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------------Thank you for your willingness to take a stand against professional wrestling- a subject many of us adults are unwilling to take a firm stand on. Thank God you saw beyond the surface to the factors behind the popularity of organizations such as the WWF and the NWA. -ERIK BURKHEIMER
Charlotte, NC
Mixed Banoys The comments you made about Barry Sanders are accurate (October 1999, Lee'd Stories), but incomplete. Every part of the team, from the owner through the general manager and head coach attempted all spring to contact Barry and to learn of his intentions. No response. Teammates attempted to communicate with him. No answers. That goes beyond bad timing and lack of grace. That is, simply stated, rude.
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You have to appreciate a guy like Brian Skinner. The cynical folks of this world would look at his uniform and immediately begin thinking, "Poor fellow. He plays for the Clippers." They would assume that he leads a hapless existence, pining for the time he can be picked up by an NBA team that isn't made fun of each night on SportsCenter. Others would question why we would feature someone on a team that has had but two winning seasons since 1979. Especially after the November cover story on world champions Avery Johnson and David Robinson. Everybody likes a winner. That's where the analogy breaks down. Brian Skinner is a winner, no matter who he plays for. Here's a young basketball player who had no great delusions of grandeur about playing in the NBA. He simply loves the game, and is excited to be wearing an NBA uniform. When I talked with him last season, he said, ''I'm trying to find my niche. I've been experimenting playing outside and inside. Am I going to be a rebounder or shot blocker?" It's refreshing to find a young player who is willing to learn, and not assuming that he's going to show up and march right into the Hall of Fame. This season, Skinner will probably back up Maurice Taylor at one of the Clippers' forward spots. If Taylor holds to his preseason promise to leave the team after this season, Brian's time to shine could come soon. You have to hope so. After all, when asked about being drafted in 1998, the Clippers' second-year man said, "I was grateful. A lot of people don't have the opportunity to play in the NBA." You1l find other reasons to like Brian Skinner when you read more about him beginning on page 8. Dave Branon managing editor
We don't know what other issues factored in to Barry's decision to retire. His statistics speak for themselves and foot-DICK WOMACK ball fans who truly love the Malibu, CA game will always appreciate the memory of his demeanor. I believe your article on Barry -SCOTT WADE Muskegon, MI Sanders was unfair. As a Christian I've been far more disappointed by actions of other Aggie-ta ted I had .to take exception to your pro athletes. As a youth football coach, I response in the September "The can't think of any other player Swirsk" column. The question who has been mentioned as concerned the Top 5 programs in much as Barry for what every- college football. How could you thing a good football player have failed to mention Texas A & should be like. He graced the NFL M?! Head coach R. C. Slocum has with humility, good sportsman- been coaching there for 26 years ship, hard work, and selflessness. (11 as head coach)! You asked 2
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what parents and kids want in a school. Coaching stability has to be up there! Coach Slocum is the fifth winningest active Division I head coach. Texas A & Mhas the sixth winningest program in the 1990s. Texas A & M has more playe rs in the NFL than any other Big 12 school. Coach Slocum is a CLASS guy. You won't hear whining, temper tantrums, or biting sarcasm. And what abo ut College Station, Texas, home of the Aggies? It is a wholesome, conservative, Bible Belt town. No wild party scene or big-city temptations here. And Kyle Field has just undergone a state-of-the-art expansion t o boost capacity to over 80,000.
Please consider the Aggies when you think big-time football. - LEE PHILUPS
Sugar Land, TX
Fonun Que s tion
Who has been your favorite Christian athlete of the 1990s? I vote for the San Antonio Spurs duo David Robinson and Avery Johnson. Not only do they seem to exemplify Christ in their lives on and off the court, but they also remind me of the friendship between David and Jonathan of the Old Testament. A close second would be Dave Dravecky. I recommend his and his wife's books to anyone who needs spiritual encouragement. We are long-time Braves fans, but my husband says Orel Hershiser would be his choice, even if he is a Met. - DEB HOLLOWAY Nashville, TN
My favorite Christian athlete of the 90s would have to be David Robinson. He is the epitome of the unselfish athlete, becoming the No. 2 option willingly so Tim Duncan could shine through. That's why I'm so glad he's in your magazine so often. -PLANKEYE
New Fo ru1n Que stion What bothers you the most about the involvement of Christians in sports? E-mail: ssmag@sport.org
Think it? Say it! Surely we said something in this edition of Sports Spectrum that you either liked or disliked! Tell us. Write to Letters of Intent, Sports Spectrum, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. E-mail: ssmag@sport.org
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•New subscriptions, c/1ange of address, or other corrections Sports Spectrum Radio station Info Phone: 1-800-598-722 1 Straight Trax tapes, Back issues orders, Discount bulk issues Phone: 1-800-766-7221 General correspondence, Letter to the Editor, or Writer's Query (no unsolicited manuscripts, please) Mail: Managing Editor, PO Box 3566, Grand Rapids, Ml 49501-3566 E-mail: ssmag@sport.org Fax : 1-616-957-5741 Permissions, Reprints Contact: Debbie Miller Fax: 1-616-957-5741 E-mail: dmiller@rbc.org Volume 13, Number 11 December 1999 SPORTS SPECTRUM MAGAZINE A DISCOVERY HOUSE PUBLICATION Af f iLIATEDWITH ABC MINISTRIES MANAGING EDITOR Dave Branon RADIO AND MAGAZINE DIRECTOR Tom Felten ART DIRECTOR Steve Gier PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Rob Bentz MARKETING DIRECTOR Michael Wozniak GRAPHIC ARTIST Laurie Nelson ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT Julie Richardson PHOTO ACQUISITION Lisa Wadin CLERICAL ASSISTANTS Debbie Miller, Kari McCiood ADVISORS Michelle Akers, US national soccer tearn Tim Cash, Unlimited Potential, Inc.; Clark Kellogg, TV analyst, ESPN college basketball· Vince Nauss, executive director. Baseball Chapel; Kyle Role Jr., Athletic Resource Management; Al1ce S1inpson, chaplain, Cleveland Rockers; Bruce Smith, Hockey Ministries International; Cris Stevens, LPGA Bible studies leader: Chuck Swirsky, Play-by-play, Toronto Raptors; Claude Terry, director, Pro Basketball Fellowship COVER PHOTO: Paul Chapman I Bob Rosato Sports Photography SPORTS SPECTRUM is produced 10 times a year by Discovery House Publishers. Box 3566, Grand Rapids, Ml49501-3566, which is affiliated with ABC Ministries, a nondenominational Christian organization whose purpose is to lead people of all nations to personal faith in Jesus Christ and to growth in His likeness by teaching principles from the Bible. Printed in USA. Copyright © t 999 by Discovery House Publishers. Bible quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. SUBSCRIBER NOTICE: From time to time we allow companies to mail you information on quality resources. To decline these mailings, simply write or E-mail SS with this message: ' No offers.'
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Forvvard Progress
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Lee'd Stories
For LA Clipper forward/center Brian Skinner, his first NBA year was one of injury, moderate success, and learning by Tim Waits
Sports news potpourri by Victor Lee
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by Chuck Swirsky
For Love of the Game Sports photographer Tom DiPace loved baseball, but he was surprised by what he learned from a couple of star players by Tom DiPace
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To Protect and Serve When the Jaguars made Tony Boselli their first-ever draft pick, they got a big-hearted guy who is one of the game's best linemen by Buddy Shacklette
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G Champions Payne Stewart David Ozio Karyn Karlin
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The Big Picture Tony Boselli
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Peach Bowl Flashback
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Jeff Blake by Clem Boyd
Going Deeper Peach Bowl sponsor Chick-fil-A knows that this game is about much more than football by Victor Lee
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Peace Bovvl For Casey Crawford of Virginia, the 1998 Peach Bowl was just one of the ways his newfound peace has been displayed by Jennifer Elvgren
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The Nailbiter Bovvl If you like tight games with dramatic finishes, the Peach Bowl is just what you want by Dave Branon
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Straight Talk Bob Christian Atlanta Falcons
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SPORT S SPECTRUM - DECEMBER 1999
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Denver Dan Redw( • Denver's NBA franchise should be referred to as "Dan lssel's Denver Nuggets." Indeed, they are Denver Dan's. He is team president, general manager, and once again, coach. He's right behind Alex English as the most prolific scorer in Nuggets' history. He has served as their color commentator. His retired uniform number hangs in the rafters of the Pepsi Center. Dan does Denver. Issel promoted himself to head coach shortly before the season began, replacing Mike D'Antoni. Issel coached the Nuggets from 1992 to 1994, leading them to their only winning season (1992-93) since 1989-90. He left coaching and went into TV, he said, because he didn't like who he was becoming. He admits to having been too sensitive to bad press. Five years later, two factors have desensitized him to others' opinions: having been a member of the media and his growth as a Christian. The latter is more crucial. "First and foremost, Dan is a Christian," says Bo Mitchell, team chaplain for the Nuggets over the past eight seasons. "He is not an NBA coach and an NBA general manager who happens to be a Christian, he's a Christian who happens to be an NBA coach and general manager. He is very passionate and hard-working as an NBA coach and ·as a general manager, but this time around he will not be consumed by the pressures of either job." Issel is one of the bright spots in Denver's basketball history. With a new arena, a few new quality players (Ron Mercer, Antonio McDyess, George McCloud, Colorado native Chauncey Billups), and Denver Dan at the helm, there's a chance this team could be headed back to better days.
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moving up in 1996. The result: 0-14 vs. those major conference opponents. Alas, says athletic director Steve Sloan, there is method to the madness. A godly man, Sloan isn't throwing his charges to the wolves; he is building character, setting the bar high, letting young men know first-hand what it will take to compete with the Goliaths. "We have to compete with FSU, Florida, Mickey Mouse, Shamu, and Bugs Bunny, so we felt we had to play some high-profile games," says Sloan, former Alabama quarter-back and AD, and former head coach at Texas Tech, Mississippi, and Vanderbilt. "In our first 5 years, we scheduled three medium schedules and two .A. No horsin' around. The man they hard ones. This gives us call " The Horse" is serious about restoring respectability to the Nuggets. high media exposure and revenue while creating a In his previous stint as coach, Issei went 96-102 from 1992 to 1994. perception that we can associate with these teams." But how far is the percep"I believe he's much better tion from the reality? Last year prepared this time to deal with they were led by Heisman candithe pressures," Mitchell says. date Duante Culpepper, and they've "And he'll do it all to the glory come close to knocking off some of of God." the big teams on their schedule. They've played tough against Georgia Tech, Mississippi (an OT loss), South Carolina, Nebraska (led • Upon initial evaluation, you at the half), Mississippi State, might decide that the University Auburn (10-6 last season) and of Central Florida Knights are nuts. Georgia, falling 24-23. First, they dared to move up to "I think when you show a Division I-A football in a state prospect this type of schedule dominated by three of the most during the early part of a transipowerful programs in the coun- tion from one level to another, it try. The Gators, Seminoles, and tells him he has to be commitHurricanes are not going to be ted," Sloan says. "He has to comquick to make this a quartet. mit to his work ethic, his team, Second, consider that UCF did his program. You can't compete its best David-and-Goliath imita- against these type teams unless tion when making a schedule: As you are willing to do whatever it of October 1 this season, the takes." Knights had played 14 Division I That builds character, and ultimajor conference schools since mately, it builds a program.
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Malone Reflects • When Kevin Malone was named general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he signed the best available manager (Davey Johnson) and the best available pitcher (Kevin Brown). He "wheeled and dealed" the team into a shape he liked. Then he looked forward to a winning season. It never came. The team finished 77-85, 23 games out of first place. Malone surely learned a lot about his team through the tough times, but he grew spiritually, as well. Malone put the struggles in the context of his faith in Christ. "I think what people need to know is that when they are going through difficult times and dealing with adversity, true hope lies in your faith in Jesus Christ. When times are tough, you need something to hang on to, and that something should be your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When you're struggling, you've got to spend more time on your knees in prayer, in fellowship with God, and in fellowship with other believers who help encourage you. In dealing with adversity, we can become more Christ-like, and that provides us the opportunity to reveal His love through our trials."
The Real Chief • Ray Evemham and Jeff Gordon are the greatest crew chiefdriver combination in history, and they did it all to the glory of God. Gordon was better known for being outspoken, but a former teammate of both says Evernham has been more and more outgoing about his faith. "When I worked with Ray and Jeff back in 1994, Ray was a believer, but he was more of a closet believer," says Cliff Champion, who worked with Ricky Rudd's team in 1999. "It wasn't
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that he was ashamed of it, it was just that it was a very private matter, and he didn't feel comfortable speaking out. Now it is more acceptable to speak out, and he has grown more and is more open about his faith." Evernham's faith positively affected how he ran the team. "As he matured as a Christian, he changed his demeanor on the race track," Champion says. "Now everybody enjoys working for him. They are enjoying life and enjoying the wins. Before, it was just work, work, work." Another difference is that now Jeff and Ray "work, work, work" for opposing teams.
Diamonds & Gridirons The quarterback/baseball player hybrid is growing in the South. All three of the Division I powers in Florida are led by former or current baseball players. Florida's Doug Johnson, a third baseman, is in the Tampa Bay system. Miami's Kenny Kelly, a center fielder, is also with Tampa Bay. Florida State's Chris Weinke played 6 years in the Toronto system before focusing on football. Louisiana State's QB, Josh Booty, got what was then the highest bonus in baseball history, $1.6 million, to sign with Florida, but he has returned to his first love. Georgia's Quincy Carter is a dualsport player, having played in the Cubs organization. Carter and Booty both speak openly of their faith in Jesus Christ. Both say the struggles they experienced in baseball helped mentally prepare them for football.
Veteran sportswriter Victor Lee lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina. .- Comments? vlee@sport.org.
Our man on the scene in the NBA takes a look inside the best of the century in college football & basketball, and the NBA Most Exciting College Player: Pistol Pete Maravich. The guy was simply unstoppable. Men's Coach of the Century: J ohn Footuall Games of the Century: • Notre Wooden Women's College Player of the Dame-Michigan State 10-10 tie in Century: Ann Meyers was a fantas1966 with both teams going for the tic talent at UCLA, but Nancy national championship. This game Lieberman is probably the best. A had all the drama one could ever three-time All-American, two-time ask for. • Nebraska beats Oklahoma Player of the Year, two-time Olym35-31 in 1971. What a shootoutl pian. Her career at Old Dominion Play of the Century: Doug Flutie's helped put college women's hoops game-winning TD pass on the final on the sports page. play of the Miami-Boston College CHUCK SWIRSKY game on November 23, 1984. is the play-by-play voice Women's Coach of the Century: Pat Flutie's 48-yard bomb to Gerard of the Toronto Raptors. Summitt, Tennessee. She is dePhelan as time expired gave BC a On Saturdays at noon manding and loyal. She's a brilliant 47-45 upset of the Hurricanes. Eastern time, he hosts Sports Spectrum radio. tactician. She gets the most out of her players. Player of the Century Red Grange, Call1 -800-598-7221 to running back, Univer sity of locate the ss station in Women's Teams of the Century: Of late, Tennessee has had the upper Illinois. In the 1920s, freshmen your area. hand. But don't forg et Old were not eligible, but Grange made Dominion and Louisiana Tech. All three proa huge splash his sophomore year. Wearing grams have helped carve a niche in college No. 77, the Galloping Ghost scored three TDs sports for women's basketball. in his first game. In 1924, unbeaten Michigan, with a 20-game unbeaten streak, took on 51Ni.-slc's AII·Centuay NBA Piclcs Grange. He scored t he first four times he Team of the Century: Red Auerbach's Boston touched the ball. He ignited the Illini with a Celtics in the 1950s and 60s. Between 1957 95-yard kickoff return. He rushed for 67, 56, and 1966 the Celtics won the NBA every year and 45 yard scores. In the third quarter, he ran but 1958 . (The St. Louis Hawks won in '58, for a 12-yard TD, and he tossed a touchdown beating the Celtics in the finals. ) Bill Russell, pass as well. Illinois upset the Maize and Blue. Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Tom Coaches of the Century: Bear Bryant Heinsohn, Satch Sanders. What a team! (Alabama) and Joe Paterno (Penn State). Most Dominant Presence: Wilt Chamberlain Bryant won 323 games during his run, inMost Exciting Players: Magic Johnson and cluding six national championships and four Nate Archibald unbeaten seasons. Paterno will probably beat Coaches of the Century: Auerbach, Phil Jackson, Bryant's record for wins, and he may even win Pat Riley another national title or two before he retires. All-Century Team: 1. Michael Jordan. Greatest ever. 2. Larry Bird. Returned pride to Boston. Bashetball 3. Magic J ohnson. Always Showtime. Always Games of the Century: • Houston beats Lew a winner. 4. Julius Erving. A human highlight Alcindor and UCLA at the Houston Astrodome film (Sorry, Dominique). S. Kareem Abdulbefore an astonishing 52,693 fans in 1968. Houston is led by Elvin Hayes as they snap the Jabbar. Sky hook. Enough said. 6. Bill Russell. Best defensive post player ever. 7. Wilt Bruins' 47-game winning streak 71-69. Chamberlain. Strong and agile. Averaged 50 • Notre Dame stops UCLA's 88-game win streak points in '6 1-62. 8 . Oscar Robertson. on January 19, 1974, in South Bend. Behind Consummate professional and point guard. 25 points by Gary Brokaw and 24 from John 9. Jerry West. Mr. Clutch. Go-to man at the Shumate, the Fighting Irish beat Bill Walton's game's end. 10. Elgin Baylor. Dr. J before team 71-70 after trailing 40-34 at half. there was Dr. J. • Unheralded Villanova shoots the lights out (22 for 28) on the way to upsetting heavily favored Player of the Century: Michael Jordan. He dazzled the crowd. Played great defense. Georgetown 66-64 in the 1985 title game. Brought the NBA into the 90s. Won titles. MJ Men's Players of the Century: Lew Alcindor, became the NBA. A basketball treasure. Bill Walton. 51Ni.-slc's AII·Centuay College Piclcs
Send questions to The Swirsk, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, Mf 49501. Got an opposing view? E-mail us at ssmag@sport.org SP ORTS SPEC TRUM - DECE MBER 1999
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PAYNE STEWART (1957-1999) • The WWJD bracelet Payne Stewart wore around his right wrist as he won the 1999 US Open was a fashion statement that spoke much more about who he was than his trademark knickers.
Florida. He is as solid as they come. His wife, Tracey, really helped him." As reporters tried to make sense of Payne's untimely death on October 25 in a bizarre airplane incident, most failed to grasp the major story of the golfer's transformation. Many talked of "religion" and how Payne had found it. What Stewart found was not religion. He found a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. One commentator for Fox Sports captured the essence of Payne Stewart. The reporter wrapped up his report on the 42-year-old golfer by paraphrasing 2 Timothy 4:7 in the Bible, "He fought the good fight. He finished the course. He kept his faith." - DAVE BRANON AN D ART STRICKLIN
• Peace at last. Payne Stewart's 20-year PGA career earned him more than $10 million, but it was a spiritual decision that brought him real meaning and true peace.
That bracelet, which belonged to Payne's 10-year-old son Aaron, symbolized the peace he had found in his life. Always a popular figure on the PGA Tour, Stewart struggled in the mid-90s, facing the kinds of problems many successful people encounter. · Yet the faithful and loving guidance of his wife, Tracey, and his children, Chelsea and Aaron, directed Stewart to the answer he needed. Sometime within the past couple of years, the colorful golfer trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior. One of Stewart's mentors over the past several months was Byron Nelson, the elder statesman of golf. The two enjoyed times of Bible study together. Of his younger protege, Nelson said, "I had been with Payne many times and had been to his church with him in
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SPORTS SPECTRUH- DECEMBER 1999
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• David Ozio has earned nearly all the honors the professional bowling world can bestow, including PBA Player of the Year (1991) and Hall of Fame induction (1995). He has earned more than a million dollars and published a long-selling instructional book called Bowl Like a Pro. But the 21-year bowling veteran knows plenty about both the highs and lows of his profession and the source of his strength in those ups and downs. ''I've seen both sides of the limelight. the highs and the lows, and I truly believe God has used me to help bring Christianity to bowling and help players step through their shell," Ozio says. The Beaumont, Texas, native travels 7-8 T Like a Pro. David Ozio's book on bowling includes 12 Principles of Better Bowling.
months a year pursuing his sport in an often rough atmosphere. "It's a very tough lifestyle and the peer pressure is great on the players," he says. ''I've led a Bible study since the 1980s and while the numbers have gone down some, I've talked to many individuals about the Lord. A lot of the young players will ask me questions." When he first came on the Tour in 1978, Ozio said he had a faith in Christ, but not a strong belief, living for the moment and drifting in limbo. He said God got his attention in a very dramatic and tragic way in 1980 when his wife died while in the hospital awaiting childbirth. The baby also died. "While driving home, beating on the steering wheel and screaming at God, I came to a full commitment of His grace and love for me," Ozio says. "I began to attend the Bible study regularly, then I was asked to take over the study. I don't feel like I was ready for that, but I'll reflect His glory in all that I do and all He has done for me." - ART STRICKLI N
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• University of Arkansas Lady Razorback basketball player Karyn Karlin arrived last summer at Missouri's Kamp Kanakuk in almost as bad a shape as the minority kids from the tough inner-city streets that she was hoping to help. Karlin, trying to deal with the breakup of a longtime romance, realized very quickly that she wasn't in the right frame of mind. At the end of the first week of 16-hour-a-day work schedules, defiant kids, and very little sleep, the 1997 SEC Freshman of the Year and 1999 AIM Female Athlete of the Year knew her situation was a lot more than she could handle on her own. "I was emotionally distraught," she says, "and I felt I had reached the end of myself. I had nothing left to give, and I told the Lord I couldn't deal with all of this at once. I needed His help, and He simply took over." Within the next 24 hours, Karlin witnessed nothing less than a miracle. Her roommate helped her to overcome the pain of the failed romance. A flood of Scripture passages put her focus on God, and for the moment at least, took her mind off the difficult youngsters who were trying hard to cover their own
emotional wounds through bad behavior. "Everything suddenly became so very clear to me. God showed me that we are called to love not just those who are easy to love but, more important, those who are hard to love. This was the first time I had ever truly experienced the awesome power of God's strength." What followed was an ability to give unselfishly to those kids in her charge, for-
ever changing their lives. Karlin also learned a lesson that was destined to change her own life forever. "Using 10 percent of God's energy," she says, "is far more powerful than using 100 percent of my own." - PHYLLIS MILLER
..,. Karyn 's kids. An All-SEC player and student, Karyn puts kids above basketball and her studies. Kids are more huggable.
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lp.o:da Readables
Faith In The Game By Tom Osborne Waterbrook Press 156 pages · • The football program at the University of Nebraska benefited greatly from the coaching prowess of Tom Osborne. Under Osborne's tutelage, the Cornhuskers were a consistent Top 10 team, and they won three national championships. But this book is not about the chalkboard strategies that lead to winning football games. Instead, it is about the heartand-soul issues that lead to winning in life. Osborne's approach is straightforward in this book. He clearly spells out the importance of faith in his coaching philosophy. He makes no apology for teaching time-honored, biblical principles to his players, and he correctly explains that societal problems dictate the necessity for that kind of instruction. Each chapter represents a tenet of Osborne's belief structure. He writes clearly about
such elements as character, faith, honesty, loyalty, setting goals, and unity. The chapter on loyalty is especially valuable, as it gives him an opportunity to explain his oftencriticized treatment of players who were accused of wrongdoing off the field. Just as John Wooden's They Call Me Coach was an inspiration to a young Osborne, so can this book be a catalyst for young coaches and athletes who want to base their coaching philosophy on solid ground.
A Champion's Heart By Jim Sheard and James F. Gauss J. Countryman; a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. 122 pages • This gift book can be a guide for both athlete and fan alike. Sprinkled throughout with quotes from Christian athletes, the book focuses on various qualities that can help lead to "Success in Life & Sport" as the cover declares. Supplemented by photos of the athletes quoted as well as
Get Yo1W . . . . Oa pleasing graphics, A Champion's Heart speaks about the importance of perspective, purpose, goals, effort, facing adversity, and sacrifice, among other traits of athletic success. Although this book won't take you very deep into any subject, it does provide food for thought and words of encouragement for the competitor.
Both books are available in Christian bookstores Speakel's Sports Celebrity Marketing Paul Cartwright RR#5 Station Main Georgetown, L7G 4S8 Canada Phone: 905-873-8405 E-mail: sportscm@idirect.com • If you or your group are looking for former athletes for an outreach opportunity (church golf tournaments, men's breakfasts, softball tournaments, or other speaking engagements), Paul Cartwright may be able to help. Among Paul's 20 or so clients are former World Series hero Bernie Carbo, NHL hall-of-farner Boom
Boom Geoffrion, and Canadian Football League star Pinball Clemons. Contact him directly to see if he can help with your event. On the Net
The Sports Channel http:/ jsports.crosswalk.com • Sports Spectrum magazine has teamed up with the most often-visited Internet site for Christians to give you your daily sports news-plus. The "plus" is a collection of features that give you the spiritual side of today's top athletes. Sports Spectrum provides such features as "Hot Comer," a daily commentary on sports news; "Extra Points," a daily devotional article with a sports theme; athlete verses and quotes of the day. SS columnist Victor Lee gives you his slant on the sports scene as well. In addition, you can access Sports Spectrum's redesigned Website from the Crosswalk.com channel. And if you like Sports Spectrum radio, you can hear Chuck Swirsky live on the Web on Crosswalk.com.
.-Ifyou know of a Champion or a Challenge, tell us about it. E-mail ssmag@sport.org. SPORT S SP ECT RUM - DECE MBER 1999
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THE FIRST YEAR WAS A LEARN ING SEASON FOR BRIAN SKINNER OF THE CLIPPERS AS HE MADE GAINS IN H IS YOUNG NBA CAREER BY TIM WAITS
T A.LK ABOUT A LEARNI NG CURVE!
During the 1999 season, LA Cli pper power fo rwa rd Bri an Skinner got a quick, 50-game education in NBA life. Consider the constant travel, the time demands, and the pressures to perform well. Those would be tough lessons for any man. But for Skinner there was the added pressure of learning while preparing to be a new father and trying to help hi s wife co pe w路ith bein g an NBA widow. Plus, it's not the easiest profession for a man to grow in an otherwise strong Christian faith. Still, Skinner, a 6-9, 255-pound Baylor University graduate is making every effort to take care of his spiritual li fe, his family, and hi s budd ing NBA career. He plans to make the most of his opportunity. "If you can find a better job than playing basketball, or any of the professional sports, so be PHOTO BY OAVIO SHEA'M.N I NBA PHOTOS
it," the 23 -year-old Sk in ner says. "I want to make this as long a career as I possibly can. The money's nice, but it's really not money-oriented in terms of my decisions." It really didn 't sink in to Skinner's mind that he could make a li ving in the NBA until he became the Cli ppers' second first-round pick in the 1998 NBA Rookie Draft behind overall No.I pick Michael Olowokandi. The youngster from Temple, a town of 50,000 in Central Texas, had begun getting national recognition as a solid postman during a sterling collegiate career at Baylor. Skinner felt there was a chance he could make an NBA club, particularly after spending weeks on the road touring with college all-star teams and playing against some of the NBA's elite. "I got a gli mpse of that at the end of my junior year, into my senior year, in terms of people talking about that," he says. "There are a lot of kids out there who wake up and say, 'I want to play in the NBA.' Sometimes it happens, someti mes it doesn' t. "I was n' t one of those kids who dreamed about playing in the NBA," he says. "I always thought I was going to do something else." Skinner made the most of his limited playing
..&. Gold medalist. During the summer of 1997, Brian Skinner played for the US team In the World University Games. His shooting and shot blocking helped the US go 6-0 and capture the gold medal.
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I FORWARD PROGR ESS time with the Clippers during a rookie season that saw him endure two stints on the injured reserve list. Skinner averaged 12 minutes per game in 21 appearances, averaging 4 points an outing. He admitted to being "scared" the first night he stepped on the floor as an NBA player. "I wasn't used to playing in that ki nd of atmosphere," he says. "I knew there would be some amazements, some awes. But I knew I would have to forget that and reflect on it later on. It was time to do what I was there for, to play basketball." Much of his recognition as an NBA player-apart from being in a Clippers' uniformcame from the slight resemblance he bears to Kobe Bryant, the Lakers' young star. In fact, Skinner failed to convince a you ng fan in a Houston mall that he wasn't Bryant despite showing his driver's license. Life in the NBA is rugged-with the constant travel and being virtuall y on 24-hour alert for practice and travel schedule changes. Last year's strike-shortened season made that even more difficult with teC;Jms often playing games on successive nights in different cities. Skinner and his wife, Rebecca, had to adjust to a life in which they were apart much of the time. Plu s, they had to make the transition from Waco, Texas, to suburban Los Angeles. Rebecca drew closer to giving birth to the couple's first child as the season went on. " It was hard at first being away from home and not being able to take care of her needs, knowing that she could give birth at any time," 路he says. "I just wanted to make her transition as easy as possible--especially considering that she's from Texas where all her friends and family are, and moving to LA where you could meet anyone from the nicest to the meanest people in the world. It was an adjustment for her to be there by herself and me traveling for 4 or 5
days and coming back home for maybe one." Skinner says he and Rebecca carve out the Fortunately, Brian was at home for the birth time they need for devotions, prayer, and Bible of their daughter, Avery Ann Alexis, on April study. Having a chance to go to church during 25. He responded the next night with one of his the season is rare because team meetings and best performances of the year, snaring a seapractices often take place on Sunday mornson-high seven rebounds against San Antonio. ings. The "freedom" to go to church routinely "He needs to go out and make a living," is gone most of the season. says Rebecca, also a Baylor graduate. "We're "There were only about three times on the making the most of our time. It makes you a road that we cou ld have gone to church," better steward of your time. he says. "It's really, reall y We don ' t watch much TV. hectic. It' s really, really deIt's usually just Brian and I manding on you spiritually sitting, praying, and keeping in term s of being around it quality time." Christians and hav ing their Skinner came to faith in influence and having someJesus Christ as a young boy one to talk to. I we nt and then rededicated himself through some hard times to Christ in his teen years. He [spiritually]. says he's glad he didn't have "It was more interesting to go through a dramatic confor me to know how much version as many others do things change by just staying after a life involving drugs, in the Word," he says. "It's sex, and other pitfall s. almost instant gratification. If you stay in the Word, you Temptations are at the doorstep of all NBA players. can overcome anything and Sk inner makes certain he you can achieve anything." remains on guard spiritually, The Clippers have to overdespite having little time for come years of being the leagu e's doormat, and normal church fellowship. "There are a lot of temptaSkinner wants to be one of tions out there," says Skinner. the building blocks to make "The one thing that got me ..t.. The Skinners. Brian and the team a contender. through those things was my Rebecca were married in January "The one thing about be1998. The arrival of Avery Ann Christian faith and my be- Alexis in April1999 was another ing a young team is we're reliefs. It' s so easy to get caught rookie-season challenge. silient," he says. "I don't think up in a lot of the worldl y we were outplayed in any things. It's really enticing. game. We gave II 0 percent "It's easier the longer you're in (the league]," every time we went out to play. Jt was just the he says. "You know what to do and what not experience factor." to do, where to go and where not to go, and Skinner looks at the NBA as a "dues paywhat situations not to put yourself into." ing" league. Whether it' s earning more playing time, becoming a team leader, or becoming more outspoken, there's a process that must The Skinner Zone occur. Skinner has done his time as a rookie and looks forward to the future. BRIAN SKINNER "You have to put in your time," he says. >- 6-9 >- 255 >- DOB: 5-19-76 "The veterans have been there for a while, and Thanks, Coach: First prompted to play basketball by Harry Miller when Brian was a youngster they've paid their dues. Now it's time for you in Temple, Texas, .and Miller was coaching in that town. Miller eventually became Brian's to pay your dues. It's a league of tradition, and college basketball coach that's one thing I really like about it. College days: Majored in environmental studies "I' m happy where I'm at right now, but I Three Bears: One of three Baylor basketball players in the NBA. The other two are Micheal don't want to get complacent," he says. "I Williams of the T-Wolves and David Wesley of Charlotte want to stri ve as much as possible to fulfill my Home team: Wife, Rebecca; Daughter, Avery Ann Alexis potential. It's not as easy as some people think. There's a lot of work, a lot of dedicaREWIND >-Averaged 16.5 points a game during his career at Baylor>- Field-goal percentage tion, and a lot of devotion. It's mentally and was .575 (673 for 1171) in 103 games for Baylor>- During his third year, threw 118 passes physically grueling." without an interception >- High-point game for the Clippers in his rookie season was 14 against Houston on May 2 >-Blocked four shots in final game of the 1999 season Call Brian Skinner a fast learner. D THE GOOD STUFF>- 1998 Became Baylor University's all-time leader in rebounding (915) Tim Waits, who lives in Temple, Texas, still holds and blocking shots (346) >- 1998 Selected to second team All-American>- 1999 Shooting percentage (.465) was second-best on the Clippers the Dripping Springs High Sclwolfootball team's career receptions record.
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Respected sports photographer Tom Dipace tells how baseball and the camera helped change his life
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TOM DIPACE
0 BORROW A PHRASE
that Sammy Sosa
has used quite a bit recently, "Baseball has been very, very good to me!" Not the game itself as much as the men who play the game. --------------
God kn ows our hea rt s, and He
loves each of us unconditionally. He showed His love for me by knowing how to reach my heart. He did it by putting in my life baseball peo ple who showed me .,. A-Rod and DiPace. Photographer Tom DiPace, with wife Kryst'l and daughters Gabby and Lia, has the chance to work with and photograph players like Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners. I
I I I
-- - --- ------ ------- ------ ---- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------~ SPORTS SPECTRUM - DECEMBER 1999
11
,I FO R LOVE OF THE GA ME
godly unconditional love. As an aspiring young photographer who worshiped baseball , I found myself doing anything I could to be around the game. Growing up, my ultimate dream had been to play professional baseball , but injuries kept me from reaching this goal. Photography was my second choice because it put me as close as possible to the action of the game without being a player. In 1982 I was at the Atlanta Braves spring training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida. Anything I cou ld do for the Braves with my camera, I did. One morning the Braves' traveling secretary, Bill Acree, asked me to come to his office. I had no idea why. To my surprise, he offered me a fulltime position as the team photographer and video analyst. That was not all he offered me. He al so said I could pitch batting practice when the coaches were tired. I couldn 't believe it! Be around the game I love, and put on the Braves uniform every day to pitch BP! WOW I I was pinching myself. Was this a dream? 路 I left his office so excited I needed to sit down and let this all soak in. As I was processing this information in my mind, the first guy I saw was Braves outfielder Brett Butler. I couldn' t wait to tell him ! When I did tell Brett, he was so
excited for me that he asked me to go to a restaurant for a late breakfast with him to celebrate. So there I sat in that restaurant, eating with a real major leaguer! I thought, "This is not happening to me!" Rubbing elbows with the stars! Then something very unusual and unexpected happened. Brett put his fork down, looked me square in the eye, and asked, "Do you know Jesus Christ as yo ur personal
Brett then quoted John 3: 16: "For God so loved the world th at He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." I was so co nfused. I wanted Brett's approval so badly. I didn't want to jeopardize my relationship with him. But suddenly I thought, "The nerve of this guy! Who is he to tell me I am not good enough to go to
Savior, and if you die today, do you know where you are going?" I was caught off gua rd. Who would n' t be? I thought, ''I'm a good person. Yeah, I know Jesus personally." To Brett, I responded, "Ahhh, I guess so."
heaven- and that Jesus could be my personal friend and Savior." Yet this was Brett Butler, star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves. What a di lemma! I left breakfas t that morning with some serious questions that needed a serious answer. I remem-
ber go ing home that day and telling my wife, Kryst' l, what happened that mornin g. I told her about the offer from the Braves, and I told her about my conversation with Brett. She had the same reaction I had. In her anger she said, "You are not working with those people!" Unfortunately, by the end of that spring, the Braves released a player who was under contract. They gave him a camera, and he got my job. There went my opportunity to be with the team. Bu t God kn ew what it would take to reach me, and a seed had been planted. Two yea rs later, Gary Carter, All-Star catcher for the Montreal Expos, was traded to the New York Mets. When I was a kid, the Mets had been my all-time favorite team. That trade was the biggest news in baseball. And it was big news for me too. Gary and I had developed a friendly relationship. He called me up one eve ning in late December and asked me if I would like to have an exclusive photo shoot with him in his new Mets uniform. Of course, I said, "Yes!" I met him at the stad ium one morning in January. Gary was a gracious model. When I saw the film, I knew I had captured something special. I called all the major sports publications. Inside Sports
FOR LOVE OF THE GAME
A The Butler did it. Brett Butler's mid-morning spiritual challenge to Tom DiPace wasn't a hit with the photographer.
SPORTS SPECTRUM • DECE MBER 1999
13
. ~. FOR LOVE OF THE GAME
was the most interested. They li ked what I did so much, they put one of my photos of Gary on the cover of their April issue. Inside, there was another full-page photo. This was unbelievable! I was published in a big-time magazine with baseball 's biggest star. I called Gary with the good news. He was very excited, and he invited me to lunch to look over the photos. Gary loved the photos. He signed one for me. But he didn' t just jot down his autograph-he wrote a paragraph. This note to me was the most personal, most life-changi ng note I ever received. In it, he asked God to bless and guide my family
in everything that we would do. I remember thinking, "It's li ke Billy Graham wrote this." I was so touched by the realness of this. I really saw Christ in him. I was in awe, yet Gary showed me that no matter how much fame or fortune baseball brings you, one man is just like another man. We are equal in God's eyes. God was reac hin g out to me through the sport I loved the most. Meeting men like Brett and Gary caused me to think about my own existence. Why did God create me? What was my life purpose? Five years later, Kryst' l and I had our third child. I witnessed my
FOR LOVE OF THE GAME
daug hter's birth , and I was so amazed by thi s miracle! I was again forced to ponder who God was in my life. All the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place: breakfast with Brett Butler, lunch with Gary Carter (sorry, there's no dinner story), and coun tless other Chri stians who ex tended their love to me. The scales began to fall off my eyes; the seeds that had been planted began to take root. In the fall of 1990, I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I finally understood the truth of what my friends had been sharing with me over all these years. Today I realize what a precious gift God has given me. I look at life a whole new way. Not only do I get to take piclllres for a living, I get to encourage other ballplayers about issues away from the game. I truly have a heart for the life these guys have to live. In my career, God has blessed me beyond my dreams. I have been to the last ten Super Bowls. I saw Cal Ripken Jr. break Lou Ge hrig's record. I was there when Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris' home run record. I' ve been able to photograph some of the greatest players, such as Ban路y Sanders, Ken Griffey Jr., and Michael Jordan. I am so grateful for all the opp011unities God has given me, and I look forward to whatever He puts into my path for the future. Yes, baseball has been very, very good to me!
SPORTS SPECTRUM - DECEMBER 1999
15
•
O NE LOOK AT TONY BOSELLI-AS A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, AS A PERSON, AS A ROLE MODEL, AS A
FATH ER- INDICATES THAT HE IS DIFFERENT. H E IS DIFFERENT FOR HIS BURLY 6-FOOT-7, 318-POUND MASS OF A PHYSIQUE. HE IS DIFFERENT FOR HIS RELENTLESS PURSU IT OF PERFECTION IN ALL ASPECTS OF HIS LI FE. H E IS DIFFERENT FOR THE WAY HE CARES FOR CHILDREN AND THE WAY HE CHALLENGES THEM TO BE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW. " H E'S JUST ABOUT AS SOLID A HUMAN BEING AS YOU COULD FIND IN TERMS OF INTEGRITY AN D CHARACTER," SAYS J ACK M ILLS, BOSELLI 'S COLORADO-BASED AGENT. " H E' S GOTTEN VERY INVOLVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
l TH INK TONY IS JUST VERY OPEN, NOT AGGRESSIVE, BUT VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE
WAY HE IS AND WHAT HE STANDS FOR."
THE FIELD, Jaguar olfen&ive tackle ~ony Boselli
stands aa:ucl ove~ bJs llacldleld; all the field, he strives)to help others Man of llction
BY
BUDDY SHACKLETTE
'18
Arguably the best offensive tackle in the NFL and perhaps the most popular Jacksonville Jaguars player, Boselli is a man on the move. But more important, he's a man of faith. The ri go rs of a professional athlete's schedule are demanding enough, but Boselli, the heart-and-soul of one of the NFL's newest and best teams, makes him self th at much bu sier through his numerous activities. "A lot of kids have given up hope and have listened to what our world names them. God has put it on my heart to tell them that God has a different name for them," says Boselli, who put his faith in Jesus Christ 4 years ago. "God has named them a generation of destiny and p1Jrpose. There's somethi ng out there for them just as there was for me. He put a real burden on me- a real love for this generation of kids, especially high school kids." Boselli 's off-the-field accomplishments rival his professional achievements on the gridiron- quite a fact con sideri ng that big No. 7 1 has made three trips to the Pro Bowl and has twice been named a consensus All-Pro. Boselli 's heart for service showed soon after he became the first pick in Jaguar history in 1995. Right away, Tony and his wife Angi developed the Boselli Foundation, which encourages
SPORTS SPECTRUM- DECE MBER 1999
children to become champions at home, at school, and on the playing field. Since then, he has received NFL Charities grants totaling $45,000 for support of his foundation programs; he's been featured in public service ann ouncements for Ounce of Prevention Fund, Safe Harbor Boys Home, and the United Way; and he began a high school youth mentoring program called Victory Clubs. "I' ve seen so many kids miss the truth, and I missed it for so long. It' s only by the grace of God that I'm here and that I know Him. I look back and there's a lot of times I could've ended up dead, in jail, or in [some other ki nd of] trouble," says Boselli. "I thank God that He's given me the opportunity to touch other kids through Him and be able to speak that message [of hope] to the kids of the high school generation."
Columbine and llids Earlier this year Boselli watched in horror wi th the rest of the nation as news report s revealed that two teenagers had shot and murdered 12 of their classmates in a school just 30 minutes from Boselli's hometown of Boulder, Colorado. As a teenager, Boselli had competed against kids from Columbine High Schoo l, the Littleton, Colorado, school that was stunned when two students used Adolf Hitler's birthday as a horrible excuse for the in-house
massacre of their schoolmates. The tragedy in Columbine awakened somethi ng inside Bosell i, and it proved the perfect time for the perennial All-Pro to bring Victory Clubs and its message to Jacksonville area high schools. "It's definitely something God has put on my heart and put inside me-to have a heart fur kids and use it today, and for this generation to fulfill all that God has plann ed for the m," says Boselli, who admits to still being a kid at age 27. "I' ve always liked young people. It's something that God has put on my heart: To seek kids." Victory Clubs, which already exists in Tennessee and Louisiana, has a mission to empower students to make a difference on their campuses by hel ping them learn to make right choices, by training them to be leaders, peacemakers, and bridge-builders, and by helping them develop strong character. The clubs are structured to discuss values in a way that does not promote a particular religion. This strategy allows the clubs to enter public schools. "Even for people who don't know Christ," says Boselli, "they should understand that there is a God, that He does have a plan for their life, that He is in control, and that He wants to see them fulfill their destiny." In a time when professional athletes are motivated by their lofty paychecks and the celebrity that comes with their
SPO RTS SPE CT RUM 路 OECEMBER 1999
19
TO SERVE AND PR OTEC T
--------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 status as cultural icons, Boselli prefers 1-- 路 ll1c l3osell.i Zone to be motivated by taking a stand and making a difference.
Best llt His Position Even after taking note of Bose IIi 's stellar college career at the University of Southern California, Jacksonvi lle coach Tom Coughlin wasn' t set on taking the consensus All-American with the No.2 pick in the 1995 draft. Unsure about making him the franchise's first-ever pick, Coughli n took Tony and his fiancee Angi to dinner. Cough lin spent hou rs probing his background and personality. After the 5 Yz-hour dinner and a subsequent phys ical workout during which Boselli performed well, Coughlin was sold on the Colorado native. The new Jaguars made Boselli the highest-drafted offensive tackle since the Green Bay Packers chose Michigan State's Tony Mandarich as the second pick in the 1989 draft. "We knew by the time we drafted him th at thi s was a qual ity young man," says Coughlin. "The key for me was the maturity he had beyond his years-the poise, the attitude. Tony brought a lot to the table." As a rookie, Boselli dislocated his left kneecap in the second week of camp and didn't get into the starti ng lineup until the fourth week of the regular season. From there, he made 12
DON ANTHONY BOSELLI JR. 6-7 ~ 318 ~ DOB: 4-17-72 College days: While at USC, Tony was a three-ti me Academic All-Pac 10 player All business: Tony earned his degree from USC in business administration There she is: Wife, Angi, is a former Miss California Foundational: Angi and Tony started the Boselli Foundation in 1995. Among the child-related emphases of the foundation is the Safe Harbor Boys Home, a Christian group home REWIND ~ First offensive li neman chosen in the 1995 NFL d raft~ Made his first NFL start on October 1, 1995, the same ga me in which the Jaguars captured their first victory in the NFL ~ Played on every offensive snap of the Jaguars in 1996-16 regu lar season games and three playoff contests THE GOOD STUFF ~ 1995 Named to the Pro Football Writers of America AllRookie team ~ 1996 Selected to the Sports Illustrated All-Pro te a m~ 1997 Started in his first Pro Bowl ga me ~ 1995-97 Started 37 consecutive games from 1995 to 1997, a club reco rd~ 1998 Named to third Pro Bowl team in 4 seasons in the leag ue ~
starts, allowed only one sack, and was selected to numerous NFL All-Rookie teams. The following season, Boselli started all 16 games and permitted just three sacks. He established himself as one of the best players at the offensive tackle position when he limited Bruce Smith, 1996 Defensive Player of the Year, to just three tackles in a wild-card playoff win at Buffalo. "He's the No. I offensive tackle in the league. I can't compliment him enough," said Smith after battling Boselli . "He's going to be a wonderful player for a long time. This guy
has all of the talent in the world." Bosell i limited Smith to just four tackles in their return meeting the following year, and the Jags' lineman allowed just 1.5 sacks in the 12 games he sta rted. He missed four gam es because of a high ankle sprai n. Boselli earned his second consensus All-Pro selection last season and made his third straight !lip to the Pro Bowl. Now in his fifth season, Boselli is considered the best offensive tackle in the league, and he's become the highest-paid as a result. "He has it all-strength, quickness, size, and technique. He moves a lot
Something Ml slag It was 1995, and Tony Boselli had experienced a whirlwind couple of months. He had become the
'
Jacksonville Jagua rs' first-ever draft pick in April, graduated from the University of Southern California in May, and married his college sweetheart, Angi, in June. Quarterback Mark Brunell was already on the team, and even though Boselli and Brunell weren't close at the time the two players' wives became friends and began a Bible study. Tony and Angi were invited, along with a handful of friends, to the Brunells' home one evening to hear Bible teacher Greg Ball speak. Little did Boselli realize that his life would be changed from that point on. "He preached about the grace of God, preached about the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and as ked anyone if they wanted to make Jesus their Lord," Boselli says. "I stood up that night not knowing what I was doing. I just knew that something was missing, that I had tried to reach everything by myself, and that all the things the world had said were important I already had. There was still something missi ngsomething I was lacking- and that was to know the Creator. Unless you know the Creator, you do n't know why you were put here, and you don't know your purpose here on this earth." Boselli had been raised in a churchgoing home, had gone through the motions of goi ng to church on Sunday, and he knew about Jesus- that He died on the cross. But Boselli says he really didn't know Hi m until that point. Boselli and Brunell both have young children, enjoy doing the same things, love Jesus, and have become the best of friends. "Tony and Angi and my wife and I became friends and started spending some time together," says Brunell. "We actually went on vacation together and became real close, and that was part of it. I thin k he saw something in my life that was a little different, maybe something that was appealing to him, and he knew it was my relationship with the Lord." - Buddy Shacklette
2 0
SPORTS SPECTRU M - DECEMBER 1999
.6. 8 & 8 Brothers. The Bruneii-Boselli connection extends beyond the field.
I...
lighter than his size," says work hard, I'll go the extra ESPN analys t and Pro mile. ' He didn ' t make it Football Hall of Famer easy on me. I had to be there Anthony Mufioz. "As well as at 6 a.m. before school. My he moves, as tec hni call y dad said, ' I'm not going to do it unless you're dedicatsound as he is, as dominating as he is, there's no question ed.' It reall y helped me. It he could end up being one of taught me how to work out the best of all time." and how to lift." Boselli allowed only nine The workouts paid off, sacks in his four seasons in and by the end of his senior the league. He is one of the year Boselli was a SuperPrep biggest, best, and most feroAll-American, a Colorado cious players on any offenAll-Stater, and a USA Today sive line. Contrary to many Super I02 player. skepti cs, th ough, he says All of the big names came calling, but the warm weaththat being a Christian goes er and sunny skies of Southhand-in-hand with being aggressive. ern Californi a lured him "I think it's a stereotype away from the cold winters that Christian men are soft. of Colorado. He stepped onto the Los Angeles camI think it's something that's pus and became a star reall y hurt the church because that 's not what immediate!y. "From the moment you God ca ll s us to be at all. saw him , you knew Tony We' re supposed to be A. Classic matchup. The Bruce Smith-Tony Boselli showmighty men of God. We're downs have been memorable "battles within the war" as was a special player," says former USC team mate Pat suppo sed to be leaders. two perennial Pro Bowl players go head to head. O' Hara, now a quarterback We're supposed to be out there fighting for th e Kingdom of dad. I saw how hard he worked, and for the Arena Footb all Leag ue's God and th e name of Christ," says he passed that along to me." Orlando Predators. "Most guys come Boselli. "That spirit and that attitude Still , no matter how long a day in and think they' re ready, but they' re is how I approach the game. I'm Ton y Sr. had put in, he still found not. He was ready right away and goi t~g to play within the rules . I' m time to play football and shoot basstarted for us as a freshman." not going to try to hurt anyone on kets with the youngster. At USC, Boselli met Angi, a Southpurpose or anything, but I'm going to Tony, who grew up a Denver ern Cal cheerleader, and they began play physical. I'm going to play hard. Broncos fan, played quarterback as a dating during Tony's third year. Two That's the way the game is played." freshman at Fairview High School and years later, he was drafted in April, he moved to linebacker and tight end as a graduated from college in May, and he Raising A Tiger sophomore. He still wanted to have the married Angi in June. They've since Tony Boselli Jr. went to live with his ball in his hands, but his coach conadded two more to the flock- 2-yearvinced him that the line would give old Andrew and 9-month-old Adam. dad after his parents divorced when him the best chance for playing time. "We have a great marriage, but it's he was 12. He says it was tough, but that he grew to estab lish good rela"At that point, I loved football and only because of what Jesus has done tionships with both parents. His mom I just wanted to play. If that was my in our lives. I'd hate to see where our and dad have each remarried, and best chance to get on the field, then I marriage would be without Christ," they have each trusted Jesus Christ as says Boselli. "I always pray that I can was go in g to do it," says Boselli . Savior through Tony's irfluence. "Obviously, all kids want to be in the be the dad these boys deserve-the Tony Sr. owned several McDonald's glamour position, but more than anydad God called me to be. I believe restaurants in the Denver area, and little thing, I just wanted to play." th at it's a great responsibility. My Tony started working for him at age I0. Boselli began to tap into his potensons are God' s, and He's just making As young Tony got more involved with tial as a junior, and the phones began me responsible for their care. I just youth sports, he came to appreciate the to ring. He had never been one for pray I don 't mess up." sacrifices his father often made for him lifting weights or working out, so he There's something different about and his siblings. cut a deal with his father. If Tony Jr. Tony Boselli that suggests he' ll do "I was raised in a high standard in showed that he would be dedicated to just fine. everything I' ve done. My dad has a it, Tony Sr. would pay for the youngreal good work ethic and has always ster to have the supervision of a perBuddy Shacklette writes fo r th e expected a lot ou t of himself," says sonal trainer at 6 o'clock every mornDaytona Beach [FL] News-Journal. As Boselli . "I saw how he worked at ing before school. a high school hoopster in Owensboro, things, and I think that's one of the "My dad was great. He said, 'If Kentucky, he played aga inst Rex things I really appreciate about my you're willing to do this and willing to Chapman, now of the Phoenix Suns.
StudYing
The Playbook In addition to making sure he understands the Jaguars' playbook, Tony Boselli also spends time studying God's playbook, the Bible. "It's definitely a challenge because of the amount of work we do, but that's no excuse. You have to be disciplined. You have to get up in the morning and take the time out to spend time wit h God. It's probably more crucial du ri ng the season because there's a lot of pressure and a lot expected of us. It can be overwhelming if yo u don't get with God and give everything to Him. "It's an everyday thing. I've got to wake up and say, 'Jesus, you're my Lord.' It's not a onetime prayer. I submit to your authority and what you say goes. "It's an encouragement to me to know that God is in control and that He has my best interests in mi nd. If I obey Him and follow what His Word says, then my life wi ll ultimately be fulfilled. When He created me, He had a plan. "So often, where we get in trouble is by trying to be perfect. I can't. Without the blood of Jesus cleansing me, and without the power of the Holy Spirit, I'm nobody. I struggle every day, and I have to rely on the grace of God to get me through the day. I try not to trust in my own strength, and I trust in God in all areas of my life. "
SPO RT S SPECTRUM - DECEMBER . I999
21
I
~~~+fo ~
EAT .
The company that has attached its corporate name to
~~~~~ F
the Peach Bowl does more than just try to get you to
PIGSKIN.
~l
'
"Eat More Chikin"
.,.. Closing out the 90s. On December 30, the Georgia Dome will be the site for the Peach Bowl sponsored by Chick-fil-A. It will mark the 32nd anniversary of the Atlanta-based game, which was first held in Grant Field on December 30, 1968.
~-----------------22
BY VICTOR LEE
corporate atmosphere of collegiate athletics, many fans disdain seeing a corporation's name attached to a major event or an athletic faci lity. But in the case of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the partnership seems like a good thing. Chick-fil-A is in its second year as title sponsor of the 32-year-old game. Viewed in the context of Chick-fil-A's mission statement, it's easy to see how the company's involvement is good for college football and the Atlanta area in particular. The Chick-fil-A mission statement: "To be a faithful steward of all that God has entrusted to us, and to be a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." Chick-fil-A manager of public relations Jerry Johnston says, "That is part of why we're title sponsors of the Peach Bowl. Sure, part of it is market driven, in that this is a way to create N THE INCREASINGLY
brand identity on a national basis. The game always has a team from the SEC versus a team fro m the ACC, and two-thirds of our restaurants are in SEC or ACC markets. " But thi s is also a way for us to help live out our corporate purpose. Part of the proceeds from the Peach Bowl go to benefit WinShape Foundation, which supports foster homes. We current ly support II homes, each of which has houseparents and up to 12 children. "We wan t to have more people know who we are and what we are all about, to tell our story, to build a brand. But the Chick-fi l-A Peach Bowl also allows us to support some of our quality philanthropic ventures." That philosophy is consistent with the life and beli efs of Chick- fil-A founder and owner Truett Cathy, an outspoken Christian. Cathy says, "If you apply biblical principals in the work place, you'll be successful." Cath y has been very successful , and he has partnered with a successful bowl game. In an era when new bowl games seem to pop up every yearthere are 23 now-the Chick-fi l-A Peach Bowl has a rich and competiti ve history. It is the ninth -oldest bowl, and is consistently one of the most competitive. The Chick-fil-A Peach Bow l is muc h more than a football game. With an economic impact of approximately $35 million to Atlan ta, and attracting approximately 40,000 outof-town guests to the city, the Peach Bowl offers a week full of activities. They include: .,. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast, featuring Jeff Foxw011hy, John Smoltz, and Tim Cash .,. The Delta Air Lines Players Awards Banquet .,. The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Scholarship Luncheon .,. Chick-fil-A Underground Party .,. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade. This year's theme: "A Salute to Atlanta: The Sports Capital of the World." .,. The Peach Bowl Fan Fest, with interactive football games, music, and food . .,. The National Cheerleading Association Classic, a full day of cheerleading squad competition.
Last year was a year of firsts for the Peach Bowl. It was the first year of Chick-fil-A's ti tle sponsorship, the earliest sellout in the game's history (December II), the first time two Top 20 teams competed in the ga me (Georgia and Virgi nia), the highest attendance (72,876), the highest television rating (4.35, on ESPN), and the largest payout to teams ($1.6 million). That's seven new Peach Bowl records, achieved in an era when corporate sponsorship is a must and many bowls have fai led. "We've passed a lot of other bowls that ha ve bit the dust," says Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce President Sam Williams. "We're not bragging when we say the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is one of the most coveted bowls in the nation." Chick-Fil-A's senior vice president of marketing, Steve Robinson, says the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl is a "win-win partnership for everyone involved." "College football is almost a religion here," Robinson says. "If anyone can bring Atlanta a top-tier bowl, we feel the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl can." And Truett Cathy can do a lot of good in the process. Says Johnston, "It's a great framework for living out our purpose."
.&. Where's the beef? Truett Cathy (in white sweatshirt) is an innovator. The man who uses cows to sell chickens opened his first restaurant in 1946. In the 50s, he experimented with chicken recipes until he came up with the Chick-fil-A taste. The first Chick-fil-A store was opened in 1967. Today there are more than 850 Chick-fil-A restaurants. Over the years, Cathy has awarded more than $13 million in scholarship money to his employees.
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•
For Casey Crawford of Virginia, the 1998 Peach Bowl was an opportunity to learn more about an "awesome peace" in his life
• CASEY CRAWFORD SAT ALONE at the top of the multi-story hotel lobby, looking over the sleeping city of Atlanta, Georgia. It was December 31, 1998, and in the pre-dawn hours, he was quietl y preparing fo r the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game. Later that day, the 13th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers would face the 19th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. And Casey would be in the midd le of the battle. "I had an awesome sense of peace sittin g up there. I find when I'm focused, wi th my body and emotions on a calm, even keel, I play best. I try to get into that state before games," says Crawford, who was then playing his j unior season as a tight end for the Cavaliers.
24
SPORTS SPECTRUM- DE CEMBER 1999
BY JENNIFER ELVGREN
"The standards are raised in bowl games," he continues. "You are showcased against another top team from ano ther conference with a lot of ceremony. There are banquets , parades, and national television coverage- plus a lot of rivalry. It's extremely competitive." Fini shing the 1998 season with nine wi ns, Vi rgi nia was pumped to meet Georgia again, a team they had defeated in the 1995 Peach Bowl. The Cavaliers had been prepari ng for this opponent for 3 weeks, and the expectations of the coaches and the players were running high. During the fi rst half, it seemed the ex pectations would be met. In front of a crowd of almost 73,000 at the
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Georgia Dome, the Cavaliers were up 21-0 in the first half. Then th e Bulldogs capitalized on a blocked punt just before the half, taking over on downs at the Virginia 49-yard line and scoring six plays later on an 11 yard pass from Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter to split end Tony Small with I: 15 to go in the second quarter. Georgia went on to add two more touchdowns in the third quarter to tie the score at 2 1 before Virgini a answered with a 67-yard touchdown pass play from Cavalier quarterback Aa ron Brook s to wide receive r Terrence Wi lkins, who broke free from several defenders on his way to the end zone. Virgini a missed the extra point, however, as they led
.lit. Cavalier attitude. In 1998, Casey Crawford became the first Virginia tight end named first team AII-ACC since Aaron Mundy received that recognition In 1993.
SPOR TS SPEC TRUM- DECEMBER 1999
2 5
PEA CE BOWL
"" Valleys and mountains. Various injuries have kept Casey Crawford from putting up the numbers expected of him. In 1997, he was hobbled by a broken leg. This year's groin injury kept him out of the lineup until October 16, when he saw action against North Carolina State in a 47-26 victory. .,. A mountaintop experience for Crawford changed his perspective on life and gave him the peace he had been looking for.
26
27-2 1 late in the third quarter. The tide turned when Georgia regained the lead 28-27 early in the fourth quarter on a two-yard scoring run by running bac k Ol andis Gary and later added a one-yard touchdown run by Carter with 7:0 I left to play. With Virgini a trailing 35 -27, Brooks scored on a 30-yard run with I:34 left in the game. Virginia's twopoint conversion attempt failed, but the Cavaliers regained possession when defensive back Devon Simmons recovered the ensuing onside kick at Virgini a's own 47 -ya rd lin e. The Cavaliers then drove to the Georgia 31, setting up a potential game-winning 48-yard fi eld goal attempt by Todd Braverman with 19 seconds remaining. The Cavaliers' comeback effort fell short as Braverman's kick dri fted wide ri ght. Fin al score, Georgia 35, Vi rginia 33. "I remember watching the last field goal settl e a li ttle right ," say s Crawford. "[I was standing) in the middle of the turf with Billy Baber,
SPOR TS SPECTR UM - DE CEMBER 1999
our other tight end, kind of looking at each other. I wanted to ge t off the field because I didn' t want to hear the crowd ye ll, but also I didn' t reall y wa nt to move." His feelings onl y intensified later in the locker room. "As much fun as it was throughout the whole game, afterward I sat looking at my locker in disbelief that we had lost the game. I was sure this was a game we were meant to win. Virginia had a big season. The team had come together throughout the year and had played some good games, had matured. To lose, it was utter disbelief," he says. Crawford is no stranger to disappointment though. In 1997, he broke his ankle in the Cavaliers' fourth game of the season against Wake Forest, and he was sidelined for the team's seven remaining games. During 1998, he was injured and missed two games; and in 1999, his senior season of eligibility, Casey missed the first half of the season with a groin injury. Despite the injuries, in his first 24 games in his college career, Crawford caught 25 passes for 3 17 ya rds, appeared in the 1996 Carquest Bowl against Miami, and played in the aforementioned 1998 Chick-fil- A Peach Bowl. In 1998, he was named firstteam All-Atlantic Coast Conference; chosen second-team All-State by the Roanoke Times; AII-ACC Academic Football Team; and won the ACC Top VI Award for his service to the Uni versity and Charlottesville communities. Casey believes that one of those injuries was not a random event, but something th at put his life back on track ph ysically, emoti onall y, and spiritually.
"I was raised in the church. We went every Sunday. At a young age I accepted Christ," Crawford says. "As I grew older, it was a reaffir mation process, coming to a greater understanding of what that commitment meant. At times I moved both closer to and further from the chu rch." When he broke his ankle during the Wake Forest game, Casey says, he was in a "further from the church" phase. "At that time I was really confused about a lot of things in my life. I wasn't enjoying football anymore. I was playing for the wrong reason- making it to the NFL. I was also struggling with school," he says. Hi s famil y had been praying for weeks for God to show Casey th e direction his li fe was supposed to take. Then he broke his ankle. "That was probably the best game of my career. Eve ryt hing that I thought in my head as a freshman that I wanted to be happening was happening. I was starting. Coach was throwing me the ball. I was doi ng well ," says Crawford. Then came the injury. "By the ti me I mad e it over to the sidel ines, I thought the weight of the world had been lifted off my should ers . It sounds unbelievabl e, but I prayed, 'God, I thank You. You provided a way for me here.' " Ironically, people thought the injury was a disaster. He remembers reading "poor Casey" in newspaper art icles about the injury. But Casey was more convinced than ever that the accident was a blessing in disguise. God had prov ided for him an opportunity to refocus his energy and attention to his
PEA CE BOWL
school work and his spirituality. That fall he became involved with At hletes in Action (AlA), which led to his participation in a week- long AlA retreat in Colorado, an event that he calls a "pivota l, life-changin g ex perience" that solidified his faith. "It was the end of the week where we were put through this 2-day obstacle course, pushing us to the absolute physical limit. The culmination was taking us up the side of this big mountain at the foot of the Rockies with a view of a lake," says Casey. "At the top, they told the whole crucifixion story and how Jesus suffered all this for us. He died for us. He would have done it if I was the only person on ear1h. It was very emotional. "Then they gave us each a board, and we put it over our shou lders. We had to run to the bottom of the mountain and back up to the top with the board. The whole time I' m running, I' m look ing over thi s go rgeou s scenery, and I' m feeling li ke my heart is going to explode. "Going up that mountain, the presence of God was so real- His guiding hand in my life. I had a real sense of purpose. When I reached the top of the mountain, I realized He allowed me to do something on my ow n power and strength. That catapulted me into the next season. It freed me to enjoy football and going to school because I knew He was in control of all of it. If He wanted me to play football, no question, it was gonna happen. If there was some other plan for my life, no question, it was gonna be a good one." Casey 's ex peri ence on that Colorado mountain not only revived his love for football and for God, but it also gave him a new outlook on winning and losing games, and reaching out to those around him. He admits there is a se nse of expecting Christians to walk off the field after losing a close game, shakin g their head sayin g, "Awww Shucks." But in his mind it doesn't work that way. "Because you are a Christian, you should play as hard or harder than the other people. There's obviously a natural disappointment that' s going to go with anything you put your heart into. I personally take losses very hard, but I'm consoled in the fact that it's just a game. It's not the most central thing in
my life, so I' m not shaken with the loss as a person," he says. "At the same time I want to be able to represent myself and represent Christ in everything I do to the best and highest." On the other hand, after wins Casey now gives the glory to God. "I'm out here because He's let me come out here and play. I' m thankful every time I step out on the field even if we don't win. If we do, a win is all the better, an amazi ng thing I' ve gotten to take part in, a joy." Casey tries to represent Christ in a real way not only to his team mates but also to his fellow stu dents. He makes a concentrated effort to step out of his comfort zone, meeting new people and forgi ng new relationshi ps. " I have to have my talk and walk line up, and I fail. I fail many times. But I never pretend th at I'm perfect because I' m a Christian. People can relate a lot better to those who can admit their naws and ad mit they are struggling too. God and Christ help me to know that when I do fall, I have a hand to lift me up," he says. Because of his interest in and love for other people, Casey became the natural choice to become a Student Athlete Mentor (SAM). Sponsored by the University of Virginia, several SAMs are elected by every athletic team. They are trai ned to counsel athletes who may have a drinking or drug problem, for instance, or just need a kind ear to listen. Twice a year, SAMs also sponsor tea m workshops on issues such as violence or gambling. Another outreach of SAMs is tutoring at loca l hi gh schools. Casey was paired for 2 years with a student at Charlottesville High School. "He was a hard-working kid, and I helped him with his homework. We didn't know he had a learning disability, but we did know he was barely maki ng it between playi ng football, baseball , and grades. When he was diagnosed wit h Attent ion Deficit Disorder, he did a 180-degree turnaround in performance. It made me grateful to be a part of it. I took more from it than he did," says Casey. Crawford has to crack the books on his own behalf too. He began a master's degree program in the economics of finance this fall in preparation for life after football. In the meantime, he's leaving the pro football door open. Etched in Crawford 's mind is a
1 COORTESY: SUSAN CRAWfORD
Dennis and Susan Crawford's only son, Casey, (they have a daughter, Kristen) graduated from UVa in May with a degree In sociology. He is competing in 1999 as a graduate student. .A. Yes, Virginia, there is a graduate.
Playing For Dad FOOTBALL HAD ALREADY been a part of the Crawford family when Casey was born. His father, Dennis, played at North Carolina. By the age of 4, Casey recalls, he was begging his parents to let him play. "My father certainly was an influence. He never pressured me, though, in any way toward anything," he says. "I had a yearning to emulate [him] , but I also loved playing, catching balls, and wrestling in the mud." But the fact that Casey's parents were both strong Christians is what Casey calls the most important factor in his life. " [Dad ] was up at 6, home at 6:30 and put on a glove, grabbed a ball, and went right out in the back yard. He played with my sister and me; pitching with her, throwing a football with me until he dropp ed. Then he would sit down and lead the family in prayer," says Casey. On Sundays, Casey was sometimes a reluctant churchgoer. On occasion, Den nis and Susan Crawford found it necessary to drag him to church. Now he views that as being critical to his spiritual development. Casey counts his parents as a blessing and realizes that many of his friends have not had the kind of parental support that inspires him to be not only a better football player but also a better person. "They go to every game, home and away. Just knowing that Mom and Dad are in the stands makes me care less about the 50,000 other people. They are just window dressing," says Casey. "If there is anyone in the stands I want to play well for, it's my dad. I know he's watching every play, and it means more to me to have him tell me I played well than to see a write-up in the paper about it. I hope I can be the kind of dad to my children that he's been to me." - JEN NI FER ELVGREN
promise made to him on a Colorado mountain, and once again, he's trusting that God will lead him through the right door. Before a football game or before taking life's next step, Casey Crawford enjoys "an awesome peace" that only God can give.
Jennifer Elvgren is a freelance writer who lives in Barboursville, Virginia. SPORT S SPE CTRU M - DE CEM BER 1999
2 7
NaHIIiter • IF HISTORY, T RADIT ION, AND SCORING AVERAGES mean anything, the 1999 Peach Bowl contest on December 30 will be a barnburner with a final score of 25 to 22. Three points is all that separates the average winner and the average loser in the Peach Bowl since 1984. Including th at year's 27-24 win by Virginia over Purdue, winning teams have compiled 380 points to 335 for the losing squad. In those last 15 games, no team has won by more than 7 points (Virginia 34, Clemson 27 in December 1995). Since 1984, there has been one tie, th ree games decided by a one-point differential, two
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SPORTS SPECTRUM - DEC EMBER 19 99
with just two points separating the teams, and three in which just three points was the margin of victory. In other words, eight of those 15 games were decided by a field goal or less. Contrast that with the last 15 Super Bowl games. Average score? How does 37-17 sound. With an average differential of 20 po ints, blowouts are the norm. In fact, margins of victory include 45 point s (SF 55 , Bron cos 10 XX IV), 36 points (Bears 46, Patriots 10 XX), and 35 points (Cowboys 52, Bills 17 XXVII). Only three games since 1985 have been decided by less than I0 points. So, if you' re looking for lots of hype and
¡ ~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ,
No other bowl game can approach the Peach Bowl for last-second heroics and pressure-packed endings
BY DAVE BRANON
.&. Making introductions. Otten the Peach Bowl lets a national audience in on players they haven't seen before-such as Luke Fisher of East Carolina (vs. NC State) in 1992 and Quincy Carter of Georgia last year.
music and fireworks and expensive TV commercials and maybe a good game, tune in to the Super Bowl. But if you want nailbiting action that wi ll keep you interested until the final play of the game, the Peach Bowl might be your best selection. Consider what happened in the 1998 game at the Georgia Dome. In that contest, No. 13 Virginia took on No. 19 Georgia in a battle between the ACC and the SEC. This has become the pattern for the Peach Bowl recently. Whereas once there were teams from the Big Ten and other conferences, since 1993 it's been ACC vs. SEC exclusively.
Quincy Carter of Georgia was the star of the game as he accounted for three touchdowns as his Bulldogs edged the Cavaliers 35-33. At one time in the game, Georgia trailed Virginia 21-0. Their comeback almost went for naught when Virginia attempted a game-winning field goal with just 19 seconds left. However, the Cavs' Todd Braverman 's kick sailed outside the up1ights and Georgia eked out the victory. That Bulldog win avenged a 1995 Peach Bowl loss to Virginia. In that game, anyone who turned the game off early to get a good night's sleep woke up the next morning to discover they had missed a great game. In the December 1995 version of the Nailbiter Bowl, Georgia climbed back into the contest after the Cavs dug a 24-6 hole. Finall y, after grasping and clawing their way back, the ' Dogs tied the game at 27 with a little more than 60 ticks of the clock left. It appeared to be a carbon copy of the previous Peach Bowl in January of that year when the Wolfpack of NC State and Mississippi State' s Bulldogs battled to a 24-all deadlock. However, in the Cavs-'Dogs game of '95, Petey Allen took Georgia's post-field-goal kickoff at the 17-yard line and raced through the defense for an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. That exciting ending accounted for the largest margin of victory in the Peach Bowl in the past 15 years.
Peach Bowl Results 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1981 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1988 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1993 1995 1995 1996 1998 1998
LSU 31 Florida State 27 West Virginia 14 South Carolina 3 Arizona State 48 North Carolina 26 Mississippi 41 Georgia Tech 18 NC State 49 West Virginia 13 Georgia 17 Maryland 16 Vanderbilt 6 Texas Tech 6 West Virginia 13 NC State 10 Kentucky 21 North Carolina 0 NC State 24 Iowa State 14 Purdue 41 Georgia Tech 21 Baylor 24 Clemson 18 Miami (FL) 20 Virginia Tech 10* West Virginia 26 Florida 6 Iowa 28 Tennessee 22 Florida State 28 North Carolina 3 Virginia 27 Purdue 24 Army 31 Illinois 29 Virginia Tech 25 NC State 24 Tennessee 27 Indiana 22* NC State 28 Iowa 23 Syracuse 19 Georgia 18 Auburn 27 Indiana 23 East Carolina 37 NC State 34 * North Carolina 21 Mississippi State 17* Clemson 14 Kentucky 13 NC State 24 Mississippi State 24 * Virginia 34 Georgia 27 LSU 10 Clemson 7 Auburn 21 Clemson 17* Georgia 35 Virginia 33
*Game played in January- all others in December
All-Time Peach Bowl Team Records Louisiana State .. ......................2-0 Auburn ............ ............... ...... ... 2-0 Mississippi ........ ....... ........ ........ 1-0 Vanderbilt ...... . .......... ...... .... .... 1-0 Baylor ... .. ........ .. .... ..... ..... ..... .... 1-0 Miami (FL) ...... ... ... ..... ...... ........ 1-0 Army . .............. ....... ............ . .... 1-0 Syracuse .................... ............. 1-0 East Carolina .... ........ . ...... .... .... 1-0 West Virginia .... ..... ..... ... . .. .... ... 3-1 Virginia .... ....... . .... . .............. . .... 2-1 North Carolina State ............ ... 4-3 Georgia ....... ..... .......... ............. 2-2 Florida State ... ......................... 1-1 Kentucky ...... .... ... .......... .......... 1-1 Purdue ....... . ...... ..•.. .. .. ... .. .... .... 1-1 Virginia Tech ... ... .................... 1 - 1 Iowa . . ..... ..... ..... ... .. ..... ... .. ..... ... 1-1 Tennessee ....... ... .. ...... ......... .. .. 1-1 North Carolina .. ... .. ............... ... 1-2 Clemson . ......... .... . .. ... ........... ... 1-3 South Carolina . . ...... .... ..... ........ 0-1 Maryland .. ... ...... ..... .. ... .... ... ... .. 0 -1 Texas Tech ........ .......... .. .......... 0-1 Iowa State ... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ... 0-1 Florida ............... ...................... 0-1 lllinois ..... .... . ............................ 0-1 Georgia Tech ......... ........ .. ..... ... 0-2 Indiana ... ......... . ....................... 0-2 Mississippi State ... ..... ....... ...... 0-2
SP ORTS SPECTRUM - DECEMBER 199 9
2 9
Peach BollJI Flashback ~ Bq Clem Boqd
f you listen carefully enough, when the breeze is blowing in from the east you can still hear the crazed fans of the East Carolina Pirates screaming, "We believe!" That rallying cry became a call t o battle for the ECU football team in 1991. In that season, the Pirates demolished much-feared Southern Miss Golden Eagles-a team ECU had rarely beaten in the two schools' 40-year rivalry-by four touchdowns, 48-20. On January 1, 1992, the 12thranked Pirates stormed Atlanta for a Peach Bowl match-up with in-state foe North Carolina State, ranked 21st. It would be the last football game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. But the Pirates had a not -sosecret weapon that year in Jeff Blake, senior quarterback. He had set a school record for completions against Southern Miss with 27, tallying 361 yards and five TDs. Coming into the Peach Bowl, he had rocketed the ball for 3,073 yards and 28 TDs. He finished ninth in Heisman voting. But even though the Pirates and Blake rode a 10-game winning streak into Atlanta, they were still viewed as scurvy dogs by the national media. "Every game the whole year, we were the underdogs, regardless of what our record was- even when we were 9-1," says Blake, now QB with the Cincinnati Bengals. "We were 7-1 going to play Virginia Tech, and we were underdogs. To prove people wrong week in and week out made me feel real good." Blake would get one more chance to prove the naysayers mistaken. It would be East Carolina's first bowl appearance since the 1978 Independence Bowl. "We finally had the opportunity to play against a team in the state, something I had never 3 0
SPORTS SPECTRU M
Jetllllalle's ~el992
Peacla Bo'WI was Ids babocla.ctioa
to footbaU laDs aaoss the laD.d
.A Standard-setter. While playing for East Carolina, Jeff Blake set or tied 32 Pirate record s. Incredibly, he passed for 5,133 yards during his time at ECU.
done," Blake says of the matchup with the Wolfpack. "It was a great opportunity for us to prove ourselves as one of the best football schools in the state." But as the game progressed, things weren't going very well for the Pirates. With 2 minutes gone in the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack held a commanding 34-17 lead. On top of that, Blake had ---::::::!""'oo~A
injured the thumb on his throwing hand, leaving him with four working digits. "When you're playing , your adrenaline is pumping so hard and a lot of times you won't even feel injuries like that until after the game," Blake says. "That didn't hinder me that much. Mentally I was strong enough to overcome the pain and continue to play." And play he did. In the last 13 minutes, Blake completed 15 of 21 passes for 148 yards, throwing for two TDs and running fo r another. A favorite target was tight end Luke Fisher, who caught the winning TD, a 22-yard pass with 1:32 left in the game. The Pirates had commandeered the game, 37-34. "I can't describe how you feel with somet hing like that" says Fisher, who finished with a Peach Bowl record 12 receptions. PHOTO BV SPORTFOUO
"Jeff and I just had this thing going," Fisher continues. "He'd give me a nod, and you could sense what would happen. We had this you-can-count-on-me kind of relationship. We knew we could count on each other." After the amazing comeback, the Pirates had to endure one last Wolfpack drive. Starting at their own 29, NC State marched to the ECU 31 . But instead of a Hail Mary pass for a possible game-winner, NC State coach Dick Sheridan opted for a gametying field goal attempt. Kicker Damon Hartman's 49-yard try veered wide right. The Pirates had completed an unforgettable comeback and a stunning season. "It was so loud," Blake remembers. "And there were aU those 1 believe' streamers. To come back and win like that made it an even more spectacular day." In the end, Blake had passed for a Peach Bowl record four TDs. That performance will probably make the former Pirate QB a hero in North Carolina for the rest of his days. "No matter what I'm doing now, people always go back to that game," he says. Of course the Peach Bowl holds a special place in Blake's heart. To today's players he says, "Treasure each second. Especially if it's the college's first bowl game in a decade or more. If you win that game, that college will always remember. Th ey will always talk about that game." Listen. You can still hear it.
Clem Boyd is a freelance writer who lives in Beavercreek, Ohio.
Straight Talk With . .. ----------------------------
. . Cll_d__ati_a_D Running Back, Atlanta Falcons Called "best blocker I've ever seen" by Coach Dan Reeves Once held Northwestern University rushing record (2,643 yards) rowing up, I was a pretty good kid. I tried to follow my parents' standards, which included going to Sunday school and church. Until I was 14, I had a lot of "head" knowledge about God. I believed He existed and sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. But I never knew it in my heart until the night I attended a Phil Driscoll concert. The place was packed, but it seemed like Phil was talking to me personally. In reality, God spoke through this talented trumpet player. Between tunes, Driscoll preached. His message got through, especially this part: "God knows everything," he said. "I can believe that," I nodded. "God knows what's best for you," Driscoll continued. "Well. if God knows everything, He's gotta know what's best for me," I agreed. "If God knows what's best for you, why don't you give your life to Him?" he asked. 路 "Oh, that makes sense," I thought, "but ... " That's when pride started battling my spirit. One part of me reasoned that giving my life to Christ was the right thing to do. But another argued, "Hey, I'm a pretty good guy." Finally, I realized that no matter how many good things I had done, or how many people I could favorably compare myself to, I still had sin in my life. Without Jesus I was totally lost. That night, my younger brother and I prayed to receive Christ as our Savior and Lord. Life changed immediately. Inwardly I had a special relationship with God. I started reading the Bible almost ev~ry night and was amazed at the answers it provided. Now I had a purpose- more than just pleasing my parents or getting good grades. And as I grew older, I knew there was more to life than finding a good job. I had the hope of a
noble calling that will last forever. A lot of people say, "Oh, playing pro sports would just be incredible." But how much more important is it to work for the Creator of the universe, the Lord of lords? There have been many highlights of my walk of faith with Jesus. Few are as dramatic as an Athletes In Action trip I took to South Africa nearly 2 years ago. In such unlikely places as a Capetown sports bar, we saw "macho men" tum their hearts toward Christ. Some people think real men can't be Christians. That isn't true. If you're searching for true meaning, you can begin a relationship with God today. Say this prayer: God, I acknowledge that I've sinned against You. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to make it possible for me to have salvation. Lord, I receive that gift and ask You to forgive my sins. I put my trust in You for my salvation. Jesus, I ask You to come into my life and take control. Amen.
-. I
Freelance writer Ken Walker assisted Bob Christian with this article.
FJtee B ooldet If you want to read more about this idea of a relationship with God,
ask for the free RBC Ministries booklet What Is A Personal Relationship With God? Write to Sports Spectrum Booklet Offer, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. Ask for the booklet by title and this number: 00103.
"I
Super Outreachl Nearly 6, 500 Super Bowl outreach parties, attended by more than 400,000 people, were held last January-with nearly 10,000 decisions for Christ indicated! Host your own outreach party this January using the Sports Outreach America Super BowlT" Party kit. This year's video features two Super Bowl champions from the Denver Broncos, MARK SCHLERETH and TONY JONES, along with inspiring messages from people associated with the Columbine High School tragedyall sharing the message of hope found in Christ.
Call today to order:
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1-800-BOWL-PARTY
www.sport.org/sb/
(1-800-289-5727) DSB12
Discovery House Publi shers Box 37 120 Boone, l A 50037-0 120
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID RADIO BIBLE CLASS
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