even more Tebow, Christmas, football, MLB, music, etc.

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.

football, MLB, & NBA

First, an article on Colts back-up safety Matt Giordano, a Christian, on the upcoming season Here's a quote from Giordano:

“It’s something I really am trying to do, to be great strong safety and a great free safety in this defense. Hopefully, Lord willing, no one will go down, but if something like that happens, I can step in and play both spots. Coaches don’t have to worry.

“They can know and trust I know what I’m doing and I’ll get the job done.”

Here's the article: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=24c64c76-9e97-43ab-b7c7-9d75fbb59021.

Here's a Christian article on former Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach, who is trying to catch on with a NFL team. Right now he's waiting on God has for him in football or not. Here's the article: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5647.

Next, an article about Devil Rays shortstop Ben Zobrist, a Christian. He was trying to once again prove himself as the Rays starting shortstop, after he lost the job earlier this season and was sent down to Triple-A Durham. Unfortunately last night, after this article was written Zobrist strained his right oblique and was put on the disabled list, possibly for the rest of the season. Here's a quote from him from the article about his trying to earn the shortstop job:

Zobrist is a devout Christian, which has prompted some to question his competitiveness. He smiled when asked if his faith has made him any less of a competitor.

"In my life, I've been the most competitive person to myself -- against myself," Zobrist said. "And that's been my worst enemy at times. So I can't really look around at other people and make my comparison based on what other people are doing. I've got to know inside that I'm giving it everything I can, and that I can be satisfied at the end of the day because of that. People can say what they want, and they can have their opinions and they're certainly entitled to that, but that should not affect what I do."

Zobrist said he's learning that he can't control everything.

"It's a simple truth, but sometimes, it takes us longer to figure out than others," Zobrist said. "But I'm learning that God is a lot more in control than I thought."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070815&content_id=2149962&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Here's an article about 76ers guard Kevin Ollie, a Christian, who recently hosted a golf tournament to raise money for athletes with disabilities. Other NBA players in the tournament were Celtics guard Ray Allen, Boston Celtics TV analyst Donny Marshall, former NBA player Aaron McKie, and Sonics guard Mike Wilks. Here's the article: http://www.nba.com/sixers/features/kevin_ollie_golf_070814.html?rss=true.

Also, an "interesting" Q & A article with Kings forward Ron Artest and his trip to Kenya to help others. Here's a quote from him about it:

You've been back for two weeks, have you had a chance to reflect on your trip to Kenya?"

It made me think of how good we have it over here, but at the same time it made me appreciate life. I got a chance to see the soul of the African American and I also got a chance to see tribes that still live like they did 400 years ago. I feel like whatever God gives you [you should be grateful for] or how ever you may be living now—some people think they are struggling in America—but they are not really struggling until they see what it's like over there. At the same time, the tribes live in what we would say is poverty, but they don’t consider it poverty. ... It made me appreciate life."

Here's the article: http://www.nba.com/kings/features/Ron_Summer_2007.html?rss=true.

Lastly, an article about the New Mexico State football wearing pink socks and their coaches will wear pink shirts during their game September 29th to help raise money breast cancer. The head coach Hal Mumme's wife June overcame the disease a few years ago. Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/081507abq.html.

football and kids in children's hospitals

Hi. First of all, I've decided to change this blog to a Christian sports and music blog, not just sports. I got to thinking, and I wanted to add one of my other loves, music, to the site to make it a little more diverse. Sometime soon I'm going to add the Christian top ten singles lists and a upcoming and new releases lists. I hope that you will like the new additions.

Last night I was watching the Champs Sports Bowl where Maryland beat Purdue (yeah!). After the game, Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach was interviewed and one of the first things that he said was "You gotta give glory to God on that one". I remember reading about him in Sports Spectrum, so I was excited to hear him say that.

Here's an article about the Colts liking their reputation for not talking much or doing things to draw attention to themselves. In other words, they're the opposite of T.O. and the Cowboys. Here's the article: http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-smalltowncolts&prov=ap&type=lgns.

Next, another article about David Ortiz donating money that he had raised to a pediatric heart hospital in his native Dominican Republic: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/12/26/heartfelt_gesture/.

Here's an article about Arkansas tailback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden. On Christmas Eve, he went to visit a boy injured in a small plane crash in a children's hospital in Arkansas. Here's a quote from the article:

After attending church and doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, McFadden surprised Cole and his family by visiting for about 30 minutes at the boy's hospital room at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=2709094.

Lastly, an article about several of the Colts--Dallas Clark, Ryan Diem, Bryan Fletcher, Tarik Glenn, Jeff Saturday, Hunter Smith, Ben Utecht, and Reggie Wayne--going Christmas caroling at a children's hospital before Christmas. There's also pictures at the bottom of the page: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=4458.

Also, I was just finished watching the Alamo Bowl where Texas beat Iowa. After the game, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was interviewed, and he said something like, "I just want to thank God because He's really blessed us." Another Christian quarterback winning a bowl game!