Super Bowl, basketball, NFL, MLB, etc.

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, college football, etc.

Hello! First of all, how the wildfires in California effected Royals DH/1st baseman Mike Sweeney (a Christian) and his family, who had to evacuate their home. I unfortunately haven't seen any news about them lately. Here's a quote from Sweeney about the fires:

Ironically, Sweeney said that his family attended a firefighters' pancake and sausage breakfast after Mass just a week ago Sunday. The kids rode a fire truck and everyone had a great time. Now the firefighters are battling an inferno.

"We've been praying for them," Sweeney said. "They're putting their lives on the line."

Here's the article: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071024&content_id=2281335&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc (originally found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071031&content_id=2289353&vkey=mlbpa_news&fext=.jsp).

Here's a Q & A article with injured Bengals defensive end David Pollack, a Christian. Pollack severely injured his neck early last season and is still in the process of seeing if he will be able to comeback from the injury or not. In the meantime, he's working as a college football analyst. Here's a quote from him about his rehab:

Q: How's your rehab going and do you still think you'll play football again?

A: I just went to the doctor today. I'm continuing to rehab and continuing to see how my neck feels. It's still a process that's going to take awhile. I had surgery in January and it's a year, year-and-a-half process for everything to heal up. So I'm just sitting back and waiting and letting God take the reins and see where he takes me.

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2007/10/25/pollackonline_1025_.html.

Next, a good Christian article about LA Galaxy player Chris Klein, which also includes a video: http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/Chris_Klein102507.aspx (originally found at: http://www.aia.com/news.aspx?newsitem=252).

Here's a good story about Andrew Madden, a teenager from Texas who recently had a heart transplant. He's a huge Red Sox fan whose surgeon in Texas, Dr. Kristine Guleserian, is from Boston and a huge Red Sox fan herself. Through some connections that she had, she was able to arrange for Madden to come to Game 2 of the World Series in Boston and throw out the first pitch. Here's the neat article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071025&content_id=2282491&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Also, an article on Clemson runningback Ray Ray McElrathbey, and how being injured and missing this season has been a blessing in disguise for him. Last year before his freshman year, he became legal guardian of his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr because their parents weren't able to give him a stable home. Not being able to play this season has given Ray Ray more time to spend with Fahmarr, which has really benefited them both. Here's the article: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/102507adn.html.

Here's a good article about how the wildfires in the San Diego area helped to bring the Chargers closer together as a team. Because of the fires, some of the players on the team and their families had to evacuate their homes. Also, their stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, was used as a temporary shelter, so the Chargers had to move to Phoenix to practice, which they considered a minor inconvenience considering what all was going on. Here's a quote about the fires from runningback LaDanian Tomlinson, a Christian, about the fires coming close to his home:

"It was a day that was just incredible,'' Tomlinson said. "It's unreal when you think about what happened. Getting a phone call, the reverse 911 call, and [them] saying you have to evacuate. You look at the sky and it's orange. You're trying to pack stuff within a matter of minutes. I have two dogs. You grab your dogs and as I'm leaving my community, I see the fires right around my community. At that point I'm thinking it's over, my house is going to burn down. Thank God it burned all the way around my house, it didn't get my house. My house stayed intact. Everything else around my house burned, but I thank God that my house is still there.''

Here's the article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/10/26/chargers/index.html.

Next, a great interview with Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, a Christian, in the locker room after they won the World Series (the interview is "One on One with Curt Schilling", with a link to it under the title of this article): http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071029&content_id=2287516&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos. Also, check out Schilling's personal blog at: http://38pitches.com/ (more on it later).

Lastly, a few personal websites of current and former Christian athletes that I've come across recently:
Rockies pitcher Jeremy Affeldt: http://www.jaffeldt.com/
Former pro tennis player David Wheaton: http://davidwheaton.com/
Former college basketball player Manny Ohonme and his Samaritan's Feet Organization: http://www.samaritansfeet.org/index.htm.

sports misc.

First of all, an AWESOME article by Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, a Christian, (along with a writer) that was in ESPN the Magazine I guess, but I found it on the ESPN website. It's just an amazing article and a must read. I don't usually get real excited about articles, but this one's great. Here's my favorite quote from the end of the article:

But there is one story that sticks with me, so much so that I think of it every day. I was driving out of the players' parking lot at Great American Ball Park after a game in May, with Katie and our two girls. There's always a group of fans standing at the curb, hoping to get autographs, and I stop to sign as many as I can.

And on this particular night, a little boy of about 9 or 10, wearing a Reds cap, handed me a pen and something to sign. Nothing unusual there, but as I was writing the boy said, "Josh, you're my savior."

This stopped me. I looked at him and said, "Well, thank you. Do you know who my savior is?"

He thought for a minute. I could see the gears turning. Finally, he smiled and blurted out, "Jesus Christ." He said it like he'd just come up with the answer to a test. "That's exactly right," I said.

Here's the article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2926447.

Next, an article about Royals designated hitter Mike Sweeney , a Christian, undergoing knee surgery last week. Here's an awesome quote from him about it:

Given his nature, Sweeney was smiling and upbeat as he discussed the coming surgery.

"It'll be OK. I don't want to be around here mule-lipping and saying 'Poor me.' I've been very blessed. It is my first surgery in 17 years of playing pro ball. I want to be the same guy hitting .300 as I am hitting .250 getting knee surgery," he said.

"I want to let my teammates know that you can still have joy in the storms of life. And right now it is a storm of life, but I'm still going to have joy and I'm going to do my part to cheer on the guys and be an encouragement to them."

Here's the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070704&content_id=2067257&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc&partnered=rss_kc.

Here's an article about NC State women's head basketball coach Kay Yow (a Christian) and getting back to her normal scedule, including meeting with her friend men's college basketball coaching legend John Wooden (also a Christian) no less: http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/uwire/070507aaa.html.

Also, a funny article about a situation last week during the Devil Rays/Red Sox game where the Devil Rays dugout/bullpen phone stopped working in the middle of the game. I don't think that Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon thought that it was too funny though, although I think I would have been as exasperated as he was if I had been in the same situation: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070705&content_id=2069533&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos&partnered=rss_bos.

Here's an update on from Cubs outfielder Cliff Floyd on his dad's health:

Floyd plans to spend the All-Star break with his children and his father, who is doing well after undergoing heart surgery. His father's kidney did fail, and he's back on dialysis.

"Right now, he's weak but doing well," Floyd said. "Hopefully, we can lift his spirits up."

Cornelius Floyd got a big boost, spirit-wise, when he was allowed to watch a Cubs game from one of the Wrigley Field suites. Give credit to the hospital staff for making it happen.

"I want to thank everybody for the prayers," Floyd said. "It's amazing what he's been through, and what he's come out of. Without everybody's prayers and help, I don't think he'd do as well as he's doing."

Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070706&content_id=2071003&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Lastly, an interesting video segment from last night's SportsCenter on Sister Andrea Jaeger, a former teen tennis star who runs a camp for terminally ill children and has just recently become a nun. Here's a link to the search page that I found it on, you have to page down some to find it on the right side of the page, titled "Andrea Jaeger Called to Serve": http://sports.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=andrea+jaeger&page=espn (if that doesn't work, go to ESPN.com and search for "Andrea Jaeger"). Also, I found the camp's website on another page: http://www.silverliningfoundation.org/.