CONTENTS FEATURES Micah Owings: Double Threat It's a little unusual what pitcher Micah Owings does with the stick, but he's convinced that this is the way things ShOUld be BY MIKE SANDROLINI
26 30
Sports Mom: 5 Keys to Raising a Godly Athlete A mom who did it well tells how to make sure competition doesn't overwhelm your Children BY GWEN DIAZ
Tim Tebow: Grounded Whether through the air or on the
34
ground, Tim Tebow plays quarterback better than anyone else in college, but no matter what accolades come his way, he keeps his feet firmly planted on terra firma BY VICTOR LEE ------- -- ------ ------ -------~~~~~~ -- - - - ---------- ------- - --- - ---------- - - - -------------- - - - ------Lauren Dungy: The SS Interview When your husband is arguably the most respected man in sports, your own life is highly involved in that culture. SS checks in with Lauren Dungy to see how She COpes With that WITH BOB BELLONE
40 42
NFL Preview: What surprises will the 2008 season bring? Can the Giants make a triumphant return? Might the Chargers emerge? Will anyone reach perfection? BY ROB BENTZ
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46 , ~ .
David ~ree: The Catch- and Other Miracles The fact that David Tyree was still playing football last year is more of a miracle than/his spectacular, game-saving catch in Super Bowl XXLII
------ -------- ----- ------ ~·o;·~"'!!S.!''-'T!"."'""'-'-'-
NFL Closeup: Zorn. Nece. Kampman Jim Zorn took the long road to
50
Washington; Ryan Nece forms a foundation; Aaron Kampman is on a mission
56
NCAA Closeup: .Jerry Moore You'll recall what Jerry Moore and his Mountaineers did last season to Michigan. Now Moore tells why he thinks it happened BY BRETT HONEYCUTT
NBA Preview Is anybody else going to put together a surprise championship as Boston did in 2008 via major trades? Who's ready to :')l;ft'~llll challenge the Celtics? BY DARRYL HOWERTON
NBA Closeup: Chris Kaman LA Clipper center Chris Kaman fulfilled a dream by playing in the Olympics ... for Germany. Some were not amused BY JEFF ARNOLD .Jim Nantz: Positive Spin As the voice of CBS Sports, Jim Nantz has brought us many great moments with grace and class. His story helps US see why BY ART STRICKLIN
page
DEPARTMENTS
52 SPORTS SPECTRUM • MAY - JUNE 2008
3
Have A Why
Flipping
Good Time
路
At Work:
FUN
\s Necessary
- - - -
-
DEPARTMENTS
6
Focal Point- Gabe Gross leaps at the chance to help the Tampa Bay Rays climb from obscurity
9
~ Real Life-Nine questions for David Thornton, linebacker for the Tennessee Titans WITHJOSH cooLEY
10 Out of
Uniform- Athletes and musicians have always had a bond . Here's the scoop on what Christian athletes listen to BYJENNA SAMPSON
12 Up Nex t- Zac 14 Shelf
Robinson, Tyler Zeller, Christina Wirth, Romeo Bjoumessl BY JIMGIBBs
Life-Major league pitcher Paul Byrd has penned his first book, and now he's talking about it WITH LORILEE CRAKER
15 .,. Airing It
Out- Is it okay with the NFL if your church has a Super Bowl party? Or will you hear from their lawyers? BY DAVE BRANON
16 Personal 19
Best- One of the top NBA shooters of all-time gives you some tips on Improving your shot BY ALLAN HOUSTON -------------------------------------------------- page Intake-eye care and macular degeneration BY BENJAMIN BAECHLER
15
20 Heart and
Soul- Because Dad drank like a fish, champion fisherman Hank Parker struggled. But when Dad got hooked on Jesus, things started to change BY VICTOR LEE
21
:1------------------------------------------------.'he Coaching Zone-Coaching is supposed to b1e fun. Sometimes it isn't. How do you handle the h1assleS? BY STEPHANIE ZONARS
22 Getting Fit- A 24 Pro and
3-month fitness program a woman COUld love BY CHIP SIGMON
~ Con- When an athlete-role model falls, is he out of the role model business? BY ALLEN PALMERI AND TEDKLUCK
34 The Big Picture-
Tim Tebow, quarterback for the University of Florida and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner
66
... The Plan- Follow the faith story of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols
page
66 SPORTS SP EC TRUM - FA LL 2008
5
l
FOCAL POINT
Leap Year Gabe Gross would not have exactly jumped for joy upon being '---_.. told that he had been traded from contending Milwaukee to the Tampa Bay Rays. Any other year, that would have relegated Gross to the AL East basement and total obscurity. But this is not any other year. This is the year Tampa Bay finally leaped into the spotlight. Of course, Gross was not thrilled with leaving his Brewers teammates after being with them since December 2005. But he knew the sun was rising on the Rays. "My initial reaction was both sadness in leaving behind my teammates with the Brewers and excitement with a promising opportunity with NY OTHER YEAR,
Tampa Bay." Gross took his power bat with him, hitting seven home runs in his first 140 at-bats with the Rays after hitting none with Milwaukee before the trade. "Being traded to Tampa Bay has reinforced my knowledge that God truly is in control of things, and ( wherever He puts me I am to honor and serve Him." Any other year, it would take a lot more faith to say that. And any other year, you would never hear anyone say this, as Gross did about suiting up for the Rays: "It is as much fun as I've had playing baseball in a long time." 0 .._ Rays of sunshine: Gabe Gross connects for a walkoff home run In the 10th Inning against the Chicago White Sox. The Rays got pretty good at celebrating during their remarkable 2008 season. 6
SPORTS SPECTRUM • FAL L 2008
Titus or God and
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perate. worthy o f resp«t, stlf· controlled and sound in faith, In love and in endurance. 'Likewise, teach the older women to be rt\'trent ln the way they Uve, not to be slanderm or addkted to much wine, but to traeh what Is &ood. •Then they can u aln the younaer women to love their husbands and ehll· UlllUIIIIItl.!lli!as!..J dren, 'to be stlf-controlltd and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will
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• Time-tested and trusted for over 100 years • Unique Chain-Reference® System • Over 7,000 topic~ Over 100,000 References • 25 Departments of Helps 'the Thomp vn Chain-Reference Bible is fr'le from outside influence. lt.has no commentary, no persona) opinion, and no denominational bias. t'he Thompson « ible allows th S'cripture to interpret itself by ''chaining" you from verso to r~lated erse on any subject. /
JOSHUA COOLEY REVEALS THE MAN UNDER TH E HELMET
Nine questions for the Tennessee Titans' starting left linebacker, recipient of the 2007 Ed Block Courage Award, which honors sportsmanship and courage.
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Who challenges you
::1 the most spiritually,
and how? "We have a daily reading we're doing to read through the Bible in a year. It's about five or six guys: [fullback] Casey Cramer, [center] Kevin Mawae, and a couple others. We're making sure to exercise spiritual growth every day."
2
Have you found a book that has been encouraging in your life as a Christian (other than the Bible)? "I typically read Our Daily Bread. And I go to a Web site called Daily Recharge. It encourages you and gives you a little boost. It reminds you of your purpose in life and why God created you."
~
3
Why do you do so much charity work, such as providing Thanksgiving meals, helping with Boys & Girls Clubs, and funding a scholarship program for your old high school? "I definitely feel like I've been blessed with a small platform to reach out to the community. To whom much is given, much is required. So I try to reach out as much as I can."
~ What's your favorite Bible ::1 passage? "I have a lot, but one I hang my hat on is Joshua 1:9. I put it on my football camp T-Shirt this year."
fi) Where's the one area in ' which you feel you need the
most spiritual growth? "''m going through different tests
all the time. Sometimes I try to fix things and try to reason it out and trust in my own strength, but I want to keep my trust in God. I want to stay steadfast and reliant on Him." •
How do you pump yourself up before a game? "My iPod is full of gospel music- different worship and praise songs. That gets my mojo going. Then I go out and play my best and do it all for God's glory."
y8/
What's the toughest thing about playing in the NFL? "On Mondays, after the game is over, your body is so physically drained and banged up. It's a collision sport. It's a violent sport. The game isn't really kind to your body." •
What's the best heckle you've heard from an opposing team's fan? "When I signed here in 2006, I was probably the first former Colt to sign here in who knows how many years. Then [a lot of former Colts] came. Some fans called us the Baby Colts. I thought that was pretty creative to look at our roster and see all the Colts that are now Titans." r
•
Who is the best quarterback · you've ever faced? "Peyton Manning. I had him as a teammate, and I've played him in our division. I've played against Tom Brady and Brett Favre, but from my experience, the toughest to play against, as far as his reads and his checks, is Peyton." 0
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CHECKING OUT HOW ATHLETES INTERACT WITH TODAY'S CULTURE • BY JENNA SAMPSON
What's in You.. Playlist? Music is a huge part of our culture. It's everywhere: radio, television, movies, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, and elevators. Let's (ace it- hearing a great beat combined with the right set of lyrics can take your day (rom okay to amazing! I can't think of a better time to reach out (or just the right song than when youre a professional athlete at the top of your game-ready to step up to the plate in front of 40,000 screaming fans or looking (or a little encouragement on the road during a grueling travel season. And you may think you've got great taste in music-until you read what the pros have on their iPods. I'm already making a list!
AROUND THE HORN • When the New York Yankees' Chad Moeller leaves the on-deck circle and struts toward home plate, Toby Mac's "Burn for You" blasts throughout the stadium. Talk about intimidation! Moeller also regularly listens to the David Crowder Band and calls Third Day's Mac Powell a friend. • And what can be better than having a famous musician as a friend? Having your friend write a song just for you! Detroit Tigers pitcher Todd Jones is tight with MercyMe. They penned the song "Last One Standing" on their album Coming Up to Breathe just for the Tigers' aU-time saves leader! That's definitely a reminder that hitters don't enjoy hearing before standing in against Jonesie. • Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals keeps it fast with Christian rapper Flynn when he steps up to the plate. He regularly keeps in touch with musician friends Mark Hall (Casting Crowns), Eddie Carswell
(NewSong), and Robby Shaffer (MercyMe) . Shaffer even attends
games to cheer on the AU-Star first baseman when he's in town! • Third Coast Sports Faith Nights are helping major league teams across the country fill seats with sellout crowds. At the Houston Astros' "Faith and Family Night" in 2007, over 41,000 people turned out to join Jeremy Camp in worship before the game started. AU-Star first baseman Lance Berkman (also a big fan of the Newsboys) shared his testimony with the crowd. Atlanta Braves hurler John Smoltz and teammate Matt Diaz, along with Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, and Pujols have aU given their testimonies during Faith Nights at their respective home fields, preceded by killer concerts from Christian music favorites MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, and Steven Curtis Chapman. Matt's brother, musician Jonny Diaz, opened for Chapman at the August 2 Faith Night for the Braves. / OETTYI "* ..,,., MercyMe bandmates Bart Millard and Robby Shaffer are such huge baseball fans they even have a box at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to cheer on the Texas Rangers. Look for a Faith Night in your area. Go to (www.thirdcoastsports.com).
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN THIS MOMENT
1 0
SPORTS SPECTRUM - FALL 2008
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SEEKING GOLD
..
LADIES' CHOICE
• On the other side of the globe, US Olympic athletes had a busy summer in China, giving Americans a lot to cheer about. They're fans themselves -of some of today's hottest Christian artists, that is. Platform diver Laura Wilkinson not only raves about Amy Grant, but she also appeared
• When world-class road cyclist Amber Neben begins her hill climbs during training sessions, she loves to pump to Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson, and the Newsboys. Nothing like some upbeat tempos to push you up a hill! Neben is a two-time winner of the Tour de l'Aude, the women's version of the Tour
on the Revolve tour with her for three straight tours as a guest speaker! • Olympic gold medalist decathlete Bryan Clay's theme song for 2008 is Casting Crowns' "Voice of Truth," something he knows about all too welL As a student at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, the 28-year-old committed his life to Christ and hasn't looked back. Bryan uses his celebrity status to reach ..-----!~· out to youth through the Bryan Clay Foundation that maintains the motto: "Building Champions, Changing Lives." • At 23 years old, Sanya Richards won gold and bronze in Beijing. She draws inspiration from musicians like Kirk Franklin- and also Yolanda Adams. The Jamaican native also has a pretty cool Web site. Watch her "Beat the Bullet" (www.sanyarichards.net). L.::.._..JIIbl!~;;;:;:~!lg • BMX racer Donny Robinson, who captured bronze in Beijing this summer (it's the first time BMX has been an Olympic sport), considers Keith Green a huge inspiration. "I've listened to his CDs for over 12 years," he says. Of course, he has some modem favorites as well, including John Waller and Casting Crowns. He also listens to WOW Worship CDs when he travels as a way to squeeze in some worship, even at 30,000 feet! The 5'5" biker is considered the David in a field of Goliaths, and he's certainly living up to the metaphor on the track!
de France. She competed for the US in road cycling at the Beijing Olympics. • For Tanisha Wright of the WNBA's Seattle Storm, the music of Vicky Yohe has been a long-time favorite. "Because of Who You Are," a song off her 2003 album, never ceases to inspire Wright. Other artists on this hoopster's iPod include MercyMe, Yolanda Adams, and Don McClurkin. • Out on the links, popular musicians like Jeremy Camp, the David Crowder Band, and Sonic Flood are favorites for the LPGA's Aussie sensation Katherine Hull. She also likes to listen to WOW CDs. Hull captured the CN Canadian Open- her first LPGA win-in late August.
STRAIGHT
F_!f,~~
GRIDIRON
• Green Bay Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biarnila's favorite artist is Christian rapper Lecrae Moore. KGB recently sponsored a concert for Moore, a 2007 GMA Dove Award Nominee, even though Gbaja-Biamila couldn't attend the event because of a team commitment. His lyrics offer a great message-and a beat that all Cheeseheads need to hear!
So wherever you are, and whatever youre doing, realize that sometimes when youre listening to your favorite Christian song, some of your favorite Christian athletes are doing the exact same thing! Now start downloading some of these artists on your iPod-it'/1 turn your day from okay to amazing. 0 WEB SIT E: www.SportsSpect ru m.com
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SPOR TS SPECTRU M • FA LL 2008
1 1
A new gene~ation of winnen WRITT EN AND COM PILED BY JIM G IBBS
ZAC ROBINSON: Learning to Lead • While it's still too early to write Zac Robinson's biography, so far it might be summed up in the old Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared." Robinson threw for 2,824 yards last year as a sophomore quarterback for Oklahoma State University after taking over as the starter in the third game of the season. "In the second quarter of the second game of the year, our starter got knocked out of the game," Robinson says. "I came in, and the team started playing pretty well under me. So, the next game I was named the starter, and I was fortunate enough to start the rest of the season." OSU finished last season with an overall record of 7-6, and Robinson hopes to build on that this year. "Last year, we just didn't finish out games like we should have," he says. "We had some pretty big leads over some pretty big teams, but at the end they came back and beat us. So this year we want to just play hard all the way through and finish strong in every game we play." Robinson recognizes that as the quarterback it's important to be a leader on and off the field. "It's funny, because even though I'm just a junior this year, I feel like I've been here 8 years already," he says, laughing. "It's exciting because God has put me in a position to be a good 1 2
SPO RT S SPECTRUM • FALL 2008
example for a lot of guys. Everyone looks to the quarterback position for leadership, and I want to be a good leader for all our players."
have as many as 120 guys suit out on a team, and out of all those guys, maybe only five guys are Christians," he says. "That's a
• Good Insight. Zac Robinson led the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a 49-33 victory In the Insight Bowl last season. He passed for three TOs and ran for two others In Tempe, Arizona.
Robinson added that because of the sheer numbers associated with college football, his role as a leader is even more important. "At home games, you1l
very challenging situation, because as a follower of Christ you want to see every one of those guys who don't know Christ accept Him as their personal Savior. That's my
main goal every day. Sure, I want us to win as many ballgames as we can, but my main goal every day is to help bring others to Christ." One way to do that, Robinson says, is to take his non-Christian friends to church with him. "What I like to do is have my friends go to church with me, and then after the service ask them what they thought about the church service," he says. "To effectively share your faith, you have to find out where your friends are spiritually. When you can take them to an evangelical type of service where the gospel of Christ is preached and there is an invitation for a non-believer to accept Christ as his Savior, then you have a great bridge for discussion. Then, after I find out where my friend is spiritually, I can share my own testimony with him and tell him what a difference Christ has made in my life. "Whether it's on or off the field, you have to build relationships with guys. And that's the key thing whether you're leading them to Christ or trying to lead them to a win on the football field." 0 - J IM GIBBS
TYLER ZELLER
Basketball. 7-0 Center/ Forward. Freshman. University of North Carolina. Age 18.
Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 2008. One of the most dominant high school players in the country, he was ranked 16th in the 2008 high school recruiting class. Scored 40 or more points seven times during his senior year at Washington High School in Washington, Indiana. Also scored more than 30 points in 17 games as he led WHS to a state championship. HIGHLIGHT: "Winning the high school state champi· onship." TOP VERSE: Philippians 4:13 HIS STORY: "It's hard to pinpoint the exact time and date, but from a very early age, I understood the gospel and knew that I was a sinner and needed a relationship with Christ to get to heaven." KEY INGREDIENTS: "My family really helps keep me strong and grounded." GOALS: "I just want to be the best player I can be. My goal is to keep improving each day and getting better. And I want to contribute to the team, whether it is on the practice team or in a real game."
FAVORITE CHILL ACTIVITY: "I like to hang out with my friends. We'll all go over to each others' houses and relax, watch movies, talk about stuff, or whatever."
LIFE'S TOUGHEST MOMENT: "I've been very blessed in that, thankfully, I haven't had any really devastating times in my life. But still, I look back at how God was
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preparing me to play basketball in high school and college. That was sort of a difficult time, because I really didn't like basketball until after my eighth grade year. But then I went from being 5-10 in eighth grade to 6-6 my freshman year in high school. So growing eight inches in one year was pretty strange for me. I didn't feel any different, but after I realized that I really liked basketball and wanted to play at the high school level, I had to work extra hard because I really wasn't very athletic when I started playing in high school." SPORTS HERO: "Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs. He's a great player and a very down-toearth guy. I also like the fact that he is very fundamentally sound."
TOP CHRISTIANGROUPS: Chris Tomlin and Jeremy Camp
CHRISTINA WIRTH Basketball. 6-1 Forward. Senior. Vanderbilt University. Age21.
Scored in double ligures 21 times at Vanderbilt. The only returning player among the three Commodores who started all 34 games last season. Team's third-leading scorer last season, averaging 11.4 points in 29.1 minutes per game. Ranked 22nd in the SEC in scoring, 13th in field goal percentage, second in three-point field-goal percentage, and 11th in three-pointers made. Has reached the 20point plateau three times. Father Alan Wirth played major league baseball for the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. HIGHLIGHTS: "During my sophomore year, we played LSU on Senior Day here at Vanderbilt, and we beat them in a very close and exciting game. Then we beat them two weeks later to win the SEC championship. It was very exciting." TOP VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:17
HERSTORY: "I grew up in a Christian family, and I accepted Christ when I was a very young girl. But when I got older, I really began taking ownership of my faith, especially as a junior and senior in high school. Then, as a freshman in college, I grew even more in my commitment to Christ. In college I played on an Athletes In Action basketball team for the first time. It was there that I really learned that I have to turn it all over to Christ. In the locker room, in practice, everywhere." KEYINGREDIENTS: "I like to be around strong Christians who can keep me strong in my faith." GOALS: "I just got accepted to the Vanderbilt School of Nursing, so I'm looking forward to the challenge of that." FAVORITECHILL ACTMTY: "I love to read."
LIFE'S TOUGHEST MOMENT: "My freshman year in college was pretty tough. I started every game for the first half of the season, but then I just stopped playing well and got benched. I couldn't understand what was happening. I kept practicing and working harder, and, eventually won my starting job back as a sophomore." SPORTS HERD AND WHY: "My dad used to play pro baseball so he's one of my heroes. You'd be surprised at the number of people who still send him old baseball cards to sign."
TOP CHRISTIAN GROUPS: Casting Crowns, MercyMe.
ROMEO DJOUMESSI
Wrestling. Classification: 184. Junior. Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. Born and raised in Cameroon. Africa. Age 22.
Ended the 2007-08 season with a perfect 29-0 mark. Played a key role in helping Wartburg College win the NCAA Division Ill Wrestling Championships last spring in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Also won the individual championship for his weight class at that same tournament. HIGHUGHT: "At the national championships this year, I got to share my faith with some other wrestlers. To me, that was more important than any trophy or championship I could have won." TOP VERSE: 2 Corinthians 2:2-10, Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11 STORY: "I was in junior high when an evangelist spoke at our school. He came to one of our classes and started telling me and
talked to me for over 2 hours about Christ and how He died for me and wanted a relationship with me. That same afternoon, I got down on my knees and accepted Christ as Lord of my life." KEY INGREDIENTS:"Every single day I read my Bible. God is my counselor, my coach, and my provider. Reading His Word keeps me strong." GOALS: "To compete in the 2012 Olympics."
FAVORITE CHILL ACTIVITY: "I like to go for walks by myself and be totally alone with the Lord."
LIFE'STOUGHESTMOMENT: "Leaving my family in Africa was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done. When !left Africa to come to college in the United States, I was afraid that I would never, ever see them again." SPORTS HERO AND WHY: "Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts. After the Colts won the Super Bowl and Tony wrote his book [Quiet Strength), I got that book and read it cover to cover over and over again. It was just incredible. !love that guy."
TOP CHRISTIAN GROUPS: Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp
ms
my classmates about Christ. He _.1..-------------~
SPORTS BOOKS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE THEM
The VDcaged B)'l'd Paul Byrd andjim Bouton? Paul Byrd and j eny Kmmer? Those are probably not names you would normally hook togethe1; but in one regard, Byrd has followed in a tradition of athlete-writers Bouton and Kmmer, who published books while they were still playing the game and established the genre of athlete-author. Byrd, a jJitcher for the Cleveland Indians, howevm; has a greater objective for penning his story than Bouton and Kmmer had for theirs. While they wTote tell-all books that exposed the inner workings of their sports (baseball for Bouton and football for Kmmer), Byrd wrote his book as a way of talking about the inner workings of a man offaith-one whose desire to live for j esus Christ has been challenged by living in the largely seculaT world of major league baseball. ByTd, who has been in the majors since 1995, shares his story of stmggles and triumphs in Free Byrd: The Power of a Liberated Life. Lorilee Crallm· asked Byrd about his book, which hit the streets during the mid-point of the 2008 baseball season. thing God put in my heart in 1989 and 1990 has flourished in 2008.
Lorilee: Why did you dedicate
the book to your wife? Paul: I feet like she deserves the credit. People know when I've had a good game or a bad game. She loves me either way. Kym witt be there when I retire. When the Holy Spirit worked in my heart, and I came clean to her about struggling with the porn issue, I thought she might get extremely angry, but she extended grace to me, and that changed my life.
Lol'ilee: As you wrote Free Byrd, what kind of person were you
picturing as your target reader? Paul: I was picturing a teenager, a college kid, who was struggling with choosing God or the world, or a 30-something person, struggling in his marriage, or a Christian who doesn't understand how much God loves him. I think many Christians have no idea how much God realty likes them, even though we know in our heads that He loves us. God likes us and loves us, and I want people to know the depth of that love.
Lorilee: Most people want to cover up their temptations. Why are you so open in the book about yours? Paul: I do feet like in the church we don't share our struggles and our issues. We have aU the answers, but no one seems to have problems! I just wanted to teU people that I love Jesus and I have issues too.
Lol'ilee: What is your proudest
moment in baseball, and in life?
Lol'ilee: What do you hope someone struggling with pornography will get out of the book? Paul: I hope they witt not give up. I have seen people become so discouraged and try aU these solutions, instead of saying, "Hey, I can focus on loving God despite my issues." That's the cure, not some sort of sin management program. The relationship with Him is the answer to my struggles. Lorilee: On December 13,
2007, you were cited in the Mitchell Report on illegal use of 1 4
SPOR TS SPECTRUM • FALL 2008
performance enhancing substances in baseball. In your mind, should readers be satisfied with your explanation in the book?
Lol'ilee: What aspect of the book means the most to you?
Paul: I think some witt be satisfied, and I think some won't. For some it doesn't matter what you say; you're a cheater. Some witt want to hear more about the situation, and maybe they'll think there may be other players
Paul: The coolest thing about the book for me is how much I realty enjoy writing. I'm a baseball player! In coUege I took some short story classes, and I was kind of laughed out of class. It was very discouraging for me. But now the
who are taking (HGH) tegaUy.
Paul: In baseball, it was when I made the AU-Star team in 1999, and my son Grayson "was sittin~ on my tap watching the home • run contest at Fenway Park. As I watched Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and others hit, I had to wonder, "Am I a player right now or a fan?" In life, I'm realty proud that I chose to accept Jesus as my Savior, and also that I chose and married a godly woman. Those choices have made aU the difference in my life. 0
Free Byrd by Paul Byrd was published by Howard Books. You can read more about it at www.howardpublishing.com
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BY DAVE BRANON
The NFL Retu..ns to Ch'III'Ch he National Football League can be scary. And as we found out last winter, it can also be reasonable. This magazine discovered the intimidating side of the NFL a few years ago when the most popular sports league this side of the Atlantic decided it did not like something Sports Spectrum was doing. In the early 1990s, a new idea developed in sports evangelism, and SS was in the middle of it. The concept was to create a print-video package that would help individual Christians or church leaders put together parties on Super Bowl Sunday. At these events, believers could invite non-churched friends to homes or churches to watch the Super Bowl and either prior to kickoff or at halftime view a high-quality video of a pro football player telling about his relationship with Jesus Christ and sharing the good news of the gospel. This plan worked for several years- and thousands of people found their lives changed for the better because of the grace of Jesus Christ. In fact, this concept worked so well (we had evidence that several hundred thousand people were viewing the video at Super Bowl parties) that it attracted the attention of the NFL. And this is where it got scary for us. In our advertising of the outreach kits, we had been using the term "Super Bowl" with the NFI:s consent. For the 1999 game, for instance, we called the evangelistic package the "Super Bowl Outreach Kit," and each church party was a "Super Bowl Bash." But the NFL changed their minds and sent their lawyers after us. They told us to stop using the term "Super Bowl," which we did. Thus the WÂŁ8 SITE : www. Spor t sSp e ctrum . com
"Power to Win" kit was born, and we began talking euphemistically about "The Big Game" in our advertising. But that wasn't enough. The concept continued to grow. Soon the NFL decided that since it couldn't kill the kit, it would kill the event. That's when things started to get scary for churches. The NFL ruled that churches could no longer show the game on screens larger than 55 inches. And then the league started getting aggressive with churches. In 2007, for instance, Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis got a letter from the NFL telling the church not to continue its practice of having a Super Bowl party and showing the game to the more than 400 people who would attend.
Fall Creek cancelled its 2007 party- as did hundreds of churches across the nation, fearing a Monday knock on the door by an NFL lawyer. While the big screens in bars were still permitted to show the game, allowing people to drink booze and then drive home drunk after watching the Super Bowl in their smoky confines, churches were not allowed to screen the contest while offering eternal hope to its visitors. Church officials silently acquiesced to the NFL edict- not wanting to appear non-Christlike in response and not desiring to spend the Lord's money on expensive lawsuits. But they found friends in senators Orrin Hatch of Utah, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and former NFL
quarterback and Representative (and former SS cover subject) Heath Shuler of North Carolina. These men all protested the NFI:s stance in either meetings with or notes to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. On February 19, 2008, Goodell sent a letter to Hatch, explaining his decision to stop the church ban. The commissioner said the league would no longer prevent "live showingsregardless of screen size- of the Super Bowl." This is great news for any church that finds in America's biggest secular holiday a ripe opportunity to see "sports and faith collide," as we like to say here at Sports Spectrum. And here's even better news. The magazine is gearing up again for another Power to Win kit (no, we still can't use the name "Super Bowl") for the 2009 NFL championship game. This year's featured football player is AU-Pro linebacker Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are hosting Super Bowl XLill. Our advice for your church is simple as you plan your party for February 1. First, don't charge admission. The NFL has appropriatedly asked that churches not charge an entrance fee. Second, the league has also asked each church to hold the event ih the 1 location where they meet on a "routine and customary" basis. In other words, a 100-seat church can't show the game in a 1,000-seat auditorium. And third, don't forget to order your Power to Win kit. So, to the NFL we say thank you for a reasonable response to good citizens trying to make a positive difference in people's lives on Super Bowl Sunday. And to you we say enjoy the game. No matter what size your screen happens to be. CJ SPORTS SPE CTR UM - FALL 2008
15
SQUEE ZING YOUR BEST EFFORT OUT OF THE ABI LITY GOD GAVE YOU • BY ALLAN HOUSTON , FORM ER NBA STAR
lanp.-ove You.. Shooting the NBA Way Allan Houston says that regardless of your size, talent level, or position, if you can shoot the basketball, you'll always be valuable. He ought to know! The two-time NBA All-Star is a lifelong sharpshooter. In this edition of Sports Spectrum magazine, Houston shares with you a three-step drill designed to improve your shooting. hooting is all about feel and touch.
STEP TWO Now we1l work on the release. It's pretty simple. You want the finish to be high and the arm to finish straight. Imagine you are facing a walt six inches from it. If you shoot the ball from there, you don't want to hit the wall. You want your finish to be high and up, and your wrist to flip like a gooseneck. (See figure 3.) Release with your fingers. You can practice without the ball in your hand. That's what I do. When you finish, you shouldn't see your arm because it should be so high that it is out of your eyesight.
As I teach certain mechanics, I suggest that you have the ball in one hand, with the ball sitting next to your face and with your elbow pointing to the basket, but don't have the other hand on there. Keep in mind where your hands should be, and concentrate on the release. Here's an overview of what you1l do. Practice by shooting with one hand to get the feel for proper form. Pick five spots about 8 feet out from the basket. Make a certain number of shots in a row, then make a number of swishes in a row. When you keep doing that day after day, then you have a much better feel, and you've begun to train your mind. It's like a golfer shooting with one hand; it'll feel better with two. This drills works on hand position and release, but it's important to use your legs properly while shooting, so don't forget that. Now, let's look at the details.
STEP ONE Balance the ball in one hand, with the ball sitting on your fingertips like you are about to release it, and the ball next to your face. Your elbow should almost be in an 'L' shape, with the ball close to your temple, and the ball should be more on your fingertips than your palm. (See figures 1 and 2.) Your elbow should be pointing toward the basket, not flaring out. For the most part, where your elbow is aiming, the ball is going. A lot of people say your feet have to be square to the basket. 1 6
SPORTS SPECTRUM • FAl l 20 08
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• Summer school. Allan Houston shares the proper shooting position with Summer Sanders during taping of NBA Inside Stuff, then watches as she puts the lesson Into practice. Houston spent the final nine seasons of his NBA career shooting his patented jumper for the New York Knlcks. He averaged 17 points a game In his career.
Actually, that's not that important. The key is the elbow aiming right at the basket. It's hard mechanically for your elbow and shoulders to be aiming at the
basket. So whatever body position you're in, the most important thing is that when you release the ball, the elbow is aiming at the basket.
STEP THREE Put the ball in your hand and focus on shooting one-handed with the mechanics we've practiced. Shoot from 3 feet until you make a few in a row (you decide the number). Then from 5 feet, and then from 8 feet. When you've mastered that, start over at three feet until you can swish a few in a row. If you want to make yourself valuable to your team, become a good shooter. It's something really hard to become good at. Even at the high schoollevet you're not seeing a lot of guys who can really shoot the ball well. Touch is the key to shooting. Shooting is feet confidence, and repetition, and a lot of people don't repeat the proper mechanics often enough. If you do the drill I've described to you, you1l improve your shot, because your touch and feel will improve, and you1l gain confidence while working on your mechanics. It all goes together, but youve got to practice it-over and over and over. 0 For more basketball drills and for additional information on Allan, go to www.allanhouston.com.
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EXPLOR ING YOUR NUT RITIONAL NEEDS FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH • BY BENJAM IN J. BAECHLER, M.D.
Seeking Help fo .. Macula.. Degene..ation • Vision is precious. It is one of our five senses, and it not only helps to add beauty to our lives but it is also critical for learning, carrying out tasks of daily living, and enjoying our sports and hobbies. Unfortunately, several medical conditions can alter or destroy vision. One of those is the subject of this article-an eye challenge that may eventually lead to blindness: Age-related Macular Degeneration. What Is Macular Degeneration? Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a health condition that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for "straight ahead" activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. As AMD advances, it leads to a blind spot in the central portion of your vision. This blind spot expands with time. It can lead to total blindness in both eyes. In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people do not notice the vision change until it is severe.
What Are the Risk Factors? Although AMD is devastating, the good news is that this problem can be detected early through annual eye exams. Also, researchers have identified several risk factors for the development of this condition -several of which are lifestyle associated. Risk factors for AMD include the following: • Cigarette Smoking • Low intake of antioxidants, minerals, and carotenoid compounds • Age and family history • Early menopause • Hypertension (high blood pressure) and/o.r cardiovascular challenges • A diet high in unhealthy fats (especially "trans" fats) • Prolonged sun exposure Although we can't do anything about age or family history, the majority of risk factors can be affected by lifestyle decisions and actions. Quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, decreasing fat intake, increasing fruits and vegetables, and wearing appropriate sunglasses are aU things we WEB SI TE: www.SportsSp e ctrum.com
found that people at high risk of developing advanced ~ •"- ~ stages of AMD lowered their ~ ~risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high~ dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, betacarotene, and zinc. In the same high-risk groupwhich includes people with intermediate or advanced have control over. Also, signifiAMD in one eye but not the cant research has been done in other-the nutrients reduced nutrition-both in prevention the risk of vision toss caused by and treatment of this condition. advanced AMD by about 19 perThis research demonstrates the cent. This study was the largest link between nutrition, eye eye nutritional intervention study health, and macular degeneration. ever done, and it clearly demonstrated the benefit of nutritional Can It Be Prevented or Treated? intervention for certain patient On the prevention side, proper, populations with this condition. well-balanced diets associated Several additional studies, with higher intake of antioxiincluding ones performed at dants, minerals, and certain Harvard, explored the rote of two phytonutrients called carotenoids special phytonutrient carotenoid (i.e. the substance that gives compounds-lutein and zeaxanmany vegetables their colorthin. Harvard's studies showed orange in a carrot, for instance) that people eating the most lutein have been associated with lower and zeaxanthin-an average of rates of AMD. 5.8 mg per day-had a 57 percent · On the treatment side, AMD is decreased risk of AMD when coma challenging condition with lim- pared with people eating the least. ited options. Because of this, the On a cellular and mechanistic Age Related Eye Disease Study basis, it is important to remember (AREDS) was conducted by the that sunlight triggers oxidative National Eye Institute, a division damage in the eye via free radical of the US National Institutes of production, which in turn can Health. This study involved 3,600 contribute to macular degenerapeople with AMD and found that tion development. If you are in taking high levels of specific the sun on a regular basis, you antioxidants and zinc can reduce need to be aware of this. Carothe risk of developing advanced tenoid substances, from a pure age-related macular degeneration chemistry standpoint, have (AMD) by about 25 percent. While antioxidant properties- helping not a cure for AMD, the nutrients to quench free radicals that are investigated may play a key role generated by UV sunlight. in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep Which Supplements Are Best? their remaining vision. Scientists When selecting a nutritional eye
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supplement product, one must obtain a separate eye formulation. The specific eye-healthy ingredients and threshold amounts are not provided in sufficient quantity or presence in multi-nutrient formulationseven in the best ones. Even if these are advertised as a "multi" with eye ingredients, don't be footed- their levels are usually drastically tess than what is supported in research. Also, be sure the product incorporates the results of the AREDS trial and additional eye research on lutein and zeaxanthin. Another consideration is form. Often, older individuals have difficulty with digestion or decreased stomach acid, which can impair tablet and pill breakdown-and might want to consider a liquid formulation. Finally, be sure to discuss with your personal healthcare provider your supplement choice before beginning. Your vision is precious. Do your utmost to protect it! 0
Dr. Benjamin J. Baechler completed his undergraduate I> work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Immunology and Medical Microbiology and then graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He has additional training in family and community medicine as well as nutritional and integrative therapies. Dr. Baechler's scientific and academic studies have concentrated in the areas of nutrient delivery systems, antioxidants, and angio-genesis. SPORTS SPECTRUM- FALL 2008
19
STO RI ES O F WARMTH AND LOV E F ROM TH E WORLD OF S PORTS • BY VI CTO R L EE
One That Didn't Get Away The incl'edible tale of Hank Pal'kel''s l'escue ad was a drunk. Mom was hooked on pills. For 17 years Hank Parker had no one to guide him. "I was pretty resentful," says Parker, renowned fishing champion and television personality (Hank Parker Outdoors and Hank Parker 3-D). "I felt cheated. I loved my parents but didn't have a lot of respect for them. "My father went to every TripleA, Quad-A-whatever alphabet soup help group- every Monday for 20 years, it seemed like." None of it worked. Then one Saturday in 1970 a Baptist pastor asked Hank's dad, Mo, this question: "If you died today, do you know where you'd spend eternity?" "My father was half drunk when the question was asked, and he kept drinking trying to get the answer out of his mind," Hank says. "But he couldn't drink enough. The next day was Sunday. He called the pastor and asked him for a ride to church; he had lost his license. Before the pastor was finished preaching, he knelt at the altar to be saved. That literally started a revival in that church and community. "It was also the first time r d ever seen anything that was real. My daddy went from being a lousy drunk to the most generous, loving, giving person I'd ever seen." But Mo couldn't get to his boys, Hank and David. For Hank, the rebellion was set, the bass fishing career was his god, and it was already serving him well in the worldly way. "I thought it was great for him, but I wasn't an alcoholic and didn't need that," Hanks says. In 1975 Mo was on a mission 2 0
SPORTS SPEC T RU M - FALL 2008
! • Hooking Hank: You can catch Hank Parker 3-D on VERSUS.
trip to Kansas City, helping build an orphanage. His pastor, Grady Parker (no relation), found Mo weeping in his room on a Saturday night. "I can't get through to my boys," Hank's dad told him. "If it took my life to reach them, I'd give it." Mo left for home (Lincolnton, North Carolina) the next day. He was killed on I-75 in Kentucky. "Pastor Grady found a note in Dad's Bible that said, 'My two sons are lost. If you're reading ·this, I've gone on to be with the Lord. Rather than preach a traditional service, preach the gospel; it may be the last time my sons hear it; " Hanks says. "Pastor Grady preached the straight gospel. I tried to fight it off. The Holy Spirit got hold of me. I thought at one point, 1f I can just hold off 10 minutes, I1l be out of this place and never have to hear it again: It was like the Holy Spirit agreed with me. I felt like He said, 'Okay, if you can hold off 10 minutes, go on. Fish. Die. Go to hell: "I couldn't hold off. Me and my brother [David) both got saved."
Life clicked along merrily for a long time. Hank was happily married with five children. Famous. Rich. Hank says that at some point he got caught up in a quasidenominational flavor just a little to the right of religious, and after a while he was serving God out of mere duty rather than gratitude and passion. Things got more offkilter at home than he realized. "My wife had an affair fono years, unbeknownst to me. "It wiped me out- spiritually, emotionally and financially. For the better part of a year I didn't pray, didn't seek God's face. My biggest challenge every day was not to put a pistol in my mouth. I didn't hide God's Word in my heart. All I was getting was worldly advice from negative people: "You ought to go shoot that guy; you ought to go kill her." I thought to myself, 'You'd be 10 times better off if you just shot yourself: "One day I went home, and I looked at all those trophies I was particularly proud of, and
I just knew it was the last time I'd see that wall. I was going to do it. I fell to my knees and said to God, 'You're going to have to give me something I've never had to get through this: Right then the Holy Spirit came on me, and it was like the Father came running to the prodigal. I was comforted like I've never been comforted in my life. I realized how foolish I was for being angry with God. From that period-it was about 1999 -I've served God out of love." Hank married Martha, who was a widow, seven years ago. She has three grown children. Between them they have 10 grandchildren. Financial rewards have returned, as well, due to Hank's talent and communication skills. Sons Hank Jr. and Billy-both former Busch Grand National drivers- now co-host Hank Parker 3-D with their dad. Life is rich, not just financially, and purposeful. "I had everything, and I was miserable," Hank says. "I learned the most incredible lesson, and it's worth everything: Nothing can fulfill you from the outside. It has to come from within, from the Holy Spirit living inside of you because of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. "If you're saved, you can't quit! You can't bail out on God and be happy. I was in the hog' pen, feeding the swine, miserable. I was not of the world but I wanted to be. But when I fell down in that office, with my heart about to explode, my Father came running from a distance, and I knew a peace I'd never known before." 0
If you feel as if you are about to fall down, God will pick you up. E-mail me if I can help. victorlee @victorlee. org
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--~,.~--~ THE
COACHING
ZONE
BY STEPHANIE ZONAR S
Adjusting to Adve..sity is about adjustments. Few know this better than coaches. A myriad of things can throw a wrench into your bestd plans. Your starting quarterback breaks his leg in the home opener. Your assistant coach leaves. Your budget gets sliced in half. ==="" Bible teacher Charles Swindall once said, "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. " As a coach and a leader, the challenges you face offer ample opportunities to model appropriate, God-pleasing responses to those you influence. Remembering the following tips will help.
l:i
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ACilNOWLEDGE REALITY When life happens and adjustments must be made, emotions such as disappointment, frustration, or anger may follow. Ignoring or burying them only makes it tougher to move on. Find an appropriate outlet (someone outside your program, school, or even zip code) with whom you can process the situation. Then, if necessary, offer your team the opportunity to discuss the matter openly in order to facilitate trust and defuse any negativity that may be brewing.
路STAY POSITIVE Just as a coach's positive attitude trickles down to her players, the ing an "attitude of gratitude" and praising God daily for His opposite also holds true. Your bitterness or anger goodness. "I have will ignite the same this one thing, this response from your battle with cancer," she commented, team. At the helm of North Carolina State's "but outside of women's basketball that, everything that I look at in team for over 30 years, Coach Kay Yow my life is a blesshas mastered the art ing. God is using of staying positive. this battle that I Her challenges on might impact other the court pale in ~ people for Him." comparison to her ~ 搂 REVISE greatest battle-her TEAM fight against stage "When GOALS four cancer. "I had life kicks Without your best zero control over getting cancer," she said, player, winning the you, let it conference champi"but I have lOO-peronship may be an cent control over how kick you I will respond to dealunrealistic goal. Similarly, your ing with cancer." Coach Yow has high- powered -COACH KAY YOW adjusted by maintainoffense may sputter WEB SI TE: www.SportsSpect r um.com
without the expertise of your gifted assistant, or budget cuts may alter which athletes you can recruit. Brenda Meese, field hockey coach at The College of Wooster 路路 (Ohio), lost an AU-American player to injury early one season. Her normal routine of setting goals for each third of the season and then tracking the most important stats to monitor improvement helped her team to adjust. After the injury, her team created more realistic goals for the last two-thirds of the season. As a result, they steadily improved and even exceeded their goals. Not only
did her players overcome an adverse situation but they also learned that victory exists beyond the win-loss column.
REIGN VICTORIOUS What happens on the court, field, or track represents such a small part of coaching. More important than the fundamentals you teach are the life lessons your athletes learn from watching how you handle whatever comes your way. When you acknowledge reality, stay positive, and revise team goals, you equip your team to adjust and reign' victorious over any challenge. 0
A 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 such as her new 30-day devotional, Timeout: Moments with God for Winning in Life. For more information, visit www.lifebeyondsport.com. Zonars lives in Xenia, Ohio. SPOR TS SPEC T RU M - FAL L 2008
21
A Wol'kout Schedule fol' Mo1n BY CHIP SIGMO N
aving to juggle and balance job and family responsibilities can be stressful. Then trying to find time to get in shape can be another time management nightmare. Oh, and I forgot. Driving the kids back and forth to soccer practice makes it that much • harder to get to the gym. Being in the strength and conditioning field for over 25 years, rve had the opportunity to perform and design countless workouts. In this article Yve designed a weight-training program for the 30-35 year old woman who wants to shape and tone. rve selected a weight-training program because of the increased metabolic rate it produces. When an increased metabolic rate occurs, you1l increase muscle tone and lose body fat at the same time. The program consists of three different phases, with each phase lasting 4 weeks. This keeps you from getting stale and allows muscular adaptations to be ongoing. Each phase will consist of different workouts, splits (what body parts are trained together), exercises, and repetitions. Each workout should last 45 minutes to an hour with the frequency of each phase being 3 days a week. Working at the Epicenter Sports Performance Center, I realize the importance for a good "warm-up" or "movement preparation." So, instead of 5-10 minutes on the stepper or treadmill, I've included before each workout two or three exercises that will ensure good "joint" function and joint integrity that will help reduce the chance of injury.
I!!I!IJ I!!I!IJ
PHASE I
PHASE II
PHASE Ill
WEEKS
4
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DAYS A WEEK
3
3
3
SPLIT
UPPER I LOWER
PUSH I LEGS PULL
TOTAL BODY
In the May-June 2008 edition of Sports Spectrum, I wrote an article on the "eight essentials" of a good workout. Here is a quick review. • Write down your goals • Have variety • Keep a journal • Do unilateral work • Movement preparation • Add compound movements • A strong "Core" • Train fast to create "oxygen debt" In writing this program, r ve included these "8 essentials" in the workout. I hope you1l do the same. On your days off if time permits, perform Cardia Work to help burn extra calories for 20 to 45 minutes. You may use the treadmill, stationary bike, or the elliptical stepper, depending on.which type of equipment fits your needs and is comfortable. After performing Phase 3 of the 12-week program, take one week off. Then repeat all three phases making adjustments and modifications of what worked and did not work while going through the program the first time. 0
Phase I •
Weeks 1-4
UPPER/ LOWER BODY SPLIT Most upper and lower body splits are designed for 4 days a week, training each body part twice a week. However, with this split (in Phase I) you're training 3 days a week alternating between workout No. 1 and workout No. 2. For example, one week you1l be training the upper body twice a week and the lower body just once a week. The next week the lower body will be trained twice a week and the upper body just once. When starting a weight-training program, sometimes the joints can take a pounding, so by alternating the workout the body can stay "fresh." Also, to help reduce muscle soreness the intensity or weight should remain light for the reps required (60 to 65 percent of what your one rep max would be for that particular exercise). PHASE I WORKOUT NOTES • Rest 45 seconds to 1 minute between each exercise • Push-ups on knees if you cannot do 10 on hands and feet • Tempo = 1-0-3. This means 1 second pushing the weight up or pulling the weight toward you or the concentric contraction. The 0 would mean do not pause after the concentric contraction. Then 3 seconds with the weight going back down on a bench press or bicep curl, which is the eccentric contraction. PHASE I- UPPER BODY MUSCLE GROUP EXERCISES SETS/REPS CHEST PUSH-UPS 3 X 8-12 CHEST DB OR MACHINE FLIES 3 X 8-12 BACK MACHINE OR DB ROWS 3 X 8-12 "lAr' PULLDOWNS BACK 3 X 8-12 SHOULDERS DB OR MACHINE OVERHEAD PRESS 3x8 SHOULDERS DB OR MACHINE lATERAL RAISES 3x8 MACHINECURLS BICEPS 3 X 8-12 TRICEPS CABLE PUSHDOWNS 3x 12 CORE WORK FRONT PlANK !FIG. 1) 1-2 x 30 SEC. o DB Dumbbells • Movement Prep Scarecrow 1 x 30 sec. (FIG. 2) o Vs and Ts 1 x 15 each (FIG. 3) o Form the letter "V" and the letter "r' with your arms.
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PHASE I-LOWER BODY MUSCLE GROUP QUADS!MAMS/GLUTES QUADS HAMSTRINGS CALVES STABILIZERS OF THE ANKLf./KNEE!MIPS ABDOMINALS (CHOOSE 2)
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EXERCISES MACHINE SQUAT OR LEG PRESS LEG EXTENSIONS LYING LEG CURLS STANDING HEELS RAISES
SETS/REPS 3 X 10·12 3 XX 10-12 3x8-12 3 X 15
BAlANCE REACH (FIG. 4) REVERSE CRUNCHES HANGING KNEE RAISES HIP-UPS (FIG. 5)
2 x 10 EACH LEG 3 X 15 3 X 10·1 5 3 x 10-f s·
• Movement Prep Bird dog 1 x 10 each side (FIG. 6) o Prayer-squat position 1 x 30 seconds (FIG. 7) • Snatch squats 1 x 10 (FIG. 8)
Phase II • Weeks 5-8
Phase Ill • Weeks 9-12 J
PUSH I LEGS I PULL SPLIT
TOTAL BODY SPLIT Training the "total body" all in one workout 3 days a week will help promote a higher "metabolic" rate, which in turn will help burn more calories. In Phase ill you will have four exercises to choose from for each muscle group. Very important: You will be selecting only two of the four exercises, then performing them in a "superset" manner. This means very little rest between each movement. Remember to finish all three sets before moving to the next muscle group.
The Push I Legs I Pull Split separates all of the pushing movements such as the bench press, triceps, and shoulder work from the pulling movements such as the "Lat" pulls and bicep curls. The leg press is a pushing movement and the lying leg curl is a pulling movement; however, I'm giving legs (since legs can be so intense) a day of its own. In Phase II you'll be training each body part once a week with three different exercises given to each body part. If time is an issue, then perform two exercises instead of three per body part. PHASE II WORKOUT NOTES • Rest 45 seconds betweeneach exercise • Tempo = 1·0·3 • Abdominals: choose two/three of the four exercises • Use light-to-medium wt. PHASE II-MONDAY-PUSH-UPS MUSCLE GROUP EXERCISE SETS.-11EPS CHEST BAR OR OB BENCH PRESS 3 x 12 CHEST MACHINE OR DB FUES 3 X 12-15 CHEST PUSH-UPS TO FAILURE SHOULDERS MACHINE OR DB OVERHEAD PRESS 3 X 10 SHOULDERS MACH. OR DB LATERAL RAISES 3 X 10 SHOULDERS DB BENT OVER LATERAL RAISES 3 X 10 TRICEPS CABLE PUSH DOWNS 3 X 15 TRICEPS LYING TRICEPS EXTENSIONS 3 X 12 TRICEPS DB KICKBACKS 3 X 12 CORE WORK FRONT PLANK WITH STRAIGHT LEG RAISE 2 x 10 w/ea. leg • Movement Prep = Scarecrow 1 x 30 seconds • Ys and Ts on Physioball1 x 15 each
PHASE 11- WED.- LEGS MUSCLE GROUP QUADS QUAOSJGLUTES/HAMS HAMSJGLUTES QUADS CALVES ABOOMINALS
EXERCISES SETSi'REPS LEG EXTENSIONS 3 x 15 SINGLE LEG SQUATS WITH LEG ELEVATED 3 x 10 EACH LYING LEG CURLS 3 x10 LEG PRESS 3 x 15 STANDING HEEL RAISES 3 x 15 REVERSE CRUNCHES 3 x 15 HANGING LEG RAISES 3 x 15 HIP-UPS 3 X 15 • Movement Prep = Bird dog 1 x 10 each side • Ptayer-squat position 1 x 30 sec. • Snatch squats 1 x 10
PHASE Ill WORKOUT NOTES • limited rest betweeneach exercise • Tempo = 1-0-3 • Use light-to-medium weight • Finishall three "supersets" before going to the next muscle group • 90 seconds rest between each muscle group PHASE Ill MUSCLE GROUP CHEST QUADS. HAMS. GLUTS CHEST QUADS. HAMS. GLUTS
EXERCISE DB BENCH MACHINE SQUATS OR SINGLE LEG SQUATS WITH LEG ELEVATED MACHINE OR DB FUES WALKING LUNGES
3 X 10 3x 10 3 x 15 YAROS
MUSCLE GROUP II SHOULDERS BACK SHOULDERS BACK
EXERCISE DB PRESS SEATED "LAr PULLOOWNS DB SIDE RAISES CHIN-UPS
SETSi'REPS 3 X 10 3 X 10 3 X 10 3 X 10
MUSCLE GROUP Ill BICEPS TRICEPS BICEPS TRICEPS ABOOMINALS
EXERCISE MACHINE CURLS CABLE PUSHDOWNS DB CURLS SEATED DB TRICEP EXTENSIONS REVERSE CRUNCH HANGING KNEE RAISES HIP-UPS
SETSi'REPS 3 X 10 3 X 10 3 x 10 3x10 3 X 15 3x 15 3 X 15
SETSi'REPS 3 X 10
• Movement Prep = Ys and Ts 1 x 15 each • Prayer-squat position 1x 30 sec. • Scarecrow position 1 x30 sec.
PHASE II- FRIDAY- PUII-UPS MUSCLE GROUP BACK
BICEPS
CORE WORK
EXERCISES "LAr PULLDOWNS DB OR MACHINE ROWS ASSISTED OR MACHINE CHIN-UPS DB CURLS-STANDING OR SEATED MACHINE CURLS CABLE CURLS-STANDING LYING ABC"S
SETS.-11EPS 3x 15 3x 15 3x 8-15 3x 12-15 3x 15 3x 15 1 SET
• Lying ABCs - while lying on your back with your hands at your side. write the letters of the alphabet with your legs keeping them strai~ht and at 45 degrees. (uppercase letters) • Movement Prep Birddog 1 x 10 to each side • Scarecrow 1 x 30 seconds
=
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WEB SIT E: www. S por t sSpec tr um.com
Chip Sigmon is the speed and agility coach at the Epicenter for Sports Performance, a division of Ortho-Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina. (www.epicenterperjormance.com.) He spent 12 years as the strength and conditioning coach for the NBA Charlotte Hornets and the WNBA Charlotte Sting.
SPORTS SPECTRU M - FAL L 2008
23
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r.-,
~~t:Jr~;' 1 PRO and CON
''When a p ..o:rninent Ch.,istian athlete falls into known, publicized sin, he loses his position as a &"ole :anodel ..''
"A role model who is willing
"Where does the line of
to ... repent of his sins is of
role model manufacturing
infinitely more use to me."
blur into idolatry?"
t's tough to be in the Christian-athlete-rolemodel business these days. What do you do when your favorite role model is outed for using steroids or impregnating a cheerleader out of wedlock? How do you feel when they apologize but don't really apologize, as the "jock apology" is almost always an exercise in avoiding real confession? Unfortunately, nobody ever loses his or her position as a role model, though all of us at some time probably should. (Any father who's ever said something he regrets and then heard his son repeat it knows this intuitively). The role model business is a tricky one, as today's coverboy might be tomorrow's embarrassing news item. But either way, he's still a role model. It's just a question of what role he's modeling. This question can also serve as a motivation to choose our role models carefully. Perhaps we should be slow to place too much spiritual import on 19year-old man-children who can jump out of the gym but who have experienced relatively little in life. That said, who among us is without sin? And aren't stories of true confession, repentance, and redemption biblical and
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glorifying to God? And can't these stories be edifying and encouraging to those of us (read: all of us) who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? As much as we'd like to think otherwise, athletes will always be role models, thanks to their Monopoly-money salaries and omni-presence on our HD televisions. But the best testimonies probably don't come from the guys who, at age 21, have a favorite verse, a fat bank account, a hot wife, a spiritual mentor, and very little that has happened in their lives. A role model who is willing to publicly confess Christ and repent of his sins is of infinitely more use to me as a Christian man and father, because that's something I'm forced to do every day. There are good people dying in foreign countries for professing faith, and there are good people being ostracized in America for preaching a biblical, expositional version of it. These are, I would hope, my real role models. 0
SPORTS SPECT RU M - FALL 2008
ear with my simplicity while I revisit this whole role model thing. The late Rich Mullins sang about a man who did not have a home, did not take a wife, had no stones to throw, and rode a donkey (not an Escalade). Jesus was a role model. Not too many style points. Fans like me and well-known Christian athletes like those who appear on the pages of Sports Spectrum fall short of Jesus. We participate in a culture that manufactures Christi.an professional athletes into role models. Images of Christlikeness are built into the theater of sport even as athlete role models try to live out their faith. But what goes on beyond the arenas? Are we not sinners surrounded by opulence? Where does the line of role model manufacturing blur into idolatry? I ask based on the clear teaching of 1 John 5:21, which reads, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols." How can we be like the role model Jesus?
B
I SAY WHAT? Would you like to respond? Send a note I to
editor@sportsspectrum.com. We'd love to hear what you think about this topic.
Man may manufacture role models, but the concept of God looking at millionaire pro athletes that way is absurd. Virtually all of them ought to be ruled out as role models based on Proverbs 15:16-17, which argues for "little" with the fear of the Lord as opposed to great treasure and trouble with it. The affluent American pro sports system is all about the latter. Some blessed capitalistic philanthropists are known for giving to charitable causes and to their greater community. Many Christian pros would tell you that this is who they are. Okay. You are to be "rich in good works." That is your standard of Christlikeness (1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19) . Oh, and guard yourself from idols too. That's Role Model 101. I think role models ought to be lowly. For example, the Christian man who drives a garbage truck and dumps your trash every week might be a role model. And those nam~; less, faceless souls in Hebrews 11 are in the Bible for a reason. The world was not worthy of them (HEBREWS 11:38). How does one follow a homeless Jesus who chose not to have sex and whose "wheels" were an animal? Be like the men and women of Hebrews. They are your deserving role models. 0
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO PITCH AROUND THE PITCHER? EVERYTIME RIGHT-HANDER MICAH OWINGS STEPS UP TO THE PLATE
--
BY MIKE SANDROLIN I
DOUBLE THREAT
.... Who's kidding whom? Was Charlie Manuel (41) just joking when he suggested that Owings could play every day? Owings' skipper in Arizona, Bob Melvin, certainly enjoyed high·fiving his pitcher after another power display.
PITCH HITTER • The Senior Circuit, of course, doesn't use the designated hitter. Yet when Owings pitches, it's like having a DH in the lineup. An Associated Press story reported earlier this season that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel jokingly approached D'Backs general manager Josh Byrnes with the hope of acquiring Owings. "I want to trade for him because I'm going to play him somewhere and pitch him every five days," Manuel said. " He'll play four days in a row and th en he'll pitch that fifth day." So why aren't there more good-hitting pitchers i n th e major leagues? "I think it's numerous things," Owings says. "I think th ey're discouraged, even starting in high school, on developing that part of th eir game. They don't have th e opportunities that the other guys have." St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa regularly bats his pitchers eighth in th e lineup. D'backs manager Bob Melvin, however, keeps Owings.in th e No. 9 holethe t raditional spot in th e lineup for pitchers. Interestingly, Melvin did have Owings hit seventh once in a spring training game, but Owings never got a chance to hit during that particula r contest. "I got knocked out of the game early," Owings recalls with a laugh. -MI KE SANOROLINI
at one point to be on your team. He is, after all, a major league starting pitcher. When told that he likely would be a high selection in any fantasy draft if he were an everyday player, Owings laughs and says, "I don 't know. I don't get into the fantasy stuff." National League managers, coaches and players, however, aren' t laughing. 2 8
SPORTS SPECTRUM- FALL 2008
Whenever they faced the D'Backs, and Owings was on the bump, they not only had to prepare for his repertoire of pitches, they also had to figure out how to pitch to him. Earl ier this season, Owi ngs was hitting at a .4 17 clip (10-for-24). One evening in late April when the D' Backs faced Houston, Melvin summoned the right-handed hitting Owings to pinchhit for Brandon Medders with a mnner on base and Arizona trailing 7-5. Owings blasted an opposite-field homer on the first pitch to tie the game, and the D'Backs went on to win 8-7. But lest we forget, Owings is a pitcher. The 6-foot-5 Owings put together a respectable showing on the mound last season for the young D'Backs, who advanced to the NL Championship Series before falling to the Colorado Rockies. He finjshed 8-8 with a 4.30 ERA. He gave up 146 hits in 152.7 innings pitched, stmck out 106 and walked 50-all good numbers. Still , he's getting more ink for what he does at the dish. Does that bother him? "Not one bit," he insists. "That's another aspect of the game that I've been blessed with and have the gifts. Some games I look back and say, 'How did that happen?' But I really do know how." All Owings knows is that what he can do on the baseball field has a foundation not of his own doing. "I learned since I signed in 2005 just to surrender a lot of things that l can't control and focus on what I can," he says. "[There's] the day-to-day grind
within the game, but to remember to enjoy it. That's what I've been blessed to do. It was either my dad [Jim] or someone told me at one point, 'God's gift to me is what I get to do, and what I do with it is my gift back to Him.' That's the attitude I try to take." icah Burton Owings says he grew up in a Christian home with his father and mother (Danise), along with two brothers, Jon Mark and Josh, and two sisters, Becca and Abi. But Owings notes that when he was I0 years old, it was a baseball player who infl uenced him to give his life over to Christ. One evening, he went to hear longtime major-league center fielder Brett Butler speak at a church in Atlanta. "That's when the Holy Spirit did a little work on me;' he says. "Even at the young age of 10, 1 [tmsted] Chr~st. Since then, there have been plenty of trials and ups and downs and spiritual growth for making that decision at a young age." Not only did Owings grow spiritually in the interveni ng years but he also developed on the diamond in a big way. Owi ngs owns the Georgia career high school home run record, belting 69-one short of the national prep mark held by NFL quarterback and former New York Yankee third baseman Drew Henson. As a sophomore, Owings hi t a whopping .630 with 21 homers. He received national accolades as a senior at Gainesville High School from Baseball America and Collegiate
M
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DOUBLE T HREAT
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Baseball after belling 25 home runs, hilling .448, and going 12- 1 on the mound with a 1.03 ERA while fanni ng 121 batters in 75 innings. Owings went onto play his freshman and sophomore years in college at Georgia Tech, where he led the Yellow Jackets in home runs and slugging percentage both years while also selling the pace in several pitching categories. He transfetTed to Tulane University and didn't miss a beat. In 2005, he was named Conference USA Player of the Year after playing 61 games as a position player while making 18 starts on the mound as the Green Wave advanced to the College World Series. That year, the Diamondbacks drafted Owings in the third round (he was the 83rd player overall taken in the draft). He advanced through the D'Backs'
minor league system and made his major league debut in April 2007, pitching five shutout innings against the Washington Nationals. In mid-August that season, Owi ngs returned to his home state as the D'Backs faced Atlanta. And he gave the hometown crowd of 48,000 a night to remember. Owings pitched seven innings and struck out seven. But he did even more damage at the plate, going 4-for-5, hitting two homers, scoring four runs while driving in six. "In my eyes, it (2007) was a fun year, but l could have done better. But just to be part of the team we had last year was a blast," Owings says of the D' Backs, who won the NL West and swept the Chicago Cubs in a divisional playoff series. "I' m humbled and gracious that I was here. I was fortu-
Icon do oil things th.--vh O.rhtwho stnnvthflls mâ&#x20AC;˘ Phlllpplons 4a1S
nate to get pretty close to a lot of the guys in the clubhouse." One of Owings' best friends on the D' Backs is shortstop Stephen Drew, also a Christian. Owings was in Drew's wedding a couple of years ago. "I grew up playing with him in Atlanta," Owings says. "He'd probably be the closest [to Owings on the team] as far as spiritual and everything." Just as with other athletes in pro sports, there are plenty of outside influences tugging at baseball playersmoney and fame being the two biggies. And being a single guy, Owings faces a third: women. How does Owings keep from being sucked into life in the fast lane? "I think it's imp011ant to remind myself- and I have a strong family that reminds me- where I came from and how I got to where I am, and to continue to study [the Bible] daily," he says. "Di fferent places you go, people tell you how good you are and things are going well, but I fry to remember it [baseball) is what I get to do. "I come to the field every day to a big league park and play in a big league stadium. I'm blessed that I' m able to do that, but it's not what I'm doing; it's what I've been gifted to do." 0
<11 Pitch man: A Micah Owings press conference takes a little longer because he has to talk about both his pitching and his hitting. On the mound, Owings started more than 50 times for the D-backs in two seasons of work. Late in the season, Owings appeared to be headed for Cincinnati as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Adam Dunn to Arizona.
Her sons all were good athletes, and one even made it to the majors. But more important to Gw en D iaz than their talent is their faith. Here's how she and husband Ed guided their sons . •
BY GWEN DIAZ
XACTLY 25 years ago, I found
myself
sitting in the middle of a living room floor surrounded by moving boxes, misplaced furniture and four small children. It was the day after we moved to Lakeland, Florida, and my husband had already left to speak at a conference. I was overwhelmed with the memories of the friends we had left behind, the melancholy of being in an unfamiliar city, and the muddle of our recent move. To make matters worse, my 5-year-old, unaccustomed to being cooped up inside a house, was wired for action and I couldn 't find the switch that would turn him off. He had confiscated all of the pillows and cushions from every piece of unloaded furniture and constructed a trampoline in the middle of the floor. After teaching his 3-year-old brother to do somersaults and high dives off the barstools onto the pile of pillows, started puking into a big yellow
he instigated a new game called "King of the Hill." Brute force bowl in the corner of the room. At that point I fell apart and
established his right to mle over his little brother, and his reign started sobbing. How could God do this to me? I had never asked
was rapidly becoming one often·or. My 3-month-old baby was Him for children in the first place, yet He had chosen to give them to
screaming to be fed, and my 7-year-old was so sick that he me- not just one or two, but four 3 0
SPOR TS SPECT RUM • FAL L 200 8
of them! And all boys! I began to grieve over what four children and another move had done to my once blossoming career. I was an Ivy League graduate. I had sat at boardroom tables across from top educators who eagerly anticipated my views on health and
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drug education issues. Now, when I sat at a table, I was facing grody Little boys whose only interest was the toy in the bottom of the cereal box. Instead of trai ning teachers and writing curriculum, I spent most of my time refereeing wiffle ball games and wiping snotty noses. WEB SITE: ww w. Spo rts S pectrum. com
Through buming tears I glared at the chaos around me. "What do you want me to do, God? Is this really where I belong?" I found myself challenging Him out loud. But God didn't have to answer verbally. I knew in my heart that He hadn't made any mistakes. He had-
n't accidentally dropped me in the wrong place at the wrong time and surrounded me with all the wrongsized people. This was exactly where I belonged, and I had a decision to make: Was I going to choose to find fulfillment in being a mom, or was I going to reject the special role God had designed for me? "Okay, God," I whispered when I had run out of tears, "I'll do it- at least for a little while! I'll put all the effort and energy I used to put into my career into being a mom. I'll try to do this Your way." I felt a sudden sense of freedom and joy. Little did I know that my new commitment would lead me to just about every sports arena and field in central Florida- usually lugging a cooler of Gatorade and half a dozen extra kids along. I searched the Bible for verses that would help me in this parenting process. I was surprised to find very few examples of godly parenting, but God continually revealed the truths I needed to know. In the process I discovered Psalm 127:3-4, which says, "Sons are a heritage fivm the Lord, children a reward fmm Him. Like anvws in the hands of a warrior are sons hom in one's youth." As I considered these verses, five principles became apparent. These "warrior practices" became the focus of my parenting efforts. Five practices of an effective warrior:
He placed his
arrows in a bow. â&#x20AC;˘ Using his own strength alone, a warrior could never have launched his arrows effectively. First, he had to submit them to a source of power outside of himself. In the same way, I realized that my own efforts to raise my children were , inadequate. I needed to give my chi ldren to God and allow His power to control their lives. I learned that I could only do this through prayer. I discovered that praying with my children was every bit as vital as praying for them. Creating opportunities to do this became more difficult as they became adolescents, but I knew it was vital. Bowing to God before they engaged in a sporting event or left the house for school or headed out for an evening activity helped them stay focused on the things that He SPO RTS SP EC TRUM â&#x20AC;˘ FAL L 2008
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S KEYS TO RA I S I NG A GOD L Y ATHLETE
To raise godly
young men, my targets needed to revolve around character goals rather than achievement goals.
values. Often I forced myself to stay awake until my teenagers came home so that I could pray with them before bedtime. These late-night mo ments provided some of my most treasured memories.
had to make sure that their schedules weren't overbooked either. In order to accomplish this, my husband and I limited their involvement to two after-school activities during any one semester. This included everything from being on a baseball team to taking saxophone lessons or being in the youth choir at church. This allowed time for them to sit and watch their brothers compete or perform, and it helped them realize they didn't al ways have to be the focus of attention-a valuable life lesson.
honesty, purity, and developing a servant's heart.
He spent time practicing.
He drew his arrows back to himself.
• A quiver of Dlazs: Brothers Zach, Jonny, Ben, and Matt (who is pictured on big screen) during an Atlanta Braves' game at Turner Field. Family secret : Around the Diaz home, No. 23 is referred to as MattE. 3 2
SPOR TS SPEC TRUM - FALL 2008
• After placing it in the bow, the young wan·ior had to grip his arrow and draw it back toward his body. I too needed to get a good grip-especially on my role as a mom. It would have been much easier to be a pal than a parent, but I realized that my children already had dozens of friends. They only had one mother. l had to accept my role as a leader and trainer in their lives. My decision was affirmed when I later discovered that the most popular parents often produced the least prepared young adults. I also had to get a gri p on my schedule. In order to lead and train my children, I had to spend ti me with them. Runni ng them to and from sporting events while they scarfed down granola bars and strapped on their shin guards didn't count. We needed quantities of time when we could just sit and chat. Not only did I have to clear out my schedul e, but as their parent, I
He aimed his arrows at a target. • A young wan·ior didn'tjust discharge his arrows randomly. He set goals. A few years into this parenting process, it was sobering to discover that I had spent much more time deciding how I wanted my new house to turn out than I had spent contemplating how I wanted my kids to turn out. How would I know if I had been successful if I never knew what I was trying to accomplish? I realized that if I wanted to raise godly young men, my targets needed to revolve around character goals rather than achievement goals. Although they were altered to lit each child and his life situation, the goals my husband and I set for our sons always involved
• A warrior didn't just show on the field of battle the day got his first archery kit launch a few arrows at enemy. No, he spent a lot time practicing. My and I needed to do the same. needed to provide opportunit that would allow our arrows fly into the world while we sti ll around to supervise. during their high school mers, our sons each spent away from home. Two of sons served as "baseball ,...,,.•• , , n_, aries" with Athletes in One served as a wrangler at Christian CJ~mp . Th ~y all 1 opportu nities to live and away from home. When returned for the school year, were able to evaluate where needed more guidance and trai ing. Sometimes our arrows short of their targets, but we not abandon them. We them up and prepared them more for a successful launch.
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5 KEYS TO RAIS I NG A GODLY ATHLET E
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He expected his arrows to make an impact. â&#x20AC;˘ The warrior didn' tjust hope his arrows would make a difference. He expected them to hit their targets and help win the battle. We realized that parenting involves more than hopes and dreams. It should involve expectations. And these expectations had to be clearly expressed to our children. When each of our sons tumed 16, we gave him a small gold key on a gold chain. It symbolized his sexual purity, and it was to be given to his wife on their wedding night. Not only did it express our expectation that he would remain pure until his marriage, but it came with our promise to pray for him daily concerning this very di fticult area. Clearly conveying our expectation allowed it to become a reality.
tion, now arranges church softball games and invites friends and neighbors who otherwise wouldn 't hang out with a group of Christian men. Matt, who currently plays left field for the Atlanta Braves, often holds Bible studies (along with Mario Kart competitions) in his hotel room to minister wi th his teammates. Ben, instead of selling the faithful, old t111ck that had transported him to and from his own college athletic events, gave it to a high school student who needed transportation to his baseball practices and games. That young man was later drafted in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft. Jonny hung up his spikes shortly after receiving a scholarship to play baseball at FSU, and he started writing music. He now travels the country as a musician and has even played in major league stadiums during Faith and Famil y nights. It has not always been easy, and my husband and I wtainly didn't get everything right, but God remained faithful as we launched our arrows and raised young warriors to serve Him. 0
OW, 25 years
after my mothering meltdown, I am able to watch the arrows God placed in my quiver make an impact in this world. Yes, there has been some athletic success in our children's lives, but far more importantly, other people's lives have been impacted for God. Zach, who played professional baseball in the Angels' organiza-
COURTESV: GWEN DIAl
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 IVWW.glvendolyJunitchelldiaz.coJJI.
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SPORTS SP ECTR UM -FALL 2008
33
f Tim Tebow were a vehicle, he would be a Hummer Hyb1id. Powerful
and efficient. Dynamic and deft. Sp011y in design, with minimal shiny chrome and no spinner wheels. Fire-engine red in performance, sky blue in personality. In short, an unheard of machine, just as he is an unprecedented player. Tim Tebow is the first person to win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore because he may literally be the first quarterback who can truly do it all, humming along with amazing passing and nmning ability, displaying exceptional power and efiiciency-Dn and off the field. "He's such a wonderful and un ique guy for his age, and to see the combination of the way he plays football- an amazing passer with the ability to run over people, then to see off the field that he doesn't run over people," says Danny Wuerffel, another Florida quarterback who won the Heisman and a longtime mentor and hero to Tim. "Instead, he takes care of people. He serves people. He has an incredible heart for Christ. [ wish I had a daughter his age-he's the type of guy I definitely want my daughter to marry." There are surely countless young ladies at the University of Florida and beyond interested in an arranged marriage with Tim Tebow, and probably a few major college
football coaches who would offer to play with a IO-man offense if they could get this 2-in-1 player on their team. To understand just what tal ent, toughness, and character Tebow possesses, some history is required. Tim was the starter on a state championship private school Class A team in Florida as a freshman. Impressive? Hold on. He started at linebacker most of the season but played nose guard in the championship game. A year later a nose guard was quarterbacking a Class 4A school into the state championship game. This school, Nease High School in Jacksonville, went to the title game all three of Tim's years, winning Tim's senior year.
• Ground and air: Tim Tebow's combined running (895 yards) and passing (3,236 yards) attacks in 2007 allowed him to have arguably the greatest single-season college quarterback season ever. That led to a Helsman Trophy and a lot of smiles, as evidenced by Tim and his parents, Pam and Bob, as they attend a late December Jacksonville Jaguars game.
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SP ORTS SP EC TRUM - FALL 2008
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In the Beginning ... Was God. He created man. He knew every person He would create in advance, knitting each together in the womb (Psalm 139: 13). After he created Tim Tebow, there was an effort made to stop him from being born. Whether it was a Satanic attack or just the world system at work, we don't know, but forces were at work that would have prevented Tim from growing into a powerful agent for Jesus Christ, sharing his savi ng grace with countless people. The Tebows were living in the Philippines. The powers of darkness took their best-albeit lame-shot.
WEB SITE: www.Spo rts S pe ct rum.com
Complications arose in the pregnancy. Some among the medical staff mentioned abor1ion. The idea didn't get past the frontal lobe of Pam or Bob Tebow. "[think every life is special and significant to God," Pam says, "so just because he won the Heisman Trophy and has a high platform doesn't make his life any more valuable. "I think every woman given the same advice needs to think very carefully. I've had others since that time tell me that because I had the courage not to have an abortion, they've made the same decision. "It's a very important part of our story, because we want to do all we can for the pro-life movement. We didn't
have a big decision to make, because we were already committed to the sovereignty of God for our unborn child and my life. You have to make up your mind long before you're in the emotional moment."
The Home Bob and Pam Tebow made up their mind about a lot of things about their five children before their character was tested in the hard moments of life. Bob was a missionary-evangelist. Pam was a homemaker. The family home-schooled before home-schooling was cool, before home-schoolers consistently got scholarships, but all the kids got one (and all
"[Tim's) the type of guy I definitely want my daughter to marry." -
FORMER R.ORIDA AND NR. QUARTERBACK D ANNY \VUERFFEL
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STATS GLANCE + Tim Tebow owns nearly every major passing record in Florida high school football history. + In 2006, as a pure freshman and a change-of-pace alternative for starter Chris Leak, Tebow ran for 469 yards and passed for 358 with an offthe-charts passing rating of 201.7. + In 2007, as the fulltime starter, Tebow passed for 3,236 yards with 32 touchdowns, just six interceptions, and a 172.5 passer rating, second in the nation. + The 2007 passing statistics alone would ·ustify Heisma n consideration. What puts Tebow on another planet as a quarterback is that he also ran for 895 yards and 23 touchdowns. Thus he is the first college football quarterback to ever run for 20 touchdowns and throw for 20 touchdowns. + His 55 "TDs accounted fo r" set an SEC record. Fifty-o ne of them were in the regu lar season and were more TDs tha n 87 entire NCAA Div. I teams.
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but Tim have graduated from college). They started before home-schoolers could play public school spo11s, but the laws changed in 1996, in time for Tim. There was no lack of intentionality in the Tebow's parenting. From homeschooling, to choosing Tim's coaches by moving to the district where they wanted him to play, to pointing him to Wuerffel as a role model, they crafted a champion. Some might call them control freaks. Most would just call them good parents, parents with a plan, parents unwilling to let their children be shaped more by the culture-even the church- than by them. How important was home-schooling to the shaping of live children who now, as adults, all serve the Lord and lead blessed lives? "It was huge:' Pam says. "We had the time to reinforce our value system and the opportunity to teach him things to prepare him for the life situation he's in now. We worked hard on a strong work ethic, on character qualities such as humility, and self-discipline and perseverance. You can do that when they're in school, it's just that home-schooling families have more time and can integrate it into the school day." Tim agrees. His entire family was at the Heisman Trophy presentation, because his entire family helped get him there. "My parents have taught me everything," Tim says frankly. "I've learned about being a person of character from them. Without them I would not be who I am. I come from a big family and am the last of five children. I love spending time with them. I can really just be myself and have a great time. They help keep me grounded." It was apparent early in his life that this grounded athlete would fly. Tim's Jacksonville Nease High School coach, Craig Howard, had no trouble spotting the special traits of Tim as an athlete and person. He agrees the family shaped him. "Great Christian ethics were insti lled," says Howard, who has moved on to Columbia High School in Lake City. "Being the youngest had a great influence on him, because he leamed from his brothers and sisters. He was recognized and awarded many honors but always gave praise to God and thanks others rather than focusing on himself. "He is a true servant leader because of his relationship with His Lord and
SPORTS SPECTRU M • FALL 2008
Sav ior Jesus Christ. He is very grounded in godly principles. A lot of others get big-headed and conceited, but not Tim. "I always said, ' He won't change when he wins the Heisman.' "
So Has He? "I remember how incredibly my life changed after wi nning the Heisman," Wuerffel says, noting that the change came despite his being able to deflect much of the attention. "I graduated that December, so basically I was able to remove myself from a lot of pressure on campus-school pressures, spring practice.
"Tim isn't able to do that. In many ways, he has the weight of the world on his shoulders." The demand for Tebow's time and attention-from media outlets, Christian and secular groups that want him to speak-is vast. In the first six months after winning the Heisman, Tebow traveled more than 15,000 mi les speaking and being honored. While no one in the Tebow family or among his coaches was predicting he would be the youngest Heisman winner ever, vast achievement was neither a surprise. Howard recalls, "I think everyone knew pretty early that some great things could happen. We talked about it, how to handle it, that
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there was a lot more to life than winning football games. I think he had a pretty good idea he would get to impact a lot of people. "But my first impression of him remains my impression today-he's a special young man with a tremendous work ethic, charisma, and the leadership ability to make others around him better." The profound consensus is that Tebow the Heisman winner is unchanged from Tebow the freshman.
How and Why The key to Tim Tebow maintaining his faith and focus is the same discipline that has made him the athlete and man he is. "I think it is important to keep the right people around you and continue to do the right things," says the QB. "I keep a poem in my apartment here in Gainesville that talks about how you are setting an example for someone every day and how someone looks up to you all the time and is always watching what you do. That poem reminds me to continually do the right thi ng and make good decisions, because you never know who might be watching." Perhaps Tebow does the "how" because he understands the "why." His football success is not merely for him to bask in glory. "God has given me a platform because people look up to football players in today's society," he says. "That platform has given me the opportunity to be a role model, and it has opened some doors for me that others may not be able to do. It makes people listen to the message I have. "I don't know why, but society puts athletes on a pedestal, and they have the ability to be role models. There are a lot of role models out there right now, but not a lot of good role models. "I've received a lot of requests to speak at places like prisons- where people who share my message might not get the opportunity to speak. Because I'm a football player, I can. I don't want to go to heaven and have God ask me why didn't I do more and why didn't I use my platform to tell more people about Him." In short, Tim Tebow "gets it." He gets the big picture, the reason behind it all , the opportunity. He gets it on a spiritual and intellectual level, but he doesn't get it on an ego level. "In a way, it's like he's the only one who doesn' t realize how big he is," Wuerffel says. WEB SITE: www.S portsSpectrum.com
Too Good to Be True? Pam Tebow notes that "everyone has a sin nature." But most observers of Tim Tebow notice that he keeps his in check. He appears to be a man hidden in Christ (see Colossians 3:3). Mom Tebow was asked if Tim didn't have some sort of "issues" as a child. An occasional attitude problem? A bent toward a particular misbehavior? An occasional resistance to authority? She paused to think, then answered, "Well, he doesn't keep his room very clean .. :â&#x20AC;˘ "I just think God gave us grace," she says. "He was number five in the family. He watched his brothers and sisters and learned from their mistakes. He was an easy kid, obedient, teachable, responsive. "If you ask the members of his family, they'll tell you he's probably the kindest person they know. He has a strong work ethic, and that goes along with self-discipline. He puts his whole heart into what he does, whether it's football or being a member of our family, or academics (3.68 GPA at the end of spring semester)."
an example in work ethic and attitude. The secret is that such a formulawhen empowered by the Holy Spirit of God--creates a person who can carry the weight of the world on his shoulders because he is walking stride-for-stride with Jesus. (See Matthew II :29). "We started when the kids were very young, emphasizing humility and character," Pam Tebow says. It doesn't always work out this way when a parent does the tight things. But when it does it is a beautiful sight, a work of God, someone who can make a real difference. When Tim Tebow meets Jesus, he will lay down many crownsand the Heisman Trophy (Trophies?) won't count. It or they will just be tools in the world to advance a greater purpose. "He has the right stuff," Wuerffel says with a shrug in his voice. "What you see is what you get. It's pretty simple. It's beautiful." 0
.,. Meet the Tebows.
Front: Gannon and Katie Shepherd with Abby; Pam; Christy and Joey Allen with Claire. Back: Robby, Tim, Peter, and Bob.
..,,
How Do You Get One of These? What's the secret? The secret to success is no secret at all. The secret is humility. The secret is that the Bob and Pam Tebow didn't allow anyone in their home to brag on their accomplishments. The secret is that the Tebow family lived to give itself away, to bless others, to set SPORTS SPECTRUM - FALL 2008
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SS INTERVIEW he met herfuture mate in the eye of a pe1ject storm. Lauren and Tony Dungy fell in love during a relatively quiet time in his life, following an NFL playing career highlighted by an appearance for the victorious Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII. Lauren today is the wife of a Super Bowl-winning coach and best-selling authot; the mother of six children, and an ambitious servant of God. She recently shared her thoughts with Tampabased writer Bob Bellone.
â&#x20AC;˘ You're married to a sports icona man noted for his greatness as a person, a coach, and a Christian. What responsibilities does that put at your feet as you and Tony go through life together? ' We're both in the public eye now, and I have many responsibilities and demands placed on me as the wife of the head coach who is very popular and well known, and I'm asked to lend my name and support to qui te a few organizations and events as well. I do a lot of speaking to ladies' groups and appearances at schools, so my schedule is pretty demanding. But I think that comes along with the territory of being married to a public sports figure. In addition to all that, I have the normal everyday
''It's antazing what IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE FOR LAUREN
DUNGY, WIFE OF ICONIC NFL COACH TONY DUNGY OFTHE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS. SHE SHARES SOME OF THE CHALLEN GES AND JOYS OF LIFEWITHTONY
. W ITH BOB BELLONE
"" Super couple: Winning the Super Bowl in 2007 shined the spotlight even brighter on Tony and Lauren Dungy, and they have continued to use their fame to brighten the lives of others. 4 0
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the~
responsibilities all moms and wives have, so it can be pretty busy. • Life in the Dungy family is not the same as it is for the wife of a man with an ordinary job. How does it affect you to have a man who has to give of his time not only as a coach but also as a spokesman for so many things: faith, social matters, his book?
It 's very essential to begin each day in prayer and to be led by the Lord. Then, we kind of write out our scheduleresponsibilities and things we'd like to do and then things that are requi red. But communication is important. It's the key to keeping order in our family, keeping everybody
lems in their homes. So I kind of see myself as a support system or a role model to these children, and as I speak, I try to encourage them. When we go into schools and read to the kids, we always set aside time to dialogue with them, get them to open up and share. I, in turn, try to make a positive impact on their lives and challenge them to grow spiritually, emotionally, and academically. • One of the saddest images of Tony caught on camera was of him carrying boxes from his office in the rain after being fired by the Buccaneers team he had built into a perennial contender. Why did you stay in Tampa? f chose not to be defined by our job. We have
loves what he's doing and what he has done for many, many years. It's incredible, the platform that he has, and it is hard to walk away from that when you see how you've impacted so many people. He receives letters and phone calls dai ly from people, just saying how beyond football he's made a difference. He's shown them how to work through problems or just kind of given them hope, and how his life has been a blessed example and has strengthened their faith. It would be hard just now to walk away, but I believe the Lord has a plan, and when it's time, he will do that. • In what ways has fame been unpleasant?
There's definitely a lack of privacy. Tony is
o ..d has given 111.e to do'' happy, grounded, and on the same page. • Tony's affiliation with the All Pro Dad program at Family First has helped it become a huge success. Talk about your new role there with iMOM.
I' m really excited about my role as an ambassador and a spokesperson for the program. This year, I've had the privilege to participate in the iMOM breakfast program, where we invite moms and their children to school for breakfast. We have speakers who address topics that are relevant to parenting, children, and maybe issues they're facing at their young age. We try to encourage communication and support between moms and their kids and to build relationships. I really enjoy it because it gives me an opportunity to share my faith and my experiences and lessons that I've learned with other moms. We have six children, little ones and grown ones, so I'm able to share maybe wisdom and things that I've learned over the years- what works well and maybe what I would do differently. • You have used your experience as a former elementary school teacher to serve God in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. What do you hope to achieve with young children?
I hope to provide the young kids with a good start and help build on a foundation that they can grow from. Many of the kids that I interact with don't come from the best background, and they may be dealing with significant probWEB SIT E: www . Spor t sSpec tru m. com
many ties to the Tampa community- to our neighborhood, our church, our school. Being with the Buccaneers was just a small par1 of the big picture, so there are many reasons why we're in Tampa. • It must have been so gratifying when Tony eventually led the Colts to a Super Bowl title.
Absolutely. It was so exciting. I really was just filled with joy and pride for Tony, but also for the players and coaches who worked hard for so many years. It was thrilling to be a part of that historic occasion. • Has your affiliation with the NFL opened doors for you, as it has for your husband, to share your faith with other people?
I believe God has given me many opportunities to use my position as a platform for His glory. Through Tony's job, I've shared my faith and experiences with people from all walks of life. I've also been able to share with the younger coaches' and players' wives as they come in and kind of help walk them through. It's been amazing what the Lord has given me to do, and I cherish it so much. • Tony has been open about his desire to devote more time to family and Christian ministries. Has he stayed in football because both of you can have a greater impact for the l<ingdom with him on the national stage? f definitely think that's part of the reason. He
recognized everywhere he goes. He has that face everybody knows. We just went to a play and took the children with us. We arrived a few minutes early. Everyone ran up to him, and they wanted an autograph and wanted to snap pictures. That's ki nd of what we're used to when we step outside the house. • Do you have the same problem athletes have- people wanting to be your friend because of fame instead of because of just plain Lauren? Wouldn' t it be nice if we could just meet people
and accept them for who they are and not for what they bring to the table? I' m not sure what people's motives are. When I meet somebody for the first time, I have to ask myself: "Do they recognize me and that's why they're approaching me and initiating a conversation, or are they talking to me because they're friendly and they just want to get to know me?" I guess you'll never really know, and that just goes along with the territory as well. • It's been quite a ride, hasn't it? I never imagined it would be like this. Years
ago when we met, Tony was a coach with the Steelers, and he was an assistant to the assistant. His life was pretty simple. It was a big football town, Pittsburgh, but we were still relatively quiet. Over the years, God has really brought us out front and given us lots of opp011unities to witness for Him and share. It's just been amazing- the confidence that He's given us and just the ability to do it. I never would have imagined we would have done it at the level that we areTony speaking and appearing on TV, writing books. It's so much fun, and it's such an honor to do it for God. 0 SPO RTS SPECTRU M -FA L L 2008
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Will the Pack back Aaron Rodgers? • Are the Pats done yet? • Did Detroit's good preseason mean anything? • Peyton or Eli? • Is Cleveland ready for the move up? • How will Shawn Merriman's injury affect the Chargers? • Will moving into a new stadium alter the Colts?
much because the entire defensive unit is so strong. In spite of owning the Lombardi Trophy, the Giants feel disrespected. That's not good news for the rest of the league. • Projection: 11 -5
Washington Redskins
for the New York Jets. Weird! Enter 24-year-old signal caller Rodgers. With an emerging star in RB Ryan Grant, a talented receiving corps, and a steady if not spectacular defense, the pressure falls on the new quarterback. If r,.._ '!'t Rodgers plays well, the Packers will be a force in the NFC once again. If he struggles, they plummet. • Projection: 9-7
2007: 9-7 • Good: All 22 starters from last season's wild-card team return with one big additionformer Defensive Player of the Detroit Lions Year DE Jason Taylor. 2007: 7-9 • Good: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz and his • Not-So-Good: Leadership changes aboundhigh risk-high reward passing at head coach (Jim Zorn), attack are gone. • Not-So-Good: offensive coordinator The defense gave up more yards and more points per game than (Sherman Smith), and any team in the NFL in 2007 defensive coordinator (Greg Blache). • Key Player: OB • Key Player: WR Calvin Johnson Jason Campbell OUTlOOK 2008 OUTlOOK 2008 • Everyone in Motown seems excited that Martz and his pass-happy ten• Talented team, rugged division. dencies are history. Why? With Combine all the changes at the top, veteran OB John Kitna and big-play with a tough division and repeating as an NFCwild-card seems a difficult ~l!m!!I!EEmmJ•il•li receivers Johnson and Roy Williams, challenge. The Redskins just might be Ill isn't the passing game the strength of an improved football team on the field this team? Ultimately, defense wins Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings 2007: 13-3 • Good: Coming off a 13- yet finish with a worse record. 2007: 8-8 • Good: The Vikings were football games. That's why the Lions • Projection: 7-9 win season with 13 Pro Bowlers on movers and shakers in the offseason. went 1-7 down the stretch last They filled key areas of need by sign- season- they couldn't stop anybody. the roster. • Not-So-Good: Winning Philadelphia Eagles They still can't. • Projection: 6-10 13 games and holding home-field ing free agents WR Bernard Berrian 2007: 18-8 • Good: Signing former advantage throughout the playoffs and S Madieu Williams, and by tradNew England Patriots star CB Asante Chicago Bears and still losing in the first round. Ouch! Samuel as a free agent. • Not-Soing for Pro Bowl DEJared Allen. 2007: 7-9 • Good: The Bears' strong • Key Player: Whoever starts oppo- Good: In spite of the lobbying of • Not-So-Good:The Vikings were defensive unit appears healthy- that's dead last in passing defense in 2007. an improvement over 2007. • Notsite Terrell Owens at wide receiver veteran OB Donovan McNabb, OUTlOOK 2008 • Key Player: OB Tarvaris Jackson the Eagles failed to add a big-play So-Good: Having to chose either Rex • The Cowboys are loaded- with OUTlOOK 2008 receiver during the offseason. Grossman or Kyle Orton as your play-making talent and with expecta- • Key Player: DE Chris Clemons • The Vikings will improve dramatical- starting quarterback. • Key Player: tions. After 11 seasons without a ly from a year ago. They've shored up A running back to be named later. OUTlOOK 2008 playoff victory, there is an acute sense • The Eagles made a big splash in their pass defense, young OB Tarvaris OUTlOOK 2008 of urgency. A postseason victory is a the free agent pool with the signing Jackson will be more experienced, and • The already-anemic offense lost given, a long playoff run is a must, the division is weaker. Second-year of Samuel. Unfortunately for Eagles four starters from l a~t year's squad. and a Super Bowl title is within reach. fans, that wasn't enough. Beyond RB Adrian Peterson is special, and They are weak on the offensive 'ltne, this just might be a special season in running back, wide receiver, and · • Projection: 13-3 ultra-versatile RB Brian Westbrook Minnesota. • Projection: 10-6 and OB McNabb, Philly just doesn't quarterback. We all know defense New York Giants have enough playmakers on offense. wins football games, but this is 2007: 10-6 • Good: A victory in Green Bay Packers Hopes are high, but reality suggests embarrassing! Return man Super Bowl XLII! • Not-So-Good: 2007: 13-3 • Good: The Pack has another .500 season for the Eagles. It's not certain that the Giants can ripped off 18 victories in their last 22 Devin Hester is brilliant, but he can't be the only • Projection: 7-9 maintain the fire and consistency games! • Not-So-Good: The Brett player to reach the end they exhibited on their stunning Favre debacle. A lose/lose mess for zone. Super Bowl XLI run through the playoffs to the all parties involved. • Key Player: is a distant memory. championship. • Key Player: OB Aaron Rodgers • Projection: 5-11 OB Eli Manning OUTlOOK 2008 OUTlOOK 2008 • After 275 consecutive starts with the Pack, Brett Favre is now playing • The core of the Super Bowl champions is still intact- a dominating defensive line and a steady offense. .&.:Ire :E8':E..A..'Yc:»:Jr:Jrs -- - Veteran DE Michael Strahan has Division Winners: East- New England, North- Pittsburgh, retired, but the Giants won't miss him South- indianapolis, West- San Diego
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SPORT S SPEC TRUM - FAL L 2008
AFC Wild Cards: JacksonvilleJaguars, Cleveland Browns AFC Champion: Indianapolis Colts
• Can David Garrard find enough receivers in Jacksonville? • Who will prevail in the desert? Warner or Leinart? • Are the Saints ready to march back? • Does acquiring Adam Jones help the Cowboys? • Will Mike Martz' system work for the Niners? • Is Jal<e's elbow ol<ay?
Edgerrin James isn't bad either. There's enough talent in the desert to win games but not enough depth to withstand injuries. For the Cards to improve dramatically, they must get better at stopping their competi· tors' passing game. If the defense improves and the OB position (Lei11ert or Warner) can be settled, Arizona just might post a win· I ning record. • Projection: 9·7
• Not-So-Good: Starting QB Jake Delhomme played just three games and needed Tommy John surgery. • Key Player: OB Jake Delhomme OUTLOOK 2008 • The Panthers made offseason moves to win now. Will it pay off? Not unless veteran QB Delhomme can return to health and be produc· live. There is plenty of talent on the roster, including superstar WR Steve Smith, but has he done too much damage with his suspension? Can the Panthers sneak into the playoffs? • Projection: 9·7
il
St. Louis Rams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints 2007: 7·9 • Good: They filled needs in the offseason through trades (LB Jonathan Vilma and TE Jeremy Shockey), free agency (DE Bobby McCray and CB Randall Gay) and through the draft (DT Sedrick Ellis). • Not-So-Good: The preseason holdout of first-round pick Ellis. • Key Player: RB Deuce McAllister OUTLOOK 2008 • The Saints offense is explosive and will score plenty of points-especially after adding Jeremy Shockey. The question is how the rebuilt defensive unit will perform. If they deliver, this is a legitimate threat to win not only the NFC South but also compete with the Cowboys for NFC supremacy. • Projection: 10·6 ·
2007: 9·7 • Good: The team that won the division in 2007 remains largely intact. • Not-So-Good: No team in the seven-year history of the NFC South has repeated as champs. • Key Player: QB Jeff Garcia OUTLOOK 2008 • The defense remains stingy, although key players like LB Derrick Brooks and CB Ronde Barber are aging. The offense is thin at wide receiver and lacks a star running back. The Bucs also need to produce more points in the red zone than in 2007. Overall, Tampa Bay's defense will keep them in most games, but don't expect another playoff appearance. • Projection: 7·9
Seattle Seahawks 2007: 10·6 • Good: Everyone wants to send head coach Mike Holmgren out in style. All he's done is lead Seattle to five division titles and one Super Bowl appearance in 10 years at the helm • Not-So-Good: Has any superstar in recent memory fallen from prominence more quickly than former Seattle RB Shaun Alexander? • Key Player: RB Julius Jones OUTLOOK 2008 • Seattle remains the class of this division. Yet there are plenty of questions on offense: Can Jones fill the void in the running game? Will veteran GMike Wahle solidify the offensive line? Who'll step in at kick· er? The defense returns 11 starters, so it must set the tone if Seattle is to win big. • Projection: 9·7
2007: 3·13 • Good: The team's porous (444 points) defense improved on draft day when the Rams made DE Chris Long the second over· all pick. • Not-So-Good: The Rams were riddled with injuries early in 2007, most notably LT Orlando Pace, and never recovered. • Key Player: LT Orlando Pace OUTLOOK 2008 • Everything fell apart for the Rams early in 2007-injuries to key players, poor production, sideline turmoileverything! If Pace, QB Mark Bulger, and RB Stephen Jackson can stay healthy the Rams will be improved. If their newcomers on defense perform, they could be vastly improved. If, if, ... • Projection: 8·8
San Francisco 49ers
2007: 5·1 1 • Good: The Niners' one true playmaker on offense is RB Frank Gore. He could see more Atlanta Falcons touches in the offensive scheme of 2007: 4·12 • Good: Selecting new coordinator Mike Martz. • Not· franchise QB Matt Ryan with their So-Good: The Niners are struggling first-round draft choice. • Not-So· under the weight of five consecutive Good: The Falcons scored just 259 losing seasons. • Key Player: RB points in 2007. That was next-to-last Frank Gore in the NFC. • Key Player: RB OUTLOOK 2008 Michael Turner • This is head coach Mike Nolan's OUTLOOK 2008 last chance. Either the 49ers win, or • With new leadership in place, led he's gone. The defense has the paten· by GM Thomas Dimitroff (formerly of tial to be solid, and the addition of the New England Patriots) and head Martz should bring some pizzau to B0 Carolina Panthers coach Mike Smith, the Falcons have the offense. Can Gore carry this team Arizona Cardinals ~ \.: 2007: 7-9 • Good: They begun a major rebuilding project. to a winning record and the playoffs? were very active in the off· They have a couple of nice pieces in 2007: 8·8 • Good: The Cardinals came close (8·8) to their first winning Probably not. • Projection: 5·11 ~ season, signing 11 free place in rookie signal caller Ryan and , 1"\ agents and getting two season in 23 years. • Not-So-Good: free-agent Turner. That's not nearly The ugly contract situation with WR first-round draft enough. The Falcons have a long way choices (RB Anquan Boldin. • Key Player: QB -~~~ Jonathan Stewart to go. • Projection: 2·14 Matt Leinart or QB Kurt Warner OUTLOOK 2008 and OT Jeff Otah). • Wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald ~-~ -c -:JP -JL. -.a: -~ --~ --s --. and Boldin are among the best tandem in the league, . 02.01.09 1 Division Winners: East- Dallas, North-Minnesota, and 10-year veteran RB South- NewOrleans, West- Seattle
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NFC Wild Cards: NewYork Giants, CarolinaPanthers ~~~ DailaSCowboys --
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avid Tyree had made only four
catches all season, so making perhaps the biggest catch in Super Bowl history would seem like a mi racle. And it was. Flash back to early Febmary and Phoenix Stadium. Super Bowl XLU was all about the 18-0 New England Patriots and how they would be remembered as possibly the NFL's greatest team ever. But in the final moments of the game New York Giants quru1erback Eli Manning escaped a furious msh and flung a ball that Tyree caught falling backwru路d with the ball between his hand and helmet and a defender covering him like a blanket. "From top to bottom that play was a complete miracle," said Tyree, who also scored the Giants' first touchdown on a pass from Manning. "I'm grateful to be a pai1 of history from that standpoint. I think it's the greatest play." A few plays later, Manning tossed a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress and the Giants recorded a major upset. But don't be surprised that Tyree was part of the miracle. David Tyree's life has been nothing short of miraculous. "Alcohol stepped into the picture around age 13 or 14," said Tyree. "That is sort of what I saw [growing up] so I got into it pretty early. By the time I got to junior high school I would drink a 40 ounce or smoke a blunt of marijuana." Even though Tyree was not the greatest athlete on the playing field, he worked hard and impressed his coaches through high school. But bad habits started to catch up to him while at Syracuse University and continued right into the NFL. "By the time I got to college I got to the point of binge drinking. I started to black out and not remember things that happened," said Tyree. "I was waking up in bedrooms not knowing who I slept
-AND OTHER
MIRAC~~~
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SP OR TS SPECTRU M - FALL 2008
TO SUBSCRIBE TO SP ORTS SP ECTRU M: CAL L 1路 866 路 821 路2971
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL NEARLY DERAILED DAVIDTYREE'S CAREER. BUTTHEN HE DISCOVERED SALVATION - A BIGGER MIRACLE THAN EVEN THE GREATEST SUPER BOWL CATCH EVER â&#x20AC;˘
BY JEFF SM ITH
with- just some really scary moments. l never reall y had the courage to seek God and find out who l was in my own life other than allowing drinking to mask who I reall y was. "I found out that when money entered the picture in my first year in the NFL I could smoke as much as I wanted and drink more alcohol. And now my character was beginning to get exposed. You can be an NFL athlete and not understand the ramification of being in the spotlight." Everything came to a screeching halt when Tyree was arrested on marij uana possession. From Montclair, New Jersey, to the NFL to the jail cell- not the kind of storybook ending Tyree had envisioned. But at that point the plot took an amazing turnaround.
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SPORTS SPECTRUM - FALL 2008
4 7
THE CATCH -
AND OTHER MIRACLES
.,.. Miracle on XLII Street: Unless you are a New England Patriots fan, you never grow tired of seeing this replay. Manning inexplicably breaks free from the grasp of Richard Seymour, regains his composure, and throws a 32-yard pass to David Tyree and his helmet. In a jumble of opponents, Tyree comes down with the ball and the yardage despite Rodney Harrison's valiant effort- thus keeping New York's drive and championship hopes alive.
T The Catch-up: David Tyree had offseason knee surgery, leaving him to contemplate his post Super Bowl football future.
"When I was in that jail cell I cried out in my heart and said, 'God, I need you. Ali i know is that I need you right now and if You allow me to keep my job I'd appreciate that too,' " said Tyree. Tyree did get to keep his job but in his own words was still a "functioning alcoholic." Then another change took place. A little while later, he grabbed a
12-pack, drank one beer, picked up another and then lost his taste for alcohol and marijuana. "I walked into my church, and I saw this woman singing to God. She had all the joy and peace in her heart," remembers Tyree. "I thought to myself that I was named to all-NFL special teams as a rookie and I didn't have any peace,
didn't have any joy, any contentment. I wept for about 40 minutes and gave my life to Christ." He eventually married his longtime girlfriend, Leilah, with whom he had two sons. His career with the Giants got back on track and David wavered between the third to fifth wide receiver. But if you think everything started
"THE ONLY THING SURPRISING WAS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE CATCH. IT ... WAS OF GOD.u turning up rosy once David became a Christian, think again. His 2007-0S season mirrored his early struggles in life. Tyree missed the first two games of the season due to injury, somethi ng not uncommon to the team. As many as 20 other Giants were on injured reserve. But while out David wrote a letter to the team and placed one in every locker. "I don't believe in luck. I believe in blessings and clll·sings. I saw it as somethi ng spiritual," said Tyree of what was in his letter. "Basically, I had a dream and there was a dark cloud over the Giants organization. I felt the unction of God to encourage the guys. I believe there was something coming against the destiny of this football team, and I ---- -- ----- ------------------ --- ---- ------ ---- ------- ----- -~ --- - ------- - -- -- ---- ------ - --- -- - - -- - - - ----- ----- -
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THE CATCH - A ND OT HER MIRACLES
began to pray and ask God to break up some stuff. He was faithful and got our team on the right track." David was a seldom-used target most of the season, but he hung on by faith to what a friend had told him. "A friend of mine, by the unction of God, told me that God was going to make my name great as a wide receiver," said Tyree. "This was early in the year. I had onl y four catches during the season. Literally, I'm holding on by faith to what I know God can do. "Then my mom [Thelma] passed during the end of the year. I have assurance that she had a personal and real relationship with Christ. That gave me a lot of joy along with the pain." Then came the playoffs and God showed up and showed out for David. Did success in the postseason surprise Tyree? Through fi ve seasons he had caught just 54 passes and was most known for his play on special teams. "The only thing surprising was the magnitude of the catch. l take great pride in going out there, doing niy job to the best of my ability, and helping my team win football games," Tyree stated. "I'm not surprised from that standpoint. The Catch, or whatever they want to call it, was of God. You give me my best day in the prayer closet, and I wouldn't be able to sort that one out." Along with The Catch has come enormous popularity and responsibility. Tyree realizes that God has given him a platform. With that he shares the truth about his life and that God is interested in others' lives. WEB SITE: www.Spor ts Spec tru m.com
"Godliness with contentment is great gain," Tyree said. "So many times and so many years I've been trying to prove to everybody that I can play wide receiver- that I' m not just a special teams player. I was still content. He allowed this wonderful thing to happen, and He elevated my name as a wide receiver in the eyes of the world." David plans on competing for the third receiver spot for the defending champions this season. And he has no problems with the expens who are once again not picking the Giants to repeat. Good things come in twos for the Tyrees. Two weeks after the Super Bowl Leilah gave birth to twin girls. So can the Giants win back-to-baek titles? "[ don't thi nk anybody has picked us to win anything in the last 10 years," said Tyree. "Right now, we're world champions. I think we've got a great amount of talent, as much as l 've ever seen." The New York Giants came from nowhere to win it all last season, and David Tyree came out of the shadows and into the spotlight. "There's a scripture that kind of summarizes my life. He has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. It's from not even having God on my mind to a point where He not only saved me into the light, but He caused me to be a light to other people. God can use the littlest thing." Even if that lillie thing happens to be The Catch. C>
Jeff Smilh is a freelance writer who lives i11 Camden, New Jersey.
A BIGGER CATCH â&#x20AC;˘ If you go to the New York Giants' Web site, of course, you'll find out more about David Tyree and The Catch. But you'll also find out about his faith and his work as a community leader. Tyree and his wife Leilah, who is a registered midwife, run a ministry for youth ages 12-18 in Montclair, New Jersey called Next in Line. "We minister to them not only about spiritual pri nciples but also about physical," says Tyree. "We teach them things that pertain to life as well. We want them to have the fire of God and to be able to go out as warriors of God. "We want them to experience God in their lives and have success to carry on to that next part of life. When they become 18 and go off to college, we want them to have a firm foundation." Tyree shines his light off the field in hopes of making a bigger catch . "I don't come at young people with Scripture verses, because that's not what they know," he says. "But I do want them to know that God is real and th at He is the One who orchestrates everything." - J EFF SMITH
fi.'
& The Match: David and Leilah Tyree partner to reach New Jersey youth and to help prepare them for a godly life. SPORT S SPECTRU M - FAL L 2008
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NFL CLOSEUP
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ec:e SERVICE FOR OTHERS IS A BIG PART OF THE LEGACY RYAN NECE WANTS TO LEAVE AS A TOP NFL LINEBACKER aU the work he does we would always go his foundation, it's a wonder Ryan Nece has time for his day job-which includes pummeling NFL offenses as a linebacker for Tampa Bay and Detroit. â&#x20AC;˘ "It's kind of like my side job," he says matter-of-factly of his community work. In 2002, he signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent and eventually battled his way into the starting lineup, finishing the 2005 season with a career-high 104 tackles. In late August, Nece signed with the Detroit Lions after spending his entire career with Tampa Bay And with aU he's accomplished on the field through hard work and good genetics (Dad is Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott), Nece makes an equally big impact on his local community through the Ryan Nece Foundatiop. At its core is the Good Samaritan Program, which was inspired by the concept of "Pay It Forward." "The first part of the program is two annual college scholarships for high school students, along with monthly scholarships to those who excel in the classroom and in the community," says Nece. "The second part is the three to four service projects we complete every yearwhether helping veterans or single momswhere there's a need, we try to meet it." For the Southern California native, service is something that's been modeled for him from a young age. "I've heard about some of the things my dad has done off the field-just tremendous stories about his ability to give and
and volunteer our time at a shelter or donate clothes and toys. My family has always helped out others, and I think the joy that giving brings is so rewarding. I've been blessed with some amazing people in my life; especially the women-my mom and grandmothers-Christian women that set the bar high on what it means to not lose hope and to try to follow God. They were my biggest example growing up." Nece is always eager to share his testimony with those he meets through the foundation. "I share why I'm in the position I'm in and why I have the focus I do, which is because of God, and how important that relationship is to me." He also hosts the MVP {Most Valuable Prayer) Breakfast, honoring organizations in the community that represent what it means to fulfill the needs of others. Although opposing offenses may not be happy to see Nece coming their way, those in need are-as he truly lives his life out as a modern-day example of what it means to be a Good Samaritan. The Sporting News called Nece one of "The Good Guys." You certainly can't argue with that! 0 - JENNA SAMPSON
If you'd like to be a Good Samaritan donor or want to support the Ryan Nece Foundation, visit the Web site: www.ryannece56.com.
sacrifice time," he says. "Andand growing up with my his mom, at Thanksgiving Christmas
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Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic
• 2007·08: 66-16, 1st in Atlantic • Good: G Rajon • 2007-08: 59-23, 1st in Central• Good: New Rondo, 22, developed into a Top 10 point guard. coach Michael Curry is respected by Detroit's • Not·So·Good: Super-sub FJames Posey will be vets • Not·So·Good: Aging 34-year-olds F Rasheed missed. • Outlook: Thirty-something All-Stars F Wallace and CAntonio McDyess are now average Kevin Garnett, F Paul Pierce, and G Ray Allen still big men at playoff time. • Outlook: The starting linehave plenty of energy to lead Boston's No. 1 defense up keeps getting older, but FAmir Johnson (21) and and win the East. • Projection: 1st in Atlantic G Rodney Stuckey (22) will keep disciplined Detroit among the Eastern elite. • Projection: 1st in Central
Philadelphia 76ers
• 2007-08: 40-42, 3rd in Atlantic • Good: F Elton Brand acquisition gives Philly its first great power forward since Charles Barkley. • Not·So·Good: Bottom half of the roster is still pretty weak. • Outlook: Brand and the Andres (guards lguodala and Miller) will lead Ph illy's rise to prominence, but FThaddeus Young, 20, and GLouis Williams, 21, are the rising stars to watch. • Projection: 2nd in Atlantic
Toronto Raptors
Cleveland Cavaliers • 2007·08: 45-37, 2nd in Central• Good: It's all F LeBron James on offense and Mike Brown-coached discipline on defense and rebounding. • Not·So· Good: The Cavs lack offensive imagination outside of James going 1-on-5. • Outlook: Most of the East passed up the Cavs, but with LeBron and CZydrunas llgauskas on board, they'll always be a .500 team, at least. • Projection: 2nd in Central
• 2007·08: 52-30, 1st in Southeast • Good: c Dwight Howard, F Hedo Turkoglu, and FRashard Lewis make the Magic well-balanced on both offense and defense. • Not·So·Good: The guard play needs to improve. • Outlook: If Lewis plays like the All-Star Sonic he once was, Orlando could challenge Boston for the Eastern crown. • Projection: 1st in Southeast
Miami Heat • 2007-08: 15-67, 5th in Southeast •
Good: G Dwyane Wade and F Shawn Marion are healthy, and rookie FMichael Beasley is ready to dominate. • Not· So-Good: Bad habits- like lackadaisical play-were developed in 15-win season. • Outlook: They will be the NBA's most-improved team if Wade is back to form and Beasley is ROY • Projection: 2nd in Southeast
Washington Wizards
• 2007·08: 43-39, 2nd in Southeast • Good: Injuryplagued All-Stars G Gilbert Arenas (13 games) and • 2007·08: 33-49, 4th in Central • Good: By re-sign- FCaron Butler (58) are back for a full season. • Not· ing FLuol Deng and landing G Derrick Rose in the So·Good: Underrated G Roger Mason will be missed. draft, the Bulls showed their worst days are over. • Outlook: If FAntawn Jamison, C Brendan • Not·So·Good: Lack of any 30-year-olds on the team Haywood, and CAndray Blatche play at a high level, shows that this young squad has a way to go to grow the healthy play of Arenas and Butler will net m into a winner. • Outlook: The Bulls will win more than the usual40-45 wins. • Projection: because they have young talent- Rose, 20; Deng, 3rd in Southeast 23; cJoakim Noah, 23; FTyrus Thomas, 22; G Ben Atlanta Hawks Gordon, 25. But. it's a bad. def_en~ive t~am that doesn't • 2007•08 : 37 .45, 3rd in southeast New Jersey Nets know how to w1n. • ProJeCtiOn. 3rd 1n Central • Good: Atlanta has plenty of upside in • 2007-08: 34-48, 4th in Atlantic • Good: The Indiana Pacers GJoe Johnson, FJosh Smith, F Marvin arrival of G Devin Harris, G Keyon Dooling, and • 2007·08: 36-46 3rd in Central • Good: The Williams, and CAI Harford. • Not-So· C Brook Lopez shows the Nets now care about acquisition of GT.J. Ford finally gives the Pacers Good: Versatile FJosh Childress, who left defense. • Not·So·Good: All-Star F Richard a quarterback. • Not·So·Good: With C Jermaine for Greece, may have been the Hawks' best Jefferson was traded away for two role players. O'Neal gone, Indiana has no star power. • Outlook: player. • Out·iook: G Mike Bibby, 33, was a • Outlook: With youth movement in effect, New GMike Dunleavy, F Danny Granger, FTroy Murphy, stabilizing force when he jo.ined the Haw~s. b_ut Jersey still may win as mahy games as it did with Atlanta is going to miss Childress. • ProJeCtiOn: Jefferson and Jason Kidd. Star GVince Carter goes and CJeff Foster get the most out of their abilities and should win more with unselfish Ford running 4th in Southeast back to scoring 25-plus points per game. • Projection: 4th in Atlantic the show. • Projection: 4th in Central Charlotte Bobcats Milwaukee Bucks • 2007-08: 32-50, 4th in Southeast • Good: Full New York Knicks ·• 2007·08: 26-56, 5th in Central• Good: All-Star F seasons from F Sean May (missed 47 g) and • • 2007·08: 23-59, 5th in Atlantic • Good: Coach Mike D'Antoni and team prez Donnie Walsh rebuild Richard Jefferson's play will mesh with the varying FGeral.d Wallace, (m1ss~d 20),- • Not·So·Good. If roo~1e. G D:~· Augustm cant take G Raymond mess lsiah Thomas made. • Not·So·Good: Having games of G Michael Redd and C Andrew Bogut. • Not·So·Good: They may be the NBA's worst Fel.ton s JOb, 11 II be another ~ea.son of sub-par a·$100 million payroll prevents free-agent moves defensive team. • Outlook: New coach Scott Skiles pomt-guard play. • Outlook. It II take ~areer when the cap is $58 million. • Outlook: D'Antoni will get improvement, mainly through Jefferson, F years from C Emeka Okafor, .G J~son Richardson, will mold the Knicks into a version of his old runJoe Alexander, and G Ramon Sessions, who missed and Wallace to es?ape med1ocnty. and-gun Suns, though G Chris Duhon, F David most of last season. • Projection: 5th in Central • Projection: 5th 111 Southeast Lee, and FZach Randolph are no Nash-MarionStoudemire. • Projection: 5th in Atlantic • 2007·08: 41-41, 2nd in Atlantic • Good: C Jermaine O'Neal gives F Chris Bosh a former All-Star frontline partner. • Not·So·Good: FJorge Garbajosa and G Carlos Delfino returned to home countries to take more lucrative deals. • Outlook: GJose Calderon, one of the NBA's best point guards, now has two big-name bigs to work with. If injury-prone O'Neal stays healthy, Raptors will win 45-plus. • Projection: 3rd in Atlantic
Chicago Bulls
:E:C
:E»::E....A.~C»~S
Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Philadelphia, Miami, Toro~.to, Washington, Cleveland Eastern Conference Champion: Boston Celtics
irrhe Year of the Lakers the Celtics are champs, the Spurs got younger and the Rockets got even tougher. 1J But nobody has the de pth and talent of Los Angeles. And with Bynum giving the Lake rs a defensive and re bounding presence they were missing last season, it's all over. 1J Let the dynasty begin... • BY DARRYL HOWERTON
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
• 2007·08: 56-26, 2nd in Southwest • Good: CTim • 2007·08: 54-28, 1st in Northwest • Good: Duncan, G Manu Ginobili, and GTony Parker are still the best trio in the game. • Not·So·Good: Outside of the Big 3, there's nobody who can score more than 10 ppg. • Outlook: If any of the elite falter, San Antonio will be right there-as always-to claim the crown, their fifth. Sharp-shooting, defensive G Roger Mason, 28, and athletic F ian Mahinmi, 21, bring what San Antonio needs. • Projection: 1st in Southwest
G Deron Williams, a Top 3 point guard, is in the best shape of his life. • Not·So·Good: Jazz are depending on 21-year-old backup centers to deal with the Lakers, Spurs, and Rockets. • Outlook: The young and always-improving Jazz should roll to 55-60 wins with their high-octane offense and powerful rebounders. They need more big men to win the West. • Projection: 1st in Northwest
Houston Rockets
Portland Trail Blazers
• 2007·08: 55-27, 3rd in Southwest • Good: Nobody • 2007·08: 41-41 , 3rd in Northwest • Good:
Los Angeles Lakers • 2007·08: 57-25,1st in Pacific • Good: G Kobe
Bryant is MVP, while CAndrew Bynum, 20, is the NBA's next great big man. • Not·So·Good: When F Pau Gasol plays with Bynum, can opposing big men use quickness to take advantage? • Outlook: Gasol and FLamar Odom are as good a passing duo as Vlade Divac-Chris Webber years ago, and that opens up the NBA's top-shooting offense for guards Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and Derek Fisher. • Projection: 1st in Pacific
Phoenix Suns
can defend and rebound like these hard-core Rockets. • Not·So·Good: Injury-prone stars CYao Ming, F Ron Artest, and GTracy McGrady always miss 15-30 games. • Outlook: They may have what it takes to eliminate the Lakers or the Spurs. You know you're loaded when your backup big men are C Luis Scola, C Dikembe Mutombo, F Carl Landry, FChuck Hayes, and FMike Harris. • Projection: 2nd in Southwest
C Greg Oden's intimidating presence should make Portland really good on defense. • Not·So·Good: Rookie GJerryd Bayless, 20, is good, but he's got a lot of pressure as the main point guard.• Outlook: Coach Nate McMillan always gets the Blazers to overachieve, so expect at least 50 wins with good returnees GBrandon Roy, F LaMarcus Aldridge, and FTravis Outlaw. • Projection: 2nd in Northwest
• 2007·08: 55-27, 2nd in Pacific • Good: FAmare Stoudemire is an MVP candidate. • Not·So·Good:
New Orleans Hornets
Denver Nuggets
• 2007·08: 48-34, 3rd in Pacific • Good: G Monta
• 2007-08: 56-26, 1st in Southwest • Good: GChris • 2007·08: 50·32, 2nd in Northwest • Good: C Paul showed he was one of the best players in the NBA last season. • Not·So·Good: They have the worst backup big men in the league. • Outlook: It's nice they got FJames Posey, but they already had good small forwards in Peja Stojakovic and Julian Wright. Tough to improve without help for F David West and CTyson Chandler. • Projection: 3rd in Southwest
Nene, who played in 16 games before having a tumor removed, is back. • Not·So·Good: The team showed it doesn't care about winning by trading C Marcus Camby for nothing. • Outlook: The fast-paced Nuggets have Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson to provide points. But with no D or depth, they'll miss the playoffs. • Projection: 3rd in Northwest
Dallas Mavericks
Minnesota Timberwolves
• 2007·08: 51-31, 4th in Southwest • Good: F Dirk • 2007·08: 22-60, 4th in Northwest • Good: G Nowitzki is still one of the 10 best NBA players. • Not·So·Good: FJosh Howard has become an off-court distraction. • Outlook: GJason Kidd has become an aver.age PG. Unless Howard or GJason Terry has an All-Star season, Dallas will struggle to do more than make the playoffs. • Projection: 4th in Southwest
Memphis Grizzlies
Randy Foye, who played in only 39 games (knee), is looking strong. • Not·So·Good: The T-Woives have been one of the NBA's worst offensive squads. • Outlook: Star CAI Jefferson, 23, keeps improving, and now he has a healthy OB (Foye), shooter (F Mike Miller) and spot-up big man (F Kevin Love); they should be better. • Projection: 4th in Northwest
Oklahoma City
CShaquille O'Neal, 36, and GSteve Nash, 34, are far from their MVP days. • Outlook: With Mike D'Antoni gone, who knows what this run-and-gun team's identity will be. But Terry Porter is a good coach, so they'll make the playoffs. • Projection: 2nd in Pacific
Golden State Warriors Ellis, 22, CAndris Biedrins, 22, and F Brandan Wright, 20, have a great future and a good present. • Not·So·Good: Golden State doesn't have a real point guard. • Outlook: The Warriors will struggle around .500 this year, but once they acquire a starting point guard instead of trying to convert Ellis, they'll be at 50-win territory. • Projection: 3rd in Pacific
Los Angeles Clippers • 2007·08: 23-59, 5th in Pacific • Good: G Baron Davis and F Marcus Camby will bring some life to a dead team. • Not·So·Good: Besides Davis, Camby ' and CChris Kaman, the Clippers have a lot of unknown commodities. • Outlook: L.A. may win 30 games, but don't look for them to challenge for that eighth playoff spot. • Projection: 4th in Pacific
Sacramento Kings • 2007·08: 38-44, 4th in Pacific • Good: Coach Reggie Theus makes lemonade out of lemons.
• 2007·08: 22-60, 5th in Southwest • Good: F • 2007·08: 20-62, 5th in Northwest • Good: G Kevin • Not·So·Good: With F Ron Artest being traded for Rudy Gay, 22, may develop into a star this year. Durant, 20, is a star in the making. • Not·So·Good: nothing, Theus now doesn't even have lemons to G O.J. Mayo may be good too. • Not·So·Good: OKC is on a 2010 Rebuilding Plan. • Outlook: Durant work with. • Outlook: G Kevin Martin is a nice
This team is just dumping salaries, not even trying to win. • Outlook: The Grizzlies are the worst team. When a team trades C Pau Gasol and F Mike Miller for prospects, they're tanking it to get the No.1 pick. • Projection: 5th in Southwest
has some good role players around him-C Chris Wilcox, F Nick Collison, FJoe Smith, and rookie G Russell Westbrook-but he needs more scorers to get out of the cellar. • Projection: 5th in Northwest
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Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, Ulah, New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Dallas
Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
star, but he has little help from his bigs. This no-defense-playing team is in big trouble for this year. • Projection: 5th in Pacific
fter nearly two decades, Jim
Nantz has become the face and the voice of CBS Spotts. He has broadcast 17 Final Fours, dozens of NFL football games, including Super Bowl XLI in 2007, and countless professional golf tournaments highlighted by 22 annual televised visits to the Masters Tournament. His positive, upbeat, soothing style has earned him tens of thousands of fans and consistent, faithful viewers of all generations. But Nantz said in an exclusive interview with Sports Spectrum that his own personal faith, while publicly guarded, is equally genuine. "I feel like l have faith in my delivery and transparency in my heart," he said. "My wording is certain because l know what's in my heart and I know where I am headed." In an often rough-and-tumble national TV profession, where Christians are anything but the norm, Nantz says he strives to show a difference in his words and his actions. "I have a voice to tell the goodness of people, to tell the uplifting stories of sports and of life. Are we so jaded that we can't accept the good things in sports? "My father always said we shouldn't let negative thoughts and negative people taint the day," Nantz said. It was his father, Jim, Sr., who served as the inspiration for his recently published book and autobiography Always By My Side, which talks about his deep love for his father and the void he feels in his life as his dad now lives in an Alzheimer's facility in Houston, Texas. Golf announcer Bobby Clampett has been working at CBS with Nantz since 1991, and he said people on the air and off can see a difference in the lead announcer's life and actions.
"Jim isn't the type of person who will shove his religion in your face, but he seeks to live out his faith every day. That's the way we all try to do, and I think eventually, people can tell the difference." Nantz, 49, has been working at CBS since coming from a CBS affiliate station in Salt Lake City in 1985 after graduating from the University of Houston in 1981. He has been with the network ever since, working his first Masters Golf tournament in 1986, his first Final Four in 1991, and broadcasting his first Super Bowl as a play-by-play announcer in 2007.
Lance Barrow, CBS executive producer for golf and a fellow believer, has worked with Nantz in a variety of sports. He says the positive delivery and private faith of Nantz, on the screen and off, is as real as it seems. "Jim is the 'real deal' in private and in public. It can be a rough business, but Jim really shines through as authentic and genuine in everything he deals with." Nantz' father was a salesman, and whi le Jim was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, his father's job caused him to move on a regular basis.
But it was his extended stay in New Jersey and their membership at the Protestant Colts Neck Reformed Church that had a great effect on Nantz's spiritual life and his future broadcasting skills. "I still remember Rev. Sam Lipton, who had the most riveting delivery and whose sermons always captured me," said Nantz. "It was always a classical story from the Bible with a moving ending, and the way he could tell it made a big effect on how I'm broadcasting. l knew l could always tell a story on the air and try to have an uplifting ending."
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interviewing Couples daily, because he told his talented roommate he would need to learn how to handle the golf media. That led to his most memorable moment in his two-decade-plus CBS career, when he interviewed Couples in 1992 at Augusta National's Butler Cabin after Couples won his first Masters title. "I still get tears thinking how it played out just like we practiced it so many times in our dormitory room," Nantz said. As Nantz continued in his ever-upward CBS broadcasting career, he met people who had the same strength of character, Christian values, honesty, and integrity he had patterned for his own life. The first such person was former UCLA coach John Wooden, who had retired before Nantz came to CBS, but was still active in watching the Bruins. "He always had a saintly aura, someone who lived at such a high level morally and ethically," Nantz recalled. "I came to realize that when all of sports is over and spoken, how you are as a man and the life you live in and out of the spotlight is all that really counts." Other friends and mentors who have encouraged him are his own dad, former president George Bush, who wrote the foreword for his book, and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy. "Tony Dungy always inspires me when I' m around him, because I can see him living out hi s faith-based values in all that he does." To honor his own personal faith, Nantz says he always closes his eyes for a silent prayer when the National Anthem is played in sporting arenas, to thank God for the blessings in his life and the opportunity to broadcast a positive message to a national audience. I
JIM NANTZ HAS MA DE ITTOTH E : TOP OFTH E BROA DCA STING WORLD : WIT H O U T VIOLAT ING LO N G-HELD, 1 ,.. GODLY STANDARDS â&#x20AC;˘ BY A RT STRICKLIN I
I
I I
Nantz didn't first go to the University of "Coach Williams took us all out for a During his annual trip to Pebble Beach, Houston thinking he would be the signature friendly round of golf at Sugar Creek Country California, when CBS Golf broadcasts the voice of CBS Sports one day; he went as a Club the first day we got there at Houston, PGA Tour event, Nantz takes time to focus on what really matters. golfer recruited to the school, then a national because all the freshmen checked in early. college golf powerhouse, by legendary coach "That's the first time I had ever seen Blaine "I always go out on the cliffs and pray every Dave Williams. or Fred play golf, and it took about one swing morning at Pebble Beach, thanking God for to see either f'd shown up at the wrong school, His blessings. It's very spiritual." All the golfers were grouped together, and Nantz roomed with future PGA Tour stars or I'd better find someth ing else I wanted to A spiritual life- lived quietly and consisdo. I played in exactly one tournament as a Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister. tently for all to see. 0 freshman and lettered for one year in golf." It was the start of a wonderful friendship that continues until this day, but it also repreBut he remained with the golfers at Taub Art Stricklin is the Vice-President for Public sented the end of his professional golf playing Hall during his time at Houston and would Relations for Marketplace Ministries and a dreams. constantly practice his broadcasting skills, regular contributor to ________________ Sports Spectrum. l __ ___ _____ ___ ________ __________ ___ ____ __ ___ _____ __ ________ _____ ___ ___ ___ _____ ____ __________ ____ __ _J WEB SITE: www.S port sSpec tr u m.com
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MAJOR LEAGUE FIRST BASEMAN
Albe..t Pujols
A SEARCH FOR PEACE • When people ask me how I came to know Christ as my personal Savior, I always have to go back to 1998. That was the year I met my wife, and because of her we started going to church every Sunday. Before I met her, I had always known that there was a piece missing in my heart, but I didn't know what it was. It was like I was never truly happy and never really had inner peace. But as I began going to church and reading the Bible, I realized that what was missing in my life was a relationship with Jesus Christ. So, in November 1998, I gave my life to Christ, and since then my life has totally changed. I've accomplished my dream of being in the major leagues, and as a professional baseball player, I do my best to represent God with everything I do on and off the field. I have a beautiful wife and three kids, and every day I realize that I'm just here on this earth to love and honor God. I also realize that as a professional baseball player I have a responsibility to share Christ with others and be a good example for others. What many people don't realize is that just being a goo~ person is not enough to get you to heaven. Before I gave my life to Christ and accepted Him as my Savior, I had always been a good person. But after my wife and I started going to church regularly and hearing the gospel of Christ preached every week, I began to realize that I was a sinner and realized my need for a Savior. Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy for a lot of guys to come to Christ. But fortunately for me, it didn't take a tragedy for me to tum my life around. It was something that I chose to do. Once I started reading my Bible, my eyes and my heart were open to search for more about Christ and find out what He is all about. And then I made my decision that it is all about Him. Christ died on the cross for our sin, and He paid my ticket so that I can be in heaven and live with Him forever. If you don't know Christ as your personal Savior, I would ask that you search for Him and pray that God will open your heart and your eyes so that you can see the light that is out there and see what Christ has for any person who is struggling. Christ changed my life in November of 1998, and He ~an change yours too. 0
""'"'"-·• What Does It Mean? Albert Pujo/s couldn't make it any clearer. While you might hear a lot of stuff floating around about "Christianity," none of it really matters but this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins, which is the only way you can enter God's heaven? Please do so today.
.A Firm foundation: To find out more about Albert Pujols and how he lives out his faith, go to this Web address: www.puj olsfamiiyfou ndation.org
Christian business owner or ministry leader, if this is acceptable with you, read no further! If not, then it's time to fight back. Did you know that more than $10 billion is spent annually on adult-oriented businesses? In retail and on line, the majority of these purchases- all paid for with a credit card- are made through these objectionable businesses that must contract with a credit card processor to facilitate these transactions. These same processors may be handling the credit card transactions for your business or ministry. This does not have to happen! You can take a stand! Cornerstone will NOT provide credit card processing for businesses that support activities that are morally wrong. In addition , under the Processing with a Purpose program, Cornerstone Bancard will donate a portion of each transaction processed to fuel the vital work of the Kurt Warner "First Things First" ministry. Take a stand against pornography. We are so committed to this program that we will pay you $100.00 if we cannot provide you with a savings on credit card processing for your business or ministry.
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