Rangers Celebrate With The Team In Mind

The Texas Rangers just won the American League Divisional Series over the Tampa Bay Rays, and they celebrated a little differently than most teams. One of their players, Josh Hamilton, is a recovering alcoholic and they decided to keep the bubbly away from him.

This is a group of guys who understand what a team is all about. These guys could have easily decided to celebrate like most teams do, and like they probably dreamed of, by breaking out the bottles of champagne. Yet, they knew it would keep one of their teammates away from the celebration. And they weren't about to let a tradition get in the way of the unity of their team.

It's easy to cheer for a group of guys who "get it" like this group of Rangers get it.

Ron Brown Is Not Ashamed of The Gospel

Ron Brown, longtime assistant football coach at Nebraska, has used his platform to share the gospel for years. He's been a leading Christian voice not only in the sports world, but in all the world.

When a person takes a bold stand for Christ, it's inevitable he or she will face strong opposition. That has certainly been the case for Brown. And Brown's stance has been so bold that his opposition of one of the fiercest, the ACLU.

But unlike most people, Brown is not intimidated and is not backing down. In fact, he's calling out all Christian leaders to have more backbone in their faith and stance for Christ.

We're living in unprecedented times in the U.S. The current opposition of Jesus in this country was unthinkable 15-20 years ago. After reading stories in the Bible about persecution, we would talk about persecution in other countries as current day examples. Now we're citing examples from our own country - and our own city.

I hope this article will help all of us to re-think our public commitment to Christ. What are we willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ?

Stoops Takes a Stand

I love the stance Bob Stoops is taking in holding his players accountable for their actions. Stoops suspended wide receiver Jaz Reynolds for his insensitive remarks on his Twitter account.

Our society needs to understand that you can't just say things off-the cuff and not be responsible for it. Hopefully this will be a great learning experience for this young man and he gains some maturity for the accountability Stoops' enforces.

Billy Donovan's Trip With His Son

Jeff Goodman is a great writer on college basketball for FoxSports.com. He wrote this article on Florida coach Billy Donovan's trip to Africa with his son.

The story and Donovan's adventures are great. But what struck me most was Donovan spending time with his son watching TV and dreaming big dreams. And more importantly, making those dreams a reality.

It's great watching fathers teach and lead their sons.

Family First

Brent Sutter is a successful NHL coach in the middle of a re-building project with the New Jersey Devils. But last week, Sutter did the unthinkable in the eyes of most professionals - Sutter walked away from his job to be with his family 3,000 miles away.

"It might not be the right decision for some people," Sutter said, "and that's fine. I don't look at it like I am quitting on anything. I threw two years of my life and made a big commitment 3,000 miles away from where my life was and tried to do everything I possibly could to accomplish a goal. So by me doing that my life has suffered in other areas, and those areas to me are bigger than the game."

After spending several weeks deciding whether or not to return to the Devils, he finally decided to go home to run a family business and actually be with his family.

"I just wanted to make sure I never looked back and regretted it. To be quite honest, I had a decent sleep last night for the first time in seven weeks."

I don't anything about Sutter spiritually. But he made a decision few professionals make, choosing family over the pursuit of their career. And for that, I admire him and tip my hat to him.

Wayman Tisdale

We lost one of the great men who ever stepped foot on a basketball court. I remember first seeing Wayman Tisdale when he dominated college basketball for the University of Oklahoma. Then for years he was one of the leading scorers in the NBA.

But even greater than his basketball prowess was Wayman's love of God, of people, and of life. He continued to use the gifts God gave him after he finished his basketball career by becoming a Grammy Award winning jazz bassist. And as much fun as he appeared to have playing basketball couldn't match the obvious fun he had creating music.

We lost a man way before we should have. We can all learn from Wayman to make the most of the days God's given us.

Meet Barclay Radebaugh

Barclay Radebaugh is the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina. Radebaugh recently took his Buccaneer team to Poland. The NCAA allows Division I teams to take such trips once every four years, where coaches can get a jump-start on practice for the year and give players an opportunity to experience the culture of another country.

Radebaugh, a commited follower of Christ, had a different idea about what he wanted to accomplish on the trip to Poland. The CSU Sports Information department wrote this story on the trip the team took.

To learn more about Radebaugh's background, this is a great story from BP Press.

Ryan Hall

Runner's World magazine ran a great article on Ryan Hall. Click here to a link to the article.

Hall finished 10th in the Marathon at the Beijing Olympics, and has boldly shared Christ with the platform he's been given.

Olympic Hero

There have been many heroic efforts so far in the 2008 Olympics (Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Bryan Clay), but my favorite has to be David Neville. His dive across the finish line to earn a bronze medal in the men's 400-meter dash is destined to be shown on television for years as an example of determination and used in illustrations by speakers across the country.

I love this quote from Neville right after the race:

"I did it because it was the only thing I could think to do in the second. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our body and our mind and our spirit for what we really want."

Neville is a Merrillville, Indiana, native who competed for the University of Indiana. He is currently living and training in southern California, where he is also working in youth ministry. And did I mention he is an accomplished musician? Neville is a guy we need to hear more about.

Trip To Peru Will Change These Athletes Forever

For those of us in college athletics, we often get so consumed with our jobs -- the next opponent, the must-get recruit, the individual workouts, etc. -- that most of us lose perspective on life itself. We all take our jobs too seriously, working ungodly hours and neglecting family, friends, hobbies...life itself.

And the culture we create with our athletes often leads to an attitude of entitlement for many of them. They begin to think they are of extreme importance because of their athletic skills.

That's why what IUPUI basketball coach Ron Hunter strikes such a chord with me. Hunter took his staff and a few players with him to Peru to deliver shoes to impoverished children. What they came home with was a perspective that will change them forever. ESPN's Dana O'Neil chronicles their journey in a story that will move you.

Higher Goals at the Beijing Olympics

Every athlete at the Olympics has a goal of winning a Gold Medal. But, as this article from Charisma Magazine points out, several athletes have an even greater goal -- sharing Jesus with fellow competitors.

As we enjoy watching the competition during the Olympics, let's remember to pray for the athletes. Pray that the Christian athletes will have a boldness to share Christ. Pray for the unbelievers that their hearts would be receptive to the Gospel message.

And let's also pray for the leaders and people of China.

Spiritual Warfare

Jerry Boykin, who wrote the book Never Surrender, talks about spiritual warfare in this article from CBN News. Boykin commanded Delta Force during the battle of Mogadishu depicted in the movie Blackhawk Down.

Boykin has taken a great deal of heat for warning Christians about the spiritual battles taking place around the world today. It makes me wonder how prepared I am to defend my faith. Have I really armed myself with the knowledge I need?

One thing is for sure -- I need to spend a lot more time on my knees before God praying for fellow Christ followers and the needs of this world.

This Leader Is a Great Follower

Sharing The Victory, the monthly magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has a great read on Washington State head coach Tony Bennett. Bennett is genuine about his faith in Christ and is salt and light on his campus and in his profession. The great leaders have to first be great followers. Bennett is following Christ closely.

Athletes Continuing Drug Use

Eric Crawford of the Louisville's Courier-Journal had some interesting thoughts on drug use by college athletes. College coaches have varying views on discipline for drug offenses. One of Crawford's suggestions is to make universal legislation across Division I sports for drug offenders.

With coaches feeling the pressure to win, some are very lenient, not wanting to upset hungry fan bases. By taking the discipline out of the coaches hands, at least all teams will be on a level playing field.

Just a thought. Change needs to come soon in some fashion.

Tim Tebow: Strong in His Convictions

Tim Tebow continues to impress with a maturity beyond his years. Recently, Tebow informed the University of Florida Sports Information Department not to include his name on the Playboy All-America ballot. His Christian convictions wouldn't allow him to support such a magazine. Another link to Chris Low's blog at ESPN gives you more insight on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

A Video You Must See

This is an unbelievable testimony. It puts a lot of things in perspective. At least it does for me. Nick's story needs to be heard.

Russ Pennell Back in the Saddle

One of the really great guys in coaching is back in the business. Russ Pennell has joined Lute Olson's staff at Arizona.

Russ is one of the classiest guys in coaching and is solid in his Christian walk. The Arizona program, as storied as it is, just took a huge step forward today.

Tebow's Most Impressive Spring Performance

Tim Tebow has won a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship. But this is even more impressive. Check out this article by Mark Schlabach on espn.com. There are very few men Tebow's age who could be comfortable in a prison sharing the Gospel. Tebow's humility and grasp on God's provision are impressive, as evidenced by this quote: "

Because of my name recognition and because of who I am, I've been given an
opportunity to go places where most other people can't go," Tebow said. "I can
go into prisons and speak, and no one will say anything. I can go into schools
and speak, and they'll love to have me. I can go to all these different places
because of who I am as a football player. That's a platform the Lord has given
me, and I think it's my responsibility to take advantage of it."

It's refreshing to see secular, national publications give accurate accounts of one's spiritual life. Kudos to Mark Schlabach and espn.com.

Not Your Average College Athlete

Eric Crawford of The Courier-Journal wrote a fabulous article on the life of University of Louisville cross country runner Wesley Korir. Most American collegians could never even dream of the difficulties Korir has encountered, much less overcome them. Korir has fought for his life, and the life of his native Kenyan countryment. This is a must read article.

A nice piece by JA Adande on espn.com about the Portland Trail Blazers and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Channing Frye talks about how basketball brings people together. When we work toward a common goal, we don't care about the skin color of the people we are working WITH. Let's hope we can continue to get past skin color and begin working together in all areas of life.