I finally got back, everything I did made me realize how fortunate and blessed I was."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2336081&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article about Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson, a Christian, having his number retired by the Spurs, the team that he had the most success with as a player: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/12/23/spurs.avery.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories.

Also, an article about Cardinals outfielder So Taguchi, a Christian, signing with the Phillies as a free agent today: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071223&content_id=2336269&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Lastly, Sports Spectrum has put on their website the Christian athletes that are in their January/February issue: Chargers runningback LaDainian Tomlinson, Hurricanes Dave Tanabe, Senators Dean McAmmond, Rangers Ben Walter, Boise State safety Marty Tadman, and Michigan State basketball player Allyssa DeHaan, among others. Here's their website: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/. Matter in fact, I'm watching Boise State play East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl right now, and when they're on defense all I hear is Marty Tadman this and Tadman that. He's pretty good!

Post 2: football, MLB, NBA, and music

2007-12-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

Hi. Here's the second batch of articles that I have to post today.

First, a note about Christians that made the NFL Pro Bowl this year from Sports Spectrum's The Daily. The game will be in February in Hawaii:

PRO BOWL BROTHERS: Among those players named to the NFL Pro Bowl teams, there is always a strong representation from players who are willing to profess their faith in Jesus Christ publicly. Here are some of the Christians who will be playing football in Hawaii in February. AFC: Jeff Saturday, C, Indianapolis; LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego; Troy Polamalu, SS, Pittsburgh. NFC: Jason Witten, TE, Dallas; Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle; Tony Richardson, FB, Minnesota; Aaron Kampman, DE, Green Bay; Tommie Harris, IL, Chicago; Patrick Willis, IL, San Francisco.

Here's the webpage: http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/archives/071219.php (more on Witten later in this post).

Along with that, here's a funny note about what Saturday's little boy had to say about him making the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year:

Reaction to the NFL's Tuesday announcement that five Indianapolis Colts will play in the 2008 Pro Bowl game Feb. 10 dominated locker room discussion Wednesday at the team's Westside complex.

That was a change for center Jeff Saturday, whose selection for the third consecutive season didn't exactly wow his 7-year-old son at home.

"Jeffrey said, 'What?' I said, 'I made the Pro Bowl,' " Saturday recounted.

"He's like, 'All right, let's go sledding.' "

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071220/SPORTS03/712200437/1058/SPORTS03.

Next, an article about Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, a Christian, wanting a chance to start next year, after doing pretty well starting most of this year: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=320494.

Here's an article about the great coaching job that Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a Christian, has done this season considering all of the injuries to the team. Also mentioned is Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell, also a Christian. Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=smith_michael&id=3161166.

Also, another article about former MLB pitcher turned Christian singer Kent Bottenfield. He's released two albums so far, the latest one in September called Back in the Game. Here's his website for more: http://www.kbott.com/site.php?content=home. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071220&content_id=2334325&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about new Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis playing Santa for boys at a children's home for foster boys near Detroit earlier this week: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071220&content_id=2335092&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Next, an article about how Suns forward Grant Hill, a Christian, is enjoying playing more this year because he's finally injury-free after several injury-filled seasons: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlpRqDEA6qFAU87ZC2KfIkI5nYcB?slug=jy-hill121907&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.

Here's the other article about Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, a Christian. It's about the foundation that he and his wife started, The Jason Witten S.C.O.R.E. Foundation, which supports women and children who are victims of domestic abuse after his mother was a victim herself. Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-19-insider_N.htm?csp=34.

Also, an article about the Camouflage Kids attending the IU/Coppin State game at IU this afternoon. The Camouflage Kids are families who have a parent serving in the military. Families have also attended games at Butler, Valparaiso, Purdue, Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, Michigan State, Air Force, Auburn, Duke, North Carolina and Notre Dame this year. Here's the article: http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/122007aab.html.

Here's an article about Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney bringing presents to needy kids (includes video of the news segment): http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7518003&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Lastly, a great article about LSU defensive end Anthony Zehyoue (pronounced "Zay-yew"), who, with help from a priest, escaped civil war in Liberia along with his mom and siblings to join his dad in Louisiana when he was five. Here's a quote from him about that:

"How did we get out of that?" he said. "Why did God choose us?"

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10540623/3.

football, MLB, etc.

2007-12-22T16:38:00.000-05:00

Hi. I'm going to split the articles that I have into two posts and I'll post the second part either later today or tomorrow. Here's the first post.

First, an article about Georgia special teams player Chris Gaunder and about how he's gone from walk-on to special teams player to medical school next year. Here's a quote from him:

This past August, he was rewarded with an athletic scholarship. On Saturday, Gaunder will become the first member of his family to graduate from college.

"We're definitely a family that's hardworking, a family that instills its values in hard work and dedication," said Gaunder, whose mother drives a school bus and whose father is an automobile shop foreman. "I think aptitude is there in a lot of people, but I've been very blessed to be in a family that believes in taking advantage of opportunities presented to you. I've been blessed with some wonderful opportunities."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/12/14/bowlgagrad_1215.html.

Here's an article about Diamondbacks 1st baseman Tony Clark, a Christian, who will be playing for a different team next year after a series of trades were made. Here's a quote from him about playing in Arizona:

A Glendale, Ariz., resident, Clark had long wanted to play for the D-backs and finally got his opportunity in 2005 when he was signed as a free agent by former GM Joe Garagiola Jr.

"It was an absolute blessing," Clark said. "I never envisioned an opportunity to play for my hometown team, so when Garagiola Jr. had called, it was literally the answer to my prayer and my hope to be at home. To think I had the privilege of playing for three years and not just one, I count myself as being very thankful."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327234&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy (a Chrsitian) and Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin before their teams played last Sunday. The two have known each other for several years because Dungy and Kiffin's dad Monte (Buccaneers defensive coordinator) coached together with both the Vikings and Buccaneers. Here's a quote from Lane Kiffin about Dungy:

Kiffin, now 32, vividly recalls a particular meeting with Dungy. It happened when Kiffin was a freshman at Fresno State, where he played quarterback.

"He brought me in and sat me down and talked to me about going to college and making the right decisions and all the trouble that could come with college," Kiffin recalled. "It was a pretty neat deal. I've never met a stronger person in his belief, faith and coaching, and in who he is, than Tony Dungy. I've never met anyone close to him."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/SPORTS03/712160417.

Now for some of the news about MLB's Mitchell Report about drug use in baseball. I am of course disappointed with the players included on the list, including some Christians, but I have much more respect for the handful of players who have admitted drug use and apologized than those who have either kept silent or denied it. A couple of the players who admitted their use of drugs are Christians: Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte and Orioles 2nd baseman Brian Roberts. They both admitted using drugs only once or twice, and then stopping because they felt it wasn't right. I have to say that, although they were wrong and that it was good that the truth about their drug use came out, I don't hold it against them too much. It's forgive them than the others who were heavier users and have not admitted using them. Here's some articles and notes about the report and those involved. First, an article about Pettitte and including his statement about his use: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-pettitte-hghadmission&prov=ap&type=lgns. Here's another article about Pettitte and about how reactions to each player mentioned in the report should be individually and not condemning the group as a whole: http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3157202.

Also, an article about Brian Roberts statement about drug use: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071218&content_id=2329198&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

The last article on the Mitchell Report is about how teams and fans are more likely to give second chances to those that admit their mistakes than those that don't: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20071218&content_id=2331424&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article on Astros 1st baseman Lance Berkman, a Christian, about how he became a switch-hitter. It also mentions that he likes to watch other switch-hitters, including a couple of fellow Christians: Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and Braves 1st baseman Mark Teixeira. Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071218&content_id=2329274&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Here's an article on the Appalachian State football team winning its third straight Division 1-AA national championship. Their head coach Jerry Moore is a strong Christian. Also, safety Corey Lynch is marrying Cissie Graham, the daughter of Franklin Graham and granddaughter of Billy Graham, later this month. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5727.

Also, an article about athletic teams at Union University came together to buy Christmas presents for kids from a child abuse center: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5728.

Here's an article about Cincinnati head football coach Brian Kelly, a Christian, signing a new contract to stay with his team: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3159041.

Next, an article about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, winning the AP Player of the Year Award, to go along with his Heisman Trophy: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10535759/rss.

Here's an article about Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, a Christian, saying that he would like to coach the Redskins next year and beyond: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10534554/rss.

Also, an article about Tom Osborne, a Christian, becoming the permanent athletic director at Nebraska, instead of the interim one: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_on_sp_co_ne/nebraska_osborne_1.

Lastly for now, an article about Colts tight ends Ben Utecht (a Christian) and Bryan Fletcher honoring a middle-school for their volunteer work last fall: http://cache.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=64b8cc96-1511-4bee-9305-202d9dbfd572.

even more Tebow, Christmas, football, MLB, music, etc.

2007-12-16T19:33:00.000-05:00

Hello. Here's my last post for now, because I'll be caught up with the articles that I have read so far. The first article is another article on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, this one a Christian one. Here's a quote about the amazing story about how he almost was never even born:

His mother, Pam Tebow, in the profile [during the Heisman Trophy Show], said she declined the advice of a doctor to get an abortion after she became seriously ill and dehydrated when pregnant with Tim, her fifth child while living overseas. Bob Tebow said his son is a "miracle baby and so we have reminded him that hundreds of times."

Also in the article, Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith is a member of Tebow's church in Jacksonville too.

Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5723.

Here's an article about the work in the community done at Christmas by some of the pro teams in Washington D.C.: the Redskins, Capitals, and Wizards. Among those specifically mentioned in the article are Redskins wide reciever Antwaan Randle El (a Christian) and Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. Here's the article: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=91647&paper=69&cat=115 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/32).

Next, an article about Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, a Christian, signing a contract extension with the team last week: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10526625/rss.

Here's an article about Braves pitcher Tim Hudson hosting a shopping spree for Make-a-Wish kids at a local Toys "R" Us: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071212&content_id=2324395&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl.

Also, an article about some of the Bengals giving back to their community at Christmas, including cornerback Blue Adams, wide receiver Chad Johnson, and kicker Shayne Graham. Here's the article: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AE/20071212/SPT03/712120318/1022/.

Here's another Christian article about Tim Tebow, this one including a good video too: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/284384.aspx.

Next, the last article on Tebow, at least for now! Here's a quote of the letter that he got from President Bush congratulating him on winning the Heisman, which I thought was neat:

The letter was dated Dec. 9 and read:

"Dear Tim, Congratulations on winning the Heisman Trophy. More importantly, I appreciate your priorities as stated in your speech! Faith, family, academics and sport. If your mission was to allow the Almighty to shine brightly, it worked. I appreciate the love and pride that your parents obviously felt last night. Please give them my best. Sincerely, George Bush."

Here's the article: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10530101/rss.

Here's an article on the Cubs helping out one of their minor leaguers, Donnie Veal, a Christian, and his brother after the recent death of their father. Their mother had already died three years ago, and there were a lot of bills left after the deaths. Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326152&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Also, an article about former Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach, a Christian, being signed to the Redskins practice squad last week. At least he has a foot in the door, and as recent articles that I've posted have shown, you never know what can happen from there! Here's the article: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=318622.

Here's an article about Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, a Christian, having his high school number retired this weekend in Oklahoma. Here's a quote from him about making it to the Majors:

"In high school, I never dreamed I would have the chance to play in the major leagues or play in the World Series. With the Lord's blessings and hard work, I've been able to do that. I always thought I had the talent, but I've learned that you have to keep working at things every day. With hard work, you can achieve your dreams."

Here's the article: http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=071215_2_B3_hStil42135 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/97).

Next, just for your information, here's the college bowl schedule, with the first game coming this Thursday: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=673438.

Lastly, a link to a free download of the song "O Come All Ye Faithful" by the Christian group Rush of Fools: http://www.rushoffools.com/index.html.

MLB, football, and more Tebow

2007-12-16T14:44:00.000-05:00

Hi. I'm going to try and send two posts today, I still have so many articles left. First of all, an article about Pirates pitcher Salomon Torres, a Christian, being traded to the Brewers last week. We don't often think about how trades in sports effect the players and their families, but this article mentions how Torres is considering retirement over leaving Pittsburgh and either moving his family to Milwaukee or leaving them in Pittsburgh. Here's a quote from him about that:

"It's a giant move and I have to make a decision if I want to go forward," Torres told the newspaper. "This is going to change my life, my family's life.

"If I leave them here, they're going to have to be without me for a full year. If I take them with me, they're going to be affected."

Torres said he needed some time before making a final decision.

"I just need to talk to my family," he said. "I can tell you this: If I go to Milwaukee, I'm going to give my heart and soul to the Brewers."

Here's the article: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=694529 (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071210&content_id=2322310&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's three articles about the Red Sox Holiday Caravan, which visited several Boston-area children's hospitals in three days. Those that took part in the caravan were pitchers Julian Tavarez, Bryan Corey, Kyle Snyder, outfielder Brandon Moss, bench coach Brad Mills, pitching coach John Farrell, and president/CEO Larry Lucchino. They also brought the World Series Trophy with them too. Here's the article from the first day: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071210&content_id=2322427&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos, the second day: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071211&content_id=2322990&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos, and the third day: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071212&content_id=2323758&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos.

Next, an article about Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden, a Christian, signing a new contract with indefinite one-year options last week. Also, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will succeed him as coach, someday when Bowden retires. Here's the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071210/ap_on_sp_co_ne/fbc_florida_st_bowden_contract.

Here's another article about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, about him winning the Heisman Trophy recently and the possibility of him winning one or two more. Here's a quote about how winning the award won't affect him as a person:

The people that know him best don't think he'll have any trouble dealing with life as Heisman winner.

If anything, it will help him because it will allow the message he preaches to reach even more people.

"That's how we see it, as God's plan," Tebow's mother Pam said. "He's just had a plan all along, and Timmy's aware of that.

"All of us will sit on him if he does [have trouble dealing with the expectations]. We remind him all the time God gives grace to the humble. He's given you so much grace, don't blow it now."

Tebow is grounded by his faith, his parents and his boyhood idol, 1996 Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel.

Just listen to how he hopes people will remember him as the 2007 Heisman winner.

"You want people to remember you for the way you won it," Tebow said. "I don't think anybody besides [the media] will probably remember how many touchdowns he [Wuerffel] scored, but everybody remembers him putting his hands together and praying and always being humble and always with the utmost integrity."

Outsiders might be skeptical about Tebow's sincerity, especially when he talks about integrity and being thankful. But Howard is emphatic that Tebow, "is that guy.

"They always look for a flaw. I guess people don't want to have a real American hero. Tim Tebow is the real American hero and he's the real deal."

Here's the article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/121007/col_224212685.shtml (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Also, another article on Tebow winning the Heisman. Here's a quote from him about an interesting perk of winning the award:

Interestingly, now that he's a Heisman winner, Tebow has a lifetime vote and can cast a ballot for himself in 2008. Is it a definite vote for the Gator quarterback?

"It depends on what I do. I'm not going to be biased," he said without even a hint of a smile.

Here's the article: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071210/SPORTS/712100320 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Here's a good article about Jane Hoeppner, the widow of the late IU head football coach Terry Hoeppner, including video of the news segment that the article is about: http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7477445&Call=Email&Format=HTML.

Next, an article about the great season that Colts linebacker Gary Brackett, a Christian, is having this year, even though it hasn't been noticed in the Pro Bowl voting: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071211/SPORTS03/712110379/1058/SPORTS03.

Here's an article about new Mets catcher Brian Schneider's involvement with ALS fund-raising events, after his grandmother died from the disease: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071211&content_id=2322759&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp.

Also, a note from a blog post from Colts head coach Tony Dungy (a Christian) last week about his tight end Ben Utecht, also a Christian, and his part in a Christian Christmas concert:

On a note away from football, Ben Utecht is performing with Sandi Patty in her Christmas concert with the African Children's choir and is just great in a duet with Sandi. If you get a chance to see the show, it's tremendous.

Here's the post: http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blogentry/de17ba18-1597-4f68-9a6b-ce6b005c5da2.

Here's an article about Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, being honored with "Josh Hamilton Day" in his home area in North Carolina last week: http://www.theledger.com/article/20071211/APS/712110868 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/96).

Lastly, an article about Reds pitcher Aaron Harang donating money to the Miracle League in the Cincinnati area to help the baseball league for disabled children: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/NEWS05/712120342/1119/RSS1010 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/96).

I'll try to post some more articles later to get caught up. Bye for now!

mostly Tebow, Tebow, and more Tebow

2007-12-15T19:40:00.000-05:00

Hi. The one-year anniversary of my starting this blog was on December 12th, so this is the first post of my second year of doing this blog. I hope that you continue to enjoy my blog. I have several articles to post, so I'm going to divide them into more than one post. All the posts will include several articles on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a Christian, who won the Heisman Trophy last Saturday. Many of the articles I was able to find on the University of Florida page of the Total Sports Fan application on Facebook.

The first article is about the extra attention that Tebow's two brothers have been getting because of him. His brothers Peter, also a student at Florida, and Robby, the area director for The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, are both in the area and get mistaken for Tim. His two sisters, Katie and Christy, don't have the same problem, partly because they're both married and so no longer carry the last name. Also, Christy is a missionary in Bangladesh, so they don't know anything about football there. All of his siblings were able to join Tim and his parents in New York for the Heisman ceremony. Here's the article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/120707/col_223504538.shtml (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Here's an article about Rockies infielder Jamey Carroll, a Christian, being traded to the Indians last week. Here's a quote from him about his time with the Rockies:

"I just feel blessed to have played here for two years," Carroll said. "I had the opportunity to play, then I had the opportunity to play in a World Series, even though we lost [to the Red Sox]. I wouldn't trade the time I shared with the Rockies in the clubhouse and with the fans for anything."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071207&content_id=2320861&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp.

Next, an article about Brewers pitcher Jeff Suppan and his wife Dana (Christians) hosting a party for local kids. Here's a quote from him about giving back:

"Dana and I have been very fortunate and blessed in life, and we are happy to be able to give back to the community in this way," Suppan said when the event was announced. "We can't think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season than to do so with a group of children here in Milwaukee."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071208&content_id=2321417&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about Tim Tebow winning the Heisman Trophy last Saturday as college football's best player, including video of both his great acceptance speech and ESPN analysts talking about him getting the award afterwards. Here's a quote from Tebow's acceptance speech:

"I am fortunate, fortunate for a lot of things," Tebow said. "God truly blessed me and this just adds on. It's an honor. I'm so happy to be here."

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3146714&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines.

Also, another article about Tebow getting the Heisman. Here's a couple of quotes from him, the first about his role model Danny Wuerffel, a Christian who was the last Heisman Trophy winner at Florida and went on to play in the NFL:

"That means a lot," Tebow said. "When I was young, my family was looking for a good role model and we found Danny Wuerffel. He was a great role model for me and I thank for him that."

The second quote is a neat fact about the three Heisman-winning quarterbacks from Florida: Tebow, Wuerffel, and South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier:

Florida's Heisman winners have something in common other than playing the same position. Spurrier's dad was a preacher, Wuerffel's an Air Force chaplain and Tebow's a missionary.

Here's the article: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=748803 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Here's an article speculating on Tebow's chances of winning one or two more Heisman's, since he won his first as a sophomore. Here's a quote from his high school coach Craig Howard and how getting the Heisman won't change him:

"If anybody could win a Heisman as a sophomore and not let it go to their head as a junior, it's Timmy. He's so grounded," said Howard. "Winning the Heisman may be a life-changing moment, but it won't change Timmy. Tomorrow morning, he'll be in church. Tomorrow afternoon he'll be watching film."

Here's the article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/stewart_mandel/12/08/tebow.heisman.ap/index.html.

Next, a good article about Tebow originally posted last summer and republished after he won the Heisman. Here's a quote about the family's missionary work in the Philippines and other work closer to home:

In high school, Tebow spent three weeks of every summer doing missionary work in the Philippines, talking at schools and marketplaces and medical clinics with church groups. They were close to his favorite three weeks of the year, particularly the time he spent at an orphanage his father helped start in the 1990s.

"Everybody who goes, they come back different," he said. "You think you're going over there to help them, and they really in turn help you."

The orphanage, called Uncle Dick's Home for a friend of the Tebows who helped sponsor it, began when a mother in the area died in childbirth and the father ran away. Her grandfather took the baby and threatened to throw it in the river because he didn't want it.

When Bob Tebow heard about the impending tragedy, he set in motion a long, complicated process that ended in the orphanage opening several years later. That baby, named Queenie, was the first resident. She is in college in the Philippines after graduating No. 1 from her high school class. The orphanage has grown to 50 kids."

The stuff they've gone through is unimaginable and just heartbreaking," Tim Tebow said. "They are satisfied with what they have and are thankful for it. Material goods are not what make them happy. It puts things in perspective. Every day you can get caught up in little silly things, worrying about this and worrying about that. But when you think back about being with them, they have nothing and they never complain about it."

Although he has not done any fieldwork in the Philippines since arriving at UF in January of 2006, Tebow says his experiences there help his performance on the football field. Why would he get rattled in front of a 104,000 fans at Neyland Stadium when he realizes life has bigger issues?

"I want to win so bad, but at the same time you realize there are things more important than sports," he said. "That really helps keep me focused and allows me to not get too discouraged when bad things happen on the field."

He didn't leave his good works behind in the Philippines. Tebow likes to visit hospitals in Gainesville to talk to kids, and he used Florida's open date last October to comfort a dying child in Jacksonville.

Here's the article: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=748732 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Here's a good article about Tebow, his family, and his choice to play at Florida over Alabama. Here's a quote from his mom Pam about Wuerffel, part of the reason why Tim decided to go to Florida too:

Tim became a huge fan at about the time Danny Wuerffel started playing quarterback for the Gators (1993) and Pam tried to make sure Wuerffel, a humble star and devout Christian, would be looked up to as a role model by her youngest son. It worked. Wuerffel was and is Tim's favorite Gator, Pam said.

"Danny Wuerffel taught him a lot about humility," Pam said. "He always deflected the praise and he never acted like he was better than other people. Those are the kind of things we taught our boys. Danny Wuerffel was a hero for Timmy.

"Danny spoke at our church (First Baptist in downtown Jacksonville) a couple of times, and Timmy got his autograph. He was a wonderful role model and he never disappointed us."

Here's the article: http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20071210/NEWS/71209024/1016 (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Next, another article about Tebow, and a couple of quotes from Tebow, the first one is about him being Superman:

"No, I'm not Superman," he confirms. ". . . I'll always just be Timmy Tebow."

The other quote from him is about his sister Christy, a missionary in Bangladesh:

... His sister Christy is a missionary in poverty-stricken Bangladesh. On the night before the Heisman, Tebow seemed more excited about his sister showing up than he was about the award itself.

"Christy has always been a leader for me and my brothers and sisters," Tebow says. "She's extremely talented and extremely bright and could have been very successful in any number of professions, but she chose to give all that up to go to Bangladesh and serve. What an inspiration she's been."

Here's the article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/gators/orl-bianchi0907dec09,0,2072154.column (originally found at: http://apps.facebook.com/sportsuperfan/teams/news/209).

Here's a good article about East Carolina fans buying tickets to their bowl game at the Hawaii Bowl and then dontating them to members of the miliarty stationed in Hawaii because not many East Carolina fans can go the game theirselves: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3148094.

Also, an article by IU kicker Austin Starr's trip to Orlando for the College Football Awards show where he was nominted for the Lou Groza Award as the country's best kicker, which he didn't win unfortunately. Here's a quote from him about his trip with his parents:

Having my parents with me Sunday through Friday was a blessing and I appreciate the sacrifices they have made.

Here's the article: http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120907aaa.html.

Lastly, an article including a quote of the first part of Tebow's Heisman Trophy acceptance speech from the Christian Sports Blog:

"Thank you. I'd just like to first start off by thanking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave me the ability to play football and he gave me a great family and a support group and great coaches, and everything around me."

Here's the article: http://www.christiansportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/tebow-acceptance-speech.html.

That's all for now! More tomorrow probably.