2009 winter by Sports Spectrum

For "live" game day coverage get SIRIUS Satellite Radio and listen to FamilyNet Channel161 for courtside action ...GAME ON! BAYLOR BEARS Men's Basketball 2008-2009 SCHEDULE (subject to change) Date

Opponent I Event

Location

Time

01 /02/09

vs. South Carolina TV

Waco, Texas

4:30 p.m. CT

01/10/09

vs. Texas Tech * TV

Waco, Texas

12:45 p.m. CT

at Texas A&M * TV

College Station, Texas

8:30 p.m. CT

vs. Oklahoma State * TV

Waco, Texas

12:45 p.m. CT

at Kansas State * TV

Manhattan, Kan.

8:00p.m. CT

at Oklahoma TV

Norman, Okla.

3:00p.m. CT

vs. Texas * TV

Waco, Texas

8:00p.m. CT

at Missouri TV

Columbia, Mo.

5:00p.m. CT

vs. Kansas * TV

Waco, Texas

8:00p.m. CT

at Texas Tech TV

Lubbock, Texas

7:00p.m. CT

vs. Oklahoma TV

Waco, Texas

8:00p.m. CT

vs. Texas A&M * TV

Waco, Texas

5:00p.m. CT

at Oklahoma State * TV

Stillwater, Okla.

12:45 p.m. CT

at Iowa State * TV

Ames, Iowa

8:00p.m. CT

vs. Colorado * TV

Waco, Texas

3:00p.m. CT

atTexas TV

Austin, Texas

8:00p.m. CT

vs. Nebraska * TV

Waco, Texas

3:00p.m. CT

at Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship

Oklahoma City, Okla.

TBA

at Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship

Oklahoma City, Okla.

TBA

Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship 03/11/09

at Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship Oklahoma City, Okla.

TBA

at Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship Oklahoma City, Okla.

TBA

For more information visit www.familynetradio.com or www.sirius.com

SIRIUS~/ FAMILY NET

SATELLITE RADIO

CONTENTS FEATURES

!!'.!!!hf'SN.;

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CLOSEUP: Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner; Pittsburgh Penguins' Jordan Staal (p10); University of Texas' Colt McCoy (p12); Penn State's Jordan Norwood (p14); Washington State coach Tony Bennett (p1&); New Zealand runner Nick Willis (p1B) Derrick Brooks: 100 Percent Future Hall of Fame line-

backer Derrick Brooks is in elite company in the NFL, and he has cemented his standing in the community with various projects-but it started with his commitment to Christ BY BOB BELLONE

Jeff Saturday: The 55 Interview

42 .:r.. 'I ·:"

Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday talks about spiritual goals, his early-season injury, and playing for Tony Dungy WITH FRANK GIARDINA

Sports Mom: 5 Ways to Pray for Your Children

When your ath lete is in the heat of battle, is there a right or wrong way to pray? Is God really concerned about wins and losses ... or something much bigger? BY GWEN DIAZ -------- - -- --- -------- ~~~~J~-~-------- ----------------- ---------- ------- ----- - ---------------I

Aaron Rodgers: Out of the Shadows Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers went through a lot of scrutiny this past summer, but he maintained

~~~~~---------------- -~ :~~~-~-c-~: ~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~ -~~ ~~~~~ _:>~~!.:':'~-------- -Elliott Mealer: Purpose from Pain

University of Michigan football player Elliott Mealer shares the events of the Christmas Eve night that changed his life forever BY JEFF ARNOLD

Mike Jarvis: Owl in the Family Florida Atlantic basketball coach Mike Jarvis goes from a troubled past to a new beginning BY J OSHUA COOLEY

__ - - - - - ____________ -~.!Y...J£l''!!:'~L"l~~l"!:'·- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Frazee Triplets: Crazee Good

The Frazee triplets, together for their last season, are known for winning-and servanthood

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f Thomas Kinkade: Different Strokes

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He has touched numerous people with his beautiful landscape paintings-now he enters the world of sports landscapes BY SHAWN A. AKERS

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DEPARTMENTS

WEB SITE: www. Sport$Spec trum. com

SPORTS SPECTRUM • WINTER 200 9

Chrises Church of the Valley

PhoeniX, Arizona April 22-24, 2009

DR. DON WILSON Founder, Christ's Church ojthe Valley.

The Association of Church

our various ministries. The

Sports and Recreation

main sessions and dozens

Cofounder, International

Ministers invites you to

of workshops will cater to

Sports Leadership School

attend the 13th annual

the individualized needs

Sports Ministry Summit

of the sports minister.

to be held at Christ's

Additionally, there will be

Church of the Valley near

plenty of opportunities

Phoenix, Arizona. We

for you to renew, refresh,

have a strong lineup of

learn, and play! Consider

speakers to challenge and

yourself personally invited

inspire us to excellence in

to experience The 2009 Summit in the Valley of the Sun.

CASSIE CARSTENS

STEVE CONNOR

Sports Outreach International Alsofeaturing worship leader Scott Meng. Visit www. csrmsummit. o for more information.

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g T I O N OFCHURCRSH SPORTS AND RECREATION MINISlt

AIRING IT OUT BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

Foa-giving When It Haats ability to admit his wrong was the key to the Panthers' success up to that point (with four games left in the season, Carolina was 9-3 and tied for third-best in the NFL). They even mentioned that it saved the Panthers' season. I agree to a point, and it's refreshing that they noticed. But I also think if Carolina wasn't successful on the field, they would still be successful off the field because Lucas and Smith demonstrated how we should act-as believers and as human beings.

everal questions raced through my mind when I heard about Steve Smith sucker-punching teammate Ken Lucas and breaking Lucas' nose during the Carolina Panthers training camp this past summer. (Smith was later suspended for the first two games of the 2008-09 season.)

Why would anyone do that to a teammate? Was he provoked? I heard that Steve Smith was a Christian, so how could he do that? When we ask questions like that, we seemingly forget about King David (guilty of adultery, murder) and all the other misfits whom God has chosen to use throughout time. But I'd already placed the dot at the end of that last question mark before I caught myself and realized what I had said. For some reason, I held Smith to a higher standard than others or even myself. Remember, we are fallen beings and God knows we will sin. That's why He lets us know what to do when we sin. I John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It's not an excuse to sin, but it is God's promise to cleanse us when we confess our sin to Him.

& Reconciled. Wide receiver Steve Smith (89) heads back to the bench with the ball after scoring on a 56-yard TO against the Atlanta Falcons on September 28, 2008, In Charlotte. Smith had thrown the ball Into the stands, but got it back from the fan and gave it to teammate and cornerback Ken Lucas.

When I heard how Lucas handled the situation (he forgave Smith), and the grace that was shown, I was disappointed in myself for not being like him. But, I was also thankful that someone like Lucas was the one who was hit so that he could show the rest of our society the correct way to respond-which was like Christ taught us in the gospels. "I go to Bible study, just like

he does, every week," said Lucas in an interview with reporters a few days after the incident. "For me not to be able to forgive him, then I'd be wasting my time going to Bible study." "Where I get the courage and the grace to (forgive), I know it doesn't come from me. It comes from God. So I just give all the glory to God for how I'm handling the situation."

WEB SITE : www.S portsSptctrum.com

They also showed the correct response to their teammates, who acknowledged that the simple act of forgiveness and admitting a wrong caused unity - not only within the team but between two men who had held things against each other for three seasons prior to the incident. Lucas and Smith called each other "friends" in interviews following the fight.

Smith in tum said he was wrong and "fallen." It was a good choice of words and a good reminder to admit faults (James 5:16) and remember our sinful state as human beings. About midway through the season, Sports fllustrated and ESPN The Magazine wrote about the incident and said Lucas' ability to forgive and Smith's

When we do what God teaches us (forgive, admit wrong), we always come out on topagain, not necessarily on the outside (success of the team), but on the inside (ability and desire to call each other friends). No matter the outcome on the field (playoffs or no playoffs), what mattered was their obedience to God and His desire to see them be like Christ, who we think of even more this time of year because of His birth which gave men hope in a hopeless situation. 0

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Brett Honeycutt was a sportswriter and copy ·- ,-·-·· editor at The Charlotte Observer for 10 years before becoming the new Managing Editor of Sports Spectrum magazine. SPORTS SPECTRUM -

WINTER 2009

Jordan Staal PITTSBURGH PENGUINS STAR JORDAN STAAL GREW UP WITH THREE OTHER BROTHERS WHO PLAYED HOCKEY AND WITH PARENTS WHO MADE SURE THEIR SONS KNEW ABOUT GOD. un, but challenging. That's what Jordan Staal said it was like playing in the Stanley Cup Finals last year. That's understandable since it came from someone who was 19 at the time and a second-year pro. He grew up daydreaming of playing for The Cup one day like any other Canadian boy with a hockey stick in his hand. "It was tough," says Staal when asked about playing in the Stanley Cup Finals at such a young age. "When you're playing, you're kind of in a whirlwind and focusing on the next game. It's kind of shocking how fun it is .. . It was definitely a wonderful experience, but it wasn't how we wanted to finish off the series." Pittsburgh dropped the best-of-7 series to the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2, but it was the Penguins' first Stanley Cup appearance since 1992 when they won the second of two consecutive titles. So, with young stars like Staal, 21-year-old Sidney Crosby and 22-year-old Evgeni Malkin, a return trip is in their minds. "Our motto is to 'Keep Climbing:" Says Staal, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound center who was the second overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft and made the NHL All-Rookie team in 2007. "We feel we can do it all over again. The main thing is to come together as a team." Growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, it was hard to escape the team aspect because he had three other brothers who also played. Eric, who is 24 years old, is with the Carolina Hurricanes, Marc, 21, plays for the New York Rangers, and Jared, 18, was drafted by Phoenix in the 2008 NHL"entry draft. A. Staa/-warts: Jordan (L), Eric, Marc, and Jared (not pictured) They also encourage each other in their faith, which was Staal keep each other on track and grounded in their faith. key growing up in the Staal household. , "We try to help each other out a little bit," Jordan says. "Everyone has their faults. As brothers, we try to keep each other positive and keep us all on the right track and keep moving forward." ~! Their faith journey began with their parents, who sent their sons to a Christian school, attended church and had family devotions around the dinner table. ~l "It was always around us," says Jordan. ~路 Just like the expectations for this year's team. 0 - BRETT HONEYCUTT

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SPOR TS SPECTRU M - WINT ER 2009

TO S UBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPEC TR UM' CALL 1 路 866 路 8 2 1路297 1

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SPORTS SP EC TRUM - WINTER 2009

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Colt McCoy INSPIRED BY HIS GRANDPARENTS AND HIS LOVE FOR GOD, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS QUARTERBACK COLT MCCOY USED HIS SPRING BREAK FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS ETERNALLY BENEFICIAL ike most college football coordinator Greg Davis. "Since I was players, Colt McCoy's prepara- younger, my grandparents, each tion for this season began summer, have gone on a medical in the spring. Unlike mission trip to Africa ... and they most players, though, really enjoyed it." McCoy, along with 14 others, taught part of McCoy's preparation took place in another country-on a mission more than 200 children, ages 6 to 11 field nearly 3,000 miles from campus. years old, how to play football, basket"It wasn't your typical college ball, volleyball, baseball and soccer. spring break," said McCoy, a 6' 3", They also shared their faith and taught 210-pound star quarterback who took Bible lessons. For McCoy's friends, his spring adventhe eight-day trip during a break in spring practice. "But it was something ture wasn't a surprise. "Most of my close friends know who worth my while. I had some lifechanging experiences. I wouldn't I am. Most of my teammates know change anything." who I am," he said. "Being a Christian, Before McCoy's junior season began, sharing my faith, and living for Christ, his name was all over the University of is important." Texas record books for nearly anything Several things that impacted McCoy related to passing. After were intertwined in this season, he will own what his grandparents or be close to owning told him about the most of those records. poverty. But part of McCoy's "They had no idea spring preparation that we had cars, that involved more than we had houses, that we have beds we learning new plays, working on old ones, sleep in every night," or working to get his he said of the chilbody in shape. dren. "We have a He had a spiritual closet full of clothes, workout, so to speak, they have one pair. by traveling to the To be able to look at jungles of Peru and them and see how ministering to children .a. McJoy: Colt learned a new joy happy and satisfied from the children of Peru before they are with what in a village off the the 2008 season. Above: McCoy they have, they know Amazon River. exults after the 45-35 win over The inspiration for nothing else, that's Oklahoma at Texas on Oct 11. the trip came when all they know." McCoy was a child and he would listen "In my mind when I went over there, to his grandparents talk about going to I thought I was giving something back Africa during the summer. They would and that I was going to go over there tell him how different the culture was and share with them and give them an and that he would be shocked by experience they never had, which hapthe poverty if he ever chose to pened. But in all reality when I came go to a third-world country. back and looked back on it, they ''I've always wanted to go on taught me so much that I never had a mission trip," said McCoy, who expected to learn." 0 had the blessing of Texas head - BRETT HONEYCUTT coach Mack Brown and offensive SPORTS SP EC TRUM 路 WI NTE R 20 09

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Jordan Norwood JORDAN NORWOOD IS PART OF A TRIO OF RECORD-SETTING RECEIVERS FOR BIG I 0 CHAMPION PENN STATE, BUT HIS SUCCESS ON AND OFF THE FIELD CAN BE TRACED BACK TO A SIMPLE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE. ordan Norwood's faith is The trio translated that success into what defines him. Not his three consecutive victories in bowl success on the field, where games-the first time that had haphe's one of the best recei- pened since winning four straight from vers in Penn State history, 1993-1996- and more than 40 victories or in the classroom, where in four seasons. It was also the first he had already completed time Penn State had at least four conhis degree and garnered secutive winnings seasons since it reeled two academic AU-Big 10 off 11 consecutive from 1989-1999. honors before the season began. The reason it was so remarkable is "It's meant a tremendous amount. because the trio helped reverse a Pretty much everything, on and off the trend for the Nittany Lions, who had field," says Norwood, when asked how four of five losing seasons (26-33 from much his relationship with God meant. 2000-2004) and three consecutive "God is a big part of my life, whether ninth-place finishes in the Big 10 praising Him in times or triumph, or before they arrived. leaning on Him in times of struggle. That same type of teamwork also He basically is my best helped Norwood spiritufriend. A lot of times ally. He attributed the you don't have anyone encouragement of other to tum to. He's the believers as the reason only one there on a the last four years were consistent basis." so productive. Norwood, a 5-foot"That's one of the 11, 171-pounder who things that make this is projected to go in team so good, really" the sixth or seventh he says. "We have a round of the NFL strong fellowship, draft, didn't have to strong Christian faith. travel far to play for We have a lot of faith _. A Penn State of mind: Jordan the Nittany Lions. credits the Lions' share of suc- beyond our abilities After playing high and talents ... There's cess to their faith. school football at a lot of fellowship that State College Area High, within walking goes on with this team. I think that's , distance of Penn State, Norwood accept- one of the keys to success on this ed a scholarship to play for the Nittany team this year." Lions and would become part of the When asked what advice he would best trio of receivers in school history. give other Christian athletes so they Norwood, Deon Butler and Derrick could stay grounded in their faith in a Williams each had at least 40 catches secular environment, he says: "A little during their sophomore season in phrase we've used in Athletes in Action 2006- the first time three receivers is to 'Play for an audience of One: That's each had that many catches in the obviously to play for God and let God 120 years that Penn State had fielded take care of everything else. Use the a football team. During the 2007 talents and use the abilities and be the season, they duplicated the feat. In best that God can have you be." 2008, they threatened the milestone Which is what he's been doing since once more and were part of one of the he arrived. 0 - BRETT HONEYCUTT highest-scoring offenses in the nation, averaging around 40 points per game.

NCAA BASKETBALL CLOSEUP

Tony Bennett WASHINGTON STATE COACH TONY BENNETT USES FIVE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES PASSED DOWN FROM HIS DAD, AND THOSE PRINCIPLES HAVE HELPED THE COUGARS THRIVE ON AND OFF THE COURT t was the annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes luncheon at the Final Four, and Tony Bennett was asked to speak. As he was pondering what he should say, he started thinking about what had happened in his first two years as head men's basketball coach at Washington State. "I just sat and the Lord just fed to me, 'Take notice of what's happened over the last two years in this program. Forget the worldly success or the basketball successes'- and that's been amazing and I'm so thankful for it- 'but let's just take a look and see the lives that have changed."' he said. Bennett was right about the basketball success, as a lot has changed for Washington State over the last two years. In Bennett's first season (20062007) he led the team to a 26-8 overall record, compared to 11-17 the year before, and he also led the team to its first NCAA tournament since 1994. In his second season (2007-2008), Bennett coached the team to a 26-9 mark and to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The resurgence of Washington State to basketball prominence was rooted in Bennett's father, Dick Bennett, who took over the program in 2003. In his first season, Dick Bennett guided the team to a six win improvement from the previous year. As a wise son would do, Tony Bennett learned a lot from his father on how to coach basketball. Dick Bennett used five Biblical principles as the foundation for his teams. 路Now these principles-humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness-are written surrounding a cougar head in the Washington State locker room, and Tony Bennett is serious about applying them to his program and to himself. "The challenge you have in our profes' sion, and in any profession, but I just know coaching, is to really try to coach and walk and act in a manner that is worthy of Christ," he said. In the last two seasons with Tony Bennett as head coach, these principles have greatly impacted the Washington State basketball program, and the results go way beyond the court. "We had a number of guys, players give their life to Christ- a couple of coaches, managers, players' girlfriends. It's been & Bennett-ficiary: Tony learned really awesome to see that happen," he well at the feet of father and said. "And I don't say that to say 'oh look coach Dick Bennett. His Cougars have made how many and brag: It has nothing to do appearances into the NCAA with that. It's just really awesome to stand tourney in his first two seaback and see God at work." 0 sons, using five Bible-based - DAVID NOELL

principles.

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Nick Willis DESPITE NICK WILLIS' SUCCESS ON THE WORLD STAGE AND HIS STATUS IN HIS NATIVE NEW ZEALAND, HIS FAITH REMAINS THE CORE OF HIS BEING hen Nick Willis begins his track season at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on February 7, he'll do so with a little more notoriety- from competitors, spectators and fans of the sport. Willis ran to a stunning bronze medal performance in the 1,500 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to become the first New Zealander to medal in the event in 32 years. Winning the medal shocked insiders because he only had the 13th best time among competitors before the games. But it was his faith and confidence in his ability that helped him stay focused. "My faith is a huge, huge part of it aU," said Willis, who is 25 and trains in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "It's the most important thing in my life. It helps orchestrate who I am as a man, as a husband and as an athlete." If you watched the Olympic final, you probably saw Willis raise his hands as he crossed the finish line. Then you probably wondered "Why would someone who finished third act like he won?" Growing up, Willis didn't understand either. In his native New Zealand, where the sport of running is revered, Willis grew up watching old Olympic footage of world record miters Herb Elliott (Australia), Peter Snell (New Zealand), Jim Ryun (United States) and John Walker (New Zealand). One thing that stuck with Willis was the joy of the third-place finisher. He remembers laughing because he couldn't understand why anyone would be so excited to finish two places from first.

As Willis improved as a teenager, the media heightened expectations. Comparisons were made to former New Zealand Olympic greats like Snell (gold in 1964), John Davies (bronze, 1964), Rod Dixon (bronze, 1972) and Walker (gold, 1976). Those expectations heightened in 2001, when, at 17, Willis ran 4 minutes, 1.33 seconds to break the New Zealand high school record in the mile. Two years later, in October of 2003, while in college at the University of Michigan, his life changed. "I finally submitted to God's pleas and I invited Him to come into my life," Willis said. "It's been a great journey as Christ has chiseled away the areas of my life to make me more and more like Him every day." "It's very easy to be driven by worldly success, but Christ has really showed me the rewards to trust in Him." Four years after his record-setting high school mile, he fulfilled some of the expectations when he became the fastest in New Zealand history for 1,500 meters. He ran 3:32.38 to break Walker's 32-year-old national record of 3:32.4, and lowered it agam in 路t 2006, when he ran 3:32.17. That joy of finishing third? He finally understood after the Olympic final, and it spread over into fellow New Zealanders. When Willis traveled there in October with wife Sierra, he went. on a 2 Y2week, 10-city tour, including his hometown of Lower Hutt, to visit and speak at schools and running clubs, sign autographs, and show off his medal. This season's focus will be on the World Championships in Berlin, August 15-23, when he's hoping for another chance to express his joy. 0 - BRETT HON EYCUTT

SPO RT S SPEC TRUM - WI NTER 2009

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UP NEXT

A new geaemtion of winllen WRITTEN AND COMP ILED BY JIM GIBBS

MALCOLM JENKINS: Found out what satisfies • When he was on the football field in high school, Malcolm Jenkins seemed to have it all. His high school football team had won three state championships and he was easily one of the best players on those teams. His whole life was football and if the name of the game was winning championships, he and his teammates certainly had plenty to be happy about. Yet, despite three state titles, Jenkins, now a senior and a star cornerback at Ohio State University, still felt a huge void in his life. '1t was the strangest thing," he said. "My whole life had centered around football. It was aUI thought about every day of my life. Winning football games. Being successful on the football field. For most of my life, I thought that winning a state championship in high school would make me happy. Make me complete. But then, when we won one, I still felt empty. Then, we won another one. And that didn't do it, either. And then I thought that, surely, after we won that third championship that I would be happy." For the third straight year, a state championship failed to satisfy. '1t was at that point where I realized that, even though I loved football and it was a big part of my life, I knew it wasn't going to satisfy me and give me the joy and peace that I needed in my life." Some of his other team mates had felt the same way. What they had been doing to find joy in their 2 0

SPORTS SPICTR UM - WIN TER 2009

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• Find me in the end zone. Jenkins runs back an Interception at the 2008 BCS National Championship game.

lives was not working. It was time to try something else. "Several of us had heard about this church. that some of our friends were going to," Jenkins said. "We decided to visit that church one Sunday and see what that was all about. So we went and heard the Gospel of Christ and heard how Christ died on a cross to save us. Soon, myself

and several of my friends accepted Christ as our Savior and, suddenly, I found that peace and joy that had been missing for so long in my life. I was happy and I was contented. It was an amazing feeling." Soon, letters began rolling in from some of the top colleges in the country. Jenkins finally settled on Ohio State. "It's been incredible how

the Lord has blessed me," he said. "I never really thought about going to college until I started getting aU these scholarship offers. Ohio State is a great school to go to and fm really having fun playing football here." Opponents, however, are not as excited. When the 2008 season began, it was Jenkins' fourth straight year as a starter. And even before the season, he was a leading contender for the Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the best defensive back in NCAA Division I-A football. He was also first-team all-Big Ten as a sophomore and junior. And while he usually plays on the wide side of the field, he often moves around the field to cover the opponent's best receiver. Combine that with 4.3second speed in the 40-yd, dash and you have one of the stingiest defenders in college football. '1 never really pray that God will help us win or help me to make a big play," he said. "Instead, I pray that God will protect all the players on both teams and just help us to aUplay to the very best of our ability. To me, that's what sports are aU about." 0 -JIM GIBBS

PATRICK PINKNEY Football. Quarterback. Senior. East Carolina. Age 22.

Completed 64.4% of his passes in 2008. Opened his senior season as the starter after teaming with Rob Kass in 2007 to give East Carolina one of the nation's strongest rotating quarterbacking systems. Did not play in 2005 and 2006 because of injuries, but a strong spring per· formance earned him the starting job after coming back from multiple shoulder surgeries. In the 2008 regular season, he was 195 for 303 (64.4 percent) for 2,257 yards and 11 TOs. He also led East Carolina to the ConferenceUSA title game. HIGHLIGHT: "The highlight for me is just being able to go out and play college football every week." TOP VERSE: John 3:16; Ephesians 2:1 0 HIS STORY: "In high school, my parents shared the gospel with me and I accepted Christ as my savior. It was just at a point in my life where, not only did I realize that I needed a savior but also at a point in my life where I realized just how difficult life is without Christ. Life is tough enough when you do have Christ as your Savior, much less when you don't have him." KEY INGREDIENTS: "The things I that keep me strong the most are . just praying and hanging out with • other Christians." GOALS: "I'd like to play pro foot· ball someday, but if I don't get to do that I'd like to work with obese children. I am working on a degree in exercise sports science

TO SUBSCR I BE TO SPORTS SPICTR UM : CALL 1 · 866· 82 1 · 2971

and I'd really like to use my degree to help kids."

FAVORITE CHILL ACTIVITY: "I like to sit on the couch, prop my feet up and watch a little 1V I also like to play solitaire." ·

LIFE'S TOUGHEST MOMENT: "In high school, 1hurt my right shoulder pretty badly and 1 couldn't be on the field with my teammates. Thankfully, the Lord healed me and I was able to play football again." SPORTS HERO: "Michael Jordan. I just like the way he carried himself and the way he made all those around him better. Here's a guy that got cut from his high school basketball team and yet he became one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game."

TOP CHRISTIAN GROUPS: Fred Hammonds

ELAINE BREEDEN Swimming. Junior. 5-70. Stanford Universfty. Age 20

Beijing Olympics silver medalist. Won a silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as part of the 4 x 100 medley relay team. Also made Olympic final for the 200 butterfly and was the top American (seventh overall). Qualified for the Olympic team by finishing first in the 200 butterfly 1n 2:06.75 (breaking a 24-yearold Olympic Trials record) and second in the 100 butterfly. Won first two U.S. National titles in the 100 and 200 butterfly events at the 2005 Summer Nationals. Has one NCAA title and 12 All-American honors in various events. HIGHLIGHT: "Winning the Olympic Trials to qualify to compete in the Olympics was probably a bigger thrill actually winning a medal in the Olympics because, had I not qualified, I wouldn't have even gone

to the Olympics. So just being able to compete in China at the Olympics was a thrill." TOP VERSE: Matthew 5:16 HER STORY: "I really became committed to Christ in college. 1 had gone to church all of my life, but once I got to college I realized that I needed to have a personal relationship with Christ and it was in college that I really accepted Him as my Savior and dedicated my life to Him." KEY INGREDIENTS: "I like to study the Bible and also read Christian books." GOALS: "''d like to be a professional swimmer and 1 also hope to compete in the 2012 Olympics." FAVORITE CHILL ACTMTY: "I enjoy talking to my friends, reading a good book and sleeping."

LIFE'S TOUGHEST MOMENT: "Leaving my family to go to college was very difficult for me. I'm from Lexington, Kentucky so it was hard to move so far away."

SPORTS HERO AND WHY: ''()ympic Swimmer Josh Davis is probably one of my biggest heroes. He's very dedicated to his sport and is really an outstanding person." TOP CHRISTIAN GROUPS: "Chris Rice, Chris Tomlin and the David Crowder Band are just a few of the groups that I like."

peeled us to be there. So to finish in the top eight was really good." TOP VERSE: Matthew 6:34 HER STORY: "I grew up in an amazing church in my hometown of Marion, N.C. In the Methodist church I was dedicated to the Lord at a very young age. But during the summer between my

ANNA ATKINSON Basketball. 5-6 Guard. Senior. Wingate University, Wingate, N.C. Age 22.

seventh and eight grade year, I went to an FCA camp and 1saw what being a Christian was all about and I really just gave my whole life to Christ."

Twice All-American.

GOALS: "I'd like to be a dentist NCAA Division 11 All-American and someday. I got braces when 1 Academic All-American for 2007• was a kid and, ever since then 08, and was one of only three I've been fascinated by teeth Division 11 women's basketball dentistry." players to eam both last season. FAVORITE CHILL ACTMTY: Helped Wingate to the Elite Eight, "I love watching the Indianapolis was the Division 11 female scholarColts and San Antonio Spurs athlete of the year and the South play on lV." Atlantic Conference's female athLIFE'S TOUGHEST MOMENT: lete of the year. Last season, was "I lost my grandfather when 1 second in the nation in assisV was 13 years old and it was very turnover ratio (3.27 per game), difficult for me. He was a World third in assists (8.3 per game) and War II veteran and just had a fifth in steals (3.7 per game). Led huge impact on my life. He was a team with 14.8 points per game POW and won the Purple Heart and set league record with 125 and Bronze Star medals and was steals. Her 281 assists was secjust an amazing person." ond-most all-time in league history. SPORTS HERO AND WHY: "Pat A biology major, she has a 4.0 GPA. Tillman. What he did and what he RIGJDJGHTS: "Last year, we gave up for his country was just made it to the (Division II) . . . . .·l L. · unbelievable." Elite 8 and nobody exTOP CHRISTIAN GROUP: Nicole C. Mullins

a~d

PRO and CON

"Should a CIRistian youth athlete aniss chu...ch fo:l' spoll'ts activities?11

"I am probably addicted

"I have no problem telling

to the NFL."

you to stay in church."

ou get to know someone well when you co-author a column with them over a number of years. There are phone calls, e-mails, and even the occasional visit. What I've learned is that Allen Palmeri and I are pretty conservative. In the beginning it was understood that he was the older theologian, and one fact: By any mainstream I was the young envelope-pusher. definition of "addiction," I am It turns out we're both a little on probably addicted to the NFL. I the curmudgeonly side. can't wait to get home from Another small, not-so-secret, church, get situated in front of is that we often agree on these my television, and spend hours Pro and Cons, and one of us watching chemically-enhanced animals pound each other for my has to take one for the team and argue a position he doesn't entertainment. I also can't wait agree with. Usually this doesn't to neurotically check my fantasy matter because sometimes the team to make sure I'm winning. I issues have a comfortable degree sulk and get cranky when I lose. of ambiguity. So I ask, is that any more It's with that large caveat that noble than taking little Johnny I introduce my answer to this to his super-important-or-hellPro and Con, which concerns a never-make-the-NHL hockey commandment-remember the tournament? Shall I remove the Sabbath and keep it holy-that plank from my eye before worrywe were both unwilling to break. . ing about the junior-hockey stick I can't imagine any Double Plat- sized speck in my brother's eye? inurn-Triple A-Elite-Youth (insert I honestly don't know if I1l soccer, hockey) Tournament that quit watching the NFL on Sunday is more important than the (less likely) or quit playing fanSabbath. We desperately need tasy football (more likely), just perspective in youth sports, and like you probably won't stop perspective starts with parents chauffeuring your kids to their who have enough courage and Sunday sports activities. But if respect for scripture to obey a this assignment did anything, it simple commandment meant to made me re-examine my Sundays refresh our bodies and souls. in light of the Sabbath command. But in my challenge to think And it made me appreciate the about this issue, I couldn't escape easy topics. 0

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his topic was so hard that Ted and I agreed not to do it due to the fact that our new editor was inheriting it from our previous editor, who had assigned it before bowing out. But then Ted decided to do it anyway, which left me no choice but to write the oh-soobvious Con-stay in church. Ted has taught me so much over the years with these topics. More often than not he has chosen to sacrifice himself, like a fullback picking up a blitzing linebacker or a power forward setting a pick. Typically, I have been the quarterback stepping up in the pocket to throw for a touchdown or the shooting guard curling around the screen for an easy mid-range jump shot. Now you know who should get a lot of the credit for making this product work. We have been outed. Sometimes we are nothing more than a couple of lawyers sitting around a courtroom figuring out which party to represent. We are lawyers who will take

I SAY WHAT? Would you like to respond? Send a note I tO edltOr@sportsspe~trUffi.COffi. \~e'd l~ve tO hear whatyouthmkaboutthtstoptc.

a case that we don't believe in just because we are lawyers. We believe in the system, and the system demands that we respect the ideal of both sides having a point of view-even if the defendant, by aU apparent evidence, would appear to be a murderer. By God's grace, I've even had fun when I've found myself in this position, like the time I wrote a "redneck defense" of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning just because "the Yankees" were picking on him. So Ted and I have no problem telling you that you ought to stay in church. Now Ted has chosen to confess his Sunday sins, and I have my share as well, but the duty on this half of the page is to preach the truth. Honor the Sabbath. Keep it holy. Touchdown! Swish! It's a no-brainer. The fact that Ted even tried to argue the Pro side simply amazes me. Do y~u play albngside an unselfish teammate? Thank him. Hug her. You need their effort to succeed in every sports activity that is scheduled on nights when you do not have church. Teammates like that make Jesus smile. 0

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COURTESY: TEO KLUCK

2 2

SPORTS SPECTRUM - WINTER 2009

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OUT OF UNIFORM CHECKING OUT ATHLETES OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY • BY JENNA SAMPSON

What did you. do with youw Olyanpic m.edal? • All eyes were on Beijing last summer as Americans cheered on the nearly 600 U.S. athletes who proudly represented the red, white and blue. Our athletes brought home II 0 medalsmore than any other country! Few of us have ever had the opportunity to see an Olympic medal up close, so here are a few interesting facts: • A gold medal isn't completely gold! It actually consists of a 92.5% silver base with a coating of 6 grams of 24-carat gold. • Each Olympic medal must be at least 70mm across and 6mm thick.

• Since 1928, the front of the medal has featured "Nike," Greek goddess of victory. • The backs of the 2008 medals include a jade inlay, which represents beauty and excellence in the Chinese culture. Ever wonder what athletes end up doing with their medals when they return home? We asked some of our Olympians for all of the details, including their favorite post-Olympic appearances. More importantly, these men and women honor Christ as they compete on the world's highest athletic stage.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

• At 6'11" NBA superstar Dwight Howard is our tallest Olympic athlete. He helped lift the USA men's basketball team to gold against Spain and plans to keep his medal "in a safe P.lace," he says. "I've worn it a couple of times, but the first thing I did was bite it to make sure it was actually real. Honestly, I just keep it at horne so I can look at it every day." The red neck band is starting to show some wear from his appearances, including basketball camps and events for McDonald's, but the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk champion doesn't mind. "It's just tight to say that I represented my country," adds Dwight. "It's great to know that I'm a part of history." 2 4

SPORTS SPEC TRUM - WINT ER >009

• On the women's side, WNBA hoopsters Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) and Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs) both played a big part in earning gold. They're on opposing teams during the regular season, but gladly took a break to compete for the USA Women's Basketball Team. It turned out to be a whirlwind week! After standing on the medal podium as the national anthem played, of the players had to catch a flight home to continue the season. "We didn't have a chance to relax and decornpres.s after we...won but seven of us were lucky to have an off day to participate or\ the Oprah show," says Kara. "It was fun seeing my Olympic teammates again, as well as some of the other athletes." Kara eventually flew back to Washington D.C. in late fall for some special appearances. "I got to show my medal to all of my friends and family, visit my old neighborhood, my old high school, and my '"""'"""~• tary school to show the kids my medal," she adds. "Then I stored it away for safe keeping!" Tarnika celebrated her team's success with a "Gold Medal Cell~br<ltionl• through her Catch the Stars Foundation in Indianapolis (The foundation motivates at-risk youth to achieve their dreams and goals by pro· viding positive academic and athletic programs). Later that night, her medal drew quite a crowd during a quick dinner stop at TGI Friday's. "My boyfriend and I were sitting at the bar placing a to-go order ani there were some people talking about the Olympics. My boyfriend told 1 them I was an Olympian and that I had just gotten back from Beijing. The sports fans begged to see the gold medal! TO SU BSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 1 · 866·821 ·2 91

. ~ ·... ·. ·... ... .... ...

"I don't think I've seen five guys move that fast in a long time! They were all over the medal and trying to take pictures with me," she says. "It was cool to be .\ . . /"'..."" able to share a moment with .• •e ~ complete strangers over some• ' :' ··.,. .· 7 < I r: ·I thing that brings the whole world together." · · · ·~ ;, . ~ ) \ Now Tamika is less likely to keep :\ , < ' the medal with her and prefers to ~ keep it tucked away next to her ; ·. ... ·. • ' 1 2004 gold medal in a specially .:.-_ ~ . - . ~ designed display box courtesy of ' . • <i ~ . --~ : Nike. This is much to the chagrin i ·. , ' ~ j of her boyfriend, who enjoyed LAWSO1 ~ having her wear it out on the town -mostly because of the free desserts they received at restaurants. Tarnika has been a guest speaker at several special events, including the Indiana Housing and Community Development Association Conference. '1t was awesome to see the impact that this gold medal makes on people."

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TRACK &

FIELD

• USA Track and Field sensation Allyson Felix grabbed gold as a member of the women's 4x400-meter relay team-a nice addition to the 200 meter silvers from both Beijing and Athens in 2004. "My mom keeps all of my medals," she says. "I actually don't have any in my house! I feel like my parents have sacrificed so much for me to get where I am that it's only fitting they keep them." Even so, her medal does leave the house every now and then. Allyson makes regular appearances as a newly appointed ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals and medical research. She also took a trip across the pond to appear at London's famed Fashion Week. The trend for fall must have been gold! And of course, she brought it to church to show her friends who faithfully cheered her on as she competed.

• Decathlete Bryan Clay, arguably the greatest athlete in the world, delivered gold for the U.S. with the greatest victory margin {240 pts.) in the decathlon since 1972-despite extreme weather conditions in Beijing rangirg from rain to 100-degree heat during competition. He keeps both his gold medal and the silver medal from Athens 2004 in an appropriate place-his sock drawer! "The gold is much heavier than the silver medal I got in Athens," Bryan says. "They're gorgeous medals! Mine are getting a little tattered, but that's okay." If he medals in 2012, he1l be the first decathlete in history to medal three times- an amazing feat! • Fellow track star Stephanie Brown-Trafton finally ended the long drought in women's discus for the U.S. with her surprise gold medal. Previously, she had never qualified for a world championship, or won a national championship. "It was a boost in the arm for USA Track and Field as well as their internal development programs," she says. "They have supported me through years of injury and sub-par performances, and now I'm happy to share this accomplishment with them." "In 2008, it was an awesome year from the very beginning. I had great performances from day one, with personal bests at four different meets, leading the world performance list, and winning the highest praise the sport can offer," she adds. Her gold medal is so treasured that Stephanie's husband keeps it in a really secure place: the safe! "He is a little paranoid that our house will bum down and we will lose it. I still have to ask him how to open up the safe when I need to get it for a speaking engagement, because I can't remember the combo." • A big congratulations goes out to the men and women

who represented our country proudly and honored us with their hard work and excellence. 0 WEB SITE: www.Spo rts Spt ctrum .com

SPOR TS SPECTRU M - WIN TER 2009

2 5

THE COACHING ZONE BY STEPHAN IE ZONARS

The Buckeye Way any folks love to hate the Ohio State Buckeyes, as evidenced by an ESPN.com story this past summer that ranked Ohio State as the college football program fans love to hate. Regardless of which side of the fence you fall on when it comes to Ohio State, you can't argue that coach Jim Tressel is doing something right. After four NCAA Division J-AA national championships at Youngstown State, he led the Buckeyes to the 2002 national title and appearances in the last two BCS championship games. Central to his philosophy is a commitment to develop his players both on and off the field. Most coaches share that same commitment, yet the systematic, intentional approach Tressel outlines in the book The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life is worth noting. He created a visual-the "Block 0 of Life"-to remind him and his team of six key components of life. The Block 0, Tressel states on page 18, "doesn't necessarily make my purpose and goals easier to accomplish, but it does make life more observable." Life in our sensory-overloaded society demands that we consistently remind ourselves of our "most important things" in order to stay on track. Definitely step one in winning at life. PURPOSE

FOOTBALL FAMILY

GOALS

PURPOSE VS. GOALS Purpose, he says on page 19, establishes "the importance of becoming whole people, not just good football players." The three areas under the Purpose heading reflect who we are and determine our success in life, while the areas that fall under Goals describe what we do. In a youth sports culture where even first graders get yelled at for poor fundamentals, it's no wonder that we tend to get purpose and goals confused. Constantly evaluated by our performance from early childhood, we've grown to believe that performance equals worth. Tressel exposes that lie, reminding us that winning doesn't make us great people, nor does losing make us losers. The barometer for success lies in the area of purpose, not goals. 2 6

SPORTS SPECTRUM â&#x20AC;˘ WINTER 2009

THE GOAL SHEET Every year, Ohio State's coaches meet with each player to set or revise goals using the goal sheet (see www.thewinnersmanual. com). Players set goals that flow from their purpose-from who they are. In each of the six life areas, they create SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-oriented) to increase the probability of success, turning "I want to become quicker" into "I'll do extra agility workouts for 30-rninutes, three times a week."

BIG TEN FUNDAMENTALS Most coaches talk regularly to their teams about the character qualities necessary to become successful athletes and people. The Buckeyes call these the Big Ten Fundamentals-Attitude, Discipline, Excellence, Faith and Belief, Work, Handling Adversity and Success, Love, Responsibility, Team and Hope. Tressel illustrates each fundamental with stories from his coaching experiences along with his favorite quotes. A gold mine of thoughts and inspiration for any coach!

..t. Living and leading. Ohio State football head coach Jim Tressel attempts to tap Into what makes people successful on the athletic field and In the game of life.

athletes become winners in life? Use your own system or customize Tressel's framework to your needs, but just as Paul encouraged the Ephesians: "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity ... " (5:15-16) 0 The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life by Jim Tressel and Chris Fabry,

YOUR TURN Tressel knows that his influence on his players extends far outside the lines of competition and his philosophy reflects that understanding. How about you? What are you doing to help your

A Certified Life Coach trained by the Institute of Life Coach Training, Stephanie Zonars resources coaches through 1:1 life coaching, team-building sessions, coaches' retreats, and written materials like her 30-day devotional, Timeout: Moments with God for Winning in Life. For more information, visit """"-'.... ,,..,, www.lifebeyondsport.com. Zonars lives in Xenia, Ohio. TO SUBSC RI BE TO SPO RT S SPE CTRU M: CALL 1-866-821-2911

SPORTS BOOKS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE TH EM

The

11Unconunon11

Tony DUI\gy

Tony Dungy won Super Bowls as a player (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1979) and coach (Indianapolis Colts, 2007) and became the first African American to coach a team to victory in the Super Bowl. Dungy, whose last release, Quiet Strength, was a New York Times No. 1 best sellet; has written another book, Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance. It will be released in February. Lorilee Craker caught up with Dungy to talk about his new book. Lorilee: Why did you write

"Uncommon"? Dungy: I got so many letters

after "Quiet Strength," letters that meant the world to me. I keep a notebook full of them. That response to the book made me realize there is a platform there, and I wanted to speak especially to young men in this book, in particular young men who would never otherwise pick up a Christian book.

Lorilee: In your mind, what is the true path to significance? Dungy: I think it's helping other people and doing things that benefit other people and not just yourself. I'm happy that we won the Super Bowl, but I'm happier that I helped 53 guys win the Super Bowl. Lorilee: Do you think you

would still "feel" as significant had the Colts not won the Super Bowl? WE B SIT ÂŁ: www.S portsSptct rum.c om

Lorilee: Can you think of a story that illustrates what happens when someone encounters a roadblock (like failure or drugs), and learns from it? Dungy: During our Super Bowl season, we lost to Jacksonville 44-17-one of our worst losses since I came to Indianapolis. Everyone was saying, 1'he Colts are falling apart: but we dug down and figured out what happened and learned from it. We went on to win the Super Bowl that year. You usually learn more from a loss than a win. In life, you have the chance to learn from any negative situation, be it an illness or a firing or whatever. Lorilee: Name one player

Lorilee: What do you hope

people will take away from "Uncommon"? Dungy: Number one, you don't have to do everything the way the world says. You don't have to buy into the belief structure that is popular right now; you need to be your own person. Young people are so tempted to follow the crowd, but standing firm because of what you believe gives you significance.

cant- that's hard to grasp in our society-but you have to realize if you're helping other people and doing things the right way, you are significant.

â&#x20AC;˘ Uncommon success. Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy has earned enormous respect from players, coaches, fans .. .and now readers .

Dungy: I think I would feel significant, though I wouldn't be as recognized. If, in terms of doing a good job for my players and representing my beliefs, I was meeting those goals, then yes. Over the years I have come to a place where I do feel significant, even in loss. Lorilee: What would you say to someone who says, 'It's easy for you to have a good attitude and a sense of purpose, but I'm the guy who just lost his job and his marriage.

People think I'm a loser'? Dungy: You have to look at what you think of yourself. We all tend to act in the way that we think people think of us. It's also important to remember that a lot of the people we think are winners and significant go through all kinds of the same kinds of things. I got more letters during tough times than after we won the Super Bowl, with people commenting on how I dealt with getting fired or the death of my son. It's not winning that makes you signifi-

you've worked with whose life exemplifies the true path to significance. Dungy: We've had a number of players (in this category). Edgerrin James (who played for the Colts from 1999-2005) had it all- Pro Bowl running back, rushing awards, money, popular guy. Well, he was from this, town called Immokalee, Florida, and he went back there and bought a former crack house and turned it into a "fun house." He encouraged young kids to come and lift weights and play video games. He turned a negative situation into a positive one, which is much more significant than leading the NFL in rushing yards. 0

Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance by Tony Dungy will be released in February and will be published by Tyndale House Publishers. You can read more about it at www.tyndale.com SPORTS SPECTRUM - WI NTE R 2009

2 7

VALUE ADDED TOP ATHLETES TALK ABOUT CHRISTIAN LIVING PRINCIPLES • BY JOHN VANBIESBROUCK (AS TOLD TO MIKE SANDROLINI)

The lanpo..taace of FeUowshipping with BeUeven ne of the most important things for a Christian is to build fellowship with other believers. AU people need support, and everyone needs to understand that Christianity is for people to fellowship with the understanding that each person is seeking trust and forgiveness. I think a lot of times those who are not believers don't realize this is what they're looking for-fellowship and developing trust with someone.

The fellowship of believers within sports has proven to be the core value to any team. Those who make themselves available as authentic Christian people have an openness about them that becomes a real strength in the makeup of a team. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff Totten, who is the chaplain of the Detroit Tigers. He lays out a game plan as far as mentoring players as well as anybody I've seen. A coach doesn't always have all the answers, particularly when it comes to a specific sport. We're talking about life issues because most everyone who plays professional sports has a family. When athletes don't play well, people wonder how they fall into slumps. Well, they fall into slumps because they're not secure; they're not secure with their own play. The most minute detail comes into your mind at the most inappropriate time. When you have unsettled issues as a professional athlete, I don't know how one can perform well. You have to be some superman as far as mental strength because e'very psychologist, whether they're secular or Christian, can tell you that the most important thing for athletes to perform at the highest level is to have settled issues. There are a lot of players who are physically superior in each sport; but you wonder why they don't always win championships. If you go around to professional teams and ask them how much of their game is mental, everyone would agree that the game is 80 2 8

SPORTS SPECTRUM - WINTER 2009

percent mental, yet we all prepare ourselves in a physical way. Having a support group, as far as the church and the many ministries coming from the church, becomes the lifeblood to the very being of an athlete. Every chaplain and every chaplain program provides that. I came to know Christ through a team chapel service while I was

with the Florida Panthers and a chaplain, Steve DeBardelaben, who was affiliated with Athletes in Action. But you also realize how important the local church is- not just for yourself but for your family. There are many people the Lord has put in my life that have been there at the most appropriate time, but I would say the best counselor that I've had over the years has been my wife, Rosalind. She's been the best counselor I've ever had because she listens. But there have been many people placed in our lives whom the Lord has used to minister to us. I see Steve DeBardelaben as being a strategic

person placed in my life. I have called him to discuss things in the past, along with Bruce McDonald, who was the chaplain for the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers when I played in Philadelphia. He discipled me, and it led me along a path of getting to know the depth of Christ- being a follower of Christ, not just a Christian. 0 John Vanbiesbrouck, who was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007, retired from hockey in 2002, after playing in the NHL for the New York Rangers, Rorida Panthers, Philadelphia Ryers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils. He was chosen to four NHL All-Star teams {1986, 1994, 1996, 1997), and played in two Stanley Cup Finals {1996 and 2001) and for the U.S. in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He was an NHL television broadcaster for the Versus network last season.

A. The puck stops here. Above, John Vanblesbrouck during his playing days in Philadelphia. Right, Beazer during the 1993·94 All-Star Gam~. his second of four All-Star appearances.

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PHOTO 8V JIM lEARY

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SPORTS SPECTRU M - WINT ER 2009

GETTING FIT

Wol'kout fol' the Middle-Aged Man BY CHIP S IGMON

n the 2008 Fall edition of Sports Spectrum, I laid out a workout program for the 35-40-year-old woman who wanted to get back in shape and feel good about herself. In this issue, I've put together a fitness program dealing directly with middle-aged men. I qualify for this regimen since yours truly falls into this age range. In today's world, balancing home life and job performance is harder than ever. Trying to be a good father and husband, and also trying to get into some kind of fitness routine can have its challenges. On a personal note, I would like to say that working out and staying in shape for this age range is of the utmost importance. Because how you feel at 45, and how you feel when you're 75, depends on how you take care of the body that God gave you. Because of our busy schedules, I've designed a " ... how you feel weight-training program for three times a week. take no more than 45 minutes to an hour at 45.••and 75 Itto should complete. I've chosen weight training because men's testosterone levels fall one percent a year depends on when reaching middle-age, and weight training how you take is one of only a few ways to help keep that from happening or to slow down the process. Weight care of the training will also keep your metabolic rate (the rate body that God that you bum energy) high, to help ensure you're burning fat at a higher rate and to help ensure gave you." you're burning it more efficiently.

The Fil'st 6 Weeks 3 DAYS A WEEK ~ Alternate between Workout 1 and 2.

Workout 1 of first 6 weeks. PUSHING MOVEMENTS Movement Preparation: Scarecrow (1 x 30 seconds, see FIG. 1)

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2

MUSCLE GROUP CHEST SHOULDERS CHEST TRICEPS SHOULDERS TRICEPS

EXERCISE PUSH-UPS DB OR MACHINE PRESS BENCH PRESS DB OR MACHINE TRICEP PUSHDOWNS DB SIDE RAISES TRICEPS REVERSE DIPS

SETS & REPS 3 X 10-15 3X8 3X 10 3X 15 3X 10 3X 10.15

CORE

FRONT PLANK

1 X 30 SEC. TO 1 MINUTE

NOTE: DB= OUMBBELLS • As soon as you finish 1 set of A1, go immediately and do 1 set of A2, then rest 1 minute and repeat w ith 2·3 sets of each. • Front Plank: lying face down, support the body with the forearms and toes. By making a fist with the hands and keeping the nose directly over the thumbs, keep the chest, hips and legs off the floor for the allotted time.

Workout 2 of first 6 weeks. LEG AND PULLING MOVEMENTS Movement Preparation: Bird·Oog (1 x 10 each side, see FIG. 3)

I have written two separate programs, each lasting six weeks. The first six-week program will get you off and running. It's somewhat for the beginner, but it will also be challenging. If it's been awhile since you've performed physical activity, similar to the exercises in U1e program I've designed, please see your doctor to see whether or not you should begin working out. With the second six-week program, I've upped the intensity. I did this by combining weight training and some functional or multidirectional movements to add more of a fitness base. The second phase also has two different workouts to choose from. To some degree, all workouts need some variety to help keep the workout fresh and your fitness level high. On your off days, if time permits, some aerobic work (such as walking, working out on an elliptical. biking or running on the treadmill for 20-45 minutes) would be ideal. A good idea is to alternate your aerobic work by alternating intensity levels. One day, _you could use high-intensity with lowvolume (running or walking fast for about 20 minutes). The next day, you could lower the intensity but use higher volume (such as a long 45-minute jog or walk). On the next aerobic day, you could mix it up a bit with some interval training (walking slow for 1 minute, then fast for 1 minute). Going back and forth between the two for a total of 20 minutes or longer really gets the metabolic rate going! 0

SPORT S SPECTRUM • WI NTER 2009

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2

MUSCLE GROUP QUADS QUADS & HAMSTRINGS BACK BACK HAMSTRINGS BICEPS

EXERCISE LEG EXTENSIONS LEG PRESS LAT PULLDOWNS OR Chin-Ups LOW CABLE ROWS LEG CURLS BICEPS WORK

SETS & REPS 3 X 15 3X 15 3 x 10 3 x 10 3X 10 3 X 10

ABOOMINALS

AB OPPOSITES (see FIG. 4)

3 x 15

NOTE: Bicep work= DB curls, machine curls or barbell curls

WORKOUT OVERVIEW • FIRST 6 WEEKS 1st Week

2nd Week

DAY Monday Wednesday Friday Monday Repeat

WORKOUT A1 A2 A1 A2

The Second 6 Weeks-lA and lB ·------....

The Second 6 Weeks-2A and 28 1

3 DAYS A WEEK

...,.. You may choose between Workout lA or lB.

...,.. You may choose between Workout 2A or 2B.

Workout lA of second 6 weeks.

Workout 2A of second 6 weeks.

UPPER BODY

LOWER BODY

Movement Preparation: Scarecrow Position (hold 1 x 30 second) At A2 Bl B2 Cl C2

MUSCLE GROUP CHEST BACK SHOULDERS SHOULDERS TRICEPS BICEPS

EXERCISE CORE PUSH-UP-(see FIG. 71 CHIN-UPS SINGLE ARM DB PRESS DB SIDE RAISES CABLE PUSHDOWNS CHOOSE between DB, MACHINE or BARBELL

SETS & REPS 3 X 5 to each side 3X 10 3x8 3 X 10 3X 10 3X 10

CORE WORK

FRONT PLANK W/ LEG RAISE

3 x 12 EACH LEG

NOTE: Core Push-up: One hand should be back slightly, and the same side leg should be up and out (see FIG. 71Front Plank: Face down on forearms and toes only, raise one leg 6 inches and then the other. Keep the hips off the ground and straight and keep your nose over the thumbs at all times.

Movement Prep: 1) Light Leg Extensions 1 x 15 2) Single Leg Balance Reach, 1 x 10 to each side: Standing on one leg, touch the toes with the opposite hand. At A2 Bl B2 Cl C2

MUSCLE GROUP QUADS AND HAMSTRINGS HAMSTRINGS CORE-HIPS & GLUTES QUADS, HAMSTRINGS, HIPS, GLUTES CALVES LOWER BACK

EXERCISE LEG PRESS LEG CURLS KffiLEBELL OR DB SWINGS SINGLE LEG SQUAT WITH LEG SUPPORTED (see FIG. 5) STANDING HEEL RAISES BACK EXTENSIONS

SETS & REPS 3X 10 3X 10 3 X 30 SEC.

CORE WORK

FRONT PLANK WITH LEG RAISE

3 x 12TO EACH SIDE

3 x 8 to each side 3 X 10 3X 15

NOTE: Kettlebell Swings: If you do not have a Kettlebell, use a DB. Take the Kettlebell between the legs while in a squat position, with arms straight and shoulders packed and tight As you swing the Kettlebell up, straighten the legs and bring the Kettlebell up to 45 degrees and repeal Do not bend at the hips. Bend at the knees and keep the chest up.

Workout lB of second 6 weeks. UPPER BODY Movement Preparation: Scarecrow Position (hold 30 seconds) At A2 B1 B2 Cl C2

MUSCLE GROUP CHEST BACK CORE SHOULDERS TRICEPS BICEPS

EXERCISE DB BENCH PRESS LAT PULLDOWNS LANDMINE (see FIG. 2) SINGLE ARM DB PRESS SEATED REVERSE DIPS WITH HANDS ON BENCH SAME AS WORKOUT NO. lA

SETS & REPS 3X6 3X6 3 x 8 to each side 3x6 3 X 10 3X6

WORK Ab OPPOSITES OR REVERSE CRUNCH 3 X 15 OR BOTH NOTE: Landmine: Place a 45-pound plate flat on the floor. Next, stand a 45-pound bar in the hole, and angle the bar at 45 degrees. Swing the bar from side to side at 90 degrees, explosively yet under control. (see FIG. 2) ABDOMINAL

WORKOUT OVERVIEW • SECOND 6 WEEKS

j 1st Week

2nd Week

DAY

Monday Wednesday Friday Monday Repeat'

WEB SITE: www . S po rh Spec trum . com

WORKOUT 1A or 18 2A or 28 1A or 18 2A or 28

Workout 2B of second 6 weeks. LOWER BODY Movement Preparation: Bird-Doo: 1 x 12 to each side (hold for 3-5 seconds) At

MUSCLE GROUP QUADS AND HAMSTRINGS

NoA2 Bl CORE-HIPS & GLUTES QUADS, HAMSTRINGS, B2 HIPS, GLUTES C1 CALVES C2 LOWER BACK ABDOMINAL WORK

EXERCISE BOX OR BENCH SQUATS ON SMITH MACHINE OR FREE WEIGHT

SETS & REPS

SINGLE LEG RDL (see note below)

3 x 6 to each side

3X6

STEP-UPS WITH WEIGHT (see FIG. 6) 3 x 8 to each side HEEL RAISES on LEG PRESS 3x 10 REVERSE·BAC~ EXTENSIONS 3X 15 HIP-UPS OR REVERSE CRUNCHES OR BOTH

3x15EACH

NOTE: RDL Romanian Dead Lifts: Using a pair of 10 or 15-pound DBs, stand on one leg and take both DBs down to the upper ankle while keeping the back straight. Be sure to hinge at the hips and don't bend at the lower back.

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he glass atrium of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' posh head-

DERRICK BROOKS

quarters is adorned with exhibits commemorating the history of the franchise. The most striking is a statue featuring life-sized images of coach Jon Gruden and eight standout players reveling in their 4821 victory against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVll. Among the sculpted figures is one of Derrick Brooks, whose character off the football field is symbolized in a less conspicuous display nearby. A poster, promoting one of the future Hall of Fame linebacker's many philanthropic endeavors, grabs the eye with his autograph and a favorite verse of scripture near the bottom. Brooks is eager to share the passage after cooling down from another workout in the scorching Florida heat. He removes a small Bible from his black leather briefcase and slides his finger down to Proverbs 16:3. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Brooks is the poster child for commitment and success. His ultimate triumph came on a turnover, that of his life to Jesus Christ, during his junior year at Florida State University. He made the decision in response to a question posed by visiting evangelist R.V. Brown. "If you were to die tomorrow, how many of you are I 00 percent sure you'll spend eternity with God?" Brooks remembers hearing Brown say at the assembly. "If you're 99 percent sure, that's not going to get it." Brooks got it. "I simply went to my room and got down on my knees and

accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and asked for Him to forgive my sins," he says. "I asked Him to give me the power to stand when I fall because I knew I just angered the devil." Brooks had a knack for pleasing nearly everyone else around Tallahassee during that 1993 season, helping the Seminoles capture their first national championship. He also made a lasting first impression on freshman running back Warrick Dunn, now on his second hitch as a Tampa Bay teammate. "The first day we were on the football field, you could feel his presence. There wasn't a lot of talking. His play really said a lot and how he prepared himself," Dunn says. "I think he taught all of us young guys how to play the game, how to be professionals, how to prepare and how to be a champion." A year later, Brooks prepared to suit up one last time at his college locker-which since has been permanently sealed in tribute to his two consensus All-America selections- then begin 3 6

SPORTS SP ECTRUM - WINTER 2009

l 't I I

his quest for a title at the next level. Despite concerns that a 6-foot, 23 1pounder might be undersized as an NFL linebacker, the Buccaneers selected Brooks in the first round of the 1995 draft. He rewarded them by becoming a model citizen and being the most accomplished player in franchise history with a team-record I0 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. Brooks is among only four men in league history to achieve that feat in conjunction with being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and earning a Super Bowl ring. The others are Hall of Fame inductees Mike

Singletary, Lawrence Taylor and the late Reggie White. Brooks is humbled to be associated with players of that caliber, but his sights are set much higher. "The fraternity I want to be a part of. .. is in heaven," he says. "I tell people all the time these things are great, but the award I'm striving for is to spend eternity with God."

OPENING DOORS Brooks has spent years preaching the importance of education to young people. Now he has a place to send them. Brooks started getting into the heads

I I I

"' Still doing the Tampa Two: Brooks takes on fellow Pro Bowlers Marion Barber of the Cowboys (Texas Stadium, Oct 26, 2008) and (left) Tony Gonzalez of the Chiefs (Nov 2, Arrowhead Stadium). ..,. Monumental. The tribute to the Bucs victory in Super Bowl

XXXVII.

SPORTS SPECTRUM - WI NTER 20 09

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DERRICK BROOKS

NOTABLE QUOTES • "You are powerful, and the power to win represents to me a self-motivated man, showi ng people that you are stronger because you are a Christian and you are rooted. It's time to profess your love for God." - DERRICK BROOKS, SPOKESMAN FOR SPORTS SPECTRUM'S "POWER TO WIN" PROGRAM

+ "I thin k over the years he's probably learned that if you go out and you just preach, preach, preach, people are not going to hear it. But if you can lead by example, more people tend to follow." - WARRICK DUNN, TAMPA BAY RUNNING BACKAND FORMER BROOKS TEAMMATE AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

• "Derrick has committed as much time doing things for other people as he has for himself on the football field, and that's important. I think every team has a guy like that, just the No. 1 example for everybody to follow, and with us, it's undoubtedly him." - BUCCANEERS CORNERBACK RONDE BARBER

+ "He hasn't really changed. He's just loved football. He took meticulous notes from Day 1. He wanted to be an All-Pro, and he ended up being an All-Pro. He's going to be a Hall of Farner, and he still comes to work every day the same way." - LONGTTME TAMPA BAY OEFENSM COORDINATOR MONTE KIFFIN

• "God gave each of us talents, and it's up to us to use our talents to help others and not necessarily horde them for ourselves. I think he understands that concept. He understands that this is a game of football, it's not a game of life, and he puts everything into whatever he's doing." -FORMER BUCi:ANEERS UNEBACKER SHELTON QUARLES

+ "He will be a Hall of Farner in the NFL, but he's a Hall of Farner in the community as well. This school is a tangible, physical demonstration of the legacy that he's created in the Tampa Bay area." - PHILORA SWAGGER, BROOKS-DEBARTOLO PRINCIPAL AND EXECUTTV£ DIRECTOR

- COMPILED BY BOB BELLONE

100 PERCENT

of children shortly after his arrival in Tampa. He began to bond with them at Boys & Girls clubs and he would also provide tickets to Buccaneers games. He was just warming up. During summers, he began taking his "Brooks Bunch" on educational trips near and far. To earn their way, they had essays to write, research projects to conduct and high standards of school attendance and behavior to maintain. During a I0-day journey to South Africa in 2005, Brooks had 33 students chronicle their experiences in journals. He collected them each night and returned them with written comments early the next morning. His humility and depth of involvement touched educator Phildra Swagger, who had accompanied the group. Eventually, she suggested Brooks throw his weight into the formation of a college prep charter high school in Tampa. "So we just prayed about it and prayed about it, and I said I'm going to start down this path," Brooks says, "and if it's not what the Lord wants, then it will be detoured." The Lord wanted it. In August 2007, the doors of BrooksDeBartolo Collegiate High School flew open and the first three classes entered with Brooks serving as president and co-founder with the family of former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. Swagger, the principal and executive director, sensed a divine presence in the facility when it was nothing more than a gutted electronics store. "When I walked in th~ building, God said, 'I have business for you to do.' Everything about this school, I think, is ordained," she says. "I don't leave my home in the morning without praying for this place." Among the joys of this second year has been the introduction of competitive sports. Despite the absence of a gymnasium, athletics director Joshua Melton seized the opportunity to assemble a volleyball team he would coach. He led the initial practice without a net in the sunbaked parking lot. A week later, the Phoenix played their inaugural match clad in garnet and gold uniforms that arrived only hours earlier.

THROWING BACK THE ROPE Natasha Spencer was mystified by all the fuss being made over Brooks the first time she saw him at the Boys & Girls Club in her hardscrabble neighborhood. Even after hearing he was a popular player for the Buccaneers, Spencer, then II , remained unimpressed. Thi rteen years have elapsed since Brooks began to make the impression of a lifetime on Spencer, beginning with a simple football video game he played with her that day to get acquainted. An original member of the Brooks Bunch, she now inspires him as a fellow alumnus and a WEB SIT E: w w w.Spor t sSpec tr um . com

second-year medical student at Florida State. "She has set a pretty high standard for a lot of young people to follow," Brooks says. "I'm just blessed that the Lord allowed th is relationship to take place, to inspire someone at that age to dream beyond the walls that she was surrounded by at that time." Brooks, who now holds a master's degree from his alma mater and has occupied a seat on its board of trustees since 2003, encourages students to whom he extends a lifeline to "throw back the rope" when they encounter needy people. Spencer plans to respond by returni ng to practice medicine in her old community. "In the type of environment I grew up in, my mom could only tell me so much. To be able to see and touch things is totally different," says Spencer, whose mother fed her a steady diet of encouraging words. "Going on the educational field trips that he was able to take me on, I was able to actually see what my mom was saying."

WHAT'S NEXT?

GREG TAOTT /GETTY~~

C.&.lPT.&.:I::al' CO:ai'S:I:ST:EI:ai'T â&#x20AC;˘ Derrick Brooks was doing everything in his power to maintain a perfect attendance record in games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He then summoned the power of God to make up the difference. Done. Brooks began the 2008 season having never missed a game since his NFL debut in 1995, but the 35-year-old linebacker hobbled out of the opener at New Orleans with an injured hamstring. He spent the rest of the week off the practice field and in the treatment roomthen started the next game against the Atlanta Falcons. Typically, Brooks credited God for allowing him to contribute in a limited role to a victorious home opener against Atlanta. In doing so, he extended the longest streak of consecutive games started among active defensive players to 194 and kept pace with Buccaneers defensive end Kevin Carter, who had a league-leading 210 consecutive appearances at the time. "If you looked at my leg Monday, you'd understand that it was a miracle that I was out there today," Brooks told reporters afterward. "Nothing short of that in my opinion." Brooks chipped in only three tackles against the Falcons, but his mere presence gave teammates a lift. "When the captain is in there," fellow linebacker Barrett Ruud said, "irs always comforting."

Regarding the timing and direction of his next career move, Brooks insists those calls are not entirely his to make. "I'm just taking one day at a time because He's giving me the moment," said Brooks of God's direction. "The moment is where I stay, and then I move on from there. So whenever He decides my purpose is somewhere else, as always, He'll show me." Meanwhile, Brooks said his passion for the game never has been stronger despite reductions in salary and playing time. "He's got a lot of good football left in him. He knows that, and the great thing about him is he's always pushing himself to get better," Gruden says. "His hunger to be great hasn't changed at all, and that's what has allowed him to have this run." Time and innumerable violent collisions have robbed Brooks of a step or two, but the 35-yearold feeds off the skeptics who question his ability to still perform at the elite level. "You take that criticism because that's the

-BO B BELLON E

nature of the game," he says. "At the same time, you pray for those opportunities to prove them wrong. And when those opportunities arrive, you do it. I've been blessed enough to silence critics by not saying a word, just going out there and playing football." Brooks also would consider it a blessing to collect another championship ring, especially with the Super Bowl returning to Tampa in February. History doesn't look favorably upon the Buccaneers, however, since no team has participated in the spectacle on its home turf. Brooks is unfazed. "If that's God's plan for us," he says, "we'll be there:' 0 SPO RTS SPECT RUM - WI NTER 2009

Jason Witten JOSHUA COOLEY REVEALS THE MAN UNDER THE HELMET

Eleven questions for the Dallas Cowboys' starting tight end, a five-time Pro Bowler who established the Jason Witten SCORE Foundation to provide support and assistance for people who have been affected by domestic violence. In 2007, he set a single-season team record for tight ends with 96 catches and he became only the third tight end in NFL history with as many catches.

I::a

Who challenges you the most spiritually, and how? "My wife, Michelle, just because she came from a family that really put God first in life, and I didn't necessarily have that. When situations come up, and you want to do what you want and the devil attacks you, it's good to have that person to tell you what you should do. She's that person that challenges me."

•

What Bible character do you feel you are most like? "Probably, in a weird way, it's Moses. I feel sometimes like, Why me?' just like Moses did. God said, 'Drop what you're doing and follow me: We're sometimes called to do things, and we don't see the complete picture. But we need to trust Him and acknowledge that. So I'd say Moses, although I'm not as strong."

~ Describe what best helps you grow in your relationship with God. "God's grace. I fail every day.

!!!!!!:!:!.~

I fall short of his glory. Through his mercy and grace, I'm able to have that relationship."

Have you found a book that has been encouraging in your life as a Christian (other than the Bible)? "''m a big fan of Joyce Meyer and [Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind]. She did an amazing job. My wife and I read (Rick Warren's) The Purpose-Driven Life. It challenges every aspect of your life and shows you ways you can change your life for God. It's a great thing to do together. But personally, [Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind] was great for me.. In this profession, there are so many 'what-ifs; and giving God control is important."

IMAGEs

"IN THIS PROFESSION, THERE ARE SO IVIANY 'WHAT-IFS'.. !'

A~ What's the most rewarding church ministry · ~ or mission you have been involved in? "As a team, we went to a women's shelter where there were women and kids. We brought them Christmas gifts. We took them go-carting, putt-putting and brought them gifts. It was a neat experience. When you give back, it's often more rewarding for you than for the people receiving it." •

Do you have a favorite Bible passage? ' "Proverbs 3:5-6. Because of all that goes on in life, being able to trust Him through thick and thin is important. Reading that I need to trust in Him through all that goes on in life hits home with me more than anything else."

y1/ request What's the dumbest fan you've ever received? "A guy asked me one time to sign his artificial leg, and he put it on the table in the restaurant. He said he wanted my signature so I'd always be with him. It's not the dumbest request I've received, but it was the most awkward. He [actually] took it off. It's pretty awkward when someone takes off their leg for you to sign."

What's your favorite way to unwind after a tough game? "It's hard to do that. I'm not the best one to ask. I don't really unwind after games, whether it's good or bad. I wish I had a better way. I have two boys now, so obviously children can do it because they love you through thick and thin."

•

What's your favorite off-day activity? "Just being with my family more than anything else, because it allows me to be normal and to be a dad. It's not something I take lightly. Being with them is the best thing. Every now and then, a massage wouldn't hurt either."

I==-Q moment? What's been your most exciting NFL "I guess my first game. To be

able to play with the best athletes in the world is amazing. I'm humbled by that."

I I Who's the toughest player in the league ==-==- to face? ''I'd say Ray Lewis. Physically, he is very talented. And mentally, he brings that aspect of the game that most people aren't used to." 0 Pt10TO IY l\IAH PIHKUS / GETTY IMAGES)

IN THIS INTERVIEW WITH SPORTS SPECTRUM RADIO, PRO BOWL CENTER JEFF SATU RDAY TALKS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GOALS, WORKING THROUGH INJURIES, AND PLAYING FOR TONY DUNGY •

WITH FRANK GIARDINA

with his family and his wife, the way that he talks to our team each and every week and the things he emphasizes. He brings such a great perspective. You know, we're going to our off week and Matt Bryant, the kicker in Tampa, loses his son, and most coaches, you're l-2, everything's blowing up and you need to focus on football. And he says, you know, this (football) is not what this is about. You need to go home and get perspective of what's

HOLDING THE LINE

r------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------eff Saturday is in his lOth season in the NFL, all with the Indianapolis Colts.

He is a three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection. He was injured at the beginning of this year and missed the first four weeks of the season, but he remained steady as a key leader on the team even when he wasn't able to play. He has been interviewed by Sports Spectrum Radio's Frank Giardina several times throughout his career. Below are exceJptsfrom recent interviews. • Jeff, we know how strong you are in your faith . . . Do you set spiritual goals during the season also? Yeah, I think that you have to. I think you always try to continue to grow in the Lord. Make sure you're staying in the Word. What is God speaking to you throughout the season? Then you have team goals. How many guys are you going to impact? Can you get into guys' lives? Try to meet with guys on a different level and take their time. So it's a definite thing you try to get done as a spiritual leader on the team, as well. • At the start of the season, when you were banged up a little bit, obviously it's discouraging to go through that . Can you take us through that? What was that like for you? I think you have to trust God and His plan. You know it's tough to think about not getting out there and not being able to play, and my wife and I talked about it and prayed about it and discussed it and said, "Hey, you know, what do we think is going to be the best option?" And I think we did exactly what God wanted us to do. Take it and use it as a testimony and to be able to share with other people in our city. • Even for you as a mature Christian guy, is it hard not to be discouraged when you go through that type of thing? Absolutely. Any time you're facing tough circumstances, you have to continually kind of build your faith. I have some great men here in 4 2

SPOR TS SPECTRUM - WINTER 2009 •

the city, who I call upon, talk to, pray with and talk about where things are and what's going on in my life, and that is a tremendous help. Obviously, my wife and the prayer that she offers and what we talk about and she's always on my side. So, those things help you get through the tougher times. • As you guys have gone through some adversity as a team, we know how strong Tony is a Christian, as well. What did you see from him that you learned and gleaned from also? You know, he's just consistent, each and every week. It doesn't matter, win or lose, he doesn't get too excited. He doesn't get too depressed. He talks about the things that we should have done to win games. Things we could have done, what we need to improve on and I think he always focused on the season as a whole. He doesn't look at them as individual games. You can kind of collectively put them together. He brings a lot of calmness to our team and a lot of perspective on the long term. • Have you learned things from him, in terms of growing your faith just playing for a Christian coach? There's no doubt. I've watched him through the best of times and through the worst of times in his life. Just to watch how he uses his faith and lives his life according to his faith and doesn' t get sidetracked. He consistently is a great witness and has a great testimony in his community- the way that he lives his life

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going on in life. Get near your family, and your loved ones. That's who he is. Regardless of what happens on the field, that's what he is and that's who he is and I have a lot of respect for that.

â&#x20AC;˘ When you look at your situation and not being drafted and all that's happened to you in the NFL, how much do you feel like you see the Lord's hand in your career? You know, you can look at my situation and know that's the only way it could have happened. Being out of the league for almost a year, not really having any other way in, it had God's hand all over it. I think that as I've seen

WEB SIT E: ww w.Sp o r ts Spu: tr um.com

it develop throughout my career, it's for a reason that He brought me here. The way He brought me here, not being drafted. He humbled me and brought me to Himself, and then has kind of prospered me through my career so His hand is definitely all over it.

â&#x20AC;˘ Would you have had it any other way? No, no way. This is the way you want it. To know you're right with Him and you have your perspective and priorities right and then being blessed this way- it's been a great ride. 0 To hear interviews with Christian athletes and other Christian sports professionals each day, visit www.sportsspectmmradio.com

SPORTS SPE CTRU M - WINT ER 200 9

PRAYERS FROM THE BLEACHERS:

PRINCIPLES to help a parent

PRAY •

BY GWEN DIAZ

t was the 1996 College World Series. Fierce college rivals, the University of Florida and Florida State University, were battling it out in Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium in Nebraska. Florida State was up by one run in the top of the seventh and was pitching. There were two outsbut three walks had loaded the bases- and one of the best hitters in college baseball was stepping up to the plate. My oldest son Zach, a freshman at Florida State, had earned the right to be the first lefty out of the bullpen when the game was on the line. And suddenly there he was ... on the mound ... in Omaha ... taking his warm-up pitches! And there I was ... in the bleachers .. .in Omaha ... with my teeth clenched and my eyes scrunched, praying feverishly with all my heart that God would allow my son to strike that batter out! I immediately began to reconsider that prayer. I wondered how God would evaluate my request. All kinds of questions raced through my mind: Was it fair for me to beg God to bless my son more than someone else's? Would He hold it against my son that I was being selfish? And what if the batter's mom was praying that her son would get a big hit just as hard as I was praying that my son would strike him out? How would God choose which one of us to answer? Would He flip some kind of sovereign

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TO SU B SCRI BE TO SPO RTS SPEC T RU M : CALL 1 · 866 · 821 · 2971

SP ORTS SPE CTRU M - WIN TER 20 0 9

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SPORTS SPEC TRUM • WINTER 2009

5 PRINCIPLES TO HELP A PARENT PR AY

coin and, whichever mom came up with the "In God We Trust" side, He'd declare the winner? Did God even give a "coin" flip who won the ball game? Was it valid of me to direct His efforts toward a baseball game given the vast extent of poverty and pain on our planet? I valiantly tried to convince Him that my desire for victory held huge spiritual significance: "God, You know that my son will use this victory to honor You. He'll give you all the praise and glory forever and ever. Amen." Would God dismiss my plea as just another trivial entreaty, placing it on a par with all the times I had implored Him to help me find a good parking space when I was running late for an appointment? Was it conceited of me to think that my son deserved God's favor? But he really was a great kid! Hey, hadn't he gotten out of bed on more than one occasion to rescue teammates who were too drunk to drive home? And, if I opened my eyes just slightly when he was coming set on the mound, I could see his "promise key" dangling around his neck. It was his pledge to God to maintain his purity until the night he was married. And, hadn' t I done some really good things in the past that could warrant God's recognition at a time like this? (I immediately assessed my devotional quiet times over the past few days, and evaluated my patience in the concession line just a few minutes earlier, to be sure I didn't stand in the way of any potential blessing.) I opened my eyes just in time to see the batter launch a missile over the right field fence clearing the bases and putting Florida in the lead. It was a grand slam-and it was hit off my son! My heart sank. It ached for Zach. For some reason I had lost the "prayer battle" and the batter's mother had obviously won. My coin must have come up "tails." I obviously needed to learn how to pray more powerfully and effectively. I felt dejected and defeated- until I heard my son being interviewed after the game. He had a completely different perspective on the outcome than I did. Although he was disappointed, he was not dejected. He knew that God had a purpose and he wasn't going to allow the outcome of his performance to stand in the way of its fulfillment. He wasn't going to pass any blame (by attributing the homerun to a bad pitch call) or avoid the people who might criticize him. Zach allowed God to use his vulnerability that day as a tremendous ministry tool both with his teammates and with the press-not to mention his mom! My personal "prayer struggle" set me on a mission to develop a whole new understanding of prayer. I needed to comprehend how I was supposed to pray for my children-especially when they were involved in "big game" situations. I began to read many of the prayers in the Bible-especially the prayers Paul prayed for the Ephesians and Colossians. I read books about the prayer lives of George Mueller and P~ter Marshall, plus other helpful books like Stonnie Omartian's The Power of a Praying Parent. Here are some of the principles I discovered. Perhaps they will help you.

ftve Principles to Help a Parent Pray Start with Praise When I approach God with a thankful heart for what He has already provided for my child (and for me), my prayers take a new direction. If I remember to thank Him for all the abilities and resources that have already allowed my child to participate in the activity, I can't help but come to Him with a grateful spirit rather than a selfish agenda.

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SPORTS SPECTRUM â&#x20AC;˘ WINTE R 2009

Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Seek God's Perspective The world values external accomplishments that include speed, athleticism, strength and victory. God values an internal character that displays love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). I should pray that God's values will be on display in my child during the game to an even greater degree than his physical abilities. 1 Samuel J6:7b The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outwmrl appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Prav that your child will play to his full potential God has provided each child with different skills and abilities. I can pray that God will use these gifts, coupled with diligent training, to allow my child's efforts to bring Him glory. Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace ... equip you with evetything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be gl01y for ever and evet: Amen.

Pray for God's protection -both physically and spiritually Just as I ask God to protect my children from the things that can hmt them physically, I must ask Him to keep them from spiritual harm. I must pray that my child will not be enticed by the negative influences that are so prevalent, or trapped in negative relationships that so often accompany athletic activities. Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

places, God's power will continue to be invoked at athletic events. And most of the prayers won't be coming from the mouths of football players who kneel down after scoring a touchdown, or baseball players who point to the heavens after hitting a home run, or soccer players who throw their heads back and pump their fingers to the sky. They'll be corning from the mouths of moms like me, who are scnmched in the stands praying for their kids. In the end, we have to remember that victory is not assessed by the plethora of pennants or plaques our children accumulate. It is not decided by the sheer volume of God's affim1ative responses to our prayers. Victory is detem1ined by whether or not the character of God is displayed in the lives of our kids. On June 2, 1996, God did not answer the other mother's prayers any more positively than He answered mine. As a matter of fact, God's response to my prayers may have been even more significant. For years I had prayed that my son would grow up to honor Him; that he would become a man of character like Jesus Chlist; and that he would love to serve other people. My son's responses to what could have seemed like a disastrous moment proved that God had clearly heard and answered my prayers! And when we realize that God is more interested in spiritual victory than in physical success, the tough experiences can become the most beautiful ones. C)

Pray for God to produce great results Regardless of what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, God can use my child's participation on the field and my attendance in the stands to produce wonderful ministry opportunities. I should pray that, both on and off the field, my child's life will offer a clear presentation of God's power and love that isn't clouded by underlying agendas. Colossians 4:3 Pray for us . . . that God may open a do01Âˇfor our message so that we may proclaim the mystety of Christ...

Let's face it, no matter how hard they try to get rid of prayer in public

Gwen Diaz and her husband Ed still live in Lakeland, where she writes books and magazine articles and he is Florida Area Director for Search Ministries (www.searchnational.org) and the spring training chaplain for the Detroit Tigers. Find out more about Gwen and her books at www.gwendolynmitchelldiaz.com.

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football? For the first time, Paul brings together his life experience as a baseball player and his faith in God, by sharing his heart and how it's possible to keep the fait~ even when you're faced with trials and temptations.

The Pocketbook Coach fo.. M o~ns: FOOTBALL This cool, new handbook not only covers the facts, but also helps moms see why guys love it so much, AND why GOD must love it, too! You've got to get one- you'll score more than a few brownie points! Everybody wins with The Pocketbook Coach! Boys, you can rehash the game without having to stop and explain everything! Moms, you'll have fun getting to know your son better! Coaches, you'll win moms over, making them your best team boosters! Don't delay the game! Make sure Mom is ready for the next game! Buy the book, learn about fundraisi ng and bulk order discounts, or book Kerra Bowers for your next event at. ..

www.pocketbookcoach.cozn k errabower s@pocketbook coach.com 816.41 9 .5853 Also available a t www.a m azon.com!

+ LAMBEAU FIELD was voted as the #1 NFL fa n experience by a Sports Illustrated onli ne poll in 2007.

+ SEASON TICKET HOLDERS pass their tickets down from generation to generation. + The WAITING LIST for seaso n tickets is about 80,000 people long. 'Y TIME HONORED TRADITION: During training camp, players ride across the street to the practice field on the bikes of local kids, who in turn carry the players' helmets alongside.

Dl'r.VIO STlli<A

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start last fall, he earned a spot in the record books with an 81.1 percent completion rate, beginning a pattern of consistency successful signal callers possess. And according to Rodgers, the key to that consistency is confidence by way of preparation. "The way I prepare each week, the film I watch, how hard I practice, the notes I take in meetings-all of those things allow me to have a lot of confidence when I go into the game," he says. "I'm going through reps I've already done and looks I've already seen on film or in practice. My confidence level is so high when I get in the game that I expect to play well." Rodgers relishes being a leader on the field. "Any sport I've played, I've always wanted to be in the position where you can have a great impact on the game," he said. "I'm not saying the quarterback is the only position in football, but it's a very important one." Growing up as a middle child in a household of boys, Rodgers credits his even-keeled temperament and his ability to be a peacemaker as an invaluable leadership asset for his day job. "You have to help the older brother and younger brother get along. Likewise, on the field you have to be able to get everyone on the same page, and have your confidence filter out to those guys." To understand that confidence, you have to take a closer look down the road that brought the California native to the place he is today. Rodgers grew up in a Christian home, but it wasn't until the spring of his junior year of high school that he faced a crossroads about the path he would follow in life. "Before that point, I went to church because my parents went to church," he admits. "But when I was 17, I realized I had to make a choice because I was starting to do some things that my buddies were doing, and I knew deep down that it wasn't right. I rededicated my li fe to the Lord. Ever since then I fall on my face and get back up, get on my knees and confess, and keep on trying to live for Jesus. It's not easy. It's daily dying to yourself and prioritizing your time." It was after that decision that Rodgers' journey to the NFL began. His senior year of high school came to an end without a college scholarship in sight, and it was while quarterbacki ng at a junior college that he caught the eye of California Berkeley head coach Jeff Tedford, who noticed Rodgers on a

SPORTS SPECTRU M - WINTER 2009

_.. Pack to the future: Rodgers and favorite target Greg JenningsT poth 24- flgure to be pass buddies for years to come. ~ Aaron it out (left): Rodgers' success with the California Golden Bears led to national attention and his selection by the Packers to succeed the legendary Brett Favre. Aaron's 2008 play assured Packer Nation that they made the right choice.

scouting tape featuring one of his Butte College teammates. Division I scholarship in hand, Rodgers took the reins of the Cal offense during the 2003 season, and the following year led the Bears to their highest national ranking since 1952. He finished his college career with the school's career record for passing efficiency TO SUBSCR I BE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM' CALL 1-866-821 -297 1

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

(150.27). Then came the 2005 NFL draft, where he was projected to be the first pick. Instead, he sat patiently until he was named the Packers' first choice and the 24th pick overall, Rodgers once again waited patiently, biding his time behind Favre for three seasons. Through all of the obstacles he has faced- it is Psal m 9 I that he clings to. "! felt li ke the Lord gave me that passage my junior year in high school," he says. " f used to write it on my shoes. And now, years later, every time I get injured, or am scared, or have a bad day, I go back to that passage." He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. / will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in WE B SIT E: www.SportsSpect rum .com

whom / trust.' Psalm9/: l -2 Even now, on football's biggest stage, Rodgers is eager to use his platform to share the hope of Jesus Christ, but he does so carefull y. He lives out his faith following the words of St. Francis of Assisi: Preach the Gospel at all times and when necess{//y use words. "Faith plays an interesting role in our game. There are a lot of guys that profess to know God, but myself included-we don't always set the best example for Christ. It's a work in progress as every relationship is, but we have an important opp011unity as Christians in the NFL to use that platform to glorify God, and I don't think you have to be the most vocal guy in the media." "He has handled himself with great character, and character is the key to being the voice box he wants to be without saying a word;' says assistant team chaplain Troy Murphy. "You can tell that he genuinely cares for people, and that's very evident in his life." Rodgers acknowledges that NFL players have so many things within their grasp- including money, fame, and opportunity. But there is something decidedly different about guys who are content with what they've been given and are living their lives for Christ. "There are so many of us that are trying to fi ll that God-shaped hole in our heart with different things," Rodgers says. "We realize that there has to be something more." And what does he say to athletes who believe that playing sports is their sole purpose in life? "You're gonna get let down because sports aren't forever," he replies. "Every practice or game could be your last. You have to put your hope in something that's more stable. And God's proven that He's stable and is going to last a lot longer than your sport. You can't take your records, stats and money with you into the next life, so you need to plan for that as well as life after football ." "I've played for four years and I'm 24, and if I'm lucky to play 10-and I live to be 70-1better have something to do the next40 years of my life that fulfi lls me outside of sports and can give me a purpose." The near future, though, is certain for the young quarterback, who signed a contract extension at the end of October with the Packers. The extension runs through the 2014 season. "Just to be able to play the way I did starting the season definitely helped,

but [the extension] was still a little unexpected," Rodgers said at the time. "This definitely means a lot to me that they are saying I. am going to be the guy for the future." Rodgers has clearly emerged from the shadow of a legend, and is now casting his own. 0

Freelance writer Jenna Sampson lives in Carlsbad, Ca/ifomia, and managed to squeeze in a quick trip to Green Bay last fa ll. She also serves as Communications Coordinator at North Coast Church in Vista, Califomia.

KEEPING IT REAL â&#x20AC;˘ Despite his fame, Aaron Rodgers

stays grounded by keeping his priorities straight: family, faith and friends. ''You have to have people in your life who keep you humble," he says. "I think in the Kingdom, humility is God's favorite attribute. I have people who tell me how it is, keep me focused, and keep me walking the talk.'' Those people include his brother, friends back home, tea mmate Aaron Kampman (a veteran Pro Bowl defensive end who is Rodgers' training camp roommate), and several other team mates who join him for Bible studies. Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer is also a good frie nd who has offered some great words of advice to Rodgers during the last year. In addition to the team chapel that 30-40 players and coaches attend the night before games, Rodgers and Kampman came up with the idea to start Wednesday night "Packers Church" fo r the players and their spouses who aren't able to attend on Sunday mornings. The duo also orga nized small groups that meet during the week. Every morni ng, assistant chaplain Troy Murphy sends daily verses by text message to about 40 guys, including a few on other tea ms. "For some of them, with the pace they keep, getting that daily verse is important," Murphy says. Murphy and head chaplain Joe Urcavich accompanied several players (including Rodgers) to Alaska last year on a trip with Unlimited Potential, Inc., a Christian organization that ministers through sports. The group visited a military base and had a chance to share their testimonies with the soldiers. - JENNA SAMPSON SPORTS SPECTRU M - WI NTER 2009

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A CHRISTMAS EVE ACCIDENT IN 2007 CHANGED ELLIOTT MEALER'S FAMILY FOREVER, BUT HIS FAITH CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN HIM AND GET HIM THROUGH EACH DAY â&#x20AC;˘

he cross and silver ring that dangle from the chain

, 1

around Elliott Mealer's neck are closely linked-like the lives they represent. A year ago, they were giftsexchanged between boyfriend and girlfriend-signifying love, faith and commitment. Now, the jewelry serves as a young man's link to a Christmas Eve accident that changed his life, and strengthened the bond between a 19-yearold Michigan football player and his Savior.

DREAMS SHATTERED This was to have been the most fulfilling time of Mealer's life. He was ranked as one of the top 30 offensive tackles in the country corning out of high school, he had the football scholarship he always dreamed of, and he was in love with the girl he had shared everything with for two years. But as Mealer, his girlfriend, Hollis Richer, and members of his family traveled home from a church service a year ago, everything changed. On a rural Ohio highway, the sports utility vehicle they were riding in was slammed into by a car driven by a 90-year-old man who had run a stop sign. The Mealer's SUV flipped onto its top. Mealer, a strapping 6-foot-6, 298-pound offensive lineman, pried his way out and tried to lift the vehicle to free his loved ones. Hollis, who w~s 17, was killed. So was Mealer's 50-year-old father, David. Brock Mealer, Elliott's brother, was paralyzed. Brock was 23 then. At the time of the crash, Hollis was wearing the ring that now hangs on the necklace around Elliott's neck. He had given the ring to her earlier that night. The necklace and cross were gifts that Hollis never had the chance to give to Elliott.

NEW BEGINNINGS Less than two months later, Elliott had a choice: Stay home or sign with Michigan to play football. He wrestled with the decision, wonderi ng what God would have him do. 52

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BY JEFF ARNOLD

"I needed to get up here and get with a new family," Elliott said. "But at the same time, I had a lot of moments when I said 'This isn't for me. Maybe God was wrong. Maybe I was wrong."' Since the crash, Elliott said he feels like his father, David, is still with him in spirit. It has provided Elliott with a sense of calm, once reserved for the times the two best friends would spend talking. Elliott- who wears No. 57 as a tri bute to his father who was born in 1957-continues to see his father's imprint in his life as he copes with moving on without him.

LOOKING BACK From the start of Elliott's football career, his dad told him he'd one day play for Ohio State and

then go on to the NFL. But du ring his sophomore year in high school, Elliott was introduced to Vic Cales, a local pastor and former football player at nearby Bowling Green. Cales told Elliott he'd help him earn a football scholarship. But if he was to do so, Elliott would have to work hard. Over time, the two talked about faith as much as they did about football. When scholarship offers began to pour in, Elliott wondered how he would decide where to go. Cales told him that God would direct his steps. "At that time, my faith wasn't very strong," Elliott said. "And so when he said that, I wondered what that meant. But he was right. God was definitely in this." Ann Arbor was the first place Elliott visited. He immediately fell in love with the town and the university. And after spending the day on campus, Elliott cli mbed into his parents' car and made an announcement: God wants me to go to Michigan.

MOVING FORWARD Everything seemed so clear. Until Christmas Eve. Secretly, he wondered if he'd be able to move on. With his family grieving the loss of David and Hollis, Elliott pondered his choices. In the tough times as people wondered how he and his family could possibly move on, Elliott put his faith in Christ on display.

"He would always say that people didn't know who was on our side," Elliott's mother, Shelly, said. "We know that God can do all things." When people questioned why Brock was paralyzed in the accident, Elliott used the opportunity to share his faith. "God is just (healing Brock) in His own timing," Elliott often told Shelly. "If He would have healed him right away, the testimony wouldn't be as strong as it is now that we have to wait." Over ti me, Michigan's coaches continued to provide more support. When Shelly and Brock saw the way they cared for Elliott, they knew he was in the right place. "I remember Brock asking me who these men were that God had brought into our lives;â&#x20AC;˘ Shelly said. "Elliott attending Michigan is the greatest thing that could have ever happened. I don't know what we would do without it." Elliott, who didn't play for Michigan this season due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the accident, rarely allows people to see he is hmiing. His coaches and teammates count him among the most positive people they have ever met, despite his continuing to heal- both physically and spiritually-from the Christmas Eve crash. "I live with the man. I can't ever tell when he is having a down day," Mealer's roommate Kevin Koger said. "But I think that's because of his belief in Jesus. The Lord is who has gotten him through this."

REAL HOPE The events of last Christmas Eve come back to Mealer's life every ti me he gets into a car. And while there are days when his pain is increased, he depends on his faith to see him through. Despite the trials that the last year have brought, Elliott won't allow his coaches to treat him any different than his teammates, again putting his faith on display. "I don't think it's so much of him putting up a brave front- he's a brave person," Michigan offensive line coach Greg Frey said. "He's a courageous person and he's a faith-tilted person. 1 and I think that is what has carried him." Not only now, but in days and years to come. And in addition to playing football like his father always believed he would, Elliott's life has more meaning-even in the face of losing two of the people that meant the most to him. "Elliott has a purpose in life," Cales said. "And I think the world is just beginning to see what that purpose is." 0 Jeff Arnold is a sports reporter with The Ann Arbor News. .,. Still on the line: Elliott's agility and sizeas tight end and defensive end at Wauseon High-caught the attention of many scouts before he chose Michigan. SPORTS SPECTRUM - WINTER 20 0 9

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REMEMBER MIKE JARVIS, THE FORMER GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ST.JOHN 'S BASKETBALL COACH? HE HAS A NEW PLAN FOR LIFE AND A FRESH START, AND IT ALL STARTED AFTER HIS WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN . â&#x20AC;˘

BY JOSHUA COO LEY

f Mike Jarvis were into real estate, he would be the HGTV guru maki ng a house-flipping fortune. As it is, Jarvis has fashioned a career as one of college basketball's premier handymen, stepping into fixer-uppers- whose previous tenants, so help them, couldn't do a s.ingle thing with the place-and renovating the properties into sleek, cutting-edge models. From 1985 to 2003, he compiled a 363-202 record at three schools, including nine trips to the NCAA tournament. Now, he's at it again. After a four-year hiatus, the 63-year-old coach with the trademark Mr.-Ciean-with-a-thick-beard look is currently in his first season at Florida Atlantic University, where he was hired last May to inject life into a stagnant program. "I missed doing what I love doing most," Jarvis said. "I want to go out the way I think I should." For a time, it appeared Jarvis' coaching career would end in controversy and bitterness. His first college head coaching job came in 1985 at Boston University, where in five years he led the Terriers to the NCAA tournament as many times (twice) as they had gone in their previous 26-year history.

From 1990 to 1998, he orchestrated a radical makeover at George Washington (D.C.), which morphed from 1-27 in 1988-89 into a powerhouse that made four trips to the NCAAs, including a Sweet 16 run in 1993. Then came the Big Apple. In 1998, he took the job at St. John's, the storied Big East Conference program in Queens, N.Y., that had fallen on hard times. Things started sublimely-his first season ended with a 28-9 record and an Elite Eight appearance-but quickly devolved into a nightmare. At the beginning of the 2003-04 season, only eight months after Jarvis led the Red Storm to a National Invitation Tournament championship, the outlook was bleak. One of his players had TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM : CALL 1 -866Âˇ821-2971

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CHRIS KEANE

been arrested for marijuana possession right before the season, and another player had been arrested the year before on charges of attacking a female student on campus. Fans quickly resorted to chants of "Fire Jarvis!" and, after a 2-4 start, they got their wish. But the breached dam was about to ~urst. In February, less than two months after Jarvis' dismissal, a group of St. John's players got caught in a sex scandal on a road trip to Pittsburgh. Then in April, Alex Evans, the school's director of basketball operations, resigned after admitting to WEB SITE : www.SportsSpe-ctrum.com

making illegal tuition payments from 1999 to 2004 to Abraham Keita, a West Africa-born player. Evans claimed that Jarvis was responsible for some of the payments in 1999-2000. Jarvis denied the allegations and was eventually cleared by the NCAA infractions committee, which nevertheless criticized him for failing to properly monitor the situation. The case dragged on for two-plus years until May 2006, when the NCAA ruled that St. John's self-imposed basketball sanctions were sufficient. To this day, the St. John's wounds still sting.

"I was used as a scapegoat," Jarvis said. It was a dark period for Jarvis and his wife, Connie. But in the midst of the gloom, God brought them into the sunshine- literally. Shortly after being tired from St. John's and needing to get away from New York, the couple settled in Boca Raton, Fla., a breezy coastal community where the only things that outnumber the country clubs are the palm trees. Connie, a believer, and Mike, a nominal New England Catholic, started church-hunting and eventually landed three minutes from their new home at

11. Hiatus

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over. Florida

Atlantic coach Mike Jarvis and his unmistakable look, bald head and goatee, are back in college basketball after a four-year absence from the game.

..,. Lend me your ears. Jarvis with senior guard Paul Graham Ill during a game at nationally-ranked Davidson College earlier this season.

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_. Sideline presence. While Mike Jarvis hopes to bring NCAA success and national notorietY to Florida Atlantic, as he did with George Washington and St. John's, his spiritual aspirations are aimed much higher.

1'1

Spanish River Church. On their ftrst Sunday there, senior pastor David Nicholas, a hoops junkie, recognized Mike singing at the end of an aisle, put his arm around him and whispered, "Let's talk afterward." Before long, Jarvis was atlending Nicholas' Friday morning men's group, reading the pastor's evangelistic booklet and plumbing spiritual depths he had never explored. On April 29, 2005, as he was praying amid the scenic view from his home on the third hole of posh Woodfield Country Club, Jarvis put his faith in Jesus Christ. Once hidden, the divine fingerprints on his departure from St. John's quickly became evident. "I was angry," Jarvis said, "but that

SPOR TS SPECTRUM - WINTE R 2009

anger has turned into appreciation for what God did through that." Spiritually renewed, he began to feel the coaching itch again. Hosting basketball clinics with Athletes in Action (AlA) and Nike didn't satisfy the urge. Neither did launching JarvisTV.com (a videostreaming Web site), writing for Yahoo! Sports during the 2007 and 2008 NCAA tournaments, or working as an ESPN analyst for four years, including on-site game commentary during the 2007-08 season. 'That's when I realized more and more I was on the wrong sideline," Jarvis said. As early as 2005, Jarvis started toeing the coaching waters again. He spent three hours interviewing with Florida

Atlantic athletics director Craig Angelos at Spanish River Church, but the still-pending St: John's infractions case snuffed out any real hope there. After interviewing for the jobs at Harvard in 2007 and at James Madison and Stanford in 2008, he reconvened with Florida Atlantic last spring. With the St. John's debacle over, Angelos began to warm to Jarvis. He couldn' t resist the coach 's deepening local roots, his history of success and his turnstile appeal. "Mike is versatile enough not only to do the coaching responsibilities well," Angelos said, "but also to bring the external excitement to us." Florida Atlantic appears to be tailor-

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OWL IN THE FAMILY

something that hopefully will last a lot longer than me." The inner change in Jarvis is unmistakable. In 2006 and 2007, he coached an AlA team in the William Jones Cup, an annual tournament in Taiwan. He shared his faith during halftime breaks, visited an orphanage and a home for mentally challenged adults, and helped local missionaries and pastors develop a model to use basketball for evangelism. "Mike has been radically changed in his demeanor on the court," said Steve DeBardelaben, an AlA chaplain in Miami who traveled with Jarvis to Taiwan. "He was always passionate and intense before, but he maybe had too much of an ego for some people. Now, he is passionate and intense, but he is humble and has a strong motivation to be like Christ in what he does." Jarvis still attends Nicholas' Friday morning Bible study and now hosts a Tuesday night church group at his home. Soon, he hopes to publish a gospel tract entitled "Meet My Head

Coach" and launch a spiritual counseling initiative for youth called the Master Mentor Program. He also has a heart to share his remarkable testimony at churches, schools- to anyone who will listen. "He's really good at giving God the glory and saying, 'I'm just along for the ride,"' Nicholas said. "I think he has grown very nicely."

Jarvis put his faith in Jesus Christ [and] the divine fingerprints on his departure from St. John's quickly became evident. CHRIS KEANE

It has been a long journey to a relatively obscure outpost on basketball 's frontier. Knowing Jarvis, though, Boca Raton could soon become a basketball hotbed. God, he thinks, is up to something big. "I think he has many blessings in store for me-and some trials," Jarvis said. "I think I have a lot of blessings and lessons awaiting me." 0

made for Jarvis. Since its inception in 1988, the Owls basketball program (Division I since 1994) has only seven winning seasons and one NCAA tournament berth (2002). A recent $10 million renovation to FAU Arena was muchneeded, but it still only seats 5,000. "What I love about this job, beside the fact that it's 10 minutes from home, is it's going to require a tremendous amount of work and creativity," said Jarvis, who was reunited on the bench with his son, Mike II, another victi m of the St. John 's fallout. "It's going to require a great staff and recruiting kids, establishing a winning tradition, which they don't have, and using everythi ng I've learned for three decades to build WEB SITE: www.Spo rts Spect rum.com

SPORTS SPECTRUM - WINTER 2009

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he end is near. Like death, taxes and rising gas prices, it must have felt like playing basketball together was a given in life for the Frazee triplets. But in a few months, the Liberty University sisters likely will never take the same court again competitively. Megan, Molly and Moriah Frazee- 21-year-old seniors who have helped Liberty continue its remarkable run of success in the Big South Conference the last three yearsare hoping to culminate a lifetime of basketball together with one last hurrah, namely a 12th conference championship and NCAA toumament berth for Liberty in the last 13 years. How do you leave behind such a rewarding bloodline bond? "It's definitely something where it will be an adjustment," Megan said. "Part of me is ready to branch out into that chapter in my life. With technology these days, it shouldn't be too hard to keep in touch. It's nice that we're not living in the covered-wagon days." Liberty has been enjoying a basketball gold rush of late, and the Frazees have been at the center of it for three-plus years. Last season, during a 28-4 campaign, 30 of the team's 32 games featured a Frazee as the lead scorer. While Moriah, a 6'2" guard/forward (13.2 ppg last year), and Molly, a 6'3" forward (8.3 ppg), are strong players, Megan is the cream of the Frazee crop. The 6' 3" guard/forward has led the Flames in scoring in each of her first three years, including her 18.6 points-per-game average last season. Megan isn't just skilled; she's clutch. In last year's Big South championship game, she scored 26 points in a 66-65 victory, including the game-winner with 0.1 seconds left. No one was surprised when she was named the 2007-08 Big South female athlete of the year. "I thank the Lord for the opportunity to be on the court and play," she said. "For me, I don't just want to be known as a basketball player, but as someone who is living for Him. Any recognition I get like that, I like to point it back to Him." The Frazees were born I 0 weeks early and within three minutes of each other (Megan first, then Molly and Moriah) on March 29, 1987, in Laredo, Texas. At the time, their parents, Jim and Tammy, were school teachers and volunteer missionaries who often crossed the nearby Mexican border to provide local churches with supplies. By 1995, Jim and Tammy had settled their family (including an older son, Zeb) in Xenia, Ohio, where the triplets started playing AAU for their father. They didn't play high school ball until their senior year at Xenia Cluistian School. By then, Megan had a big decision to make, 58

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THE FRAZEE TRIPLETS ARE KNOWN FOR WINNIN SERVING AND REPRESENTING GOD. NOW, THEY CLOSE THEIR FINAL SEASON TOGETHER AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY • BY JOSHUA COOLEY t

having sparked interest at a handful of major college programs. She opted to remain with her sisters, if possible, and the three almost landed at nearby Cedarville University, a small NAJA school about 15 minutes from Xenia. Then Liberty called. The Frazees had never heard of the Lynchburg, Va., school, despite its famous founder, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, and its claim as the world's largest evangelical Christian university. It helped that Liberty boasted a dominant NCAA Division I women's basketball program. And when coach Carey Green offered three scholarships, it was a no-brainer. The move to Lynchburg was a family affair. Jim took a job in the campus housing

department, while Tammy became a fourth grade teacher at Liberty Christian Academy, the high school affi li ated with the university. Zeb is currently finishing his student teaching at Liberty. "We felt the Lord leading us to come here," Megan said. It is difficult to overstate the triplets' impact in Lynchburg. Off the court, they are active in the commun ity: coaching in basketball camps, volunteering at vacation Bible school and going on fundraising walks for Alzhei mer's research. "You ask them and unless they're committed, they will serve you," said Green, who is in his lOth season as head coach at Libe11y. "They've TO SUBSCRIB E TO SPORTS SPECT RUM : CALL 1 · 866 · 821 · 2971

~ Triple threat: Megan (40), Molly (41), and Moriah (42) Frazee.

been such good representatives of the Lord in this way." On the court, the results speak for themselves. With the Frazees, the Flames have gone 97-22 over the last three seasons, including big victories against Houston, Rhode Island, Southern Mississippi, UNLV, Virginia and Xavier. The triplets even have their own fan section at home games, where students sport "Frazee Crazee" T-shirts. Success stems, in part, from familiarity. While the sisters don't admit to notions of triplet telepathy, they possess an intrinsic knowledge of each other that translates to game time. "When you're around someone so long, you get familiar with how they are, especially on the basketball court," Molly said. "Not that we read each other's thoughts, but we know how to give each other good passes." To the random onlooker, it is difficult to -tell the Frazees apart. Molly and Moriah are identiWEB SlT E: www . Spo rts Spec trum .com

cal, and all three have similar interests in clothes and food. But there are differences. Moriah, whose childhood nickname was "Chatty Cathy," is more outspoken than the others. Molly is the most introverted. Over the years, Green has enjoyed watching their individual and spiritual development. "It has been a pleasure to see them grow in God's uniqueness for each one," he said. "It's easy to say, 'Oh, they're triplets; they're all one (person).' But they're not. You can see different personalities." While Molly and Moriah are pursuing nursing careers, Megan could land in the WNBA. If so, she would become the second player from Liberty to do so, joining 2005 graduate Katie Feenstra, a 6-foot-8 center for the Atlanta Dream who led the Flames on a shocking NCAA Sweet 16 run as a senior. Megan has been on elite basketball radars for some time. In May 2007, she participated in the USA Basketball Women's National Team Trials at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. While Green hesitated to compare Megan Frazee to Feenstra, he admitted, "Megan has a tremendous work ethic and a tremendous scoring touch, which is better than Katie's." He also noted there are "rumblings" from WNBA coaches about Megan, who "could have an opportunity." Megan is remaining level-headed about the future. "I'm going to cherish this year, do my best, and I'd love to continue playing," she said. "If it happens, I'd love to have the opportunity to share Him with others. It's something I love to do. I'm open for whatever the Lord has in store." The triplets got a small taste of post-college separation last summer when Megan traveled to North Africa with an Athletes in Action team. The three-week trip marked the longest period the sisters had ever been apart. "It might be a little weird at first," Moriah said, "but I'm sure we'll get used to it." First, there's the matter of winning_another Big South championship. The Frazees want to ' avoid a repeat of their sophomore year of 200607, when Liberty failed to secure the conference title for the first time since 1996. Winning another championship won't be easy- it never is when you are consistently at the top- but it certainly would be a splendid curtain call on three illustrious college careers. "I don't want to put too much pressure on us, but it's one of our goals and it should be attainable, Lord-willing," Moriah said. " It would be great to go out our senior year with a conference championship and a couple wins in the NCAA tournament." 0

Freelance writer Joshua Cooley lives in Germantown, Maryland. SPO RTS SPE CTR UM - WINT ER 2009

When you toss that name into any conversation within the confines of _ __, NASCAR's Sprint Cup garage, the response will be as consistent as the legendary driver's 20-plus years on the track. Fom1er teammate Matt Kenseth- navigator of Roush-Fenway Racing's No. 17 DeWalt Fordis usually one of the first offering up high praise for his mentor. "We don't have enough time to talk about everything I learned from Mark," Kenseth says. "He was really my mentor and he's still a good friend of mine. He's just a stand-up guy. He's honest and he's just a good guy. I don't think there's much bad about Mark." 6 0

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The sentiment holds tnte for David Ragan, one of NASCAR's so-called "Young Guns" who now drives the No.6 AAA Ford that Martin once occupied. 1\vo years removed from filling Mru1in's fonnidable shoes, Ragan is just as in awe of his predecessor as he was before. "Character and good work ethic are very imp011ant in this garage and that's why he's been here so long," Ragan says. "That's why he can write his story for whatever he wants to do for the rest of his life. Good things happen to good people and Mark is certainly a good guy." The high praise for Martin even spills outside of the driver's realm and into the world of ministry where Sprint Cup lead chaplain Tim Griffi n shows great admiration for the veteran's professional intensity and "openness to spiritual things." "He's just a seasoned ,pro," Griffin says.

"There's no doubt about it. You can't help but know that you're dealing with somebody .~v ho's got a makeup that's very unique and special." Mru1in isn't oblivious to the praise that is often heaped upon him as a driver and as a man noted for his high levels of character and integrity. And while he's not much on self-adulation, he ce11ainly appreciates the respect he commands throughout the NASCAR community. "It makes me feel like that's sort of reaping what you sow," Martin says. "It makes me feel good about the decisions that .I've made and the code that I've lived by and raced by. It's something that I' m proud of." On the racetrack, Martin's resume' is equally impressive. At the end of the 2008 season, his Cup career includes 35 victories while his Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series career boasts a record-setting 48 victories. Most of TO SUB SCR I BE TO SPORT S SPE CTRU M: CALL 1 路866-82 1 路297 1

those Cup triu mphs came while racing 19 years for Jack Roush- a stretch that included four second-place points finishes. That elusive Cup title is something Martin says is no longer on his radar. That doesn' t mean his passion for the sport has waned over time. It's just different. "In the beginning it was, ' I hope I can do this,"' Martin explains. "And now it's, 'I've got to get it done now, before it's too late.' It's the same thing. I go to the track hoping I can do it, but for two completely different reasons. I don't have much time left, so it makes me appreciate the opportunity much more than I did 20 years ago." Martin, however, admits that he was starting to feel used up and was seriously contemplating retirement. He raced an abbreviated season for Roush in 2006 and back-to-back part-time schedules for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) in 2007 and 2008. But then Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, approached him about replacing Casey Mears in the No. 5 Chevrolet. Martin, age 50, says he was "very reluctant at first" and in fact turned down Hendrick's offer twice. But eventually he realized what racing for the legendary stock car mogul would mean to him and decided he couldn't pass up "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." While this will mark the third team Martin has raced for in four years, his life off the track has remained sure and steady. That's something he readily credits a rock solid relationship with Christ, although he

-" Driving force: Mentor and friend Mark Martin was a great Influence on former teammate Matt Kenseth (L) .

admits it wasn't always that way. Martin says he was too busy early in his career, working on his own race cars and traveling from track to track. It wasn't until the influence of Motor Rac ing Outreach (MRO)

-" Give me five: Martin and team owner Rick Hendrick (L) speak to the media about Martin becoming the new driver of the #5 car (below) and replacing Casey Mears (conference at Daytona on July 4, 2008).

entered his life that he was finally able to slow down long enough to experience "the anchor or the real foundation for you to build your life around." "1 always have to thank everyone from MRO who enabled me to grow and to practice and surround myself with other people that had a hunger for that as well," Martin says. "It's an incredible organi zation that has meant so much to me and my family." Martin's quiet faith has also helped hjm build a reputation as one of the most even-tempered drivers on the circuit. The ability to hold back angry words and resist retaliation is something Kenseth has watched from his driver's seat and likewise tried to implement. "Mark is one of the guys that I respect because he's not one of the guys who stands up in front of everybody and shouts it," Kenseth

says. "He lives it. It's easy to say it. It's hard to live it. He's a great example to follow. I've seen a lot of people that say one thing and then live another way. But you can just watch the way he lives and watch the way he acts and watch how much he's respected and you know it right there. That's what !like about him the most." Griffin agrees that Martin has taken a calculated approach to his faith. And even though it has rarely been vocal, it has hardly ever gone unnoticed. "I think Mark has decided there are things he can do very well and that's what he's going to focus on," Griffin says. "When it comes to how Mark li ves out his faith, there's no doubt

he has seen the opportunity that he has to model what a person under the control of another influence- in this case his 'faith in God--can manifest in his life." In other words, you won't see Martin speaking at MRO chapel anytime soon. "I would rather not," he laughs. "I just don't feel like I have enough authority to do so. I don't think that I'm the smartest guy around, so I'm better off to keep my mouth shut as much as I can rather than opening my mouth and proving to people that I don't know what I'm talking about. "I'm more of a leader by example than I am a preacher," Martin adds. "Preaching is a calling and mine is to lead by example." 0

Chad Bonham is a freelance writer who lives in Broken Arr01v, Oklahoma. SPORTS SPECTRUM - WINTER 2009

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KNOWN AS THE PAINTER OF LIGHT, THOMAS KINKADE HAS STEPPED INTO A NEW ARENA-THE FIELD OF SPORTS LANDSCAPES. BUTWHAT HEWANTS MOST PEOPLE TO REMEMBER HIM FOR IS THAT HIS PAINTINGS WERE HIS WAY OF SHOWING GOD'S LOVE TO HIS PEOPLE

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How you use those talents are your gift to God. You have to use those talents to give back to Him. "When I eventually stand before the throne of God, obviously I want Him to say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant,"' Kinkade said. "I've had other believers ask me why I don' t use my life in a more meaningful way, like for missionary work or preaching the Gospel. But, you know what? Even a painting can have the sense of God's love in it. I've said for years that my paintings are, kind of like the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts, little bits of cloth that are seeds that carry a message of God's love to His people."

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NASCAR Over the years, Kinkade became fascinated with the sport of stock car racing and the tremendous growth of NASCAR's fan base. The sport's popularity began to explode in the 1990s and continues to be one of the biggest spectator sports in the country. To him, painting the 50th running of the Daytona 500-arguably the biggest event in

K hom as Kinkade didn't suddenly tire of painting landscapes, for

r----"' which he is famous the world over. He simply decided to expand his horizons, and upon the tremendous talent and ability in which the Lord has blessed him. Jn addition to the skyline of New York, Notre Dame in Paris or a sunset in Jerusalem, Kinkade can be found these days painting pieces of Americanasports events that help to shape the character and passions of our country. His recent creations include NASCA R Thunder, a depiction of the 50th nmning of NASCAR's Daytona 500; Femvay Park and Yawkey Way, honoring the history of the Boston Red Sox; and Yankee Stadium, a tribute to baseball's most famous cathedral that will be torn down and replaced by a new venue this spring. 'The exciting thing about sports is that you're part of something that is bigger than yourself," Kinkade said. "You find an exciting subject, but you don't paint it, it paints itself. It's unbelievable the excitement you feel, knowing that what you're creating is prut of history." Since he released his first print in 1984, Kinkade has dedicated his work to the Lord. Using print products he has created, he has been involved in raising money for a number of charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, NASCAR star Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camps, World Vision and late actor Paul Newman's Hole-in-the-Wall Gang organization. "I've been committed to using my rut to making a difference in the world," Kinkade said. "My mother raised me with the simple philosophy in that she taught us kids that our talents are God's gift to us. 6 2

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.,.. Paintef ollightning-fast cars: Thomas works on capturing the thrill of the 50th running of the Daytona 500 from ESPN's TV platform. Left: As Kinkade did preliminary work for his portrait of The House That Ruth Built, he experienced a sense of history and thrills seen there by Yankees fans over the decades.

NASCAR's history- proved to be a no-brainer. "Art can capture those perfect moments of life and make them somehow timeless," Kinkade said. "When I stood at the starting line and watched the legendary Richard Petty wave the green flag for the start of the race, I felt like it was a moment lost in time. As an artist, it was up to me to document that event to bring something to life in my painting that was larger than everyday life." Brian France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR, is proud to have had his sport, founded by his grandfather, William "Big Bill" France, included in Kinkade's new venture of painting sporting events. "Mr. Kinkade's NASCAR Thunder, his depiction of the 50th running of the Daytona 500, captures the true spirit of NASCAR," France said. "I especially like that it is painted from the fan perspective and includes the 43-car field, the flyover by military jets, and the anticipation of the fans. The 2008 Daytona 500 is one that I'll always remember, and Thomas Kinkade preserved that moment in time forever." Kinkade said the initial painting of NASCA R Thunder, what he terms as a "study painting," took approx imately four hours. During the race, he set up his easel on the ESPN television platform where he said the view was incredible. From there, he put about 250 to 300 hours of work into the oil

painting before it was released in May 2008.

YANKEE STADIUM Yankee Stadium, "The House that Ruth Built," opened in 1923 and is home to 26 World Championships. II will be torn down following the 2008 season, and the new Yankee Stadium, located next to it, will open in 2009. "With the Yankees, you're dealing with a great sense of heritage, a great sense of fan passion," Kinkade said. "When you work with an organization like the New York Yankees, people believe in what they're doing. They have vision. "When I was sitting down to do my preliminary work for the painting, it almost felt like the ghosts of all of those great players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gherig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle were watching over the process. It was unbelievably exhilarating." Released in August 2007, the Yankee Stadium painting quicldy became Kinkade's top-selling piece. Surprisingly, he said, it has since been replaced by a painting released in 2008 depicting Disney's Snow White discovering the seven dwarves' cottage in the forest.

FENWAV PARK The Red Sox snapped a 78-year World Series victory drought in 2004 by beating the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2007, Boston repeated the feat with a sweep of the Colorado Rockies.

LOVE LETTERS â&#x20AC;˘ In each painting he creates, Thomas Kinkade always Leaves a present-and a challenge-for the collectors of his artwork. In what he terms as "Love notes" to his wife, Nanette, Kinkade fills each piece-he's done more than 700-with hidden Ns. He puts the number of Ns underneath his signature on the painting, but Leaves it up to the collector to use his or her imagination to find them all. "I did that on the first one on a fluke, or a Lark if you will," the world-renowned artist said. "When I did a painting for publication for the first time, I did it as a tribute to Nanette, and the dealer heard about it. When I went to do the next print, they said to make sure I put the hidden N in there because all the collectors will watch for it. It has become almost an inside joke with the collectors, but they Love it." NASCAR Thunder, a painting Kinkade created to commemorate the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in February of 2008, Logically has 50 hidden Ns in the piece. Thomas and Nanette Kinkade have been married for 26 years. Nanette Kinkade said she still gets a kick of out her husband honoring her in such a way. "It's really fun to know that he's thinking about me and wants to give me something extra," she said. "It started out as something personal between the two of us. Now, everybody always Looks for the Ns. It's wonderful." - SHAWN A. AKERS

Kinkade was invited to Fenway Park during the 2007 World Series, and said the history of the stadium overwhelmed him. "When you're surrounded by a sea of red jackets and shirts like that, it's a great sense of tradition," he said. "There's an atmosphere ' there that inspires hope."

NEXT UP In May 2009, Kinkade will be on hand at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the lOOth running of the Indianapolis 500. He plans to release a painting paying tribute to the milestone race later in the year. He has also been working with the NFL to obtain permission to paint the Super Bowl, one of America's greatest sporting events. 0

Shawn A. Akers is an editor at International Speedway Corporation in the publications department and has been involved in NASCAR for 14 years. He lives in Orlando, Florida. SPORTS SP EC TRUM - WINTER 200 9

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CHECKING OUT ATHLETES OFF TH E FIELD OF PLAY • BY JOSH COOLEY

What hav you done lace yo•• powt caw el' ended? ANTHONY MUNOZ

thony Munoz has very little to complain about. 1 From 1980 to 1 ~ ~ 1992, he carved out a Hall of Fame career for the Cincinnati Bengals that is remembered as one of the finest in NFL history for an offensive lineman. Nevertheless, two particular memories still haunt him. Try as they might, Munoz and the Bengals could not solve Joe Montana's mighty San Francisco juggernaut of the 1980s. Cincinnati lost to Montana's 49ers in Super Bowls XVI and XXIII. '1 just get nauseated when I think about it," Munoz said, laughing. "I have a few nightmares now and then about No. 16." Besides the occasionally painful flashback, trips down memory

lane are quite pleasant for Munoz. The 6'6" 278-pound giant-a former two-time AU-American from Southern Cal and the third pick of the 1980 draft-was a model of dependability, agility and strength in the pros. At a position known for debilitating injuries and short careers, he started 183 of 185 games from 1980 to 1992, played in 11 straight Pro Bowls (1981-91) and won three NFL offensive lineman of the year awards (1981, '87, '88). He was chosen for the NFI:s 75th Anniversary AU-Time Team in 1994 and enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1998. "It's still one of those things where I pinch myself," Munoz said. "It's such an honor to be there in Canton." For a guy whose football career consisted of keeping opponents at bay, Munoz has done a fine job recently of welcoming folks with open arms. In April 2002, he launched the Anthony Munoz Foundation, a diverse charity that seeks to positively impact youth in the Cincinnati area. The foundation raises money for inner city groups, runs a mentoring pro. gram, and hosts football camps and youth seminars, among other outreaches. Munoz, who still lives in the Cincinnati suburbs, is also a corporate spokesperson, owns a small athletic apparel company, sits on Athletes in Action's national board of directors and frequently travels to speak at Christian and secular events. So much for retirement. "You just kind of have to manage the time," he said. "It's not that bad." Munoz is loving life. He became a first-time grandfather earlier this year, turned 50 on Aug. 19 and also celebrated the 30th anniver-

• Now: Top Is Munoz at a yearly Christmas Toy Giveaway. Bottom left: Munoz with Harry Fowler, one of two winners In the 2008 Straight A program, which recognizes Cincinnati high schoolers for achievements In academics, athletics, and the community while also facing adversity. Bottom right: Munoz with children at King's Domain, a Christian camp and conference center In Oregonia, Ohio. ~ And then: Munoz with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992, the last season of his 13-year NFL career.

sary of his marriage and faith. He and his wife, DeDe, put their faith in Christ a few months after getting married in 1978, when they

were both still attending USC. "This has been a wonderful year," Munoz said. 0 -J OSH COOLEY

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DAVE

~OHNSON

ho can forget the classic "Dan & Dave" commercials from 1992? Leading up to that year's Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Reebok ran a series of TV ads touting the games as an epic showdown between U.S. decathletes Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson to determine the world's greatest athlete. What eventually transpired was anything but what the world expected. Considering Johnson's rocky start in life, the same could be said for his entire career. Growing up in Montana and Oregon, Johnson didn't play sports in high school until 12th grade. He was more interested in finding trouble. By eighth grade, some

of his favorite pastimes included drinking alcohol and burglary. "I was the fastest guy in school for running from police," he said. "It wasn't productive speed." By 12th grade, Johnson realized he was traveling down a dead-end road, reversed course and put his faith in Christ. He started competing in track and field, and by the time he graduated from Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University, he was one of the top decathletes in the U.S. Between 1986 and 1992, he won four U.S. championships, broke the American decathlon record (8,549 points, 1989), finished ninth in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and won the 1989 World University Games. "He was amazingly gifted;' said Azusa Pacific track coach Kevin Reid, one of Johnson's former coaches. "The strongest part about him was his head." Johnson's 1992 season was easily his most memorable, but not necessarily in the way Reebok had envisioned. O'Brien failed to make the U.S. Olympic team, while Johnson qualified but suffered a severe stress fracture in his foot. Ignoring intense pain and his doctor's orders to skip the Olympics, he persevered and, amazingly, earned the bronze medal. "I felt like I was being carried, and I felt a purpose beyond what I was there for:' Johnson said. "I tried to remember: fm not here for me. fm here for a bigger reason." Johnson retired from competition after failing to reach the 1996 Olympics and soon developed a passion for secondary education. Now 45, he has been married for 20 years, has four children ages 3 to 15 and is currently a vice principal and athletic director at South Salem High School in Oregon. "It's heaven on earth here," he

~ Sweet. VIce principal Johnson reflects back on his days of competition when he won decathlon bronze at the 1992 liJarcelona Olympics.

said. "There are administrators that are Christians here. I have lots of support all the time." Johnson is considering writing a follow-up to his 1994 book, Aim High, and he also travels occasionally to different churches "to relay the message that every

day, we have crosses to bear and here's what I had to do." "I had the opportunity to completely give my life away for God; ' he said, "because He did it for me and He took care of me through it." 0 - JOSH COOLEY SPORTS SPECTRU M - WINTER 2009

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THE PLAN NFL LINEBACKER

o ..eg Ellis 1~

•s a•& ABou~ , GRACE

• When people ask me how and when I became a Christian, I always ~~;;:::oo~~~ think back to when I was growing up. I grew up in a Christian home and my parents were both very strong Christians. When I was growing up, we never really had a lot of money and it seemed like we had to depend on God so much for everything, every day. I had always believed in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but I actually accepted Christ as my Savior and began my personal relationship with Him when I was 16 and was in the 11th grade. When I was 16, I realized that I was a sinner and realized my need for a Savior. I knew I was a pretty good person, but I also knew that no matter how good we are, it is by grace that we are saved and that we aU need a Savior. For me, and I think for most people, I didn't really feel aU that different when I accepted Christ as my Savior. But what I found was that, after I accepted Christ and made a decision to totally give my life to Him, my behavior changed. I had always tried to be a good person, but after I gave my life to Christ, when I would use language or do other things that I. knew were displeasing to the Lord, the Holy Spirit would convict me and I would really feel bad about doing those things. To me, that was the main difference. When I share the gospel with other athletes, they often tell me that it will hurt their career to be a Christian. That it will make them weak. But Christ was big and strong and tougher than most people can ever imagine, and He went through one of the most agonizing deaths anyone has ever gone through so that He could die for our sins. To me, that's not weakness. That's strength. What everybody needs to realize is that only Christ can fill that void in your life. I see it aU the time with guys in my profession. Win this game and I1l be happy. Make a certain number of sacks and I'll be happy. Make this amount of money and I'll be happy. But what people need to realize is that there is nothing in this world that will make you happy and make you fulfilled without Christ. Nothing will ever fill that void in your soul except a relationship with Jesus Christ. So what are you waiting for? There's no better time to accept Christ as your Savior than today. Make today the day of your salvation. 0

Writer Jim Gibbs assisted with this article. What Does It Mean? Greg Ellis realized being good wasn't enough. He needed to admit he was missing the mark, and accept Christ as his Savior. He didn't need to do anything else, because God's grace took care of that. Irs like Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." If you haven't accepted Christ yet, please do so today.

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