Sports Spectrum 2017 Football Edition

FEMALE SPORTS AGENTS Passion & Calling

2017 NFL PREVIEW Predictions & Outlooks 2017

SPORTS SPECTRUM SEPTEMBER 2017

HIS HUddle How the postgame prayer huddle became a football tradition NEW DAILY DEVOTIONALS Written by Athletes and Chaplains JON KITNA 4 Pillars of Manhood

CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS

NFL PREDICTIONS FROM

BART MILLARD, LEAD SINGER MERCYME NFC CHAMPION: Cowboys AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Dak Prescott SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Cowboys ROBBY SHAFFER, DRUMMER MERCYME NFC CHAMPION: Packers AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Dak Prescott SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Patriots MIKE DONEHEY, LEAD SINGER TENTH AVENUE NORTH NFC CHAMPION: Redskins AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Kirk Cousins SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Redskins KIRK FRANKLIN NFC CHAMPION: Cowboys AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Dak Prescott SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Cowboys DAVID CROWDER NFC CHAMPION: Cowboys AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Dak Prescott SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Cowboys MICHAEL TAIT, LEAD SINGER NEWSBOYS NFC CHAMPION: Falcons AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Matt Ryan SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Falcons JEREMY CAMP NFC CHAMPION: Cowboys AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP - Tom Brady SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Patriots

ANDY MINEO NFC CHAMPION: Packers AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Aaron Rodgers SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Packers MAC POWELL, LEAD SINGER THIRD DAY NFC CHAMPION: Falcons AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Matt Ryan SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Falcons

NATALIE GRANT NFC CHAMPION: Seahawks AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP - Earl Thomas SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Seahawks SETH MORRISON, LEAD GUITARIST SKILLET NFC CHAMPION: Packers AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Andy Dalton SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Patriots MATTHEW WEST NFC CHAMPION: Packers AFC CHAMPION: Patriots MVP: Kirk Cousins SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Patriots DAVE FREY, LEAD SINGER SIDEWALK PROPHETS NFC CHAMPION: Packers AFC CHAMPION: Raiders MVP: Derek Carr SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Packers

WHAT’S

IN MY

HEAD HONES? P

MATT FORTE CARSON WENTZ BENJAMIN WATSON DEMARIO DAVIS THOMAS DAVIS MATT HASSELBECK COLT MCCOY JUSTIN FORSETT

ITʼS GAMEDAY AND YOUR FAVORITE FOOTBALL PLAYER IS GETTING READY FOR THE GAME. WHAT DOES HE LISTEN TO? WE AT SPORTS SPECTRUM ASKED SEVERAL PLAYERS TO LET US KNOW WHAT MUSIC THEY LISTEN TO BEFORE KICKOFF AND HEREʼS WHAT THEY SAID:

Can you match the players to their songs?

(ANSWERS BELOW)

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“Death of Me”

by Andy Mineo

“Let Your Power Fall”

by James Fortune

“Hammer Time”

by Lecrae “Testify”

by Needtobreathe

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“No Hate”

by Bizzle ft. Bumps Inf

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“Washed by the Water”

by Needtobreathe

“Made a Way”

by Travis Greene

4

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“Mighty Warrior”

by Elevation Worship

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1 “Blessings”

by Chance the Rapper

2

YOU CAN LISTEN TO ALL THE SONGS ON THE SPORTS SPECTRUM SPOTIFY PAGE AT: WWW.SPORTSSPECTRUM.COM OR SEARCH “spotify:user:sports_spectrum” IN SPOTIFY 3

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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1. Benjamin Watson - “Made a Way” by Travis Greene 2. Thomas Davis - “Blessings” by Chance the Rapper 3. Matt Forte - “No Hate” by Bizzle ft Bumps Inf 4. Carson Wentz - “Mighty Warrior” by Elevation Worship 5. Demario Davis - “Hammer Time” by Lecrae 6. Trey Burton - “Death of Me” by Andy Mineo 7. Justin Forsett - “Let Your Power Fall” by James Fortune 8. Matt Hasselbeck - “Testify” by Needtobreathe 9. Colt McCoy - “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe

CONTENTS 6

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“LIFE’S ABOUT JESUS”

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LEGACY OF LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE

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NOT TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

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Clemson football hero Hunter Renfrow discusses the Tigers’ national title and his relationship with the Lord.

By Jason Romano

High school coach Caleb Sorrells seeks to leave a Godhonoring legacy as he helps his players handle the death of their teammates.

By David Smale

Former NFL center Jeff Saturday was heavily impacted by coaches. Now he’s doing his part to pass on the lessons.

By David Smale

FOUR PILLARS OF MANHOOD

Former NFL QB Jon Kitna: “It’s what I’ve been called to in my life – train and develop young men to be real men.”

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LIFE UNBOUND

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HE LOST HIS LEG BUT GAINED HIS SOUL

A group of NFL players is partnering with International Justice Mission in the fight against human trafficking around the world.

By Becky York

Collegian Kody Casey lost his leg after a freak football injury, yet he gained so much more through his comeback.

By Bill Sorrell

22 HIS HUDDLE 24

AGAINST THE ODDS

New England’s Matthew Slater reflects on the Patriots’ crazy Super Bowl LI win over the Falcons.

The behind-the-scenes story of how the postgame prayer huddle at the 50-yard line became an NFL tradition.

By Becky York & Jon Ackerman

By Justin Adams 4

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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2017 TEAM-BY-TEAM OUTLOOK

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BREAKING INTO THE BOYS’ CLUB

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HOPPING ABOARD THE TEBOW TRAIN

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Team by team, division by division, our staff analyzes how the 2017 NFL season will play out.

RILLA LOVE

The Raiders’ gorilla superfan is all about spreading God’s love – at NFL stadiums and in his community.

By Jon Ackerman

Faith and fortitude are guiding a couple female sports agents in a world that’s long been dominated by men.

By Aliese Willard

Our new senior writer/editor submitted a personal story of faith and sports when applying for the job. We had to include it here.

By Jon Ackerman

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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SPORTS SPECTRUM DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

80 83

TENETS OF FAITH

Get into the Word each week with devotionals by pro athletes and team chaplains.

In-depth messages from two pro chaplains in the world of sports.

By LaMorris Crawford & Jack Easterby

Pro athletes describe the tenets of the Christian faith in their own words.

A BEAUTIFUL BALANCE OF WORK-TO-REST RATIOS

Mixing faith and fitness to balance the “sprint” and “marathon” seasons of life.

By Taryn Mast

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WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOUR SOCIAL SNAPSHOTS OF A PRAYER HUDDLE TOO! If you see a prayer at any football game this year – high school, college or the pros – take a picture, post it on social media, and use #HisHuddle. You might just see it in our next magazine!

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Michael Zagaris / Getty Images

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HUNTER RENFROW

“Life’s about Jesus”

by JASON ROMANO

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SPORTSSPECTRUM | Podcast

rowing up playing sports, many kids dream of being the guy who makes the big play in the championship game at the buzzer to win a title for their team.

For Hunter Renfrow, his dream became a reality on Jan. 9 in Tampa, Fla. Down by three points with one second left on the clock, Renfrow caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to give his Clemson Tigers the national championship.

Recently, I sat down with Renfrow on the Sports Spectrum Podcast to discuss the moment that made him a Clemson football hero.

Romano: Does it ever get old hearing you called “Hunter Renfrow of the national champion Clemson Tigers?”

Renfrow: It’s pretty cool. We’re enjoying it. I’m enjoying the time and just trying to capture it and exhaust the moment.

I was at this national championship game down in Tampa when you scored the touchdown heard around the world. What goes through your mind as you enter the huddle and line up for that last play?

Just how much we’ve done to get back to this moment. Seeing how hard the players prepare. Seeing everything come to fruition.

Every workout, every practice, skills and drills all came to that moment. We knew we were going to score and we had put in the work. And we genuinely cared and loved each other and we were going to get it done.

Is it possible to walk the campus of Clemson and not have that play mentioned 10 times a day?

It’s been tough. I’ve definitely signed a bunch of Sports Illustrated magazines. I get reminded of it a lot. I’m glad I caught it. I’m a lot happier that I caught it than if I would have dropped it. I might have had to transfer or something.

This is a different type of platform now for you than it was before you won the championship. What’s your mindset now with the platform God has given you?

I’ve definitely gotten asked to speak at a lot more churches. I’m just trying to be that positive light. I’ve never really been a vocal guy. I’m mostly focused on how I carry myself and my actions in trying to reflect the Lord. Life’s about Him and when we forget that and try to do it on our own, He corrects us real quick.

Your coach, Dabo Swinney, is unapologetic about his beliefs, his faith, his passion. You see that passion each week on the sidelines, but what has Coach Dabo meant to you in your development as a player, but even more, your development as a man?

The one thing I’d say about Coach Swinney is that he genuinely cares about people. He’s such a great role model. He’s taught me far more about life than he has about football. I remember the second national championship game in 2017, something that will always resonate with me. We were at halftime, losing by a touchdown and he said, “I don’t know how we’re going to win this game, but we’re going to win it.” Belief has always been there with him.

What were the values and beliefs you grew up with, that your parents taught you?

Life’s about Jesus. It starts and ends with that.

Taking it to football and anything, really, I do in life, there’s never really a moment too big or too small because Jesus is always going to be there.

For them to teach me that at a young age has been really impactful on my life.

For almost every person I’ve met who is a believer in Christ, that faith has to become their own. When did that happen to you?

Definitely in high school. Whenever I could just see how much trouble is in the world and how much joy that Jesus brings to it. How much life there is when you live according to His plan and when you have a relationship with Him. What is God teaching you right now?

He’s teaching me to use my platform for Him. Be available. My high school baseball coach would always say, ‘The best ability is availability.’

For me, I just want to be available for God and be able to be used however He wants me.

To hear the entire interview with Renfrow, visit SportsSpectrum.com and click on Podcast, or search “Sports Spectrum Podcast” on iTunes or Google Play.

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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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This coaches section brought to you by:

ONE COMMUNITY. ONE CALLING. Mission: OneCoach is a global movement to serve coaches and their families by following the ultimate Coach: Jesus Christ.

Vision: OneCoach is mobilizing a global community of coaches and their families, focusing on faith, family and fulfillment. It is a movement of coaches from around the world, including all sports, ethnicities and gender that have a unique calling by God to be a coach. www.onecoach.coach

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ometimes life gives you a sucker punch to the gut. Just ask Caleb Sorrells, quarterbacks coach at Stephens County High School in Toccoa, Ga. A couple weeks after he and his wife attended a Coaches Time Out conference in Atlanta this past June, where he was encouraged to focus on his relationship with God and his wife, Sorrells’ entire focus was forced back on the students at his school – and especially on his football team.

Two of his rising seniors were among four youths killed in an auto accident. Three of them died at the scene, while the fourth was critically injured. He died a week later from injuries sustained in the wreck.

“God has redeemed it, and He’s done a lot through it,” Sorrells said. “It was rough. The one who lasted for a week was my guy. He had been in my house and eaten at our table with my family.

“It will be a difficult year at our school in a lot of ways. We have seen how God has redeemed that by making the guys on the team ask some tough questions. They were obsessed with their Snapchat, and this has forced them to pull back and look at eternal things in a way that they should never have to.

That’s not what you’re supposed to do when you’re 16, 17 or 18, to consider the mortality of your best friend, or of yourself.”

“

That’s my legacy, helping them into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

”

Sorrells knows that, as a teacher and coach at a public school, he can’t openly preach the Gospel in class or on the practice field. But he also knows that who he is and how he is wired comes through loud and clear. So when those players were ready to ask those questions, they knew who they could ask.

“God has used this time. We have seen five different guys come to a saving knowledge of Jesus in the past week or so,” he said. “Three of them were in the hospital parking lot after we got to visit the young man who was in intensive care. They saw him hooked up to a thousand tubes and unresponsive. It was bad and we knew he probably wasn’t going to make it. We talked in the parking lot for two solid hours about what it means to be saved, that it’s a faith thing and not a works thing.

“The big questions they had were not just (about) being scared of hell. They had some deep questions.

There were some things that they had clearly wondered about before, but just never had asked. Maybe they didn’t even realize that they needed to understand.

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&

Legacy OF Love Acceptance

by DAVID SMALE

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Photos Courtesy of Stephens County High School

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will never say that God caused it, but He caused those things to be churned up in those guys’ minds,” Sorrells said. “I hope that these kids will remember the answers to their questions 25 or 30 years from now. That’s my legacy, helping them into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

Sorrells believes that coaching is all about legacy. The son and grandson of football coaches, Sorrells knew at an early age that he wanted to be a coach. “If there is no legacy, you’re wasting your time,” he said.

He knew he wasn’t good enough to be much of a football player, but he wanted to stay involved in the

the doubts that creep into a young kid’s mind when your worth is tied to a game.

“I had known for a long time, well before my senior year of high school, that I wanted to be a coach. I didn’t know if I would coach in high school or college, but I wanted to coach at some level. I graduated from high school with the attitude that I would suffer through the next four years of college, because it would make me a better coach. I wasn’t going to enjoy it. It would be just like high school football, which was freaking terrible. I wasn’t any good in high school, so I knew I wasn’t going to play much.

L-R: Caleb Sorrells, Jackson Bell, Gabe White, Kenny Colwell

game. So even though he hated high school football, he decided to walk on at Carson-Newman University.

“It’s so funny how God does things,” Sorrells said, laughing. “In high school, I had an offensive coordinator who was hard to play for. He cussed us brutally, treated us like our worth was directly related to our on-field performance.

“He allowed some things to go on that he should have stopped. I could recognize that his approval in any other area of life would not be worth striving for, but he was my coach, so what he thought about me mattered more than it probably should have. It was tough to not only watch my playing time disappear, but to have him confirm out loud

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But I had to do it.”

At Carson-Newman, he ran into two people who changed his perspective: head coach Ken Sparks and quarterbacks coach Leonard Guyton. Sparks was a great example of living, and speaking about, his faith in Christ.

“Coach Sparks, who passed away last spring, was the model of an evangelical coach,” Sorrells said. “Former players would come back and tell us that we would miss him and his approach. They would say, ‘Someday you’re going to be quoting him when you’re coaching.’ We would just roll our eyes, because he was forever talking about Jesus. Sometimes we would say, ‘Coach, just give it a rest and talk about football.’ But he would not do it.

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known “forI had a long time,

well before my senior year of high school, that I wanted to be a coach.

”

- Caleb Sorrells

“It’s unbelievable the amount of guys he led to the Lord and turned their lives around.”

Guyton took a different approach. It actually was exactly the same path, he just walked it differently.

“When I came into Carson-Newman, there were nine new quarterbacks on the roster,” Sorrells said. “With two returning quarterbacks from the previous year, there were 11 of us. I was 10 out of 11 on the depth chart.

I was never going to play.

“Not once, in meetings, on the practice field, anywhere, did I ever feel that I was anything less than one of his quarterbacks. I was one of the CarsonNewman Eagles. I was never going to play, but it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if I knew the offense, from an Xs and Os standpoint, from a wins and losses standpoint. It just didn’t matter.

“I felt like a part of the team because he treated me that way, good and bad. He was going to ride me to make me better, and he was going to appreciate my effort. That was a complete shift from how I had spent my high school years. That’s all I needed. I needed somebody to look at me as part of the team, like I had worth.”

Today, Sorrells takes that approach with his players and his students. He teaches two Spanish classes and one weightlifting class at Stephens County, claiming to be the only teacher in America with that combination.

He treats all his players – and students – as someone with worth, as part of the team. Years from now, when Sorrells is done coaching, he hopes his former players remember him for way more than football.

“I hope they will talk about the legacy of what I was able to model, encourage and teach them about what God says about authentic, divinely-inspired manhood,” he said. “When I look at the walls of my high school, when I look at what they’re saying and listening to, I see a twisted and corrupted view of success and manhood.

That’s what I try to combat and redefine as much as I can. It looks very little like what they think it looks like.”

Sometimes when life gives you that sucker punch, you’ve just got to punch back.

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TOO

GOOD

by David Smale

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JEFF SATURDAY

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eff Saturday’s story sounds too good to be true. Small town boy makes good – real good – and returns to give back to the community.

Except it is true.

Saturday grew up in Tucker, Ga., in the suburbs of Atlanta. He admits he was not much of a college prospect in high school, much less a guy who could play 15 years in the NFL and make the Pro Bowl six times. He was just an average high school football player. But the investment of a group of coaches changed his life forever.

“My football coach was Ron Gartrell,” Saturday said at a recent Coaches Time Out conference. “My baseball coaches were Coach Roland and Coach Devore. Coach East was my wrestling coach and Coach Ramos coached me on the offensive and defensive lines.

“Those guys impacted my life to such a strong degree. If they saw me veering off the path and making the wrong decisions, hanging out with the wrong crowd, or jeopardizing my future, they steered me back on track. At the time, no one thought I had a future in athletics. They didn’t see a future professional athlete, or even a college athlete. They just saw me as a kid they were coaching in high school.

“They cared so much. My parents divorced early in my life, so I

didn’t have a male presence in my home at that time. Those guys impacted me so much. They showed me what a man should look like.”

Saturday credits Gartrell with helping him get noticed by college programs. “He stood in the gap for me when there wasn’t a lot of interest in me.

He inspired me to do the same thing, to be a coach,” Saturday said.

Before Saturday became the head coach at Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula, Ga., not too far from Tucker, he had a lengthy journey –

“WATCHING SOMEONE BE SO SELFLESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO BLESS SOMEONE’S LIFE MEANT SO MUCH TO ME.” first to the University of North Carolina and then on to the NFL. He was not drafted, but signed as a free agent by the Baltimore Ravens. His draft prospectus described him as “somewhat (of) an overachiever, has worked to make himself better,” but also as “an undersized guy (who) simply has trouble matching up against power (nose tackles) that can overwhelm him.”

He was on the practice squad all season before signing with the Indianapolis Colts prior to the 1999 season. He spent the next 13 years with the Colts, mostly shuttling the ball through his legs to Peyton Manning. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 representing the Colts. In his final season, he went to the Pro Bowl as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

“With all the great coaches I’ve had, including Tony Dungy, Clyde Christensen, Jim Caldwell, Jim Mora and Mike McCarthy,

Xs and Os don’t mean a thing,” Saturday said. “I don’t ever think of them as profound coaches in terms of the game. The thing they all did was believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Even when I was scared that I couldn’t do something, they believed that I could, and they inspired me to do it.

“It’s those type of men whom you know they care. It was not just being good on the field. They knew we would have some good days and some bad days. In the end, they cared about me as a person, developing me as a man. However good you are, there’s still life after you walk off the field. That’s true for everybody.”

It’s that message that Saturday passes along to his players. Interestingly, he feels his biggest challenge coaching at a Christian school is sharing his faith and having it make an impact.

“My biggest fear is that Christ becomes common,” he said. “I don’t want that to happen for them. I want them to understand how powerful Jesus is. They hear it a lot at Christian school.

It always concerns me that they will take Him for granted. You have to have a personal relationship with Him, and I’m here to help them with that. These kids probably haven’t had the experiences that make them desperate for Christ.

The reason I came to Christ, and the reason you came to Christ, is that we saw a need for salvation. You can’t depend on other people’s faith. It has to become yours.

“I tell my players that it’s not about your parents or anyone else. It’s about you knowing who Jesus is. When something goes wrong, or when you have to make a life-changing decision, you have to have that relationship.”

That’s another point that’s not too good to be true.

Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images for PLAYERS INC

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FOUR PILLARS OF MANHOOD

by JUSTIN ADAMS

FORMER NFL QB JON KITNA IS TRANSFORMING BOYS INTO MEN

I

t’s a preseason tradition: Hire a motivational speaker to inspire a group of young men as they get ready for the upcoming football season. In this instance, former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna was called upon. But the question he presented spotlighted an urgent subject beyond the Xs and Os.

“Guys, what’s your purpose? What is your calling?” Kitna bellowed. “Young men, you have a purpose and a calling, and it’s not just to play football.”

Speaking in front of the Valor Christian High School (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) football team in late August, Kitna said he believes the attributes of manhood are greatly lacking in young men today.

After 16 years playing for the Seahawks, Bengals, Lions and Cowboys, Kitna turned in his helmet and cleats to fulfill his calling and deliver a message aimed at transforming boys into men.

“I think there is a manhood epidemic in our country and such a distortion of what real manhood is,” Kitna says. “The persuasive message that our society and culture has about manhood is very distorted from what God intended it to be. … And so it’s not just an important message for me today; it’s what I’ve been called to in my life – to try to train and develop young men to be real men.”

Kitna returned to his high school alma mater, Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash., in 2012. Affecting change wasn’t easy. According to Al Jazeera America, 82 percent of the students there needed free or reduced lunches. In several surrounding neighborhoods, the median household income was under $20,000. Fathers often were absent from their families at home.

Undeterred by the challenges, Kitna served the community by teaching three algebra classes and becoming the school’s head football coach.

“Your occupation is what you’re paid for.

Your calling is what you’re made for,” Kitna says. “My specific calling is to train and develop manhood. The avenue I’m going to use is being a high school coach because those kids are coming.”

First, Kitna surrounded himself with trusted friends and family to help rebuild the football program. Next, he spent $150,000 to update the weight room. And he donated his $53,000 game check to the school in 2013 after signing on to be the Cowboys backup quarterback for the final game of the season. Several former NFL teammates, like Carson Palmer, Calvin Johnson and Tony Romo, also in.

S P O R T S S P E C T Rchipped UM 1616 financially

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty

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With the funds transforming the aesthetics of the school, Kitna used what he calls the four pillars of manhood to transform the hearts of the young men. The philosophy is derived from the book, “Raising a Modern-Day Knight” by Robert Lewis, and given to him by Detroit Lions chaplain Dave Wilson. Each letter in the acronym R.E.A.L. breaks down what it means to be “a real man.”

The pillars are: rejects passivity, engages with God (empathizes with others), accepts responsibility and leads courageously. Each one embodies the life of David from the Bible, as he’s described as being a man after God’s own heart.

Rejecting passivity is the first pillar highlighted from David’s battle with Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

“When all the other warriors were hiding from Goliath every single day, getting taunted by a non-Christian, David comes along and he ran towards Goliath. He ran towards the battle lines,” Kitna says. “He rejected passivity when the rest of the men were being passive. That passivity has been passed down to all men and we must choose intentionally to reject passivity.”

Kitna believes engaging with God is more than just attending a weekly church service; it’s developing an intimacy with God that mirrors David’s written words in the book of Psalms.

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JON KITNA

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YOUNG MEN, YOU HAVE A PURPOSE AND A CALLING, AND IT’S NOT JUST TO PLAY FOOTBALL

“We think engaging with God is going to church for 60 minutes on a Sunday,” Kitna says. “And God is available all day, every day. He wants to have a relationship with us.”

The next pillar is accepting responsibility, and Kitna points to fatherlessness as one of the greatest areas where many men fall short. David accepted responsibility when Nathan called him out for committing adultery with Bathsheba.

Says Kitna, “When David sinned with Bathsheba and he was confronted with his sin, he didn’t make excuses for it. He said, ‘I’ve sinned against the Lord and I will accept any punishment that comes from it.’”

The final pillar is leading courageously, which David did when he grew a group of outcast warriors. “David was homeless living in a cave, and 400 men came and lived with him. He started with an army of 400; at the end of his reign as king he had 1.2 million men in his army,” Kitna says.

What was the result of implementing the pillars to the young men? In the three years Kitna was at Lincoln High School, the football team’s GPA increased from a D average to a B average. The squad also won back-to-back league titles.

The wins on the field were great, but Kitna gets 17

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more satisfaction from seeing one of his players get a high SAT score or ace a chemistry test.

“When a kid comes to you and says, ‘Coach, I got a 1450 on my SAT and I can go to whatever college I want,’ there’s not a touchdown or a game I’ve ever won in my life that will compare (to) seeing that young man’s face when he tells you that,” Kitna says.

In 2015, Kitna departed the Pacific Northwest to Waxahachie High School, which sits 30 minutes south of Dallas. There, he’s focusing on coaching full-time. And with the pillars firmly in place, the impact has already been felt on the scoreboard. After going 2-8 the year prior to Kitna’s arrival, the team improved to 6-4 in 2015 and ‘16.

But winning under the Friday night lights isn’t the ultimate goal; it’s living the Gospel and leading people to Christ. That’s the mission statement Kitna tries to live and wants others to follow.

“I just feel like this is what we’re called to do, to live the Gospel,” he says. “We’re called to make a difference in people’s lives. We’re called to carry around this faith in jars of clay; that’s what we’re supposed to do.

This body of Christ is supposed to be out here living to try to make the world better.”

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“We knew we believed in this organization,” said Benjamin, “and we had already committed to giving our resources for a year. Now we wanted to see it firsthand.”

L-R: Watson, Garcia, Davis, Weatherspoon, Burton

anto Domingo is the oldest city in the Dominican Republic and Caribbean region. From its tropical beaches to the historic cobblestone streets of downtown, the enchanting city is rich in Spanish heritage and cultural beauty. However, it’s also a hotbed for an extremely dangerous and degrading industry: sex trafficking.

In 2016, Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson and his wife, Kirsten, joined International Justice Mission in the fight against human trafficking around the world. When the Watsons first encountered IJM – an international anti-slavery organization whose mission is to “Rescue thousands. Protect millions. Prove that justice for the poor is possible” – they knew they wanted to be involved.

“We knew we believed in this organization,” Benjamin said, “and we had already committed to giving our resources for a year.

Now we wanted to see it firsthand.”

Eager to fight for the powerless, the Watsons worked with IJM to organize a vision trip. This past offseason, six NFL players (Watson, Trey Burton, Sean Weatherspoon, Geremy Davis, Max Garcia and former player Don Davis, some joined by their significant others) left the comfort of their homes to experience the strategies IJM is implementing at its newest field office in the Dominican Republic.

“I didn’t go in with a certain expectation,” said Burton, a Philadelphia Eagles tight end and another IJM supporter. “I just wanted to learn.”

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And learn they did. After taking four days to familiarize themselves with IJM’s strategies, experience the organization’s challenges, and meet some rescued survivors, the team was both inspired and driven to help continue the tremendous endeavor.

“To see people, especially kids, being trafficked, taken advantage of, manipulated and hurt – with zero chance to fight back – it broke my heart,” Burton said.

Sex trafficking is increasing at a rapid rate on the island, but IJM has planted itself in the capital city, where it’s working with the government to find the perpetrators, rescue the victims, litigate legal cases and prevent further crime.

“IJM does an unbelievable job empowering the government,” Burton said. “Their goal isn’t just to come in and take over, but to come alongside police officers and city leaders to equip them to recognize the problem and implement solutions. They also work with local churches and organizations to create aftercare programs for the survivors.”

At the end of the week, the team participated in IJM’s “Day of Joy” – a day held during every vision trip when partners can interact with those they’ve helped.

“We left the city to visit a group of five boys and three girls who had survived these crimes,” Watson said. “We played basketball, football and badminton with the kids. Then we went to a local shelter to visit with some of the women who had been rescued. There they received rehab treatment, counseling, job training and further care. Two of the women had even given their lives to Christ after being rescued! We listened as they shared, through tears, how they had entered the industry, how long they had been in it, and how they were rescued.”

These women’s stories began with tragedy, resulted in torturous enslavement, but ended with a life-giving second chance.

“It was heart-breaking to hear stories from the children, women and even men who had been trafficked,” Burton said. “It was amazing to hear how they had overcome. It was inspiring to see the work IJM is doing. And it’s motivating to know all the work that still needs to be done.”

While IJM has made huge strides toward freedom for the suffering, there are still countless people stuck within the realm of this cruel trade.

“It’s one thing to see or hear statistics about millions of people involved in sex exploitation around the world,” Watson said. “But it’s surreal to hear the truth out of the mouth of a teenager who’s experienced it for herself. It’s real. It touches you in a way that causes you to feel angry, sad and even helpless. I want these crimes to stop now.”

IJM is working hard to make that happen.

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kinds, including sex trafficking, cybersex trafficking, forced labor slavery, citizenship rights, property grabbing, and police abuse of power. Soon after planting a base in the heart of the D.R. in 2013, the team realized the extent of this injustice stretches way beyond the city limits of Santo Domingo.

Though it is based near the government headquarters where many of the legal cases are litigated, IJM is searching for and rescuing ensnared individuals throughout the country’s 18,705 square miles of land.

Back in the United States, IJM Director Jackie Willert has been working closely with many professional athletes to bring attention to the global need. There is an estimated 46 million people enslaved around the world today.

“We have a $1.3 million 2017 goal for the ‘Team Freedom Legacy Fund’ – a global athlete fund at IJM to fight slavery,” Willert said. “By the grace of God we’ve raised nearly $1 million already and only need $300,000 more to hit our goal; $1.3 million is the approximate cost of an IJM anti-slavery field office. We are building a legacy of pro families fighting slavery around the globe with this global athlete fund!”

Back home in their stadiums, the NFL athletes plan to create awareness and raise funds for IJM to gain more resources and partners, so that ultimately, more lives will be saved.

“Game one is coming up, when we’ll face the Redskins, a major rival for us,” Burton said. “Their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, along with three to four of our Eagles players are also advocates for IJM. We’ve decided to use this rivalry for a

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greater purpose. We want to create an opportunity for the fans to compete to see which team’s fan base can raise more money for the cause.”

Watson has also been advocating for the cause across television and social media channels. He and Kirsten are already planning a return trip for the 2018 offseason.

“We hope to bring more NFL athletes and their significant others to come and learn about IJM and the work they’re doing in the D.R.,” he said.

“Someday, we want to bring our kids along with us so they can understand the importance of fighting for the freedom of others.”

Burton plans to join the return journey, and hopes to bring along many of his teammates as well.

“The Bible talks about caring for the orphan and widow – this is exactly what Jesus is talking about,” Burton said. “Kids are being taken, women are being forced to do horrible things. They’re starving for freedom – a life without the worry of being tricked, hurt or manipulated. God wants all of His children to live freely, not bound by anything on earth. This is a battle worth fighting.”

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27

“I’ll never forget being in that small room with those survivors,” Watson said. “As they sang worship songs and praised God in their own language, I was hit with the realization that we serve a really big God – One who is in control of all things. There’s nothing we can’t do if we embark on a mission with His help.”

The athletes weren’t the only ones greatly impacted by this visit. Willert expressed how meaningful it was for the survivors to be treated as precious in the eyes of big-name athletes.

“You could see in the eyes of these children how much it meant to them that these NFL families loved them and wanted to spend time with them,” she said. “There was a moment when the Broncos’ Max Garcia found out that Raquel, a young girl IJM rescued, was turning 16 the very next day. Max serenaded her with an awesome version of ‘Feliz Cumpleaños.’ I don’t think Raquel, or any of us who were there that day, will soon forget that moment.

“We pray for the day when children everywhere celebrate their birthdays in freedom. Until that day, we are so grateful to our pro athlete community on Team Freedom. They’ve given so generously and done so much great work on behalf of those we serve at IJM.”

As the NFL season kicks off, IJM continues the night raids, rescue missions and court battles in the D.R., adding to its 105 rescues on the island so far. And though they can’t be present to tangibly help, IJM’s partners are still fighting the battle.

“I’m thankful for organizations like IJM, who have expertise in this area and are willing to hit the ground to do this work,” Watson said. “As they both fight and pray faithfully for freedom to be won, we will do the same. We all have a role to play in this, whether that’s speaking out, writing articles, donating money or rescuing victims. We each need to prayerfully discover what our individual role is and how God is leading us to help. It’s time to act.”

To find out more about International Justice Mission and how you can get involved, visit: www.ijm.org

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KODY KASEY: HE LOST HIS LEG BUT GAINED HIS SOUL

by BILL SORRELL

Kody Kasey returns a kickoff against Bluefield College during Georgetown College’s 2016 Homecoming game.

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Richard Davis - Photos courtesy of Georgetown College

“I admire his positivity and faith,” says Georgetown inside linebacker Cody Elbert. “The guy always has a positive outlook on life and through it all just continues to remain faithful to the Lord.”

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he rountine play became anything but. Assigned to block a University of Cumberlands player on a punt return, Kody Kasey was driving him backwards when something went horribly wrong.

“I got hit. Instantly I went dizzy. At the time I had no idea what was happening. Everything was twirling and twirling and I start falling backwards,” he recalls. “It was almost like I was in slow motion when I hit the ground. Even the guy I blocked stopped for a second. He looked down at me and he knew something was wrong.

“When I was at the hospital, He talked to me. It was through Scripture”

“I looked down toward my right leg. The bone did not come out of the skin but you could tell it was bulging. Instantly my brain registered pain. I started screaming.”

That was Oct. 18, 2014, the homecoming game for Georgetown (Ky.) College, an NAIA school boasting three national championships, five national championship game appearances, two national semifinal appearances, and 19 conference championships. Kasey was a sophomore special teams player, kick returner and defensive back, who earned second-team All Mid-South Conference honors as a freshman DB. He was eager to enhance his resume as a sophomore. But the break snapped Kasey’s tibia and fibula. Doctors told him it was equivalent to an injury one might suffer in a motorcycle wreck.

“It got hit at the right spot at the wrong time,” says Kasey, originally from Pickerington, Ohio.

At Georgetown Community Hospital, a titanium rod was inserted to stabilize his leg. It would be the first of nine surgeries. “After the first one, my 21 WEB

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mind was, ‘I am going to get this done and I am going to be back on the field next year, no problem,’” he says.

However, a six-month checkup brought bad news: No bone growth, and an infection was killing tissue and skin. “That was frustrating,” he says.

“After almost a year, you think your bone would grow somewhat or be healed completely.”

After surgery No. 6, doctors told him he could continue surgeries but may have a gimp leg the rest of his life. Or he could go another route: amputation. “At 19 or 20 years old, those are the last words you want to hear. It was hard taking that in,” says Kasey, now 22 and a senior.

“I had to rely on God’s strength to give me strength through this. I began to pray, seeking direction.

Growing up, I was in a very religious, Catholic family. I thought I had a relationship with God. I knew God. My relationship with God was not where it needed to be. My injury got to the point [where] I realized I couldn’t do everything on my own and I gave my life to Christ. Christ found me. It was not by my mind and strength alone, it was God’s.

“When I was in the hospital, He talked to me. It was through Scripture. He kept revealing Himself to me. One of the verses that kept popping up was Romans 12:12: ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ I took that with me the whole time. I held it dear to my heart,” Kasey says.

On Nov. 16, 2015, at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, Kasey’s leg was amputated below the knee.

“He lost his leg but gained his soul,” says Godwin Igwebuike, a defensive back at Northwestern who grew up with Kasey in Pickerington.

“God has completely transformed him from lukewarm to on-fire for Christ.

He’s an inspiration to me, both as an athlete and as a man of God.”

Kasey’s best friend since fifth grade noticed the shift as well.

“Football was everything to him and to see this taken from him was terrible for me to see,” says DeVon Price, a senior guard on the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) basketball team.

“I can’t imagine how he was feeling through the process of surgery. What I was witnessing was someone who was brought through his life-changing moment. He had always been someone who had faith in God, but I saw a nurturing and transformation unlike I have seen before.

“When we are forced to lean on the Lord because we literally have no other option and realize we cannot do it ourselves, this is what that was for Kody. During the process, I noticed he

Richard Davis - Photos courtesy of Georgetown College

talked differently. He had a different tone. This all tracked back to the fact that he was growing in the Lord.”

Kasey’s relationship with God brought him comfort while he was holed up in the hospital. His older brother, Rayshawn Brinston, flew in from Las Vegas to surprise him with a visit. They cracked jokes and clowned T O S U B S C R I B E T O S P O R T S S P E C T R U M : CSAPLOLR 8T 4S 4 S- P8 0E 7C -T 7R 6U7M8

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it up. Georgetown head football coach Bill Cronin and his wife, Ellen, also went to see him, unsure of what to expect.

“How do you approach this?

What do you say? There is Kody with a big smile on his face and his leg wrapped up,” Cronin says. “He lifted us up instead of us lifting him up. I could tell that he had a peacefulness about what was going on. The answer to this was his faith in Christ and his positive attitude about everything.”

“I admire his positivity and faith,” says Georgetown inside linebacker Cody Elbert. “The guy

“Jesus gave me the strength to overcome and be on the field, all to bring glory to Him” always has a positive outlook on life and through it all just continues to remain faithful to the Lord. He’s a big reason why my walk with the Lord is stronger today than ever.”

“In a time you think would be a downfall, [with] negative energy, I was lifted up through support,” Kasey says.

On Jan. 6, 2016, Kasey was fitted with a prosthesis made of carbon fiber -- strong and flexible -- and his foot became a blade. Kasey walked out of the hospital that day. Doctors were amazed. “God gave me the opportunity for mobility again. I felt so ready to get walking,” Kasey says.

Rehab was one step at a time: balancing exercises, weight lifting, treadmill. “I jumped right in like I never left,” Kasey says.

And there he was on Sept.

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1, 2016, suiting up for the first time since 2014 against Cumberland (Tenn.)

University.

“The first time I stepped back on the field was a feeling of overwhelming joy. I didn’t play that game; I didn’t care. It was the fact that Jesus gave me the strength to overcome and be on the field, all to bring glory to Him,” says Kasey, who did receive playing time two weeks later against Cincinnati Christian.

In his bedroom now hangs a calendar with some of his favorite verses: Romans 12:12, Deuteronomy 31:6 (“Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord our God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you”) and Jeremiah 29:11, his all-time favorite (“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”).

“My faith is everything. It has got me through. I wouldn’t be here today without it. There were frustrating times, of course, but I never let myself get to the point of deep depression. I would not allow it. Prayer and getting in the Word has given me a lot of confidence,” Kasey says.

That self-assurance has carried into the weight room. Kasey can jump 54 inches onto a box with one leg.

Wearing his prosthetic, he squats 380 pounds, bench presses 330 and deadlifts 345. And he’s always been fast; he ran the 40 in 4.5 seconds before his injury.

“He has a great work ethic.

He is a good lifter and good strength trainer. While a lot of kids have to develop that work ethic, that passion for it, he pretty much is the type of kid that will not back off from anything,” Cronin says.

With that determined, competitive drive, Kasey made a “pretty big tackle” against Kentucky Christian last season. And his biggest highlight was a 41-yard kickoff return against Bluefield College. Wearing the bracelet “In Jesus Name I Play,” Kasey’s goal is to return a kick for a touchdown.

“I want to go out my last year of football with a bang, to have fun with my brothers on the field and ultimately get that championship,” Kasey says.

At 5 feet 8 inches tall and 175 pounds, Kasey has no fear of losing his prosthetic. His biggest concern is

hurting someone else with his blade when they tackle him.

“I have quite a few victims,” Kasey says. “My teammates said it was not pleasant. I have hit myself. It is not a good feeling.”

Kasey says this whole experience has provided “amazing opportunities” and “blessings.” In February, he received the Presidential Award from the Touchdown Club of Columbus. In July, he was nominated to the Kentucky All-State AFLAC Good Works Team. If selected he would be Georgetown’s first. The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame gave him its inaugural Blanton Collier Leading With Character award.

A criminal justice major who one day wants to work for the FBI, Kasey is a Dean’s List student, recorded a 3.9 GPA in the Fall 2016 semester, and is scheduled to graduate this December. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“Kody’s story is powerful,” Elbert says. “When you hear all the things he has been through and to see where he is today, you can’t help but want to root for the guy. It’s a story of how God can turn tragedy into blessing because of where his walk with Christ is… Having Kody out there makes you want to work that much harder. We have little aches and pains but when we see him grinding with a prosthetic, it makes you want to go even harder because he is doing it with one leg.”

Igwebuike said he has learned from Kasey that no matter how dim situations may seem, ultimately they can bring glory to God. “It taught me to always trust in him,” he said. “That he is able to maneuver and compete is this game is a miracle to me. He’s already blown mine and everyone’s expectations.”

Kasey sees that the Lord has a much greater plan for him than what he or anyone else had intended.

“My story is getting around to motivate people and inspire people.

God’s purpose, as of now, is to use my experience and my story to show people the grace that He can give and to bring glory to Him. Many people have told me what an impact it has had on their lives. Many have told me they think about giving up a lot of times but through my story, they gained strength,” Kasey says. “The way I can use my struggles to prosper someone else is amazing.”

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here are many memorable Super Bowls, but Super Bowl

LI in February 2017 was one for the ages. New England clawed back from a 25-point deficit – the largest comeback in the championship game’s history – at the only Super Bowl to ever go into overtime. The Patriots clipped the Falcons, 34-28.

Sports Spectrum caught up with Patriots’ wide receiver Matthew Slater a month after the game to hear about that nail-biter of a victory, and the cohesiveness of the team that pulled out the win.

Sport Spectrum: Near the end of the third quarter, analysts estimated that the Falcons had a 99.8 percent probability of winning. What do you think helped the Patriots to overcome those odds?

Slater: As I sit here, a month removed from the game, it’s still hard to believe what happened. I think about the latter half of that game, and getting to the fourth quarter.

There’s something that we believed as a team all year, that we were family. When I think about family, families get tested and pushed to the limit. And we got pushed to the limit in that game, but one thing that we didn’t do was turn on one another. We stayed true to the belief that we had in one another, and thought, ‘Hey, we’re just going to keep competing, keep trying to make plays, and just see where it gets us.’

When things started to turn around, what were you thinking?

As I think back to that fourth quarter, and the rally that we were able to spark, it’s hard to remember, because there was so much energy, so much focus that we gave each and every play to try and get ourselves back in that football game. At one point you look up and realize, ‘We’ve got a chance. We’ve got a chance to maybe make this a game.’

Was there a point in particular where you did that?

For me, it was when we scored our 20th point (in the fourth quarter). We scored a touchdown, we got the two-point conversion, and you look up, it’s 20 to 28. We were only down by eight! We had been down 25 points, and now it’s only eight. The belief grew. As we looked into one another’s eyes, there was never a time of panic, and never a time of, ‘You need to do this, you need to do that.’

Everyone just looked internally and said, ‘I’m going to try and do my job the best that I can, and see where that gets us,’ and I think that belief really kicked in. So then we go in there and score our 26th point, and everybody’s excited in the crowd, but we know we still need to get this two-point conversion. So we convert the two-point conversion, and had just come down from being 25 points (behind). We had a lot of confidence; we really felt like we had a chance to win that game. The final whistle blew, and we went into overtime.

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What were your thoughts going into overtime?

All of a sudden, regulation’s over, and it’s time for the coin toss. I don’t even go to Coach (Bill) Belichick. I usually go before the coin toss, and we talk about it. He had to call me over. I go off to the coin toss, still breathing hard, exhausted from having played for 60 minutes against a great, well-coached football team.

I call heads; that’s kind of the Slater thing. My dad did it, so throughout my whole career I’ve called heads. And I watched that coin leave the referee’s thumb and go in the air; I was tracking it the whole way. When I saw it was heads, I had a lot of confidence that we could finish the job. I believed in our team, and in what we’d been able to accomplish all year long.

Everything that we had been through, from Week 1 on, to get to that point, I knew we were going to finish this thing.

Did the Super Bowl give you more opportunities to share your faith on camera?

For me, the Super Bowl presented a tremendous platform to be able to share the Gospel. I know going into that week, I had been praying for an opportunity to just let my light shine for Christ and make sure people knew that I believed that I was there solely because of Him. I had been able to do some interviews over the course of the week sharing my faith, and talked about the faith of some of the players on our team.

A gentleman who I had visited with several times before has a prison ministry and was asking me several questions. And at one point he asked me if I could look into the camera and tell people what it means to be saved and how I understand salvation. And I jumped at the opportunity! To the best of my understanding, I shared the plan for salvation as the Bible outlines it. I’m so thankful for that opportunity.

As you reflect on that Super Bowl win, what was the best part?

We all know how it ended. The ending was definitely spectacular, but as I look back on it, it was about the journey, the things that we had to overcome. Dealing with Tom (Brady)’s suspension, dealing with some injuries to some key players.

I’ve never been on a team that had more faith and belief in one another than this year’s team. I could not be more proud of the team that I’ve been a part of in my career. What a journey it was, 2016-17, and what great things we were able to accomplish.

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This is the only known photo of the first NFL postgame prayer huddle, taken on Dec. 3, 1990. However, it was shot just seconds before the huddle was complete. It shows only the six 49ers involved, not the two Giants who joined moments later.

Photo Courtesy of Pat Richie

How the postgame prayer huddle at the came to be

by BECKY YORK & JON ACKERMAN

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at Richie was in the shower when the trailblazing idea hit him. That’s a place many great thoughts have come to mind, but few go on to have a culturechanging impact like this one. Fewer still are shared by a friend on the other side of the country at the same time.

Richie was the chaplain for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in 1990, when he was struck with the desire to use his platform to give glory to God. Looking ahead to his team’s Dec. 3 Monday night matchup against the New York Giants, it appeared as if it could be a meeting of undefeated rivals. Richie thought that evening could be special.

“I saw this as a strategic game,” he said, “and I thought, ‘Is there a way to use this in a Godhonoring way?’”

So he phoned his friend, Dave Bratton, the Giants’ chaplain.

“Pat called me and he asked, ‘What can we do to let people see that these players have a spiritual nature as well as physical and material?’”

Bratton said. “My response was, ‘We can pray together.’”

While Richie was on the West Coast, Bratton was on the East Coast also searching for an opportunity to bring faith into the spotlight that comes with football. They immediately collaborated on a way to make their dreams a reality.

Although both the 49ers and Giants lost their games the week before the big Monday nighter, anticipation for the meeting of NFC powerhouses still raged. While each team prepared for what was billed as an NFC championship game preview, each team chaplain worked out details for what would become one of the most enduring displays of faith to ever take place on a football field.

Players from both teams, after spending the previous three hours in opposition, will join hands to thank and honor our Heavenly Father.

The players could also thank Richie and Bratton, and some courageous players, for paving the way to see this expression of faith take place on a football field. It wasn’t as simple as just dropping to a knee back in the 90s.

As the 98th season of the NFL kicks off this month, a now-27-year-old tradition will continue. Immediately following nearly every game, every week, a postgame prayer will commence.

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The idea of opponents coming together to pray was planted in Bratton’s head by Giants tight end Howard Cross. “Howard shared with me about his college years, playing for Alabama when guys from both teams would come out before the game and pray together,” Bratton says.

After the chaplains’ initial conversation, which left them excited for their shared dream, each one approached some believers on their team. “I went and asked my players if they would want to pray, and they said yes,” Richie said. “I called Dave and he said ‘Hey, my guys are up for this too!’”

It then became a matter of logistics.

Wanting to take best advantage of the media coverage surrounding the game – it was expected to have the largest Monday night audience in NFL history up to that point, and it ultimately did – Richie and Bratton decided a postgame prayer would be most effective.

“Pat and I thought, ‘People won’t see it before the game,’” Bratton said. “There will be no people in the stadium yet and the cameras won’t catch it.

We’ll need to do it after. But where are we gonna do it?’”

Richie suggested the 40-yard line, closest to the scoreboard in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.

Bratton thought the 50-yard line would be more memorable and less confusing, but he agreed to the 40.

Though they played in separate divisions on opposite sides of the country, the Niners-Giants rivalry had been growing for years. During the 1986 playoffs, the Giants throttled San Francisco, 49-3, the worst defeat in franchise history. New York sent 49ers QB Joe Montana to the hospital in the process.

In 1988, the Giants missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker after the 49ers lost their season finale.

Some Giants accused the Niners of letting that game go so it would keep their rivals out of the postseason.

Thus, viewers were hoping for an intense battle the night of Dec. 3, 1990. They were not disappointed. Viewers hoping for a high-scoring affair, however, were. The game was extremely

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THE GAME WAS OVER, I WATCHED TO SEE IF ANYBODY WAS ACTUALLY GOING “TOWHEN DO THIS [PRAYER],” RICHIE SAID. “I LOOKED OUT TO SEE THIS MASSIVE CROWD AT THE 40-YARD LINE. I COULDN’T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE OUT THERE!” Photo Photo By

By Aaron Aaron Ontiveroz/The Ontiveroz/The Denver Denver Post Post via via Getty Getty Images Images

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competitive and close, but the only scoring took place in the second quarter: a Matt Bahr field goal for the Giants, followed by a Montana TD pass to John Taylor for the Niners. San Francisco’s 7-3 win was the lowest-scoring MNF game ever at that point.

“When the game was over, I watched to see if anybody was actually going to do this (prayer),” Richie said. “I looked out to see this massive crowd at the 40-yard line. I couldn’t believe how many people were out there!”

What he didn’t realize at first glance, though, was that the crowd had gathered for what almost became a brawl.

Niners safety Ronnie Lott and Giants quarterback Phil Simms had exchanged words before the game, then during, and continued afterward. They had to be pulled apart by teammates right at midfield – just yards away from where a small group had formed to pray.

“I thought, ‘This isn’t gonna happen,’” Richie said. But sure enough, it did.

“The confrontation was being captured on news cameras at the 40, and then they panned over to see a few players on their knees, praying together,” Bratton said.

Initially the circle consisted only of San Francisco players: Brent Jones, Ron Lewis, Guy McIntyre, Bubba Paris,

The Giants found themselves facing the Bills again in Super Bowl XXV, which turned out to be one of the most memorable in history. During a particularly patriotic time in the U.S. due to the onset of the Persian Gulf War, the night began with Whitney Houston performing perhaps the greatest rendition ever of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” And after a tight, back-andforth contest, the Giants emerged with a 20-19 victory following kicker Scott Norwood’s “wide right” miss on a 47-yard gamewinning attempt.

Amidst the drama, Giants and Bills players convened one last time that season on the 50 for a postgame prayer huddle.

But not everyone was thrilled about the players’ public display of faith. Just weeks after the Super Bowl, Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly ripped the Giants for praying, comparing postgame huddles and sideline prayers with German Nazis displaying badges reading, “God is with us.”

Then in March, the NFL imposed a non-fraternization rule. Players on opposing teams were not allowed to hug or shake the hand of another player after the game. Such an act could result in fines up to $25,000 for those involved.

“We knew this was targeted at the postgame prayer,”

Steve Wallace and Dave Waymer. “But within 10 seconds, two of the Giants players (Cross and Reyna Thompson) ran over and joined the prayer huddle. That was the first time the postgame prayer huddle ever happened,” Richie said.

Bratton will never forget the phone call he received a couple days later. Watson Spoelstra, the founder of Baseball Chapel, saw the huddle on TV and told him, “That’s the coolest thing that could ever happen in pro sports.”

“In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” – Ephesians 1:11

Richie said. “I thought to myself, ‘With all the problems in the NFL, if they fine these guys for praying after the game, they’re nuts!’”

As the 1991 season approached, many wondered if the postgame prayer would resurface in light of the NFL’s apparent opposition. But wouldn’t you know who opened the season against each other? The Giants and 49ers, again on Monday Night Football. On Sept. 2, the rivals played another close, competitive game, with the Giants taking this one, 16-14.

“After the game …

I looked over and saw Steve Wallace (offensive lineman for the 49ers), who started to walk towards the locker room, then he zigged toward the huddle, and then zagged toward the locker

Despite the loss and chaos that surrounded them during the postgame prayer circle, Giants players huddled to honor God the next week too, and the next, and after nearly every week the rest of the season. Bratton would contact the opposing teams’ chaplains with the same proposal to pray. Week after week, the chaplains found players who agreed to gather in prayer with their opponents after competing.

“We only missed one game that year since we started,” Bratton said, “and that was against Buffalo, on December 15th.

Afterwards, I looked at the team and we thought, ‘We may get a chance to rectify that.’ Sure enough, that’s what happened.”

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

T O S U B S C R I B E T O S P O R T S S P E C T R U M : C A LT LO 8S4U4B-S8C0R7 I-B7E6 7T8O S P O R T S S P E C T R U M : C A L L 8 4 4 - 8 0 7 - 7 6 7 8

room, then again towards the huddle,” Richie recalled. “…He went over to pray.”

A group of five Giants (Cross, Thompson, Zeke Mowatt, William Roberts, John Washington) and one 49er (Wallace) gathered at the 50, brothers in Christ locking arms in the face of the NFL fraternization rule. The players were watched closely as their desire to live out their faith outweighed the threat of a fine – especially after ABC’s announcers pointed them out.

“By the way, gentlemen, that little grouping we’re getting there at midfield, this was supposed to be taboo this year. A prayer,” Dan Dierdorf said on air.

“I’d hate to be the guy to say that’s taboo,” Frank Gifford said.

“Really, really,” Dierdorf said in agreement.

“I walked up to Steve afterwards and I said, ‘Steve, I’m really proud of you.’ He put his arm around me, looked at me with a smile and said, ‘If they fine me, you’re in big trouble,’” Richie said.

Neither the players nor chaplains knew what would be the result of their stand against the non-fraternization rule, but they acted in faith. Faith-based organizations and ministries contacted Richie in support, offering to defend

The postgame prayer is so ingrained in the culture of the NFL now that players just know to head to the 50-yard line. And the rookies learn. Benjamin Watson, a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, said he just followed the veterans when he came into the league. Now, he’s among those leading the prayer.

“It’s either a chaplain from the home team or a player from the home team that usually leads the prayer,” Watson recently told Jason Romano on the Sports Spectrum Podcast.

“Sometimes you have five guys, sometimes you have up to 25 guys that are kneeling, holding hands, embracing and just praying and thanking the Lord for the opportunity to play this game, for the platform that we have. Praying for our families while we’re away from them, praying for safe travels for the visiting team

“ALTHOUGH WE PLAY FOR DIFFERENT TEAMS AND HAVE DIFFERENT UNIFORMS ON, WE ARE ONE FAMILY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR BELIEFS AND BEING PART OF GOD’S FAMILY,” WATSON SAID. him all the way to court if need be. But no fine was ever levied.

“I was a little nervous for them,” Richie said. “But one of the great things about working with athletes is that they are incredibly courageous. They will take a bullet for their faith.”

The prayer circle has carried on ever since, and the movement spread outside the NFL. Two years after the first NFL postgame huddle, about 90 college players gathered at the 50yard line after the Rose Bowl game.

“Seeing that, I thought, ‘Wow, look at what these guys started,” Richie said.

Soon Richie began to receive emails and letters from teams of all sports from around the world who were gathering to pray at the end of their games. Bratton also received messages from youth coaches in his hometown who had adopted the tradition in their leagues, saying, “If the pros can do it, why can’t we?”

“To see the impact that these huddles made completely humbled me,” Bratton said. “To know that my hometown had been touched by what the Giants were doing was inspiring. … This was just God touching a man’s life through a ‘shower moment.’

That guy picked up the phone to call another guy who had a similar dream to see players gather to pray. Who knew that God would use this Monday night game as an opportunity to start all this?”

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

going back, praying for those who have been injured, lifting each other up for the rest of the season and encouraging each other.

Simply displaying that although we work for different teams, we play for different teams and have different uniforms on, we are one family when it comes to our beliefs and being part of God’s family.”

That all started with a calling put on the hearts of two people, whom God positioned to be instrumental in the lives of NFL players. As they answered that call, God went to work.

“The prayer huddle has nothing to do with wins and losses,” Bratton said. “It is about players expressing their thanks to God for their ability to play the game. It’s a time of worship where opponents gather and acknowledge their brotherhood and common faith in Jesus Christ.”

“Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

– Psalm 115:1

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Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

RAYMONDST. MARTIN

AFC Champion: Patriots NFC Champion: Giants Super Bowl Winner: Giants Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons Defensive Player of the Year: Khalil Mack, DE, Raiders Offensive Rookie of the Year: DeShone Kizer, QB, Browns Rookie of the Year: Myles Garrett, DE, Browns MVP: Eli Manning, QB, Giants

JASONROMANO

AFC Champion: Steelers NFC Champion: Giants Super Bowl Winner: Steelers Offensive Player of the Year: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants Defensive Player of the Year: Khalil Mack, DE, Raiders Offensive Rookie of the Year: DeShone Kizer, QB, Browns Defensive Rookie of the Year: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, Titans MVP: Derek Carr, QB, Raiders

32

SPORTS SPECTRUM

TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678

32

SPORTS SPECTRUM

TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678

JONACKERMAN

AFC Champion: Raiders NFC Champion: Cowboys Super Bowl Winner: Cowboys Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Luck, QB, Colts Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller, OLB, Broncos Offensive Rookie of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers Defensive Rookie of the Year: Myles Garrett, DE, Browns MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

JUSTINADAMS

33

SPORTS SPECTRUM

WEB SITE: www.sportsspectrum.com

AFC Champion: Steelers NFC Champion: Packers Super Bowl Winner: Packers Offensive Player of the Year: Derek Carr, QB, Raiders Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller, OLB, Broncos Offensive Rookie of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jamal Adams, S, Jets MVP: Derek Carr, QB, Raiders

TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM

33

NEW ENGLAND

PATRIOTS AFC T EAS

2017 PREDICTION: 13-3 2016 RECORD: 14-2 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 4 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 8 2016 PASSING LEADER: TOM BRADY - 3,554 PASS YDS, 28 TD, 2 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: LEGARRETTE BLOUNT - 1,161 YDS, 18 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: JULIAN EDELMAN - 98 REC, 1,106 YDS, 6 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: LEGARRETTE BLOUNT - 18 2016 SACK LEADER: TREY FLOWERS - 7.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: LOGAN RYAN - 92

OUTLOOK: Miami lost its leader, quarterback Ryan Tannehill, just a few days into training camp. They signed Jay Cutler to fill the gap, but losing your starting QB before the season is always tough to rebound from. A strong defense and solid running game will keep the Dolphins in contention for a wild card.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1:00PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 9:30AM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:25PM 8:30PM

BUCCANEERS @ CHARGERS @ JETS SAINTS TITANS @ FALCONS JETS @ RAVENS RAIDERS

AFC

1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 26 9. NOV. 5

10. NOV. 13 11. BYE 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 11 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 24 17. DEC. 31

8:30PM

@ PANTHERS

1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

@ PATRIOTS BRONCOS PATRIOTS @ BILLS @ CHIEFS BILLS

34

SEP. 10 1:00PM SEP. 17 4:05PM SEP. 24 1:00PM OCT. 1 1:00PM OCT. 8 1:00PM OCT. 15 1:00PM OCT. 22 1:00PM OCT. 29 1:00PM SPORTS SPECTRUM NOV. 2 8:25PM

@ BILLS @ RAIDERS DOLPHINS JAGUARS @ BROWNS PATRIOTS @ DOLPHINS FALCONS BILLS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) NOV. 12 BYE NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM

@ BUCCANEERS

1:00PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

PANTHERS CHIEFS @ BRONCOS @ SAINTS CHARGERS @ PATRIOTS

8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM

CHIEFS @ SAINTS TEXANS PANTHERS @ BUCCANEERS @ JETS FALCONS CHARGERS

10. NOV. 12 11. NOV. 19 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 11 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 24 17. DEC. 31

8:30PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

@ BRONCOS @ RAIDERS DOLPHINS @ BILLS @ DOLPHINS @ STEELERS BILLS JETS

2017 PREDICTION: 8-8 2016 RECORD: 10-6 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 24 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 29 2016 PASSING LEADER: RYAN TANNEHILL - 2,995 PASS YDS, 19 TD, 12 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: JAY AJAYI - 260 ATT, 1272 YDS, 8 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: JARVIS LANDRY - 94 REC, 1,136 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: JAY AJAYI - 8 2016 SACK LEADER: CAMERON WAKE - 11.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: KIKO ALONSO - 115

BILLS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

1. SEP. 7 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 5 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 29 9. BYE

DOLPHINS

2017 PREDICTION: 7-9 2016 RECORD: 7-9 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 16 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 19 2016 PASSING LEADER: TYROD TAYLOR - 3,023 PASS YDS, 17 TD, 6 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: LESEAN MCCOY - 234 ATT, 1,267 YDS, 13 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: CHARLES CLAY - 57 REC, 552 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: LESEAN MCCOY - 13 2016 SACK LEADER: LORENZO ALEXANDER - 12.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: ZACH BROWN - 149

1.

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3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

MIAMI

BUFFALO

OUTLOOK: The Jets will be focused on improvement in 2017, and their biggest question is at quarterback. Veteran journeyman Josh McCown was brought in to help mentor youngsters Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. After the release of Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and Darrelle Revis, the youth movement is in full effect.

OUTLOOK: Despite the loss of leading receiver Julian Edelman to a knee injury in the preseason, the Patriots remain loaded. The addition of WR Brandin Cooks and the return of TE Rob Gronkowski has New England and Tom Brady set up for another deep run into January.

OUTLOOK: There’s a new regime in Buffalo with head coach Sean McDermott replacing Rex Ryan. Trading top receiver Sammy Watkins was a bit of a surprise, but adding WRs Jordan Matthews and rookie Zay Jones should help an offense relying heavily on 29-year-old LeSean McCoy. The Bills will need stellar play from every facet to earn their first playoff berth since 1999.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. BYE 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. OCT. 29 1:00PM 8. NOV. 2 8:25PM

JETS @ PANTHERS BRONCOS @ FALCONS @ BENGALS BUCCANEERS RAIDERS @ JETS

10. NOV. 12 1:00PM 11. NOV. 19 4:05PM 12. NOV. 26 1:00PM 13. DEC. 3 1:00PM 14. DEC. 10 1:00PM 15. DEC. 17 1:00PM 16. DEC. 24 1:00PM 17 . DEC. 31 1:00PM

SAINTS @ CHARGERS CHIEFS @ PATRIOTS COLTS DOLPHINS @ PATRIOTS @ DOLPHINS

NEW YORK

JETS 2017 PREDICTION: 3-13 2016 RECORD: 5-11 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 13 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 11 2016 PASSING LEADER: RYAN FITZPATRICK - 2,710 PASS YDS, 12 TD, 17 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: MATT FORTE - 218 ATT, 813 YDS, 7 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: BRANDON MARSHALL, 59 REC, 788 YDS, 3 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: MATT FORTE - 7 2016 SACK LEADER: LEONARD WILLIAMS - 7.0 TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 2016 TACKLES LEADER: DAVID HARRIS - 95

Written by JASON ROMANO

844-807-7678

NEW YORK

GIANTS 2017 PREDICTION: 12-4 2016 RECORD: 11-5 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 25 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 10 2016 PASSING LEADER: ELI MANNING - 4,027 PASS YDS, 26 TD 16 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: RASHAD JENNINGS - 181 ATT, 593 YDS, 3 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: ODELL BECKHAM - 101 REC, 1,367 YDS, 10 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: ODELL BECKHAM - 10 2016 SACKS LEADER: OLIVER VERNON - 8.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: LANDON COLLINS - 125

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 8:30PM 2. SEP. 18 8:30PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 4:05PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 15 8:30PM 7. OCT. 22 4:25PM 8. BYE 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

OUTLOOK: Expectations are high for the Cowboys, but the suspension of NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott for six games is a huge loss. They still have offensive weapons with Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Cole Beasley, but the defense will be in question – a revamped secondary will be tested and the pass rush must improve. A lot has to go right for Dallas to replicate 2016.

@ COWBOYS LIONS @ EAGLES @ BUCCANEERS CHARGERS @ BRONCOS SEAHAWKS RAMS

GIANTS @ BRONCOS @ CARDINALS RAMS PACKERS

4:05PM 4:25PM 4:25PM

@ 49ERS @ REDSKINS CHIEFS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 NOV. 19 NOV. 23 NOV. 30 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

4:25PM 8:30PM 4:30PM 8:25PM 4:25PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 1:00PM

PHILADELPHIA

EAGLES 2017 PREDICTION: 8-8 2016 RECORD: 7-9 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 22 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 13 2016 PASSING LEADER: CARSON WENTZ - 3,782 PASS YDS, 16 TD, 14 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: RYAN MATHEWS - 155 ATT, 661 RUSH YDS, 8 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: ZACH ERTZ - 78 REC, 816 REC YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: RYAN MATHEWS - 8 2016 SACKS LEADER: FLETCHER COX - 6.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: NIGEL BRADHAM - 102

@ FALCONS EAGLES CHARGERS CHARGERS @ GIANTS @ RAIDERS SEAHAWKS @ EAGLES

35

SPORTS SPECTRUM

1:00PM 4:25PM 8:30PM 8:30PM

EAGLES @ RAMS RAIDERS @ CHIEFS

1:00PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 4:05PM

49ERS @ EAGLES COWBOYS @ SEAHAWKS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 NOV. 19 NOV. 23 NOV. 30 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 8:25PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

2017 PREDICTION: 10-6 2016 RECORD: 13-3 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 5 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 14 2016 PASSING LEADER: DAK PRESCOTT - 3.667 PASS YDS, 23 TD, 4 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: EZEKIEL ELLIOTT - 322 ATT, 1,631 YDS, 15 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: COLE BEASLEY - 75 REC, 833 YDS, 5 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: EZEKIEL ELLIOTT - 16 2016 SACK LEADER: BENSON MAYOWA - 6.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: SEAN LEE - 145

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 4:05PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 12 8:25PM 7. OCT. 23 8:30PM 8. OCT. 29 1:00PM 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) SEP. 10 SEP. 17 SEP. 24 OCT. 2 BYE OCT. 15 OCT. 23 OCT. 29 NOV. 5

DALLAS

OUTLOOK: The future is bright in Philly. Carson Wentz established himself as a solid starting QB as a rookie, and now boasts even more weapons after the additions of WRs Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith and rookie Mack Hollins. The Eagles' defense is a bit shaky, though. Philly is close to making a leap, but a stacked NFC East will make it tough to make the playoffs.

OUTLOOK: The Redskins owned the third-best offense last year, but also the 28th-best defense. The offense remains loaded with QB Kirk Cousins (coming off career year) and tight end Jordan Reed (needs to stay healthy). They added WR Terrelle Pryor to offset the losses of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, but the defense remains suspect. Expect them to take a step back.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

@ 49ERS CHIEFS @ REDSKINS @ RAIDERS COWBOYS EAGLES @ CARDINALS REDSKINS

VIKINGS @ SAINTS GIANTS @ COWBOYS @ CHARGERS CARDINALS BRONCOS @ GIANTS

@ REDSKINS @ CHIEFS GIANTS @ CHARGERS CARDINALS @ PANTHERS REDSKINS 49ERS BRONCOS

WASHINGTON

10. BYE 11. NOV. 19 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 25 17 . DEC. 31

8:30PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM

NFC

8:30PM 4:25PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 4:25PM

4:25PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 4:25PM 1:00PM

COWBOYS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 25 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. BYE 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 29 9. NOV. 5

10. NOV. 12 11. NOV. 19 12. NOV. 23 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 24 17. DEC. 31

NFC EAST

OUTLOOK: The Giants have eyes on a Super Bowl appearance. The major question will be at running back, where Paul Perkins needs to prove he's able to handle a full load. With a solid defense returning the majority of its starters, and an offense now featuring veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall and rookie tight end Evan Engram, New York is capable of a deep playoff run.

@ COWBOYS BEARS @ SEAHAWKS RAMS @ @ GIANTS RAIDERS COWBOYS

REDSKINS

2017 PREDICTION: 7-9 2016 RECORD: 8-7-1 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 3 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 28 2016 PASSING LEADER: KIRK COUSINS - 4,917 PASS YDS, 25 TD, 12 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: ROB KELLEY - 168 ATT, 704 RUSH YDS, 6 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: PIERRE GARCON - 79 REC, 1,041 REC YDS, 3 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: JAMISON CROWDER - 7 2016 SACKS LEADER: RYAN KERRIGAN - 11.0 TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 2016 TACKLES LEADER: MASON FOSTER - 124

STEELERS AFC TH NOR

2017 PREDICTION: 12-44 2016 RECORD: 11-5 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 7 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 12 2016 PASSING LEADER: BEN ROETHLISBERGER - 3,819 YDS, 29 TD, 13 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: LE’VEON BELL - 261 ATT, 1,268 YDS, 7 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: ANTONIO BROWN - 106 REC, 1,284 YDS, 12 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: ANTONIO BROWN - 12 2016 SACK LEADER: JAMES HARRISON - 5.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: LAWRENCE TIMMONS - 11

OUTLOOK: Since winning Super Bowl XLVII, the Ravens are 31-33 in the regular season. They added defensive back Brandon Carr and re-signed run-stuffer Brandon Williams to a top-10 unit. But the team's success will rest on the health of quarterback Joe Flacco, who’s mending from an offseason back injury. Expect the Ravens to be in the thick of a playoff hunt, but fall short again.

AFC

@ BENGALS BROWNS @ JAGUARS STEELERS @ RAIDERS BEARS @ VIKINGS DOLPHINS @ TITANS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

BYE NOV. 19 NOV. 27 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 23 DEC. 31

1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 4:30PM 1:00PM

36

STEELERS @ RAVENS @ COLTS BENGALS JETS @ TEXANS TITANS VIKINGS

CINCINNATI

BENGALS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 NOV. 19 NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

@ LIONS JAGUARS @ BENGALS @ CHARGERS PACKERS RAVENS @ BEARS @ STEELERS

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 8:30PM

@ BROWNS VIKINGS @ BEARS @ RAVENS JAGUARS @ CHIEFS BENGALS @ LIONS

10. NOV. 12 11. NOV. 16 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 4 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 25 17. DEC. 31

@ COLTS TITANS PACKERS @ BENGALS RAVENS PATRIOTS @ TEXANS BROWNS

1:00PM 8:25PM 8:30PM 8:30PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 4:30PM 1:00PM

2017 PREDICTION: 8-8 2016 RECORD: 8-8 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 17 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 7 2016 PASSING LEADER: JOE FLACCO - 4,317 YDS, 20 TD, 15 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: TERRANCE WEST - 193 ATT, 774 YDS, 5 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: MIKE WALLACE - 72 REC, 1,017 YDS, 2 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: TERRANCE WEST - 6 2016 SACK LEADER: TERRELL SUGGS - 8.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: ZACH ORR - 132

2017 PREDICTION: 7-9 2016 RECORD: 6-9-1 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 13 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 17 2016 PASSING LEADER: ANDY DALTON - 4,206 YDS, 18 TD, 8 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: JEREMY HILL - 222 ATT, 839 YDS, 9 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: A.J. GREEN - 66 REC, 964 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: JEREMY HILL - 9 2016 SACK LEADER: GENO ATKINS - 9.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: KARLOS DANSBY - 114

1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 15 1:00PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM S P8.

O ROCT. T S S P29 E C T9:30AM RUM 9. BYE

1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 29 9. BYE

RAVENS

@ PACKERS TEXANS LIONS @ STEELERS @ BROWNS COLTS BENGALS

OUTLOOK: Building a solid foundation isn’t always pretty, but that’s Cleveland. After just one win last year, Hue Jackson’s bunch made several moves to spark the rebuilding: offensive line additions in guard Kevin Zeitler and center JC Tretter, and two first-round picks in defensive end Myles Garrett and safety Jabrill Peppers. Still, it's not enough to get them out of the basement.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

BALTIMORE

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 9:30AM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 4:05PM 6. OCT. 15 1:00PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. OCT. 26 8:25PM 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

OUTLOOK: The Steelers will have a top-five offense attacking defenses at every skill position. Running back Le’Veon Bell is the spark plug, rushing for at least 100 yards in eight of 11 wins last season. He was also the second-leading receiver behind All-Pro wideout Antonio Brown. On defense, first-round pick T.J. Watt looks to take pass rushing pressure off James Harrison.

OUTLOOK: The youth movement begins! Gone are some longtime starters (Karlos Dansby, Rey Maualuga, Andrew Whitworth) and in are free-agent linebacker Kevin Minter, rookie receiver John Ross and rookie running back Joe Mixon. Cincy will rely on its strong defense behind Geno Atkins, but questions on offense will keep quarterback Andy Dalton out of the playoffs.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 14 8:25PM 3. SEP. 24 4:25PM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. BYE 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. OCT. 29 1:00PM 9. NOV 5 1:00PM

RAVENS TEXANS @ PACKERS @ BROWNS BILLS

@ STEELERS COLTS @ JAGUARS

10. NOV. 12 1:00PM 11. NOV. 19 4:25PM 12. NOV. 26 1:00PM 13. DEC. 4 8:30PM 14. DEC. 10 1:00PM 15. DEC. 17 1:00PM 16. DEC. 24 1:00PM 17 . DEC. 31 1:00PM

@ TITANS @ BRONCOS BROWNS STEELERS BEARS @ VIKINGS LIONS @ RAVENS

CLEVELAND

BROWNS 2017 PREDICTION: 5-11 2016 RECORD: 1-15 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 30 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 31 2016 PASSING LEADER: CODY KESSLER - 1,380 YDS, 6 TD, 2 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: ISAIAH CROWELL - 198 ATT 952 YDS, 7 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: TERRELLE PRYOR - 77 REC, 1,007 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: ISAIAH CROWEL - 7 2016 SACK LEADER: EMMANUEL OGBAH T O -S5.5 UBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 2016 TACKLES LEADER: CHRISTIAN KIRKSEY - 148

Written by JUSTIN ADAMS

844-807-7678

GREEN BAY

PACKERS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

SEP. 10 4:25PM SEP. 17 8:30PM SEP. 24 4:25PM SEP. 28 8:25PM OCT. 8 4:25PM OCT. 15 1:00PM OCT. 22 1:00PM BYE NOV. 6 8:30PM

SAINTS @ STEELERS BUCCANEERS LIONS @ BEARS PACKERS RAVENS @ BROWNS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 1:00PM NOV. 19 1:00PM NOV. 23 12:30PM DEC. 3 1:00PM DEC. 10 1:00PM DEC. 17 1:00PM DEC. 23 8:30PM DEC. 31 1:00PM

@ REDSKINS RAMS @ LIONS @ FALCONS @ PANTHERS BENGALS @ PACKERS BEARS

DETROIT

LIONS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 18 8:30PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 15 1:00PM 7. BYE 8. OCT. 29 8:30PM 9. NOV. 6 8:30PM

OUTLOOK: In the midst of a tough season, Chicago found a diamond in the rough with Jordan Howard, who rushed for a franchise rookie record, 1,313 yards. QB Mike Glennon will lead the offense while first-round pick Mitch Trubisky waits and learns. The loss of leading receiver Cameron Meredith for the season will hurt, but a defense led by Akiem Hicks and Willie Young should keep games close. This is a team in rebuild mode.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

37

FALCONS @ BUCCANEERS STEELERS @ PACKERS VIKINGS @ RAVENS PANTHERS @ SAINTS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 NOV. 19 NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 16 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

2017 PREDICTION: 10-6 2016 RECORD: 8-8 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 28 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 3 2016 PASSING LEADER: SAM BRADFORD - 3,877 YDS, 20 TD, 5 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: JERICK MCKINNON - 159 ATT, 539 YDS, 2 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: STEFON DIGGS - 84 REC, 903 YDS, 3 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: KYLE RUDOLPH - 7 2016 SACK LEADER: DANIELLE HUNTER - 12.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: ERIC KENDRICKS - 109

OUTLOOK: Detroit was 9-4 and on the way to its first division title since 1993, and then the bottom fell out with three straight losses followed by a playoff defeat. The receiving tandem of Golden Tate and tight end Eric Ebron helped quarterback Matt Stafford to a solid season. But a tough schedule will prevent the Lions from making it back to the playoffs this year.

2017 PREDICTION: 7-9 2016 RECORD: 9-7 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 21 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 18 2016 PASSING LEADER: MATTHEW STAFFORD - 4,327 YDS, 24 TD, 10 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: THEO RIDDICK - 92 ATT, 357 YDS, 1 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: GOLDEN TATE - 91 REC, 1,077 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: ANQUAN BOLDIN - 8 TD 2016 SACK LEADER: KERRY HYDER - 8.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: TAHIR WHITHEAD - 132

1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. SEP. 28 1:00PM 5. OCT. 9 1:00PM 6. OCT. 15 1:00PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. OCT. 29 9:30AM S P O R T S S P E C T R U9.

M BYE

@ BEARS RAVENS @ STEELERS BUCCANEERS @ BROWNS @ PANTHERS VIKINGS @ LIONS

PACKERS LIONS @ EAGLES 49ERS @ BENGALS @ LIONS BROWNS @ VIKINGS

CARDINALS @ GIANTS FALCONS @ VIKINGS PANTHERS @ SAINTS STEELERS @ PACKERS

CHICAGO

10. NOV. 12 1:00PM 11. NOV. 19 1:00PM 12. NOV. 23 12:30PM 13. DEC. 3 1:00PM 14. DEC. 10 1:00PM 15. DEC. 16 4:30PM 16. DEC. 24 1:00PM 17 . DEC. 31 1:00PM

BEARS

NFC

7:10PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 9:30AM

NOV. 12 1:00PM NOV. 19 1:00PM NOV. 26 8:30PM DEC. 3 1:00PM DEC. 10 1:00PM DEC. 17 1:00PM DEC. 23 8:30PM DEC. 31 1:00PM

VIKINGS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) SEP. 11 SEP. 17 SEP. 24 OCT. 1 OCT 9 OCT. 15 OCT. 22 OCT. 29 BYE

LIONS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

MINNESOTA

OUTLOOK: QB Sam Bradford didn’t receive much help last year from the league’s worst running attack, so the Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook in the second round and signed Latavius Murray. On the line they inked offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. But the biggest move was re-signing elite cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who'll be relied upon to stop Green Bay's air attack.

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7.

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9.

SEAHAWKS @ FALCONS BENGALS BEARS @ COWBOYS @ VIKINGS SAINTS

NFC NORTH

2017 PREDICTION: 11-5 2016 RECORD: 10-6 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 8 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 22 2016 PASSING LEADER: AARON RODGERS - 4,428 YDS, 40 TD, 7 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: TY MONTGOMERY - 77 ATT, 457 YDS, 3 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: JORDY NELSON - 97 REC, 1,257 YDS, 14 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: JORDY NELSON - 14 2016 SACK LEADER: NICK PERRY - 11.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: MORGAN BURNETT - 93

OUTLOOK: Anything short of another NFC championship game appearance would be a failure. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 33, isn’t getting any younger, so the Packers brought in tight end Martellus Bennett and lineman Jahri Evans. The pass defense will have to improve (31st in league last year) and if it does, the Packers will be in contention for another Lombardi Trophy.

BROWNS @ BEARS VIKINGS @ RAVENS @ BUCCANEERS BEARS @ BENGALS PACKERS

2017 PREDICTION: 4-12 2016 RECORD: 3-13 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 15 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 18 2016 PASSING LEADER: MATT BARKLEY - 1,611 YDS, 8 TD, 14 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: JORDAN HOWARD - 252 ATT, 1,313 YDS, 6 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: CAMERON MEREDITH - 66 REC, 888 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: JORDAN HOWARD - 7 2016 SACK LEADER: WILLIE YOUNG - 7.5 TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 2016 TACKLES LEADER: JERRELL FREEMAN - 110

INDIANAPOLIS

COLTS AFC TH SOU

2017 PREDICTION: 10-6 2016 RECORD: 8-8 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 10 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 30 2016 PASSING LEADER: ANDREW LUCK - 4,240 YDS, 31 TD, 13 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: FRANK GORE - 263 ATT, 1,025 YDS, 4 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: T.Y. HILTON - 91 REC, 1,448 YDS, 6 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: GORE, TURBIN - 8 2016 SACK LEADER: ERIK WALDEN - 11.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: MIKE ADAMS - 79

OUTLOOK: The Texans made last year's playoffs riding the NFL's top defense, which was without its star, J.J. Watt, for 13 games. Watt is back and the Houston D will again need to lead the way. The Brock Osweiler experiment failed, so now it's on to QB Tom Savage – unless first-round pick Deshaun Watson can steal the job. Either way, Houston needs its D for any success.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) SEP. 10 SEP. 14 SEP. 24 OCT. 1 OCT. 8 OCT. 15 BYE OCT. 29 NOV. 5

1:00PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM

JAGUARS @ BENGALS @ PATRIOTS TITANS CHIEFS BROWNS

4:05PM 1:00PM

@ SEAHAWKS COLTS

AFC

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. NOV. 12 11. NOV. 19 12. NOV. 27 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 25 17. DEC. 31

4:05PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:30PM 1:00PM

@ RAMS CARDINALS @ RAVENS @ TITANS 49ERS @ JAGUARS STEELERS @ COLTS

38

RAIDERS @ JAGUARS SEAHAWKS @ TEXANS @ DOLPHINS COLTS @ BROWNS RAVENS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 NOV. 16 NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

BENGALS @ STEELERS @ COLTS TEXANS @ CARDINALS @ 49ERS RAMS JAGUARS

@ RAMS CARDINALS BROWNS @ SEAHAWKS 49ERS @ TITANS JAGUARS @ BENGALS @ TEXANS

10. NOV. 12 11. BYE 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 14 16. DEC. 23 17. DEC. 31

1:00PM

STEELERS

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:25PM 4:30PM 1:00PM

TITANS @ JAGUARS @ BILLS BRONCOS @ RAVENS TEXANS

2017 PREDICTION: 8-8 2016 RECORD: 9-7 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 29 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 1 2016 PASSING LEADER: BROCK OSWEILER - 2,957 YDS, 15 TD, 16 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: LAMAR MILLER - 268 ATT, 1,073 YDS, 5 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: DEANDRE HOPKINS - 78 REC, 954 YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: LAMAR MILLER - 6 2016 SACK LEADER: WHITNEY MERCILUS - 7.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: BENARDRICK MCKINNEY - 129

JAGUARS

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

1. SEP. 10 4:05PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 8:30PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 16 8:30PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. OCT. 29 1:00PM 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

TEXANS

2017 PREDICTION: 8-8 2016 RECORD: 3-13 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 23 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 6 2016 PASSING LEADER: BLAKE BORTLES - 3,905 YDS, 23 TD, 16 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: T.J. YELDON - 130 ATT, 465 YDS, 1 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: ALLEN ROBINSON - 73 REC, 883 YDS, 6 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: ALLEN ROBINSON - 6 2016 SACK LEADER: YANNICK NGAKOUE - 8.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: PAUL POSLUSZNY - 132

1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 4:05PM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 16 8:30PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. BYE S P9.

O R TNOV. S S P5 E C T 1:00PM RUM

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

HOUSTON

JACKSONVILLE

OUTLOOK: As Tennessee seeks consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2007-08, it needs a good September; it faces three 2016 playoff teams in four weeks.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota showed solid improvement last year in his second season, and he's the key going forward – especially after the Titans spent two of their first three draft picks on receivers.

OUTLOOK: If the Colts are going to make it back to the postseason after missing out the past two years, the defense needs to chip in. The offense will continue to click under quarterback Andrew Luck, but he's constantly trying to outscore the opponent; last year's Indy D gave up 24.5 points a game. Thus, the Colts used six draft picks on defense, hopeful some can contribute right away.

OUTLOOK: If the Jaguars could ever build a running game that ranks better than 20th in the league, quarterback Blake Bortles can get this team a winning record. They're hoping rookie running back Leonard Fournette (No. 4 overall) is the answer. Jacksonville made great strides on defense last year, then added two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Calais Campbell.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 9:30AM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 15 4:05PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. BYE 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

@ TEXANS TITANS RAVENS @ JETS @ STEELERS RAMS @ COLTS BENGALS

10. NOV. 12 1:00PM 11. NOV. 19 1:00PM 12. NOV. 26 4:25PM 13. DEC. 3 1:00PM 14. DEC. 10 1:00PM 15. DEC. 17 1:00PM 16. DEC. 24 4:05PM 17 . DEC. 31 1:00PM

CHARGERS @ BROWNS CARDINALS @ COLTS SEAHAWKS TEXANS @ 49ERS @ TITANS

TENNESSEE

TITANS 2017 PREDICTION: 6-10 2016 RECORD: 9-7 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 11 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 20 2016 PASSING LEADER: MARCUS MARIOTA - 3,426 YDS, 26 TD, 9 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: DEMARCO MURRAY - 293 ATT, 1,287 YDS, 9 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: RISHARD MATTHEWS - 65 REC, 945 YDS, 9 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: DEMARCO MURRAY - 12 2016 SACK LEADER: BRIAN ORAKPO - 10.5 TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 2016 TACKLES LEADER: AVERY WILLIAMSON - 103

Written by JON ACKERMAN

844-807-7678

ATLANTA

FALCONS 2017 PREDICTION: 10-6 2016 RECORD: 11-5 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 2 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 25 2016 PASSING LEADER: MATT RYAN - 4,944 YDS, 38 TD, 7 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: DEVONTA FREEMAN - 227 ATT, 1,079 YDS, 11 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: JULIO JONES - 83 REC, 1,409 YDS, 6 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: DEVONTA FREEMAN - 13 2016 SACK LEADER: VIC BEASLEY JR. - 15.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: DEION JONES - 108

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 1:00PM 2. SEP. 17 8:30PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 1:00PM 5. BYE 6. OCT. 15 1:00PM 7. OCT. 22 8:30PM 8. OCT. 29 1:00PM 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

OUTLOOK: Carolina knows the struggles a losing Super Bowl team faces – 6-10 last year after going 15-1 in 2015.

The Panthers gave quarterback Cam Newton a tasty new asset in rookie scatback Christian McCaffrey (No. 8 overall), but they need to get younger on defense. Two of their main additions were safety Mike Adams, 36, and defensive end Julius Peppers, 37.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. OCT. 12 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 29 9. NOV. 5

4:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

@ 49ERS BILLS SAINTS @ PATRIOTS @ LIONS EAGLES @ BEARS @ BUCCANEERS FALCONS

10.

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13.

14.

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17.

NOV. 13 BYE NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

8:30PM

DOLPHINS

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

@ JETS @ SAINTS VIKINGS PACKERS BUCCANEERS @ FALCONS

NEW ORLEANS

SAINTS

10.

11.

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13.

14.

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17.

NOV. 12 BYE NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 18 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

PANTHERS 2017 PREDICTION: 9-7 2016 RECORD: 6-10 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 19 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 21 2016 PASSING LEADER: CAM NEWTON - 3,509 YDS, 19 TD, 14 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: JONATHAN STEWART - 218 ATT, 824 YDS, 9 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: GREG OLSEN - 80 REC, 1,073 YDS, 3 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: JONATHAN STEWART - 9 2016 SACK LEADER: MARIO ADDISON - 9.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: THOMAS DAVIS - 106

JETS

@ FALCONS @ PACKERS LIONS FALCONS @ PANTHERS SAINTS

@ VIKINGS PATRIOTS @ PANTHERS @ DOLPHINS LIONS @ PACKERS BEARS BUCCANEERS

TAMPA BAY

10. NOV. 12 1:00PM 11. NOV. 19 1:00PM 12. NOV. 26 4:05PM 13. DEC. 3 1:00PM 14. DEC. 7 8:25PM 15. DEC. 17 1:00PM 16. DEC. 24 1:00PM 17 . DEC. 31 1:00PM

NFC

39

@ DOLPHINS BEARS @ VIKINGS GIANTS PATRIOTS @ CARDINALS @ BILLS PANTHERS @ SAINTS

COWBOYS @ SEAHAWKS BUCCANEERS VIKINGS SAINTS @ BUCCANEERS @ SAINTS PANTHERS

CAROLINA

1. SEP. 11 7:10PM 2. SEP. 17 1:00PM 3. SEP. 24 1:00PM 4. OCT. 1 9:30AM 5. BYE 6. OCT. 15 1:00PM 7. OCT. 22 1:00PM 8. OCT. 29 1:00PM 9. NOV. 5 1:00PM

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 8:25PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

4:25PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:25PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

OUTLOOK: To compete in this division, Tampa has to stop three of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. That's not easy with few playmakers on defense. Until the D steps up, the Bucs will try to hang offensively with Jameis Winston throwing to Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. If RB Doug Martin can regain his All-Pro form (eight games missed last year), they have the firepower.

SEP. 10 SEP. 17 SEP. 24 OCT. 1 OCT. 5 OCT.15 OCT. 22 OCT. 29 NOV. 5

DOLPHINS @ PATRIOTS @ JETS @ PANTHERS

10. NOV. 12 11. NOV. 20 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 7 15. DEC. 18 16. DEC. 24 17. DEC. 31

OUTLOOK: Drew Brees, 38, led the NFL in passing last year with his fifth season of 5,000 yards or more, and remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks. Weight will come off his shoulders, though, if former MVP Adrian Peterson can join Mark Ingram to make a lethal rushing attack.

Regardless, the Saints haven't had a strong defense in years and 2017 looks to be no different.

2017 PREDICTION: 8-8 2016 RECORD: 7-9 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 1 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 27 2016 PASSING LEADER: DREW BREES - 5,208 YDS, 37 TD, 15 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: MARK INGRAM - 205 ATT, 1,043 YDS, 6 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: BRANDIN COOKS - 78 REC, 1,173 YDS, 8 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: MARK INGRAM - 10 2016 SACK LEADER: CAMERON JORDAN - 7.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: CRAIG ROBERTSON - 115

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6.

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8.

SPORTS SPECTRUM 9.

@ BEARS PACKERS @ LIONS BILLS

NFC SOUTH

OUTLOOK: No losing Super Bowl team has returned to the big game the next year, and no team has lost the title game in a more crushing way than Atlanta. But with an explosive offense led by reigning MVP Matt Ryan, and a rising defense led by reigning sack leader Vic Beasley Jr., the Falcons still have weapons. Three of their first four draft picks were focused on improving the D.

@ BILLS REDSKINS @ RAMS PANTHERS @ FALCONS JETS FALCONS @ BUCCANEERS

BUCCANEERS

2017 PREDICTION: 5-11 2016 RECORD: 9-7 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 18 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 23 2016 PASSING LEADER: JAMEIS WINSTON - 4,090 YDS, 28 TD, 18 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: JACQUIZZ RODGERS - 129 ATT, 560 YDS, 2 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: MIKE EVANS - 96 REC, 1,321 YDS, 12 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: MIKE EVANS - 12 2016 SACK LEADER: GERALD MCCOY - 7 TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 2016 TACKLES LEADER: KWON ALEXANDER - 145

OAKLAND

RAIDERS AFC T WES

2017 PREDICTION: 11-5 2016 RECORD: 12-4 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 6 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 26 2016 PASSING LEADER: DEREK CARR - 3,937 PASS YDS, 28 TD, 6 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: LATAVIUS MURRAY - 195 ATT, 788 RUSH YDS, 12 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: MICHAEL CRABTREE - 89 REC, 1,003 REC YDS, 8 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: LATAVIUS MURRAY - 12 2016 SACK LEADER: KHALIL MACK - 11.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: MALCOLM SMITH - 103

OUTLOOK: The future may be in the hands of first-round QB Patrick Mahomes II, but the present still rests on the legs of the Chiefs' running back by committee, the game-breaking ability of Tyreek Hill, Alex Smith’s decision making, Andy Reid’s gut and an opportunistic defense that led the NFL with 33 takeaways and five defensive touchdowns.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) SEP. 7 SEP. 17 SEP. 24 OCT. 2 OCT. 8 OCT. 15 OCT. 19 OCT. 30 NOV. 5

8:30PM 1:00PM 4:25PM 8:30PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 8:25PM 8:30PM 4:25PM

@ PATRIOTS EAGLES @ CHARGERS REDSKINS @ TEXANS STEELERS @ RAIDERS BRONCOS @ COWBOYS

AFC

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

BYE NOV. 19 NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 16 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 4:25PM

@ GIANTS BILLS @ JETS RAIDERS CHARGERS DOLPHINS @ BRONCOS

40

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 NOV. 19 NOV. 23 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 16 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

1:00PM 4:05PM 4:30PM 4:05PM 4:05PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 4:25PM

@ JAGUARS BILLS @ COWBOYS BROWNS REDSKINS @ CHIEFS @ JETS RAIDERS

1:00PM 4:05PM 8:30PM 4:25PM 4:05PM 4:25PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 8:30PM

10. BYE 11. NOV. 19 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 25 17. DEC. 31

@ TITANS JETS @ REDSKINS @ BRONCOS RAVENS CHARGERS CHIEFS @ BILLS @ DOLPHINS

4:25PM 4:25PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 8:30PM 4:25PM

PATRIOTS BRONCOS GIANTS @ CHIEFS COWBOYS @ EAGLES @ CHARGERS

2017 PREDICTION: 10-6 2016 RECORD: 12-4 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 20 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 24 2016 PASSING LEADER: ALEX SMITH - 3,502 PASS YDS, 15 TD, 8 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: SPENCER WARE - 214 ATT, 921 RUSH YDS, 3 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: TRAVIS KELCE - 85 REC, 1,125 REC YDS, 4 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: TYREEK HILL - 12 2016 SACK LEADER: DEE FORD - 10.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: DERRICK JOHNSON - 90

BRONCOS

@ BRONCOS DOLPHINS CHIEFS EAGLES @ GAINTS @ RAIDERS BRONCOS @ PATRIOTS

1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 19 8. OCT. 29 9. NOV. 5

CHIEFS

2017 PREDICTION: 9-7 2016 RECORD: 9-7 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 27 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 4 2016 PASSING LEADER: TREVOR SIEMIAN - 3,401 PASS YDS, 18 TD, 10 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: DEVONTAE BOOKER - 174 ATT, 612 RUSH YDS, 4 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: DEMARYIUS THOMAS - 90 REC, 1,083 REC YDS, 5 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: THOMAS/SANDERS/ANDERSON/BOOKER - 5 2016 SACK LEADER: VON MILLER - 13.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: TODD DAVIS - 97

1. SEP. 11 10:20PM 2. SEP. 17 4:05PM 3. SEP. 24 4:25PM 4. OCT. 1 4:05PM 5. OCT. 8 1:00PM 6. OCT. 15 4:25PM 7. OCT. 22 4:25PM S P O 8.

R T SOCT. S P E 29 C T R U1:00PM M 9. BYE

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

KANSAS CITY

DENVER

OUTLOOK: The Chargers were a better team than their 5-11 record indicated in 2016. Many losses came in close games when they were missing starters and key contributors. One of those stars, Keenan Allen, is back and healthy for 2017. Unfortunately, first-round wide receiver Mike Williams is on the PUP list to begin the season and may miss the entire season.

OUTLOOK: The Raiders made a bold step toward becoming an elite team in 2016, then Derek Carr went down with a broken leg in Week 16. With Carr back and healthy, #BeastMode now playing for his hometown, an O-line among the best in NFL, and Khalil Mack leading the defense, Oakland projects to be even better. But, the schedule is more difficult than last year.

OUTLOOK: Denver starts with “D” and that's where it will have to win games this year behind Von Miller. The O-line has been revamped, so if it can open holes for the running game and buy time for whichever quarterback is in, the Broncos will challenge the Chiefs and Raiders. The offensive playmakers are there in Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and C.J. Anderson.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 11 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. BYE 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 30 9. NOV. 5

10:20PM 4:25PM 1:00PM 4:25PM

CHARGERS COWBOYS @ BILLS RAIDERS

8:30PM 4:25PM 8:30PM 1:00PM

GIANTS @ CHARGERS @ CHIEFS @ EAGLES

10. NOV. 12 8:30PM 11. NOV. 19 4:25PM 12. NOV. 26 4:25PM 13. DEC. 3 1:00PM 14. DEC. 10 4:05PM 15. DEC. 14 8:25PM 16. DEC. 24 1:00PM 17 . DEC. 31 4:25PM

PATRIOTS BENGALS @ RAIDERS @ DOLPHINS JETS @ COLTS @ REDSKINS CHIEFS

LOS ANGELES

CHARGERS 2017 PREDICTION: 7-9 2016 RECORD: 5-11 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 14 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 16 2016 PASSING LEADER: PHILIP RIVERS - 4,386 PASS YDS, 33 TD, 21 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: MELVIN GORDON - 254 ATT, 997 RUSH YDS, 10 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: TYRELL WILLIAMS - 69 REC, 1,059 YDS, 7 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: MELVIN GORDON - 12 2016 SACK LEADER: JOEY BOSA - 10.5T O S U B S C R I B E T O S P O R T S S P E C T R U M : C A L L 8 4 4 - 8 0 7 - 7 6 7 8 Written by RAYMOND 2016 TACKLES LEADER: JATAVIS BROWN - 79

ST. MARTIN

SEATTLE

SEAHAWKS

OUTLOOK: Do Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald have one last hurrah? If so, there is enough talent on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals to give Seattle a run for its money.

David Johnson is the best offensive weapon in the NFL. His ability to run, catch and pass protect open up the passing game. Don't sleep on Arizona, or they could be "Sleepless in Seattle."

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 24 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. BYE 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 29 9. NOV. 5

4:25PM 4:25PM 4:05PM 8:30PM 4:05PM

@ PACKERS 49ERS @ TITANS COLTS @ RAMS

4:25PM 4:05PM 4:05PM

@ GIANTS TEXANS REDSKINS

1:00PM 1:00PM 8:30PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 1:00PM

@ LIONS @ COLTS COWBOYS 49ERS @ EAGLES BUCCANEERS @ RAMS

4:05PM

@ 49ERS

10. NOV. 9 11. NOV. 19 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 24 17. DEC. 31

8:25PM 1:00PM 4:25PM 4:25PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 4:25PM 4:25PM

CARDINALS 2017 PREDICTION: 9-7 2016 RECORD: 7-8-1 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 9 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 2 2016 PASSING LEADER: CARSON PALMER - 4,233 PASS YDS, 26 TD, 14 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: DAVID JOHNSON - 293 ATT, 1,239 RUSH YDS, 16 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: LARRY FITZGERALD - 107 REC, 1,023 REC YDS, 6 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: DAVID JOHNSON - 20 2016 SACK LEADER: MARKUS GOLDEN - 12.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: TONY JEFFERSON - 96

SEAHAWKS @ TEXANS JAGUARS RAMS TITANS @ REDSKINS GIANTS @ SEAHAWKS

LOS ANGELES

RAMS

OUTLOOK: With an improving young defense, Todd Gurley carrying the rock, and the addition of receiver Sammy Watkins, the Rams are looking to bring a gridiron version of “Showtime” to Los Angeles. With the youngest NFL coach in history, Sean McVay, implementing an offense for second-year quarterback Jared Goff, things could get very interesting in the Coliseum.

2017 PREDICTION: 7-9 2016 RECORD: 4-12 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 32 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 9 2016 PASSING LEADER: CASE KEENUM - 2,201 PASS YDS, 9 TD, 11 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: TODD GURLEY - 278 ATT, 885 RUSH YDS, 6 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: KENNY BRITT - 68 REC, 1,002 REC YDS, 5 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: TODD GURLEY - 6 2016 SACK LEADER: AARON DONALD - 8.0 2016 TACKLES LEADER: ALEC OGLETREE - 136

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 21 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 22 8. BYE 9. NOV. 5

OUTLOOK: Change has come to San Francisco in a big way.

New head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch are building the team from the ground up in their image. Although the Niners are extreme longshots to win the division or even finish .500, they are building a core on defense and offense that should pay dividends in two or three years.

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

41

1. SEP. 10 2. SEP. 17 3. SEP. 21 4. OCT. 1 5. OCT. 8 6. OCT. 15 7. OCT. 22 8. OCT. 29 SPORTS SPECTRUM 9. NOV. 5

4:25PM 4:25PM 8:25PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 1:00PM 4:05PM

PANTHERS @ SEAHAWKS RAMS @ CARDINALS @ COLTS @ REDSKINS COWBOYS @ EAGLES CARDINALS

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

NOV. 12 BYE NOV. 26 DEC. 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC. 24 DEC. 31

@ CARDINALS FALCONS @ 49ERS EAGLES @ JAGUARS RAMS @ COWBOYS CARDINALS

NFC

SEP. 10 SEP. 17 SEP. 25 OCT. 1 OCT. 8 OCT. 15 OCT. 22 BYE NOV. 5

8:25PM 8:30PM 4:05PM 8:30PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 4:25PM 4:25PM

ARIZONA

REGULAR SEASON (ALL TIMES EASTERN) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. NOV. 9 11. NOV. 20 12. NOV. 26 13. DEC. 3 14. DEC. 10 15. DEC. 17 16. DEC. 24 17. DEC. 31

NFC WEST

2017 PREDICTION: 13-3 2016 RECORD: 10-5-1 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 12 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 5 2016 PASSING LEADER: RUSSELL WILSON - 4,219 PASS YDS, 21 TD, 11 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: CHRISTINE MICHAEL - 117 ATT, 469 RUSH YDS, 6 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: DOUG BALDWIN - 94 REC, 1,128 REC YDS, 7 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: BALDWIN/MICHAEL - 7 2016 SACK LEADER: CLIFF AVRIL - 11.5 2016 TACKLES LEADER: BOBBY WAGNER - 167

OUTLOOK: The Seahawks addressed their two biggest weaknesses in the offseason by adding tackle Luke Joeckel and running back Eddie Lacy on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense is still one of the top three in the league, so if the Seahawks can protect Wilson better and build a consistent running game, expect Seattle to win the NFC West going away.

4:25PM

GIANTS

4:05PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 4:25PM 4:05PM 4:25PM

SEAHAWKS @ BEARS @ TEXANS TITANS JAGUARS @ RAMS

4:05PM 4:25PM 8:25PM 1:00PM 4:05PM 4:05PM 1:00PM

COLTS REDSKINS @ 49ERS @ COWBOYS SEAHAWKS @ JAGUARS CARDINALS

1:00PM

@ GIANTS

SAN FRANCISCO

10. NOV. 12 4:05PM 11. NOV. 19 1:00PM 12. NOV. 26 4:05PM 13. DEC. 3 4:25PM 14. DEC. 10 4:25PM 15. DEC. 17 4:05PM 16. DEC. 24 1:00PM 17 . DEC. 31 4:25PM

49ERS

TEXANS @ VIKINGS SAINTS @ CARDINALS EAGLES @ SEAHAWKS @ TITANS 49ERS

2017 PREDICTION: 5-11 2016 RECORD: 2-14 2016 OFFENSIVE RANK: 31 2016 DEFENSIVE RANK: 32 2016 PASSING LEADER: COLIN KAEPERNICK - 2,241 PASS YDS, 16 TD, 4 INT 2016 RUSHING LEADER: CARLOS HYDE - 217 ATT, 988 RUSH YDS, 6 TD 2016 RECEIVING LEADER: JEREMY KERLEY - 64 REC, 667 REC YDS, 3 TD 2016 TOUCHDOWN LEADER: CARLOS HYDE - 9 2016 SACK LEADER: AHMAD BROOKS T O S U B S C-R6.0 IBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 2016 TACKLES LEADER: ANTOINE BETHEA - 110

AN M ER AC K N JO by

THE RAIDERS’

SUPERFAN

IS ALL ABOUT SPREADING

GOD’S LOVE Photos Courtesy S P O R T S SofP EMark C T R U MAcasio 42

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

THRILLED THAT THE RAIDERS HAD RETURNED TO OAKLAND IN 1995, MARK ACASIO REACTED THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW HOW:

He got dressed up. He took his season tickets and showed up for the first game in wigs and face paint. He was so overjoyed to have his team back in Northern California – and he’s always been naturally gregarious – that he hugged dozens of friends and random fans.

Not everyone on the receiving end was as elated. Acasio’s face paint stained their shirts. It also ran into his eyes. As the Raiders handled the Chargers that day, 17-7, Acasio had already begun thinking of new ways to dress up.

Born on Halloween in 1967, he always enjoyed costumes. Of course, he’d often dress up as a bunny on Easter, but he didn’t need a holiday for justification. He just needed an occasion, and Raiders games have always been a spectacle. So he needed something different than face paint and wigs.

Walking around a yard sale a couple weeks into that NFL season, Acasio spotted a black T O S U Bsuit.

S C R I B E It T O was S P O R T S going S P E C T R U M :for C A L L$19.

8 4 4 - 8 0 7And - 7 6 7 8 so gorilla Gorilla Rilla was born.

THE MOST PASSIONATE OF RAIDERS FANS HAVE LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR THEIR MENACING COSTUMES. THAT’S TO BE EXPECTED WHEN YOUR TEAM LOGO FEATURES A PIRATE WITH TWO SWORDS, AND THE VERY DEFINITION OF A “RAIDER” IS SOMEONE WHO USES FORCE FOR THIEVERY. Gorilla Rilla fits right in – dark goggles over a handmade mask, black fur, black and silver top hat, black jersey, oversized silver beads around his neck. But the last thing Rilla wants to do is scare someone.

“My motto is this: Spread the love. Love is God and God is love,” Acasio says. “So Gorilla doesn’t speak, just shows action, and through action I show comfort, I show unity. Like when I went to New England or Miami, when I step on the property, you have all these crazy people acting like fools. But I come at them with kindness.”

Behind the hairy, scary mask is a 49-year-old Christian with a heart for his community. During the week he runs his custom landscaping business, Creative Yards of Brentwood, and looks after two sons, Derek and Kyle. But on autumn weekends (and for various other guest appearances) for the past 22 years – 20 of which have been spent in the first row, section 105 of the Oakland Coliseum, also known as the Black Hole – he’s Gorilla Rilla. He’s surrounded by rowdies, and he can get rowdy himself, but he’s keen to not be disrespectful. He’s actually a community figure.

More than 30,000 people like Gorilla Rilla’s page on Facebook, nearly 13,000 people follow him on Twitter, and when he wanted to have a small wedding in 2012 with his bride, Marilyn (a.k.a. Jungle Jane, another superfan), it turned into a full-blown Raider party with thousands of fans, including the Raiderettes.

Acasio never imagined any of this back at that yard sale.

“I put the suit on and then I started to get recognized right away, on the TV… And then one day I was going through the parking lot and a former Raider, his name was John Vella, he called me over to his tailgate and he goes, ‘Why don’t you come to my store? I would like to make a trading card out of you, and whenever we have players come to our store I would love for you to come out and pass out your card, and take pictures with the fans.’ And once that happened, oh man, it really took off,” Acasio says.

Rilla went on to appear in parades, commercials, TV shows, magazines, you name it, in addition to not ever missing a home game. He was inducted into the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association Hall of Fame in 2009, and he’s been afforded the chance to support numerous causes, such as the Oakland Children’s Hospital Foundation, National Cancer Survivor Day, YMCA and PAL football programs.

Among his highest honors was being asked on two occasions by USA Football to travel to Germany to honor, boost morale and spend time with U.S. troops returning from war in Iraq.

Before long,

“Pretty cool stuff,” he says. this Bible study grew.

Inside that costume, however, is a real person with real struggles.

Friends of Acasio’s He aims to always spread love, but six years ago “there was a situation came. Friends of friends that arose in my life from the way past,” Acasio says. He needed of Acasio’s came. And as fellowship. people got to know Acasio

“I needed prayer, I needed the Word, and I like and his alter ego, some people cooking … so I called two brothers from the church came just to meet Gorilla Rilla. house and I said, ‘Hey men, why don’t you guys To Acasio, it didn’t matter why they come out? Come to my house, I’ll cook and came, as long as they heard the Word. we’ll eat some good food and then we’ll

It’s become a Tuesday get into the Word.’ Because I needed night BBQ Bible study. Acasio calls it his it, there’s something I was going “Spreading the Love Ministry,” a traveling through and I needed it,” Bible study from city to city, house to house.

Acasio says.

What began in his home in Brentwood, Calif., travels to wherever the Lord leads him.

“I buy all the food and I take my barbeque (tools) and I take my tables and I go to different houses that are allowed to have it there, and we break bread and get the Word,” Acasio says.

The group has peaked with 80 people; sometimes as few as 15 show up. Folks from many different denominations come, not just Acasio’s church, His Presence Christian Worship Center.

“I pretty much orchestrate the food, the place, the people and there’s like two or three brothers, ordained pastors that come out (to teach),” says Acasio, who is also ordained.

The reason for moving around to different houses is simple: “Jesus didn’t stay in one place; He had to move. He had to go to different places,” Acasio says.

Acasio has traveled even further as Gorilla Rilla. He’s been to 28 stadiums to see the Raiders play, including Wembley in London and Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

No matter where he goes, he’s ready to spread the love.

“By showing this type of character and showing this type of warmth, it’s called spreading the love and love is God, God is love,” Acasio says. “Sometimes people don’t want to hear it; people don’t want to get preached (at). You can tell when you try to speak the Word – ah, this guy don’t want to hear it. So I come at them a whole different way. I come at them with love because love is SPORTS SPECTRUM T O SGod.” UBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 43 WEB SITE: www.sportsspectrum.com

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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I

N 2005, AS A NEWLY CERTIFIED SPORTS AGENT, KELLI MASTERS WENT TO HER FIRST NFL SCOUTING COMBINE IN INDIANAPOLIS.

A week-long exhibition of top athletes’ talents for NFL scouts, the combine is an annual gathering of who’s who in the NFL – collegiate draft hopefuls, coaches, managers and sports agents – “the entire NFL world stuffed into six square blocks of ego and testosterone” in Masters’ words.

It was also where Masters first glimpsed the challenge she had ahead of her as a female sports agent.

She remembers going to a seminar required of all agents, and noticing there were “basically 900 men and just me. I [was] feeling a little outnumbered, but I [thought], ‘This is great, I love a challenge. I don’t care if they wonder why I’m here.’”

Then a male sports agent representing one of the higher-projected draft picks saw her standing outside of the seminar, and walked over. After asking her who she was and if she had any clients (she did have her first client at the time), he chuckled and said, “I’m just going to help you out here, honey.”

He proceeded to lecture Masters on why she would never make it in the industry, why women didn’t belong in a man’s world of sports agents, why she would never be respected, and why she was wasting her time.

“I finally said, ‘Are you done? Because let me tell you respectfully why you’re completely wrong and I do belong here,’” Masters said. “‘You don’t know me, and you don’t know what I’m capable of. This is my calling, this is where I’m supposed to be, I am going to be successful, and you’re going to have to watch out for me.’”

G N I K A E R B into the Boys’ Club HOW FAITH AND FORTITUDE GUIDE FEMALE SPORTS AGENTS

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S PS OP RO TRST SS PS EP CE TCRT UR MU M

by Aliese Willard

T O S U B S C R I B E T O S P O R TTSO SSPUEBCSTCRRUIMB :E CTAOL LS P8O4R4T-S8 0S7P-E7C6T7R8 U M : C A L L 8 4 4 - 8 0 7 - 7 6 7 8

Taken aback by Masters’ response, the agent handed her his card and told her to call him anytime. Though they became friends, it was one example of the exclusive attitude Masters and other female sports agents face.

“I think a lot of my strength came from just being anchored and knowing that I was where God wanted me to be,” Masters said. “I was able to stand up to what was being said to me, and no matter what people think or perceive or say, none of that matters and none of that should take us off of what God has called us to do.”

Masters formed her own sports agency, KMM Sports, and has since represented dozens of high-profile athletes in the NFL and other arenas. In 2010, Masters became the first female sports agent to represent a first-round draft pick.

“I am going to be successful, and you’ re going to have to watch out for me.” - Kelli Masters THE PATH OF MOST RESISTANCE FOR MASTERS AND FELLOW NFL AGENT TAMIKA CHEATHAM, WHO OWNS THE SPORTS AGENCY 413 SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, being a sports agent isn’t just a

NFL agent Tamika Cheatham career; it’s a passionate calling in the midst of adversity. Of the 794 certified sports agents in the NFL in 2016, only 41 were female. Finding success in an industry where 95 percent of the competition is men hasn’t been easy, since becoming a sports agent is a tough road to begin with.

“To be honest with you, if you’re a smart person, you’re probably better off doing something else,” said Jason Belzer, founder of the sports agency GAME, Inc., and an agent for coaches, in an interview with Elite Daily. “I mean that with the best intentions only because it’s a very cutthroat business. You have a lot of very smart people that end up failing.”

A sports agent’s life is a whirlwind of legal work, travel and constant communication with clients. As practicing attorneys (Cheatham is also a judge), both Masters and Cheatham handle legal cases in addition to their work as sports agents. Many of their weekends are spent on the road meeting athletes and going to games (“The first few years that I did this, I was never home,” Cheatham says). Masters estimates she makes and answers 60-100 phone calls a day, and dozens more emails and texts.

Much like a good football team, agents’ careers are a balance of offense and defense. Offensively, they meet and recruit athletes to represent, navigate them through the draft process, and negotiate contracts.

On the defensive side, agents must advocate for their clients’ pay and welfare, and shield them from exploitative offers, the media and other unscrupulous agents trying to lure them with money and commercial endorsements. There’s an unfortunate amount of truth to many sports agents having devious reputations.

“One of my clients was undrafted and no one wanted him. And then when he had a great game all of these huge agents were coming after him and contacting him,” Cheatham said. “Agents aren’t supposed to be soliciting your client, but they were definitely soliciting him and offering him money. At the time he stuck with me, because I had stuck with him when no one else wanted him.”

45

Though illegal, it’s not uncommon for agents to pay collegiate athletes in order to represent them, lie to their clients, or exaggerate what they can offer athletes.

Athletes’ perceptions of women in an all-male sport can be another stumbling block.

“Some people will say, ‘Well, you’ve never played the game before.’ They think that in order to be an agent, you have to have played football,” Cheatham said. “But I know how to negotiate a contract, I’m an attorney, I’m a judge and I have 28 years of that experience.”

Indeed, both women are renowned in the legal world. Cheatham was the first African American chief prosecutor in Arizona, and Masters has argued cases in front of the Supreme Court, and has been named one of the best lawyers in America four years in a row.

Masters also identifies with her players in understanding the pressure and emptiness that can come from a life fixated on performance. Formerly Miss Oklahoma and a national and world champion baton twirler, Masters reached a breaking point in her early 20s. Despite achieving all of her goals, she was miserable.

“Growing up I said I was a Christian, but my god was achievement. It was earning the accolades and the respect of other people,” Masters said. “Whether it was trying to please my parents or my coaches, I was such a driven young woman to be the best athlete, the best student, the best leader,

SPORTS SPECTRUM

Photos courtesy of Kelli Masters (L) & Tamika Cheatham (R)

the best performer, and my value became wrapped up in accomplishment. And as we all know as believers, that’s empty. Filling up the need in your life for God with anything but God is ultimately not fulfilling.”

Her unhappiness led her to call a former baton twirling teacher, who was also a believer. Masters gave her life to Christ, and her faith permeates into the lives of the athletes she represents.

“(Football) is such a huge part of their lives and I want to help them see themselves in Christ, as someone who is is destined for greatness – not just as a football player, but in life and as a leader and in the future as a husband and father,” Masters said.

For Cheatham, her company is named after Philippians 4:13, her favorite Bible verse. Even her Bible reflects her love for God and sports; it’s bound in the nubby brown vulcanized rubber that that encases most footballs. The “NFL” on the cover has a different meaning, though: New Found Life.

Ultimately, both Masters and Cheatham seek to show their clients the life change they’ve discovered in Christ. They also seek to pass it along.

“I love mentoring and praying with my players; above all else that’s my favorite thing (in my job),” Masters said. “It’s helping each of my players see that they are more than just what they do, and I think that’s important for all of us.”

TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678

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W O B E T IN H

B A G N I OPP

Photo By Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

E H T D OAR

A R T

by JON ACK

ERMAN

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sports Spectrum readers, please join me in welcoming our new senior writer/editor, Jon Ackerman, to the team. After spending the better part of a decade writing and editing for NBC Sports and Olympics websites, Jon is following his passion for Jesus to Sports Spectrum. He wrote this piece as his audition for the job and the entire staff was so moved by it, we felt the need to put it in print for all of you to read. As you read this piece, I’d like you to reflect on what it means to be a follower of Jesus and how seeing athletes live out their faith has impacted you. Also, how are you impacting others through your platform, TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 big or small? – Raymond St. Martin, Editor-In-Chief

I

T FEELS CLICHÉ TO SAY TIM TEBOW IS SOMEONE WHO HAS INSPIRED ME. HE’S THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN ATHLETE, BOLDLY PROCLAIMING THE NAME OF JESUS EVERYWHERE HE GOES. IF YOU ASK ANY RANDOM PERSON – BELIEVER OR NON-BELIEVER – TO NAME ONE ATHLETE OF FAITH, THE FIRST PERSON TO COME TO A MAJORITY OF THOSE MINDS WOULD BE TEBOW. He’s a public example of someone living out Romans 1:16 (NIV): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

For me, though, Tebow came to prominence right when I was coming to know the Lord.

I gave my life to Jesus in February 2007 at a small church in Connecticut. That was a month after Florida won the BCS National Championship, with help from a freshman backup quarterback. Over the next year, as I was subconsciously looking for models of faith, here was this football player storming his way to the Heisman Trophy. Upon accepting college football’s most prestigious award, he’s announcing to the whole country that his relationship with Jesus Christ is the top priority in his life. And here I am having the hardest time just telling some of my best friends that I simply had begun reading and believing the Bible.

So I watched and admired Tebow from afar. As he caught more and more flak for bringing up God in every interview, I gained more respect for him. When people criticized him for writing Bible verses on his eye black, I looked up those verses. When he became so polarizing that you seemingly had to either love or hate Tim Tebow, I proclaimed myself his fan.

Then he got drafted by my team. The Denver Broncos needed help, enduring levels of mediocrity not seen with the franchise since the 1970s. Kyle Orton wasn’t the answer at quarterback, so the Broncos snagged Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft. Some lauded the pick; many laughed at it.

I wasn’t smart enough to label him a stud or a dud before he even played a game, but I certainly rooted for him to prove the doubters wrong. I wanted him to succeed regardless, but even more so to help the Broncos.

The next two years were wild. As the Broncos struggled mightily, calls for Tebow to rescue them grew louder. He flashed glimpses of greatness, but didn’t earn the starting job until partway through his second season. Up-and-down performances followed, but some incredible come-from-behind victories grew the “legend of Tebow.” None more so than the playoff game in which he shocked the nation with an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime. I witnessed that game from seven rows up behind the Broncos’ bench.

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

Through it all – the good times and bad – I marveled at how Tebow thanked and acknowledged his Heavenly Father. So unashamed was he that his touchdown celebration – getting on one knee to say a quick prayer – became a meme: Tebowing.

Partly because he was all over the news in my hometown, but also out of sincere respect for him, I devoured just about every story or video I found on Tebow. As I grew in my faith, I wanted to learn from someone more spiritually mature; I didn’t have many Christian influences around me. So I purchased his book and uncharacteristically read it quickly. I just wanted to learn what made this man tick. I wanted to follow Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV): “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”

Tebow’s NFL career lasted only a few more years.

It became clear that teams were wary of taking on Tebow the person, even if Tebow the player still had value. Tebow the person stood up for his beliefs, no matter the criticism or opposition he faced. Being so outspoken about Christianity rubbed many the wrong way, but being sold out for Jesus is who Tebow is.

He’s back in the news these days, simultaneously criticized and praised for pursuing a professional baseball career.

People either applaud him for chasing his dreams or hound him for creating publicity stunts.

It is true – Tebow attracts publicity everywhere he goes.

The admirable thing is: He’s making Jesus famous. There are few who “go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15, NLT) as well as Tebow.

His platform is incredibly unique, a greater stage from God than he could have ever imagined. I’ll never have the same reach as Tebow, but I’ve learned from him that what people think about me doesn’t really matter. If I have a relationship with Jesus, I need to talk about what He’s doing in my life and let people think what they think.

All we need to remember is what God said in 1 Samuel 2:30 (NLT): “I will honor those who honor me.”

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I CAN DO ALL THIS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH. Philippians 4:13

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Daily Devotional

PSALM 119:1 SAYS, “I HAVE HIDDEN YOUR WORD IN MY HEART THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST YOU.” LIKE THE PSALMIST SAYS, IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US AS CHRISTIANS TO KNOW GOD’S WORD SO THAT WE STAVE OFF SIN IN OUR LIVES. BUT THE BIBLE ALSO HAS MANY OTHER VITAL BENEFITS. AS PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY, “ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED AND IS USEFUL FOR TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING AND TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, SO THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK” (2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17).

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1Daily Devotional W EEKOne

MONDAY I love experiencing the excitement of a person’s newfound faith all over again. I love watching men find Christ and become so eager to soak up His truth that they can’t wait to open their Bibles each day.

Recently I watched this happen to a guy who just gave his life to Christ. This guy is a history fanatic and one day, as he was reading the Old Testament, he said to me, “I’m loving everything I’m reading! I’m diving deeper into it and looking into the historical aspect of it.” My response was, “Just know that there are going to be portions of the Bible (like Exodus and Numbers) that are going to be a little slower. Reading lineages—names after names—will get monotonous at times.” But he quickly corrected me, “I love that part! It makes the Word more alive, I can trace it back to historical accounts and know that it’s real!”

This is the new-and-exciting type of faith I want on a constant basis, not a complacent faith, but one that’s thriving and diving deeper daily. It’s a faith which says, “God’s Word is always good enough.”

ADAM WAINWRIGHT

With a baseball schedule that has me getting in from a game as late as 3AM sometimes, and then waking up at noon the next day, and often on the road at random intervals, it’s hard to have a constant routine for reading my Bible. But I make time for what’s important. There are always distractions to keep me away and sometimes it’s tough to find time to read God’s Word, but I’m always refreshed when I do.

Joshua is one of my favorite books of the Bible. As a guy who loves war movies, I can picture Joshua starring in Braveheart, Gladiator, or 300; he would make a perfect Maximus Meridius or William Wallace! Similarly, the books of Joshua or Nehemiah read like a good war movie. To me, Joshua is the model of strength, with the heart of a warrior. Having learned from Moses how to listen to God and lead His people, He truly trusted God’s Word and followed Him wherever He led.

I want to be like Joshua, a guy who, when he was following Moses, followed him well. Without question, he submitted to the authority God had put above him and then stepped into leadership when he was called. Joshua was an amazing leader who walked in step with his Leader.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9 In situations where I am called to follow, I want to follow well. When God calls me to lead, I want to lead well, knowing I’m leading exactly how God would want me to lead. Like Joshua, I want to hear the truth of God and obey it, keeping my eyes focused on whatever God is calling me to do today.

Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher

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Written By Steve Stenstrom

TUESDAY A Life-Changing Encounter

[OPEN WITH] John 1:35-42

Others play an essential role in each of our lives, just as Adam’s friend did for him.

Has that happened in your family yet?

Like Peter, we have the opportunity to regularly and intentionally invite Jesus into our homes. As we do, those we love the most in this world learn to trust Him as we have, and experience His provision and blessing in their own lives. There are few greater joys than watching our families surrender to Jesus and offer their lives in His service, as Simon’s mother-in-law did.

Take Peter for instance. Which passages come to mind when you hear his name? It’s unlikely the first place your mind goes is the first chapter of John. But that’s where Peter’s story really begins. Initially, we don’t meet him as Peter; instead his name is Simon. And we watch as Simon’s brother Andrew plays an essential role in his life.

How can you show the love of Jesus to your family this week? What are some practical ways to share His love with those you love the most?

Andrew had encountered the Lord Jesus and “He brought him (Simon) to Jesus” (v.

42). The ensuing encounter Simon had with the long-awaited Messiah not only resulted in a name change, it launched him on a new trajectory and eventually led Jesus to declare of Simon, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18, NIV).

Willing to Say “Yes”

Who was the person in your life who first brought you to Jesus? Take a minute today to call, email or write that person to thank them. Who might God be inviting you to be that person for? Be bold and courageous.

Reach out to them today with an invitation to get to know the Jesus you know – the Jesus who has forever changed your life.

WEDNESDAY An Intentional Invitation Luke 4:38-39

This day in Peter’s life was the beginning of his newfound trajectory with Jesus as the epicenter. The concentric circles moving out from there would never be the same. The natural and logical next step was to make sure his family was introduced to Jesus too.

Luke’s account of this post-synagogue excursion to Peter’s home doesn’t appear to indicate this was anything unique or unusual. Clearly, Peter was comfortable inviting Jesus into his home and his family was comfortable with Jesus being with them. In these verses, we see that Jesus’ very presence and proximity began impacting Peter’s family immediately. And Peter’s family responded by serving Him.

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THURSDAY Luke 5:1-7

Peter did not stop introducing Jesus after his family believed in Him. He took Jesus everywhere with him and that certainly included the place where he (like us) spent a great deal of his time: at work.

Notice the timing of Jesus’ request to use Peter’s business to serve His greater purposes in teaching the people. Jesus didn’t schedule things in advance or even send Peter a calendar request for a meeting.

Instead, Peter was given the opportunity to serve Jesus with his business at the very end of his workday, when he was almost all packed up and ready to head home to rest. Imagine the various thoughts that might have run through Peter’s mind and how he could have responded.

Now imagine all Peter would have missed out on had he said no. Jesus never would have climbed up in his boat and Peter would never have experienced all that we read in verses 3-7. Just as Peter discovered a way to serve the Kingdom with his business, we can too if we open ourselves up to Jesus’ requests. Like Peter, there will never be any way to predict what Jesus might do in response to our willingness to serve His purposes when He asks. Peter’s greatest day at “work” came when he thought his work was over for the day.

FRIDAY Unconventional Obedience Philippians 1:6

Consider the business advice offered by Jesus to Peter after He finished teaching the people. Can you see the challenge presented when the fisherman from Galilee received advice via a carpenter from Nazareth about how to fish in the Sea of Galilee? To say it was unconventional would be kind. Jesus told Peter to drop his nets in the deep water during the day. Every fisherman knew you fished by dragging your nets in the shallow waters at night. But Peter listened to Jesus and the rest of the day’s events unfolded accordingly to miraculous provision. What would Peter do next?

As if for the first time, Peter seemed to experience Jesus for who He truly is. In doing so, the only appropriate response was the one Peter gave, “Go away from me.”

We too must all arrive at an awareness of how unworthy we are before God. When we do, we put ourselves in a posture (Peter fell at Jesus’ knees) to hear our Savior say something similar to what Peter heard. Jesus didn’t take time to affirm Peter’s unworthiness. Rather, He chose to cast a greater vision for Peter’s life than Peter had ever conceived. Peter just had to do just one thing: “Follow me.”

In the same way, if we will diligently follow Jesus, leaving behind the temporary trappings of this life (remember, this was the single greatest day of business in Peter’s life), we too will discover the true work for which God created us.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about living a life changed by Christ: Luke 9 & Ephesians 2:10; Luke 10 & 1 Corinthians 11:1

Trust Him with your business, or in your study, and experience the immense joy and blessings that are sure to follow.

Steve Stenstrom President of Pro Athletes Outreach

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2 Daily Devotional W EEKTwo

MONDAY John 3:16 is a verse many of us memorized as children or youth. It’s the most widely-quoted verse in the world.

It’s been written on poster board and displayed at NFL games to millions of people as the ball is kicked through the goalposts. But I wonder if we’ve inadvertently watered down the profound nature of this verse, simply because we’re too familiar with it. We can recite it without feeling or even considering its weight. Today, I’m asking you to read it slowly and deliberately. It’ll be worth it.

TRENT DILFER

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD... He doesn’t hate the world. He doesn’t sit in Heaven and make fun of the world. He doesn’t barely tolerate the world. He doesn’t love only Christians, or the people who attend our home churches, or people who share our political views. He loves every human in every corner of every nation. Period. … THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON… How much does God love every human in our world?

Enough to offer His only Son as a way to initiate relationship with us. We’re worth that to Him. We’re worth enough that He willingly handed His only Son over to death. Not just any death, but the cruelest and most brutal death known to the world at that time.

Roman hands, which God created and whose owners He loved, were used to pin His only Son to a cross. … SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM… That’s our response. It’s a free gift, but we need to accept it.

Accepting the gift means more than giving intellectual assent to some ancient doctrine. Belief in Jesus means choosing to follow Jesus – not in rules-based legalism, but in response to the great love He’s shown us. It wouldn’t make any sense at all to follow Jesus everywhere if we didn’t really believe in Him. We don’t do that in any other area of our lives, so why would we consider it with God? … WILL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. That’s the reward: eternal life. Life in the here and now, and forever in eternity. It’s not a bad deal. He dies in our place, we follow His every step, we live with Him forever.

So if you’re still reading and wondering why I chose this familiar passage, it’s because I can relate all too well to a Father who gives up His Son. While I’ll never understand what it would take for a Father to willingly give up His only son, I do understand what if feels like to lose an only son.

If you experience my story at The Increase, you’ll quickly discover that, even though football has occupied the majority of my life, my story is not a football story.

Please visit the site and meet me and my son Trevin.

Trent Dilfer, former NFL quarterback

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Written by Len Vanden Bos

TUESDAY GOD SO LOVED...

That He Noticed a Woman Named Hagar [OPEN WITH] Psalm 119:105

The book of Genesis is full of incredible people and stories. From Adam and Eve to Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it chronicles the fall, the flood and the beginning of the nation of Israel.

We see that Abraham is a central figure as God calls him to go to a new land with the promise of a son and a nation through whom all people will be blessed. Yet, Sarai, Abraham’s wife, is slow to become pregnant.

Instead of waiting for God’s plan to unfold, Abraham and Sarai take matters into their own hands through their Egyptian slave, Hagar. Following orders, Hagar bears a son named Ishmael. Regardless of fault, Sarai turns on her and mistreats her.

In both Genesis 16 and 21, Hagar is forced to flee from the abuse. She is caught in the middle of a situation she did not create and finds herself in the desert with her son, crying and alone. Both times, God visits and comforts her. Genesis 16:13 says, “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: You are the God who sees me.” (NIV) This name in Hebrew is El Roi. Like Hagar, we all find ourselves feeling alone and abused at times. The same God who saw and comforted her is with you.

God sees and hears every one of us. God so loved because everyone matters to Him.

WEDNESDAY That He Gives Incredible Gifts Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-10

For parents, one of the best parts of Christmas is watching their kids open presents. They rip open the packages and squeal with delight as they begin to play with their gifts. The smiles and laughter on their little faces bring great joy to the gift giver.

There is no greater gift giver than God. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (NIV).

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Whether it be serving, teaching, giving, leading, offering mercy, or another talent, we all have a special gift from the Father.

The beautiful thing about these gifts is that they are not designed for our own glory, but for the benefit of others. In 1 Peter 4:10, we are instructed that “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (NIV). Just like on a team, everyone has an opportunity to make a unique contribution based on their talents. Thank God for the gifts He has given you. Ask Him to show you how to use them to bless His children and bring Him glory.

It’s in God’s nature and character to create and give good things. God so loved that He gave us life to enjoy and gifts to bless others.

THURSDAY That He Sent Us Someone to Believe In John 1:29-34

Hundreds of years had passed since the last prophet. Isaiah, Jeremiah and others preached about the coming of the Messiah.

God was silent and all Israel could do was wait. The silence was broken by a voice in the wilderness calling for repentance.

John the Baptist was preparing the way as he saw Jesus coming down to the river.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, ESV).

Finally, they had someone to believe in!

Over the next three years, Jesus pulled together a band of disciples and soon found Himself followed by the multitudes. He performed miracles, healed diseases and taught like no one had ever before nor has since. He lived and died and rose again.

Death had lost its sting. It was finished.

At one point, Jesus’ teaching became so challenging that many stopped following Him. He asked His disciples if they wanted to leave too. Peter replied, “To whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life” (John 6:68, ESV). At some point, we also must make the decision whether or not to follow Jesus. It won’t always be easy and it may not seem to make sense, but who else is there to turn to?

Christianity is not based on a set of religious rules, but a relationship with Jesus Christ based on faith. God so loved that He fulfilled His promises with someone to believe in.

FRIDAY That He Shows Us the Way To Real Life John 14

In 1987, the band U2 released the song, ”I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” One of the most popular songs of our generation, it captures the dilemma many people wake up to every day. The way to find purpose feels elusive and impossible to much of mankind.

This is not a new search. Thousands of years ago, Jesus’ followers were looking for the same thing. One time, Jesus was telling them about Heaven – that He was going ahead to prepare a place for them.

Upon hearing this, Thomas voiced his confusion, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:5-6, NIV).

I love the clarity of Jesus’ response.

While life can get confusing at times, God is not the author of confusion, but of clarity.

The way to real life is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is as true today as when Jesus first spoke these words.

As I was writing this very devotional, I was listening to music in the background when a song came on, one I had never heard before. Incredibly, the lyrics were based on these same verses in John 14 (“Who Can Compare” by Mary Kat Ehrenzeller). It is a beautiful song and the chorus hit home: “You take my hand and you guide me on and you show me the way to life.” I couldn’t put it any better.

God so loved that He extends His hand to us and leads us to real life.

WEEKEND ...continue reading of God’s unending love this weekend: 1 Corinthians 13 & Romans 13:8-14; John 4:1-26 & 1 John 4

Len Vanden Bos, Buffalo Bills Team chaplain TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 57

3 Daily Devotional W EEKThree

MONDAY We’re all walking in a certain direction in life. The question is: What are you walking toward? Or maybe more importantly: Who are you following? Are you following the world or are you following Jesus?

What we fill our minds with is extremely important in determining the direction we walk in life. The more I engage in wrongful activities, the more I will try to justify those behaviors and follow others who do the same. But when I surround myself with people who point me toward Christ and seek out God’s will by the instruction of His Word, I can feed my soul with good things – things of God. Sanctification is the movement of growing closer to God. When we choose to participate in things of the Lord, living in the freedom and joy He offers, the Spirit of God becomes more evident in our lives. But choosing to live lives set apart for God is not always easy.

If you get one paper cut, it might not hurt too much and you can probably choose to turn a blind eye to it.

But when that one paper cut leads to 1,000 paper cuts, they will really hurt and might even lead to death. In the same way, we need to be careful not to let small sins creep into our lives and turn into life-draining habits.

STEVEN SOUZA JR

To what choices are you consistently saying yes?

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When you set yourself apart as a follower of Christ, you become a target. But Scripture says we are to take joy in this! When we are persecuted, rejected and laughed at for our faith, that’s when we should be filled with the most hope and peace in Christ.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12.

If Jesus Himself warned us of persecution, why should we be taken aback when we face it?

We have a choice to say yes to the things of the world and no to Jesus, or no to the temporary things and yes to things eternal. People will notice when you say no. They will wonder why you say no. They will also take notice when you take responsibility for something you’ve done wrong, ask forgiveness from others, and then move in the right direction. This is the kind of authentic, real and attainable faith we need to display.

None of us are perfect, but if we walk in the Spirit and aim to bring glory to God in our moments of strength and weakness, we can be a light for the Gospel.

When you set your mind on eternal things, you won’t begrudgingly submit to what the Word says. Instead, you will joyfully obey God’s command, knowing that His plans are so much greater than the world’s.

Steven Souza Jr., Tampa Bay Rays right fielder

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Written by Chris Lane

TUESDAY

humility, boldness, grace, mercy, purpose, understanding and discernment.

His Love is Unconditional

We have the conflict of pleasuremotivated prayers vs. God-pleasing prayers.

We should find out what pleases the Lord and then pursue that with all our hearts!

[OPEN WITH] Ephesians 2:8-9

God’s love toward us is unconditional.

He doesn’t say, “If you do this, then I will love you.” His love is proven to us by what He’s done for us. Our God is a gracious, merciful and loving God. Grace is receiving what you don’t deserve. Mercy is not receiving what you do deserve. You see, if I choose to break the law by speeding and I get pulled over, I deserve a ticket. I will have to pay a fine as a consequence for my actions. But if the police officer doesn’t give me one, it’s because he’s choosing to show me mercy.

I’m not receiving the punishment I deserve.

You and I have sinned and we deserve to be punished. The punishment we will face is hell – eternal separation from God. But His mercy allows us a way out of that punishment and His grace offers us eternity in Heaven. We’ve done nothing to deserve this! This incredible gift of grace not only promises us Heaven in the future, but also offers us life with Jesus right now!

When we discover our God is a merciful God, we begin to grasp His great love for us. His mercy becomes the lens through which we look at things, empowering us to show the same mercy toward others.

Who might be living under the misconception that God’s love is conditional?

Who can you show mercy to today?

WEDNESDAY God-Pleasing Prayers “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:1-2 NIV).

Conflict comes from us. We all have evil desires within.

Because of our former way of life, at times we ask for things we think we need.

We have wrong motives. We desire power, prestige, worldly riches, etc. But what we should desire is wisdom, peace, forgiveness, 59

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“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3, NIV).

Wisdom is asking God what He wants from us. Our own sinful desires lead to conflict, quarrels and distractions from the Gospel, which lead to prayers that have the wrong motives. When we live in conformity to this world, we are in opposition with God. But when we live lives that seek the wisdom and purpose of God, we’ll find the fruits of the Spirit infiltrating our lives.

Today, pray God-pleasing prayers, not pleasure-motivated prayers.

THURSDAY Conduct worthy of the Gospel

Philippians 1:27

When Paul challenged the early Philippian Christians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel, he knew the downside of not reflecting Christ in everyday life. As Christ - followers in today’s world, the same charge remains true for us.

The last thing the world needs is more Christians that look, act and talk like the world. We have been called to be holy (set apart) in the world.

We are called to reflect Christ.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV).

An effective start to sharing the Gospel is living a life that reflects the nature of Christ, one that people are attracted to. People will notice a life of genuine faith in Christ and love for Him. We all know people can’t stand hypocrites. If we, who call ourselves Christ - followers, say one thing and then do another, our witness is diminished. How can we say we have new life in Christ when nothing about our lives reflect Him? Al Bello

Put forth the effort to examine your life: speech, actions, attitudes, priorities, etc.

Are you reflecting Christ in these areas of your life? Do others see Jesus in you? Our daily goal should be to become a visible image of the invisible Jesus in this world.

FRIDAY Conduct worthy of the Gospel John 20:31

Confidence brings peace. It is extremely important for us to have complete assurance about our faith and salvation in Christ.

In fact, this is one of the main reasons the Bible was written – so that we may know, without a doubt, that our sins have been forgiven and we have been given eternal life because of God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. God leaves no room for confusion on this subject.

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13, NIV).

When we know for certain that we have eternal life in Christ, everything in our life changes. This knowledge transforms our lives, allowing us to live with a greater joy. Our confidence in Christ instills in us a renewed perspective, enabling us to understand and respond to the call to serve and follow Him. Believe the Word of God and know that if you have placed your faith in Jesus, you are saved. You have been provided the confidence to live on mission for God. Allow Him to direct your path as you make Him known in this world.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about following Christ:

John 13 & 1 Peter 1:15-17; John 14 & 1 Peter 2:21

Chris Lane, Miami Marlins chaplain TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 59

4 Daily Devotional

W EEKFour MONDAY

DEMARIO DAVIS

My family and I take tithing very seriously. God has blessed us with so much and we know it does not truly belong to us, but to Him and should be used for His glory.

With little and with much, we’ve seen God be faithful to do miraculous things – t th much.” – Luke 16:10 When I started out in the league, I was making a rookie’s salary. To most people it was a lot, but compared to established players’ salaries it isn’t. We tithed 10 percent faithfully. When I signed a new contract and my pay rose quite a bit, that 10 percent became a much bigger number.

Though it was a large jump in our giving, it wasn’t at all hard to do because our hearts were accustomed to giving our best to God first. We always said, “God, whatever You bless us with, we want to be faithful to give back to You.” Tithing gives us a greater contentment and deepens our trust in God, knowing that we are honoring Him. The Bible often talks about storing treasure up in Heaven, where our real reward will be. The way we do that is through giving anything and everything God has entrusted to you – your abilities, talents, resources, money, time and whatever else He has entrusted to you.

Taking a look at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, we see that when we invest our lives for the sake of the Master’s glory, our own joy and eternal treasure will multiply.

When I look at my life – my family, wife and children, who are all healthy and serving the Lord – I cannot take these things for granted. We recognize what God has entrusted to our stewardship and take joy in helping others.

We give glory to God because it’s been a journey for us to get here; we haven’t always had that opportunity. We have experienced first-hand how being faithful in the little things will lead to being faithful in the larger things of life.

We see how God continually equips us more and more in our talents, abilities and passions to grow the platform He’s given us. We could never do these things on our own.

It’s all because of God and our willingness to be faithful.

Each time we sacrifice, we are sowing another seed for the Kingdom of Heaven. You may speak to an audience of 15, but if one of those people is changed and then goes on to save 1,000 souls, you will know when you get to eternity.

You won’t always see the immediate return, but you are able to do great things for His glory – faithfully sowing seeds as a steward in the midst of God’s Kingdom expansion.

Demario Davis, New York Jets linebacker

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Written by LaMorris Crawford

TUESDAY Paradigm Shift On Giving

[OPEN WITH] Matthew 6:19-21

In the book of Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus gives one of the greatest sermons in Scripture. He leaves no stone unturned in the Sermon on the Mount. Essentially, Jesus teaches what it means to walk as people of character.

Throughout Scripture we see that giving is an essential practice for those who follow God. Abraham gave a 10th of his goods to God through Melchizedek, King of Salem (Hebrews 7:2). Solomon gave a very significant sacrifice in the temple and God responded to Him (2 Chronicles 7:1-5). Giving in the temple was a normal practice in a life of honoring the Lord. In other words, giving was monumental to the men and women in the Old Testament, so the idea of giving was familiar to the crowds sitting at the feet of Jesus.

But Jesus rocked their world with a new paradigm shift about giving. Jesus taught the disciples to lay up for themselves treasures in Heaven! What? Treasure in Heaven? Could you imagine what the disciples were thinking? They’d never heard teaching like this. Jesus knew money would be a major tool in society for people, so He set up a way to use money to send treasures before ourselves in Heaven!

I want to encourage you to shift your perspective on giving. When you tithe, sacrifice or support a ministry, give with the attitude and heart that you are laying up for yourself treasure in Heaven.

WEDNESDAY More Than the Physical

Matthew 19:16-22

When Jesus encountered people, He didn’t just transform their bodies, He brought wholeness to their souls. In this passage, we see that Jesus truly wanted to bring a paradigm shift to this young man’s life.

It was this man’s riches that kept him from wholeness. We know this because the five commandments Jesus did not mention to him were the very ones he was breaking.

The rich, young ruler made money his god, made money a graven image, worked on the Sabbath to make money, coveted his 61

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money, and took the name of the Lord God in vain because he did not keep the commandments as he appeared to.

Merciful Jesus gave him the steps he needed to take to be freed from greed and the love of money. The rich, young ruler was to sell his goods and give to the poor.

Jesus taught him about the importance of having an eternal perspective on money.

He wanted him to store up valuable treasure in Heaven. Because the rich, young ruler was not willing to change his heart and mind about money, he walked away from the greatest opportunity money cannot buy, which was following Jesus.

Not unlike this ruler, we must recognize that we are stewards over what God has blessed us with. We must not allow our money to become a god. We shall not covet and we shall not idolize our money. We are called to be stewards.

THURSDAY Measured by Motive

Luke 21:1-4

Imagine walking into your church on an extremely crowded Sunday. Worship is going, people are greeting one another and praising the name of Jesus. You have had a rough few months with work and haven’t been paid as much as you normally are, but when it comes time to give, you proudly and humbly fold up your $5 check and walk into the line to put your money in the offering plate.

As you cheerfully release your small offering, you see Jesus and hear Him begin to talk to the elders of the church about your gift. He begins shouting, noticing you… YOU! Out of all of the people, out of all of the thousands of dollars given that day, He notices your sacrificial and pleasing $5 offering.

We see this happen in the temple. As we know, Jesus has the ability to understand the motives of men. He sees the rich putting in their significant gifts, but what caught His attention was a certain poor, widowed woman. She didn’t have much financially, but she had a great desire to give to God. What would be considered today to be less than 2 cents, this woman gave. But her gift was significant because she gave with all of her heart. Jesus acknowledged, “This widow has put in more than them all.”

Likewise, our giving shouldn’t be

measured by how much we have, but by how much we want to honor God.

FRIDAY Love is Sacrificial

John 3:16

If we are going to have a true paradigm shift on giving, we must imitate the greatest Giver. God would never tell us to do something He Himself wouldn’t do. Our Father lost His family in the Garden and He wanted us back. He was willing to do whatever was necessary to restore what was stolen from Him. Salvation is available to us because our Father is a giver. It should be our ultimate goal to become like our Father. To imitate our Father, we must understand that giving comes from the foundation of love: “For God so loved the World…” It was love that triggered God to give His Son. Why do you give? When you give your offering, your time, your gifts, do you give them in love?

God gave His Son to people who didn’t deserve it. He knew not everyone would believe, but He gave us Jesus Christ anyway. Why? Because love is sacrificial.

We need to shift our reasons for why we give. Our hearts must break for what breaks God’s heart. God saw brokenness and sin; He saw that man was hopeless, and He wanted to do something about it. When we give of our money to our church, missionaries and ministries, these become avenues God uses to heal the wounded, the hurting and the broken.

What are you willing to give today? Your time, your talent, your name, your energy, your money, your comfort? Love is sacrificial.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about living sacrificially for the sake of the Gospel:

Acts 2 & Exodus 36:8-38; Acts 4 & Matthew 26:6-13

LaMorris Crawford, Cincinnati Bengals chaplain TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 61

5 Daily Devotional W EEKFive

MONDAY

KERSHAW

My wife Ellen and I had been married three weeks when we found ourselves on a plane to Zambia.

When we arrived at the village, we met Hope.

Hope was a beautiful little girl who wouldn’t leave our side. She was what the experts call a “double orphan” – both her mother and her father had passed away. Ellen and I decided to sponsor Hope, although we didn’t realize what that could or would become.

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks to some folks about what He considers to be of primary importance. He speaks of feeding the hungry, quenching the dry throat of the thirsty, inviting the stranger into our homes, and clothing the naked. This passage became more than personal to me when I looked into the eyes of Hope.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne...

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’

CLAYTON

Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me...Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’” – Matthew 25:31-46.

God is separating people into two groups based on how they responded to what Jesus called “the least of these”.

The people who chose to give water and food and shelter and clothing are unknowingly serving Jesus Himself.

How we treat the poor and oppressed is deeply connected to the center of God’s heart. Are we responding to the Jesus we see in their eyes, or are we turning a blind eye to them, hoping someone else will serve them instead of us?

Ellen and I started a foundation that helped fund an orphanage in Zambia. We called it “Hope’s Home.” We’re as broken as everyone else, but in our brokenness, we’re trying our best to hear God’s voice, and then respond to it with our actions.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher

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Written by Mark Mitchell

TUESDAY Serve The Lord With Gladness

[OPEN WITH] Psalm 100:1-5

A few weeks ago I had to get a blood test. I arrived before they opened at 7 a.m. to avoid a wait, but there was already a line.

Having fasted before the test, everyone was a bit grumpy. No one had enjoyed their morning coffee yet. It was a drab scene.

In Psalm 100:2, we’re commanded to “serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” (KJV) But why does our worship sometimes feel like a 7 a.m. blood test?

Worship and service are to be offered with joy and gladness – something akin to a raucous victory parade. We normally think of worship as serious business. We come before the Creator of the universe thinking He’s holy but we’re sinful. He’s strong but we’re weak. He’s infinite but we’re finite.

And yes, there may be times when you come to Him in brokenness and repentance, but that’s not the norm. When you serve Him, you should be full of gladness!

We are to “serve the Lord with gladness.”

That’s why when our churches gather we call it a worship service. Romans 12:1 talks about our “spiritual service of worship.”

God calls us to be active participants in worship, where we’re giving not just our money, but ourselves up to God. We’re not spectators who evaluate how good the show was. The mindset of the servant is to ask, “Did I offer to Him what He’s worthy of?”

Evaluate your service of worship. Is it more like a 7 a.m. blood test or a victory parade?

WEDNESDAY The Spirit of Your Service

Luke 10:38-42

In Luke 10:38-42, we see Martha and Mary hosting Jesus and His disciples for dinner.

Martha is slaving away in a hot kitchen, while Mary serenely sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him speak. Martha boils over and says, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Jesus responds, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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Mary gets the high grade and Martha gets the low one here. To be honest, that bothers me. I would expect Martha to get a pat on the back and Mary to get a kick in the pants. Deep down I connect with the Marthas of this world. Martha knew that when you feed 16 people, someone has to hustle.

The problem with Martha wasn’t her service, but her spirit. Jesus described her as “worried and bothered about so many things.” But Mary chose “what is better.”

She sat at His feet and listened to His words, placing herself in a position where the Lord could serve her. Martha tried to serve Jesus; Mary received service from Jesus.

Genuine service must always start here.

Evaluate the spirit of your service? Are you more focused on what you do for Jesus than what He wants to do for you?

THURSDAY You Don’t Have What It Takes Mark 6:30-44

In Mark 6, Jesus had been ministering to a huge crowd all day, but people were getting hungry. So the disciples approached Him with a plan. “Send the crowds into town to get something to eat (verse 36).”

After all this time with Jesus, watching Him do miracle upon miracle, they can’t come up with anything better? Jesus replied, “YOU give them something to eat.” The disciples, still not buying it, shot back, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for these people.” You can sense the sarcasm here.

There were more than 5,000 people present!

Jesus had every intention of meeting the need, but He wanted to show the disciples they didn’t have what it took. Have you ever been in a situation where the Lord called you to do something but you didn’t have what it took? Did you try to pretend you did have what it takes? Did you run away?

Did you blame others for getting you into this mess? Did you try to fix the problem?

The best thing to do is whatever Jesus tells you to do. That’s what the disciples did and it resulted in 5,000 filled stomachs.

Jesus still wants to use us to meet the need, but He wants us dependent on Him. When we don’t have what it takes but depend on God to give us what it takes, He is glorified.

Do you know you don’t have what it takes?

Al Bello

FRIDAY Dealing With Opposition James 4:6

Few believers have encountered greater opposition than George Whitefield, the central preacher from the Great Awakening in the 18th century. Though an Anglican himself, most Anglican churches were closed to him.

They thought he was a little over the top.

Three principles guided him when dealing with critics: Don’t defend yourself, don’t engage in controversy, and don’t stop preaching the whole Gospel. When churches closed their doors to him, he simply went into open fields where he could preach to much larger crowds. As a result, he often preached to over 50,000 people without microphones or loudspeakers.

Whitefield reminds me of one of my favorite Biblical characters: Nehemiah.

While rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the people of Israel also encountered great opposition. They had a clear calling from God and refused to stop working when confronted. Like Whitefield, Nehemiah devised an ingenious plan.

“From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor… Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.” (Nehemiah 4:16-18) Like these men did, we can expect opposition when we serve the Lord. We must trust God and do whatever He calls us to do.

Sometimes a closed door reveals an open one that’s even better. Sometimes we have to continue our work with one hand while being prepared to fight off the enemy with the other.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about serving God wholeheartedly: 1 Peter 1 & Romans 12; 1 Peter 3 & Romans 7:1-6

Mark Mitchell, San Francisco Giants chaplain TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 63

6 Daily Devotional W EEKSix

MONDAY “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” – John 17:16 In our culture today, many people are trying to take Jesus out of the picture, not only in sports, but also in music, schools, television and other media outlets. It’s absolutely critical that we keep Him in.

Jesus is the ultimate reason I do what I do. He’s blessed me with the talent to play in the NFL, a family of my own, a scholarship to get the education and athletic training I did, and so much more. How I live my life is my gift back to God, who gave me the gift of life! The NFL is one of the greatest platforms I could be given to share my faith. I’d be doing my Creator, myself and others a disservice if I didn’t bring Jesus into everything I do.

Every photo I post on Instagram or Twitter has a Bible verse with it because that’s one more way I can put Jesus’ name out there. Instagram is too often all about ourselves – how we look, what we’re doing and who we’re with.

It’s such a shame! We’re taking something that can be used for good and perverting it into something selfish.

Jesus is the One we should be focusing on. If everyone’s getting all their information from social media, you better believe that’s where I’ll post the truth of God’s message.

MATT FORTE

Whenever you take a stand for your faith, you will experience pushback – especially on social media.

People think since they are untouchable, that they can say anything they want. Yes, everyone’s free to have an opinion, but not to cyber bully. There have been many times when I’ve posted a verse on social media to which others will reply, “Stick to football man,” or “I can’t believe you believe this fake story.” But these comments never discourage me. In fact, Jesus promised we would experience adversity as believers.

“Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.” — John 15:20.

It’s easy to love someone who is lovable, but when you’re able to love someone who is hateful, envious or jealous, that’s when you know you have Christ’s love in you. That’s what He did for us.

Recently in our Bible study, we talked about how we all need God to be our Shepherd. A lot of times we try to be our own shepherd, but we just can’t. Our problems are too big for us. We have to have faith in the God who spoke the world into existence and breathed life into us. If He’s that big, He’s bigger than any problem we may face. We just have to trust and believe in Him. This is the Jesus I want others to know. He’s worth talking about. He’s worth living for. Jesus is my everything.

Matt Forte, New York Jets running back

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Written by Jack Easterby

TUESDAY The Word = Our Instruction

[OPEN WITH] Psalm 119:105

Stay close to God’s Word, always supported by His sovereign teaching. The Bible is a 66-book love letter written to us by the Almighty God Himself. How well we operate in this life is directly related to how close we draw near to our Creator and how much we soak in His instruction through His Word. The pages of Scripture contain everything we need for life. When we read it, it will change who we are from the inside out.

Sports offer a lot of challenges for us physically and mentally. The Bible, however, prepares us for all of life’s challenges. God’s Word is the ultimate game plan for life, containing strategies, examples, instructions, warnings and everything else we need to be victorious in our journey of following Christ.

As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (ESV) Isn’t that we want, to be equipped for every good work? That seems like a daunting task, but it’s exactly what we’re promised when we dive into God’s Word.

Trying to honor God without knowing what God desires of us is a tough proposition, but when we enter into the knowledge He’s given to us, we can accurately aim toward the goal to which we’re called.

WEDNESDAY The Church = Our Team 1 Corinthians 12:12

God works through His Church – “Christ - followers” – to reveal to the world who He is. Many times, sports can take us away from the church services we love and cherish so much. However, to stay charged in our faith and honor God on the playing field, we MUST have a church home.

It’s also crucial we have a healthy understanding of what the Church is. The Church needs believers of all kinds, including athletes. The truth is, athletes benefit from the Church as much as the Church benefits from athletes. The Church is not a bunch of perfect people. Instead, it’s a bunch 65

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of imperfect people relying on a perfect God, who made a way for the rest of us to see the world perfectly through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we neglect to be part of a Church because our schedules are too busy, we can become dry in our faith.

Remember, life is not just about what’s next on our schedule. It’s about WHO IS FIRST IN OUR LIVES! We must always ask ourselves, “How can I honor Jesus in this interaction right here, right now?”

The Church serves as God’s ultimate facilitator for how to handle life. When we fail to surround ourselves with Christian community, accountability, instruction and opportunities for service, we’re not living life to the fullest.

Commit to the Church and let God’s perfect love transform your life both personally and within community.

THURSDAY The Window = Our Game

James 1:6

Sports are a blessing in so many ways. One of the most obvious lessons we learn through sports is that opportunities are not endless.

In every interaction we have, we must consider the window – the moment of time in which we have to interact with another person. In sports, we have small windows in which we can interact with our teammates and opponents to build relationships that might last a lifetime.

We also have small windows of opportunities to execute plays within our games that could make or break our athletic careers. These brief moments (ultimately acting as reflections of our lives) might be at-bats, brief plays on a court, or full seasons that seem like fleeting windows in which we must execute.

In each of these windows, God teaches us so much about obedience and impact.

If we’re obedient in the windows we’re offered, we can make a pretty big impact.

Our obedience to take action does not only result in success for ourselves, but can also result in fruitfulness for those who are competing alongside us.

In the same way, when we act in obedience to the call God has for us in our Christian walk, God’s power will cause a massive impact. Not only will our own lives

be changed forever, but those we interact with along the way will also be impacted.

Don’t pass up the open window God might have for you today.

FRIDAY Fear Extinguished by Faith = Belief 2 Timothy 1:7

Sometimes competition provokes fear.

Will I get cut from the team? Will the coach yell at me? However, if you look up fear in the dictionary it will say it’s “an emotion aroused by impending danger.” But if that’s really what fear is then, why do we fear things that aren’t really impendingly dangerous?

For example, we might fear what people think of us, financial security and gossip.

Great athletes must understand and retreat from fear. I define healthy fear as, “The emotion we give to someone who’s qualified to master our thoughts, actions and destiny – God – which then turns into awe, the accurate fear of the Lord.” The only thing worth fearing is the One who holds all things in the palm of His hand! But with fear of the Lord comes comfort in knowing of His great love for us.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV) Unhealthy fear is an emotion we get from someone or something that’s unqualified to master our thoughts, actions and destiny, such as money, failure or a coach. A Christian athlete should walk into practice with a healthy fear and say, “I’m here to practice today, Coach. I’ll give it all I’ve got.”

Athletics truly teach us what healthy fear is (that which helps us play better) and what unhealthy fear is (that which paralyzes us).

WEEKEND ...continue reading about putting your faith in God first: Exodus 14 & 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Exodus 15 & Romans 15 Jack Easterby, New England Patriots chaplain TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 65

I used to have a lot of misconceptions about God’s Word. For instance, I assumed most of the Old Testament was boring, irrelevant and really hard to understand. And even though some parts are a little hard to grasp, there are so many cool stories and truths I didn’t even know were there, because I had always skimmed past them.

HOLLIDAY

7 Daily Devotional

W EEKSeven

MONDAY

Starting my day by reading Scripture has been the best way for me to study consistently. I try to make sure I open my Bible before my house gets crazy – and with four kids, it does – because I know that if I wait until everyone’s awake, I most likely will not get to it. And I don’t want to just squeeze it in and “get it done,” I want to really soak in whatever truth God has for me each day.

When I start my day this way, I tend to handle life’s circumstances with much more patience, a more sound mind, and in a more controlled manner. God’s Word always gives me something to chew on, giving me a better perspective on the events of my day, whatever they may be.

MATT

When I took on the challenge of reading my Bible daily, a mentor of mine taught me something that really empowered me. He released me from the temptation to focus on checking off a box each day or to beat myself up for missing a day or two. Instead, he encouraged me to simply pursue growing closer to God while diving into – and enjoying – His Word.

Being consistent in the time I’ve spent with God in the past year has given me a much more engaging relationship with Him. I’ve realized I haven’t had as many “highs and lows” – spiritual droughts, times when I snap at my kids, or days when I feel disconnected from my wife. Because I’ve spent time with Him in the Word each day, my spirit is much more centered and I now know my relationship with Jesus is just that: a relationship. It’s not just a to-do list item I check off; I’m building a close relationship that continues to grow and encourage me. And in turn, it encourages and strengthens all of my relationships.

Reading the whole Bible over the past year had such a positive impact on my spiritual growth that I couldn’t think of a good reason not to read God’s Word each day this year too. I’m sure I missed plenty of truths my first time through, and God promises that His Word never comes back void.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:10-11.

Matt Holliday, New York Yankees designated hitter

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Written by Brian Hommel

TUESDAY Who is the Word of God?

[OPEN WITH] Psalm 119:103

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him… So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:1-3,14, NLT).

The definition of a word could be described as, “An expressed thought or spoken revelation.” Jesus is the Word of God – His expressed thought and spoken revelation.

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He created the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NLT).

When Matt Holliday talked about reading the Word, he’s talking about spending time with Jesus. He’s getting to know the heart of the Author. Most people miss this crucial point. They approach the Bible like a textbook from which they can extract information to help further their lifestyle.

When I receive a letter or note from my wife or girls it means so much to me because I understand who is writing to me and their heart behind the message. The point of reading the Bible is to get to know the heart of God. How well do you know Him?

WEDNESDAY What is the Word of God? Hebrews 4:12

“The voice said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what I am giving You – eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. ’Fill your stomach with this,’ He said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” (Ezekiel 3:1-3, NLT).

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil. Even more so, God’s Word is the fuel that never runs dry 67

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and continually feeds and satisfies our hungry souls. Matt does his best to wake up each morning to taste the Word of God, allowing it to nourish his soul.

God’s Word is meant to be reflected upon, not just read through in order for your spiritual checklist to be accounted for. The danger of simply checking off boxes is that you will miss the opportunity to meet with Jesus. When we allow God’s truths to take root in our hearts, our lives will be forever changed. Transformation is more important than information. We must read God’s Word with the intention of conforming into the image of Christ. Nothing the world offers can satisfy the deeper longings of our souls.

Matt understands this. Even with all his worldly success, it’s only in Jesus where he can find lasting peace and hope. And he finds this daily as he opens God’s Word and gets to know the One who is passionately pursuing him back.

THURSDAY Where Will the Word of God Lead Me? James 1:22

“At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, ‘Are you also going to leave?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know You are the Holy One of God.’” (John 6:66-69, NLT).

There will be times in each of our lives when we’ll be confused and even directionless, but we must grasp this important truth Peter shares in John 6.

Peter came to the conclusion that Jesus holds the words of eternal life and there is nowhere else to go.

If you find yourself lost, it may be because you have stopped spending time in God’s Word. The Word of God won’t lead you down empty paths or into dead-end streets. It will help your soul understand who God is and just how much He loves you.

The Word of God will lead you to find great hope and lasting peace even in the darkest moments of your life. When we spend time in God’s Word, we get to spend time with God Himself! By spending time with God, we will begin to understand His ways.

and purpose to grow and lead his family.

He knows that if he stops reading and growing, he puts himself in jeopardy of getting stuck. Matt won’t stop. Will you?

FRIDAY Why Read the Word of God? Matthew 7:24

“How can a young person stay pure?

By obeying Your Word. I have tried hard to find You – don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You… Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:9-11, 105, NLT).

Matt spent last year reading through the entire Bible. The impact this discipline has had on his soul will echo into eternity.

I bet if you asked his wife and four kids, they would say they too have begun to experience the impact of Matt’s decision to know God’s Word more.

When you read God’s Word, not only will you connect deeper with God and grow as an individual, your commitment to let God’s Word transform your life will impact everyone around you too! Neglecting to read today may not create a mess for you, but if that becomes a pattern in your life, both you and those around you will be affected.

We need to hide God’s Word in our hearts because it will direct our paths and protect our minds, leading us to the everlasting way. As you read, make sure you reflect on and memorize what He has to say because these powerful truths will guide you to deeper intimacy with Jesus and those He’s placed around you.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about knowing God and His Word:

2 Timothy 2 & Psalm 119:1-32; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Psalm 119: 33-80

Brian Hommel, Arizona Diamondbacks chaplain

Matt finds great joy in the truth of God’s Word. There he’s found direction Al Bello

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8 Daily Devotional W EEKEight

MONDAY There’s honor in standing up for what you believe in.

The world may not want to hear the name of Jesus, it may be too focused on the individualistic, me-centered perspective of our culture, but I won’t be. Jesus is the whole reason I’m here and I want others to know it.

I think there are more people out there who believe this truth too, but they may be too afraid to say it. It only takes one leader to open the door for the Gospel, and then others will join in. I, for one, will never shy away from my faith – it’s the foundation of who I am.

BRANDON BOYKIN

The Christian life is an everyday thing. It’s about living life with others while setting yourself apart. I hang out with guys who lead different lifestyles – with different priorities and views – than I do, but we’re still friends. I let them know there are certain things I’m not going to let influence me. My willingness and ability to resist temptation speaks volumes. It shows them I love them and I still want to be there for them, but I also know my worth and I know Whom I represent.

Being a leader doesn’t mean you don’t hang out with those who need to see Jesus; it means you show them His contagious and consistent love no matter what.

While I was experiencing major setbacks in my NFL career, I felt like I was growing closer to Christ and able to hear His voice more than ever before.

For a while, I desperately wanted answers. I wanted to hear a direct voice from God, showing me what to do, where to go, and how to handle all that was happening. But I didn’t hear a voice. I felt like either He wasn’t talking to me or I was doing something to keep me from hearing His voice. Soon I realized God was teaching me to be patient. To be still.

One day I was listening to praise music as I was getting ready. Out of nowhere, I started crying and pouring my heart out to God. I asked God to let me hear His voice; I was submitting it all to Him. It was a breakthrough moment for me. A week later, I was signed by the Ravens. And as a result of my obedience and surrender to God, I feel like I’m closer to Him now more than I’ve ever been before.

People often act like being a Christian means you have to master perfection in life. But if Christians were perfect, we would have no need for Jesus. He is the only One who is perfect. It’s important for us to let others know we are broken. We’re broken, but dependent on the One who is perfect.

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21 Brandon Boykin, Baltimore Ravens cornerback

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TUESDAY Fearlessly Courageous

[OPEN WITH] Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV).

In this passage, Joshua is stepping out of the role of a helper and into the role of a leader. He’s going from backup to starting pitcher, and we can only imagine the fear, excitement and anticipation he’s experiencing. God takes this moment to instill confidence and strength in this rookie leader. In the first nine verses of Joshua, the Lord makes bold promises to him.

With these promises come a command from God: Obey Me. God wanted Joshua to successfully lead His people to the Promised Land, but in order for God to work through him, Joshua needed to faithfully listen and fearlessly obey God every step of the way.

When we encounter the unknown, we often respond in one of two ways: reaction or paralysis. With the first, we can be quick to act. Thinking we’ve earned our way into this position, we try to bypass the guidance of the One who brought us there.

The second response occurs when we are struck with immobilizing fear. Unwilling to move until we receive a crystal-clear answer from God, we become stationary.

But God calls us to do two things in this passage: Obey and be courageous. He calls us to go, promising His presence along the way as we trust in Him and follow His lead.

“Sovereign Lord, You are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and You have promised these good things to Your servant.” (2 Samuel 7:28, NIV)

WEDNESDAY Commit Your Plan Psalm 9:10

“Those who know Your name trust in you, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” – Psalm 9:10 (NIV).

The best way to have your plans disappointed is to plan your life without God. How can we say we put God first in our lives 69

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if we don’t take His wisdom and instruction into account in our everyday decisions?

Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” (ESV).

God used these men to spread the Gospel across nations and generations.

Imagine what would’ve happened if they had said no to God’s invitation!

Does that mean if we trust in God, He will become our genie in a bottle? Absolutely not! We cannot leave out the first part of that verse: “Commit your way to the Lord.”

If we fully commit our lives to the Lord and trust that He will provide, He will! Our Creator loves us – He calls us His sons and daughters. He wants the best for us and He knows what’s best for us even when we can’t see it. There may be times when we submit to the Lord’s plan and find ourselves in the last place on earth we would want to be, but that might be just where we need to be.

What is God inviting you to step out into today? How can you say no to worry and trust in the One whose way is higher?

We’re here for a greater purpose than our own comfort. We’re here to bring glory to our Heavenly Father who has given us the eternal inheritance of His Kingdom! Commit to putting God first in your life and planning with Him in mind. He will not disappoint.

“But I trust in You, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” (Psalm 31:14, NIV)

THURSDAY Trusting God in Transition Luke 12:25-26

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26, NIV).

Transition is inevitable and most of us don’t like it. We like comfort – we like to be in the know and to be known by others.

But without discomfort, how are we going to grow in our intimacy with God? It’s in the unknown moments that we are forced to trust in God and pursue Him more.

Times of transition are invitations for us to draw near to our Heavenly Father so He can WOW us with His power, presence and provision. But if we resist change, give way to worry, and resort to what is more comfortable, we will miss out on the blessings God has in store for us.

Think back to Christ’s transfiguration moment. After His resurrection, He warned the disciples that He was going away. They protested, they feared. They didn’t want Him to leave them again. It wasn’t easy for the disciples after Jesus left earth, but because they trusted His Word and followed His lead, they experienced miracles. Because they were willing to get uncomfortable,

FRIDAY Let God Lead Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

Oftentimes we get caught up in the daily demands of the Christian life: I have to keep God’s commands, resist temptation, be a good example, witness to others, love others. Before we know it, we’ve added an impossibly long and unachievable list of tasks to our view of Christianity.

The Bible does have a list of commandments, and yes, God does hold us to a high standard. He will hold us accountable at the final judgment, but He also assures us we are covered by His grace and free to live by the power of the Holy Spirit! This freedom doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider others or that we can simply do whatever we feel like doing; it simply means that by this freedom we can be filled with the fruits of the Spirit God has unleashed for us (Galatians 5:22-25). These fruits are the very reflections of Christ.

Instead of being filled with worry, which results in endless frustration at our unavoidable imperfection, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Think about how your day might be different if you began each morning with the prayer: Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and give me the strength today to trust in Your power instead of my own.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about the

power and freedom of trusting

God this weekend:

Isaiah 41 & Galatians 6:1-10; James 1-3 & John 3:30 The Increase TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 69

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9

W EEKNine Daily Devotional

MONDAY Ultimately, I want people to meet Christ.

I love talking to and working alongside non-believers. Most people, whether they know it or not, are searching; they want to place their hope in something. No one really wants to believe that when we all die, that’s it. This is an internal struggle a lot of people are facing because deep down, they know there has to be something more and they are afraid to think there’s not.

I really enjoy engaging with people who are struggling with these thoughts and working through hurdles with them. I want to give people a different view from what they perceive the Church to be: really spiritual people who think they have it all together. That’s not what we are.

ADAM LAROCHE

Some of the questions I often hear are: What is God asking us to do? What does it look like to be a follower of Christ? Does it mean we are only allowed to sin a certain number of times? Are we no longer allowed to cuss, drink or have any fun ever again?

I think the biggest fear people have about becoming a Christian is that they don’t want to stop doing all the things they are currently doing, but their view of God is totally off. Our God is not some “high being” ready to smack us on top of our heads when we do something wrong. Becoming a Christian isn’t about a list of “don’ts”; it’s about understanding that once we commit our lives to Christ, these changes will slowly happen. They won’t be as appealing anymore because our hearts will change to be like His. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2 God is our Father. Think about our children – we don’t want them to fall but we also won’t babysit them forever. So when they do fall, we will be right there to dust them off. In the same way, God is saying, “I’m here with you, no matter what.” It’s a good feeling to know I have Someone going through life with me.

In some ways, the longer you are a Christian, the more challenging it can be to engage with non-believers. We can easily get stuck in a mindset of what we think Christianity should look like depending on what we were taught or how we were raised. It’s hard for us to think that maybe our parents’ theology wasn’t perfect, so we tend to think that we have it all figured out – that our way is the only way.

I don’t want my kids to fall into that trap, thinking their first priorities consist of school, sports, career and comfort. I want them to know their faith, morals and values are much more important.

I see many times that kids are grounded for a week if they come home with an F on their test, but if they talk back to their mom or lie to their teacher, they simply have to go to their room. These standards scream that school is more important than character.

I want my kids to know that school and sports are great – they’re important – but we need to look for God’s plan in whatever we are doing and figure out ways to serve Him where we are.

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Adam LaRoche, former MLB first baseman S P OSSRPPTOOSRRSTTSPS ESSCPPTERECCUTTMRRUUMM

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Written by Jeff Totten

TUESDAY Engaging Non-Believers

[OPEN WITH] Acts 8:26-40

We have been wonderfully challenged to engage non-Christians in an ongoing, relational basis. In this passage, we observe Philip, a leader in the early church, encounter a governmental official. Watch how he connects with this stranger as their paths cross on a wilderness road.

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit (v. 26 & 29) - Don’t ignore the times God puts someone on your mind – someone you may share the love of Jesus with by your actions and words.

This person may be a longtime family member, friend or associate, but they may also be a new acquaintance or complete stranger.

Make an effort and be intentional (v.

30) - Philip RAN to the man’s chariot in order to connect with him. Look for opportunities.

Be willing to make some sacrifices.

Ask questions (v. 30) - Philip asked the man if he understood what he was reading.

Develop some questions that may lead to a spiritual conversation. Perhaps ask questions about someone’s religious upbringing, views of Heaven, current events, a recent movie, etc.

Use scripture & talk about Jesus (v. 35) Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (NIV) Experience joy (v. 39) - There is joy when people put their faith in Jesus, but there is also joy in the obedience of sharing our faith with others regardless of the outcome.

WEDNESDAY Sharing your Story Galatians 1:13-24

If you know Jesus as your Savior, you have a conversion story to tell. Often, we call it one’s “personal testimony.”

The events of Paul’s conversion to Christ are recorded in Acts 9:1-31. Later, Paul publicly shared his story on two different occasions (Acts 21:37-22:21 and Acts 25:2326:32). Finally, in his letter to the Galatian believers, Paul wrote out his personal testimony (Galatians 1:13-24). In this passage, Paul provides a simple pattern one can use to share his or her story of faith in Jesus.

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Paul breaks down his life story into three parts: Before he came to Christ, when he came to Christ, and since he came to Christ. Paul uses a key descriptive word to communicate each stage of his journey: Before coming to Christ (Galatians 1:13-24) - ADVANCING; Coming to Christ (Galatians 1:15-17) - CALLED; and Since coming to Christ (Galatians 1:18-24) - PREACHING. What is your story of knowing Jesus as your Savior? Can you describe it in three parts? Perhaps you can even include a key descriptive word to summarize each one.

Giving some time and preparation to how you share your story will enhance your ability to connect with non-Christians.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

THURSDAY A Setback Can Equal Advancement Acts 28:17-31

The book of Acts concludes with the apostle Paul under house arrest in Rome for two years. While many would categorize that as a setback, Paul – in writing his letter to the Philippians from his cell – viewed it as an opportunity to advance the Good News of Jesus.

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the Gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” – Philippians 1:12-13 (NIV) While under house arrest, Paul would have been under the authority of the Imperial Praetorian Guard, an elite unit of the Roman Army. For someone under house arrest, the standard practice was for the prisoner to be chained to a Praetorian Guard. Typically, the soldiers would rotate on six-hour shifts.

Imagine Paul’s joy, with four new soldiers every day to connect with (literally, in chains) for the cause of Christ. Do the math, the potential of four new soldiers every day for two years! Perhaps as many 2,920 of the Praetorian heard Paul share his testimony, explain the Gospel, pray and dictate some of the letters he wrote.

How do you view your setbacks? A hospital stay, being sent down to the minor leagues, a delay at the airport, having to

relocate for a job, etc. These “hardships” may be opportunities to connect with non-believers to advance the Gospel.

FRIDAY Introducing Others to Jesus John 1

Jesus assembled a team of 12 men to follow Him – 12 men who, after His ascension to Heaven, would carry the Gospel message around the world. In John 1:35-40, we witness the calling of Andrew, whose name is always included in the lead grouping of any listing of the apostles. Yet, for one in such a prominent position, Andrew is only mentioned three times in the Gospel narratives.

However, on all three of these occasions, he is introducing someone to Jesus.

In John 1:41-42, the “first thing” that Andrew did after becoming a follower of Jesus was to introduce his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. His priority was to share Jesus with a family member. We have built-in connections to our immediate and extended family members. Let’s make sure we don’t miss opportunities to introduce them to Jesus!

In John 6:5-14, we find Jesus feeding the multitudes with five small barley loaves and two small fishes. These provisions belonged to a young, unnamed boy that Andrew knew.

One wonders what prompted Andrew to be drawn to this seemingly insignificant child and bring him to Jesus. Who can you introduce to Jesus whom others may overlook?

Finally, in John 12:20-26, Andrew alerts Jesus of a group of Greeks who desired to meet Jesus. These non-Jewish people were different from Andrew and the people with whom he associated. Yet, he was willing to make a connection with them. Let’s also be bold in connecting with people who are unlike us!

WEEKEND ...continue reading about how to engage with non-believers:

Psalm 126 & Matthew 24:36-51; Romans 10 & Matthew 9: 35-38

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10 Daily Devotional W EEKTen

MONDAY Jesus is everything to me. Everything starts, ends and revolves around who He is, what He’s done and what He’s still doing. My worth, satisfaction, joy, peace, comfort and ultimately my salvation are direct results of His work in my life. To exclude Him from my sport – the area in which He’s most gifted me – would be extremely careless.

My career in the NFL gives me the opportunity to let people see Jesus. Through the avenue of football, I can show others what my life and aim is all about, what being a champion is all about. If somebody else believes in something so strongly, whether it’s right or wrong, I would hope they would love me enough to tell me about it! In the same way, if I’ve really seen the Lord work in my life and seen His power to be true, I would be doing everyone a disadvantage if I didn’t talk about it. Why would I want to keep this a secret?

CHRIS MARAGOS

The way I play football – the intensity and passion I pour into my practices, training and games – is extremely important to me. If God has truly gifted me with a talent, I want to maximize it to the best of my ability.

Otherwise, I would be wasting His gift. My athletic career is just one avenue with which I can share Jesus.

So many people are gifted musically, intellectually or otherwise, where they can bring glory to God. We are all called to work diligently and faithfully at our craft so that people will look at us and ask, “What motivates you to work so hard and not cut corners?” This gives us the opportunity to talk to them about Jesus.

True change happens when something outside of your person is motivating you. You can work really hard to get a win, but if a win doesn’t come, will you still work hard?

If you are only motivated by results, your determination won’t last. But if there are external things driving you, your purpose and passion won’t fluctuate based on the scoreboard. Having this mindset is a game changer.

“I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” – Exodus 9:16 I want people to know why I do what I do. I’m not just another player working hard to find success.

Jesus is the One who makes a greater, longerlasting change in me. He’s the One who gives me peace, joy and satisfaction in all circumstances.

There are so many things to worry about and so many people suffering in different ways. If we let the stress, anxiety, depression, love of money, affection of fans, or desire for attention drain us of our energy, we will continue to struggle to find our identity. But when our identity is placed in Christ, we know our worth is unshakable.

He is the one worth playing for.

Chris Maragos, Philadelphia Eagles safety and special teamer

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Written by Ted Winsley

TUESDAY

and unshackled from the personality of sin – set free from who we once were.

Identify Your Source

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)

[OPEN WITH] Exodus 3:9-11

You can’t be the answer when you’re still part of the problem. How do you expect to influence someone out of something that still has influence over you?

We know that Moses was adopted.

Actually, as a baby, he was put in a basket to float down the river and then picked up by Pharaoh’s daughter, who decided to keep him. He always knew he was different from the people who raised him.

The Bible talks about how confused and frustrated he was about his identity, which eventually led him to kill someone.

But the cool thing about Moses is when he realized he was lost, he asked for help.

At first, when God told Moses what he was sending him to do, Moses protested.

He said no because he was unsure about who he was and what he was capable of.

So he asked the question, “Who am I?” There is a part in every one of us that is lost. We need to continually surrender our lives to Christ and ask Him this same question. When we find the truth about God and who He says He is, we begin to identify with who He made us to be.

When you’re able to identify your Source, you’re able to find your identity. Instead of paying attention to the loud voices of doubt, criticism, fear, defeat, shame or past circumstances, draw strength and wisdom from the Source of truth.

WEDNESDAY He’s Your Daddy Jeremiah 1:5

There’s a difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation requires an outside force that compels you to act. Inspiration is empowerment from the inside out. When we are inspired by the Spirit of God instead of motivated, nothing can stop us.

Through Jesus’ death on the cross we are free from penalty, no longer condemned for what we have done. By Christ’s saving grace we are released from the power of sin, no longer under its dominion, 73

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God the Father sent His Son down to earth to save us. Christ was in the world but not of it, and He never once forgot where He came from. In the same way, when we remember where we’ve come from and to Whom we belong, we can fight the tendency to associate our identity with what might have happened to us in the past, what others say, or what circumstances we find ourselves in.

In the Garden, Adam and Eve lost their connection to their home, culture and Father. Only by Christ’s salvation are we able to regain that connection.

That’s why we need to remember we’ve come from the King of Kings. He’s our Daddy. We represent the King.

THURSDAY Who Are You?

1 John 4:4

Are you able to answer the question, “Who Am I?” Without the answer to this question, you will find yourself searching, insecure and lost. If you know the answer, you will be living with a secure foundation. In order to have an accurate view of yourself, you first have to gain the right spiritual perspective.

If you truly know who you are, you will find yourself secure. You won’t feel like your destiny is contingent on your surroundings. When you know who you are, you can actually understand that no matter where you are or what’s coming at you, your identity stands firm because you know Whose you are. Your identity will then become a sense of security, something you know will never change.

Knowing who you are doesn’t mean you are perfect; it simply means you understand where you came from and who you are as a result. Those who have forgotten who they are will find themselves confused.

“Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:23-24, NIV) Al Bello

Being confused or frustrated is dangerous because you’re choosing stubborn or ignorant independence.

Identify your Source so you can identify who you are. Know who you are in Christ and you will experience endless security and unchanging Kingdom purpose.

FRIDAY Able to Endure

Luke 23:34

God exercises our faith to change our hearts, and He gives us the grace to endure the process. Your faith isn’t going to change someone else; your cry to God won’t change them either. People are not the enemy, but they may be a messenger sent from the enemy. The enemy will try to use people to attack you – to stop you from doing what God is calling you to do. We see this very reality in the life and ministry of Christ! He endured severe persecution. Right before He was nailed to the cross He was stabbed in the back, to which He replied, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

God’s grace gives us the strength to endure and hearts to see the people who hurt us no longer as the enemy. Then when people touch us, they won’t hurt us. And when they are within that type of proximity, we can reach out and touch them with the love of God. What are you able to do without God’s divine help, intervention and grace? What are you able to do with it?

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)

WEEKEND ...continue reading about living a life motivated by Christ: Romans 8 & John 6:57; Romans 9-10 & Romans 5:17

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W EEKEleven Daily Devotional

MONDAY When I see my grandkids going through a hard time, the first thing I do is sit them down and remind them how special they are. “Do you know in God’s eyes you are so precious? He loves you so much,” I tell them. “This thing that you are wrestling with now is just part of the process of growing up.”

Why should that message be different for any one of us?

We all need to grow more loving, more peaceful, more patient, more kind, more good, more faithful, more gentle and more self-controlled. I know the hard times my wife and I have experienced have been so important to us as we dive deeper in our understanding of who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25 As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within each one of us. I know I can trust Him to live in me and work through me. Because of His presence in me I have these characteristics and can trust the Holy Spirit will express them through me.

DAVE DRAVECKY

In my humble opinion, Christianity – the Jesus way – is not that complicated. It’s pretty simple and yet incredibly profound. If we are new creatures in Christ, with His Holy Spirit living within us, we are in a state of constant maturation, becoming the people God created us to be. This is a lifelong journey, and our flesh often tries to get in the way.

“Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” – Romans 7:21-23 Paul speaks about the influences of the world that distract us from who we really are. I find that the more I delight in God’s way, the more I can recognize the reality of my sin. As I acknowledge my many moments of brokenness, God reminds me that He is walking with me and working in me through it all.

Our lives are not perfect, they’re not always packaged beautifully, but sometimes the greatest gifts come in ugly packages. It’s amazing to see what happens when we surrender our lives to Him, to be used for His glory and not our own. Our lives then become a continual reflection of His faithfulness and provision.

When people ask me what has made my life so different – why I am the way I am after all I’ve been through – I put it simply: “It’s Jesus.”

Dave Dravecky, Former MLB pitcher

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Written by The Increase

TUESDAY A New Way Toward Holiness

[OPEN WITH] 1 Peter 1:13-16

Something unique takes place when we enter into the new life Christ offers us.

Suddenly we are made aware that we have no control of our lives. We aren’t in charge of our destiny; we don’t determine our own paths. Direction, purpose, destination – it all lies in the hands of Our Creator. The act of surrendering our lives to Christ involves putting to death our former ways of life.

Part of this process includes giving up all control. But releasing the tight grip with which we hold our lives is hard to do.

This shift in mindset doesn’t usually happen overnight. But even if it does, the habitual adjustments that need to be made won’t be immediate. Sanctification – the process of being set apart for the purpose of holiness – is a slow, continuous and sometimes painful journey. Why does this have to be the case? As the Lord said to Moses in Exodus 32:9, “They are a stiff-necked people.” (NIV) However stubborn we may be, we have hope! With new life in Christ comes the power of the Holy Spirit, who transforms our hearts and leads us in the way of sanctification. As Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (NIV) Our Father has sent His Holy Spirit to give us the strength and power we need to change our stubborn ways. May we let Him sanctify us through His truth and lead us toward holiness in the new life He’s given us.

WEDNESDAY According To God’s Great Mercy

1 Peter 1:3

According to God’s great mercy, we’ve been given new life through Christ.

According to God’s great mercy, we are set free from the bondage of sin and death. According to God’s great mercy, we have an identity unparalleled to anything found on earth. According to God’s great mercy, we’ve gained a living hope, which revolutionizes our entire existence.

The hope we have in Christ Jesus is not 75

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the same kind of “hope” we refer to when we say, “I hope our team wins the World Series,” or “I hope it doesn’t rain on game day.” Our hope in Christ is not an unsure expectation, but a guaranteed inheritance.

We’re not left in question, we’re waiting in anticipation. We’re not hoping with our fingers crossed, we’re trusting in what’s fully assured. With our new birth in Christ comes a promised destiny, which fills us with purpose, passion and peace as we seek to bring God’s fullness to light on earth.

the same way, we must saturate our souls with the richness of God’s Word – our true source of life. Cling to it, learn from it and continue to draw from what gives life!

If you suddenly found out you had a long-lost family connection to royalty who recently died and left you a fortune fit for a king, you’d be pretty ecstatic, wouldn’t you? We’d be thrilled at the chance to live life to the fullest. How much more should we live confidently knowing we’ve been promised eternal fullness with our Savior?

Have you ever been around someone who just discovered their newfound favorite restaurant or television series? Have you had a friend recently become a crossfit fanatic?

All they do is talk about it! They become so enthralled with their new fascination they want everyone else to experience it too.

Praise God that according to His great mercy we’ve been given new life – new freedom to live out the purposes He has for us. Let us live accordingly.

THURSDAY Abide in What Endures 1 Peter 1:23

Transformation isn’t optional, it’s necessary.

When you give your life to Christ, you are choosing a new identity and a new way of life. You’ll still have your quirks, your personality, your preferences and your tastes.

God made you different from everyone else for a reason. He does not desire for us to become clones once we follow Him. One of the most wonderful things about the new life we’re given through Christ Jesus is that we’re still fully us while becoming completely new. God created us individually to represent unique aspects of His character in ways no one else quite can. By surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can more fully become the unique creations God made us to be. The more we allow Him to transform our hearts to conform to His truths, the more we will be able to reflect His glory.

But without the Gospel, there would be nothing for us to place our hope in.

Without the saving work of Jesus Christ, there’d be no new life to be born into.

If you were to uproot and replant a flower for the purpose of giving it a new home, you’d have to surround it with fertile soil from which it can draw nutrients. In

FRIDAY Born into a Contagious Hope 1 Peter 1:22

Discovering everlasting, purpose-driven, new life in Christ will empower and embolden us to proclaim the Good News to the world around us. True conversion will have no other result. If you fully believe that what you’ve been given leads to eternal life, why wouldn’t you do everything in your power to make sure everyone has the opportunity to embrace it?

We’ve been entrusted with the most valuable and powerful truth. Anytime we are facing feelings of doubt, lack of motivation, or fear in regard to evangelizing to unbelievers, we need to ask ourselves if we’re truly believing the power of the Gospel for ourselves. When we are in complete alignment with the truth of God’s salvation message, nothing could deter us from our greatest charge: to go and preach the Gospel to all people.

If you are struggling to find motivation to share your faith, if you are paralyzed by feelings of doubt, unworthiness or fear, ask the Lord to change your thoughts.

Go back to the basics of the salvation message and fill your mind with the transformational truths of the Gospel.

Do not let your feelings determine your steps. Rather, let God’s truth define your life.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about what it means to have new life in Christ: 1 Peter 1 & John 5:16-47; Galatians 3:15-29 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Written by The Increase TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM 75

12 Daily Devotional

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MONDAY “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” – Philippians 2:12 While Paul was with the church, things went really well. But when Paul left the church to continue his ministry elsewhere, things got even better! This is when the church members kicked it into high gear. My hope for us today is that we live as Christ followers on our teams, in our homes, in our schools and in our churches.

TREY BURTON

I myself didn’t begin a relationship with Christ until my junior year in college. My message to these kids is what I needed to hear when I was in their shoes: You are not saved just because your grandmother, your mom or your brother is a Christian. You have to make a choice to follow God for yourself.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Only then does our relationship with Christ begin!

There’s so much to learn and explore in God’s Word about His character and ministry. Lately I’ve been studying the book of Jonah, which is quickly turning into my favorite book of the Bible, because Jonah is just like you and me. It’s easy to read his story and think, “Why would he not do what God is calling him to do?”

But I can count numerous times when I walked away from what God called me to do in a given situation.

Then, when Jonah went to Nineveh to call a terrible people to repentance, he got ticked off when they did repent and God blessed them! I myself have watched people whose lives were filled with sin surrender their lives to Jesus, find new life in Him, and then be blessed by God. To which I couldn’t help but wonder, “But why are the faithful still suffering?”

This book is a great reminder that I have no control over situations. Jonah’s is an extreme story – so full of real life struggle, failure, triumph and hope. It confirms for me that God is willing to give us second, third and fourth chances to repent and come back to Him. Who am I to ever think I’ve sinned too much to be worthy of salvation by God? Like there’s an end to God’s grace? I’ll never be worthy, but Christ became righteousness for me! Jonah’s story, my story, and all of our stories give us the opportunity to share the truth that it doesn’t matter what a person has done or hasn’t done, we can never sin so much that God stops forgiving us.

This truth doesn’t give us permission to continue sinning, but rather calls us to do everything we can to be like Christ. He is our boast and our confidence. We will not be perfect, but He is.

Trey Burton, Philadelphia Eagles tight end

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Written by Don Davis

TUESDAY Are You Listening?

[OPEN WITH] Jonah 1:1-2

“Boy, are you listening to me?” As a child, I often heard these words from my mother’s lips. I can vividly remember her calling me while I was deeply engrossed in whatever activity had my attention at the time. Most of the time, I heard what she said, but my attention was focused elsewhere. Other times, I was simply being disobedient.

The book of Jonah opens with the Lord giving clear instructions to Jonah.

I want to give Jonah the benefit of the doubt and assume he heard what the Lord said, but his attention was simply focused elsewhere. Jonah says, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord the God of Heaven, who made the sea and the dry land” (verse 9). If that is the case, then why did he neglect to do what the Lord asked?

There have been times in my life I have heard a clear word from the Lord and chosen to do something different. The Apostle Paul encourages us to be more like Christ, particularly when it comes to being obedient. Paul describes Jesus as being, “Obedient to death, even death on the cross.” (Philippians 2:8, NIV) Is the Lord telling you something, but your attention is somewhere else? Has the Lord told you to do something, but you refused to obey? My prayer today is that we will not only hear His voice, but follow His example and learn to become obedient.

WEDNESDAY What Are You Running From?

Jonah 1:3

Jonah heard a word from the Lord and immediately took off running. I can identify with this feeling. Church wasn’t an option in my parent’s house. My mother used to say, “Whenever the doors of the church are open, we will be there.” She did not disappoint.

I remember trying to find any excuse to not attend service. Even though I grew up in the church and was baptized at the age of 11, I basically ran from the Lord for 20 years.

All I wanted was hell insurance; I was not at all interested in being a good Christian.

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All of that changed shortly after meeting Coach Tony Dungy. He was a man of integrity. I could tell there was something different about him.

His life shined so bright that it caused me to recommit mine to the Lord.

The Apostle Paul said, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” (Philippians 1:27; 3:17, NIV) Those are intimidating words, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be examples for those who are running from the Lord’s calling just as I once was. My prayer is that we will live in such a way that others will take notice. I pray that our integrity will cause others to stop running from God and begin to run toward Him.

THURSDAY What’s Your Motive?

Jonah 4:3 & Philippians 1:21, 24 Jonah and Paul are saying the same thing in these two passages of Scripture. Both men ask the Lord to die, but each has a different reason for making such a request. Jonah is selfish. He is having a pity party because God offers mercy to people whom he doesn’t feel are worthy. Paul, on the other hand, is having a praise party, because even though he’s in jail, he’s confident his suffering is for the advancement of the Gospel.

As I contrast the prayers of these two men, I am convicted by the number of times I too have prayed selfishly. “God, bless me.

God, help me. God provide an answer for me. God help them, because their life is affecting me.” Sometimes we get so focused on ourselves that we neglect to rejoice over what God is doing in the life of someone else. There have even been times the spirit of jealousy has attempted to enter into my heart because God hasn’t answered a prayer of mine, and yet I see breakthroughs happening in the lives of those around me.

My prayer today is that we would learn to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).

This is the attitude Paul had as he prayed for himself in the midst of his difficulty. He chose not to make it about him so that he could focus on those around him.

FRIDAY Learn the Secret Jonah 4

The book of Jonah closes with the ultimate cliffhanger. We leave Jonah sitting under a tree, mad that God has given grace to a people whom he didn’t feel were deserving. God then uses a plant as a visual example to teach Jonah a lesson about compassion. But when the book comes to an end, there is no mention as to whether Jonah learns anything from the Lord.

The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, ends the book of Philippians by telling us what he’s learned.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13, NIV) During my NFL career, I was able to experience the joy of winning the Super Bowl twice, but I experienced the agony of defeat that comes with losing the Super Bowl as well. I’ve also experienced many highs and lows outside the game of football. We all go through pain and pleasure, heartbreak and happiness. But Paul gives us the secret for every situation: Trust in the Lord.

My prayer is that no matter what you are going through, you will praise Him for the little things, which are easy to take for granted. I pray you will enjoy the view from the mountaintop, and press on while in the valley. Both can be a gift from God.

WEEKEND ...continue reading about how to keep your eyes on Christ:

Romans 1-3 & Philippians 1:29; Romans 4-5 & Hebrews 12:2

Don Davis, Director of football ministry at Pro Athletes Outreach TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678 SPORTS SPECTRUM

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13 Daily Devotional

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MONDAY If I’m honest with you, I’d tell you that on any given day I experience too much anxiety, and too little gratitude. No doubt about it – there’s so much to worry about and fret over. It seems like I unknowingly crack open a door through which anxiety regularly strolls into my normal, everyday life.

But there’s also the beauty of gratitude. When I intentionally get my heart and mind into a posture that’s thankful, there’s no better way to live, this side of heaven.

I think it’s all a matter of focus. Jesus talks about it in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:2534, He speaks about all the things we can worry about. He also gives a remedy to worry.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

KYLE GIBSON

...But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” –Matthew 6:25-27,33-34 I learned about this kind of focus in the middle of a baseball game. Not just any baseball game, but an almost-sold-out, crowd-screaming, playoffatmosphere MLB game! God picks the craziest moments to teach us the deepest truths.

We were playing the Detroit Tigers in a huge game with playoff consequences for the Tigers. I was the starting pitcher, and in the middle of the game I remembered something a mentor of mine told me years prior: The part of the human brain that experiences anxiety is the same part of the brain that experiences gratitude. Therefore, the two cannot be experienced at the same time.

Yes, I honestly remembered that during an important MLB game. In other words, if you’re worried about something, find something to intentionally be thankful for. So in the middle of a game, I put that theory to the test. I tell the story of what happened next in a video that appears on TheIncrease.com.

I don’t want to be the guy who had some issues with worry, then figured it all out, and is preaching to you now.

I’m not that guy. Worry and anxiety are always something most of us will struggle with until the day we die. That’s certainly true for me. But Jesus gives us a practical way out of worry. We can become grateful instead.

It’s all a matter of focus.

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Written by Eddie Taubensee

TUESDAY Doing the Little Things = Big Results

[OPEN WITH] Matthew 17:20

As coaches, we always tell our players to keep doing the “little things.” In games, they will help the team win. Athletes become excited about getting that big hit, making an amazing play, or throwing a gem on the mound. Those things do happen, but most of the time it’s the little things in a game that add up to the win. For a pitcher, it could be working at a better pace to keep his defense ready, or an outfielder hitting the cutoff man to get an out at another base. When these types of plays are executed on a regular basis, they put the team in the best position to win.

In the same way, doing the little things in our everyday lives can have big results for the Kingdom of God. It may be as simple as speaking a word to a friend who is going through a hard time, taking the time to help someone move, or offering a listening ear. These little things, along with other actions you take as you show and share Christ with them, will add up over time and have amazing eternal results.

If we seek the Lord’s direction for the little things in our lives, then doing the little things can equal big results for the Kingdom of God. Go to God in prayer and ask Him to give you the faith and strength you need to do the little things for Him.

WEDNESDAY Take What He Gives You Romans 6:23

Sometimes life can feel like we’re a hitter trying to make everything happen from our own strength, when really there is the free gift of a hit open on the other side of the field. No matter who you are or where you come from, we all struggle with the difficulties of life. Sometimes our circumstances seem hopeless, but God has left a huge opening for you.

Just like the opening there is when a team puts a shift on a hitter – it’s there and waiting for anyone to take.

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(Romans 6:23b, NLT). The best part is that it’s free and you don’t have to do anything to obtain it, because it’s “By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8, NIV) Take what God gives you, it doesn’t cost you anything. It cost Him everything to send His Son Jesus to live, die and rise again on our behalf. And now if you “Declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NIV). That side of the field is wide open and it’s free for all who want it.

Take advantage of what God has given.

When you do, He can direct you into a life of purpose and peace through Him.

THURSDAY Setting the Tone 1 Peter 2:4-12

Each game, our coaching staff reminds our young players to “set the tone” for the game. Whether on offense or defense, everyone’s play needs to reflect the way we’ve practiced each day. It’s each player’s job to give everything they have on the field to set the tone for the game. This will not only give us the best chance at winning, but will also represent the organization in the best way possible.

Of course, the other team is trying to do the same. But when one team is good at this, it sends a message to other teams.

As believers, we also need to be setting the tone as representatives of Christ to the watching world. Just like in baseball, there needs to be a lot of practice off the field, before the game, in order for us to do this.

Our walk with God needs to be a daily, intimate one. He’s working in our lives so that together, as the body of Christ, we can “set the tone” for what true life is all about.

1 Peter 2:4-12 reminds us that we are precious in the sight of God, being built through the Holy Spirit to offer our lives as living sacrifices to Him. Since we are a people of God’s own possession, we are to live in such a way to proclaim the awesome things of God which allow us to live in this way.

FRIDAY Learning from the Best Philippians 1:6

During my fourth year with the Cincinnati Reds, I found myself losing confidence in my throwing ability. I needed help. So my manager brought in the greatest catcher in all of baseball history: Johnny Bench.

Johnny had played the game for so long, he understood my situation. I hung on every word he said that day, excited to put everything I was learning into practice.

When Johnny Bench helped me with my throwing, I saw great improvement. It was good to know I could go to him for instruction, but in the end, I was still no Johnny Bench.

No one confused the two of us.

As followers of Christ, we need to hang on every word that comes from the lips of Jesus and the totality of God’s Word. When we listen to God’s Word, learn from God’s Word, and live out God’s Word, our lives will be transformed.

We are to live out what we say we believe through the help of the Holy Spirit, letting God’s Word impact us. And when we do, something incredible will happen: People will see a change in us that will certainly have an effect on them as well. They will start to see Jesus in us. Though no one will ever confuse us with Him, they can say we look like Him in the way we live our lives.

Will you commit to do these three things with God’s Word so God can do a good work in you?

WEEKEND ...continue reading about how to let go of anxiety and fully trust in God:

Acts 27 & Isaiah 41:10; Joshua 1 & Philippians 4:19

Eddie Taubensee, Director of Baseball Ministries for The Increase and hitting coach in the San Francisco Giants organization

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CHAPLAIN'SCORNER WHAT IS YOUR WHY? “A VOICE OF ONE CALLING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR HIM. EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE FILLED IN, EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL MADE LOW. THE CROOKED ROADS SHALL BECOME STRAIGHT, THE ROUGH WAYS SMOOTH. AND ALL PEOPLE WILL SEE GOD’S SALVATION.’” – LUKE 3:4-6 We hear about John the Baptist in the beginning of the Gospels, and in Luke 3 he comes on the scene. Six months apart from Jesus, John wastes no time starting his ministry.

The first time we hear of John, he’s already on a mission. He knew exactly what it was. Not even Jesus’ disciples began their mission as quickly! They each needed to ease into their roles, but not John – he was ready from the get-go.

God has given every person on earth a “why.” You’re not here to simply exist or waste time and space. God’s given you a purpose and a mission. What’s your why?

of our lives, God has placed us to influence people for Him because wherever we are, there the Kingdom of God is. You are the Kingdom of God and His power and influence are within you!

John did not perform baptisms to point others to himself.

When people began to question if he was the One they had been waiting for, he quickly shot that idea down.

“John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” – Luke 3:16.

God’s mission is always people. If you were to do open-heart surgery on God, that’s all you’d see – people!

In verse 3, we see exactly what John’s mission – his entire mission – is.

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” – Luke 3:3.

Every word and every verse in the Bible was placed there intentionally by the work of the Holy Spirit. This message is no different. The baptism of repentance is vital for every Christian to hear about and respond to. John’s mission was to make this message clear.

In verse 7 we see that the multitudes came out to be baptized by him – in verse 12 it was the tax collectors, and in verse 14 it was the soldiers. After being baptized, each group of people asked John, “What should we do?” And John responded to each that they were to live their life on mission for Christ, loving the people around them.

John was called to a specific region, for a specific mission, in such a time as this, to minister to everyone around him. As leaders, our No. 1 mission should be the same as that of God: people. God’s mission is always people. If you were to do open-heart surgery on God, that’s all you’d see – people!

Look at the people John ministered to – everyone! We’re not boxed in to give God’s message only to a certain type or demographic of people. It’s for everybody. Our “why” should be people; not ourselves, but other people. We’re not called to serve our family or church or teams or staff. In every area 80

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John knew his mission, and furthermore, he knew the mission of Jesus Christ. The first thing John said when he saw Jesus for the first time was, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). John’s leadership was pivotal to Jesus’ ministry. Why? Jesus could not start until John the Baptist paved the way for Jesus’ mission. John’s “why” had nothing to do with him; he was paving the way for something and Someone much greater than himself.

Know your “why.” We are paving the way for the next generation. We’re called to lay down our lives, serve the Kingdom of God, discover our “why” and passionately live it out. This is what John did – because he fulfilled his “why,” Jesus was able to begin His. In the words of John: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

Even Jesus Himself surrendered His life to fulfill God’s mission, to the point of death! Nothing could stop Him from paving the way for us, nullifying our sins and giving us access to His Spirit so we can have eternal life with Him. In the same way, it’s extremely important that we know our “why” and fulfill the destiny God has for us.

WHAT IS YOUR “WHY?” LaMorris Crawford Cincinnati Bengals chaplain TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPORTS SPECTRUM: CALL 844-807-7678

CHAPLAIN'SCORNER A HEART SUBMITTED WE ALL DESIRE A KING – SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO, TO HONOR, TO FOLLOW. IN ATHLETICS, WE LOOK UP TO THE BEST OF THE BEST. WE WANT A LEADER WHO CAN SHOW US HOW TO DO THINGS RIGHT. THIS IS A GOD-GIVEN DESIRE; IT’S A GOOD THING! In 1 Samuel, we watch the Israelites being led by the rule of King Saul. He was a once good farmer turned into a corrupt king by having power thrust at him. At first he was the nation’s hero, but then Saul committed many acts of disobedience against God. So God, in His providence, soon provided a different king – a better king – for His people.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7 God sees people differently than we do. We have to remember that nothing in our outward appearance is going to lead people. That may attract people, but it won’t lead them. You can have great hair or a certain color of skin, but that won’t lead. Only someone with a heart and mind fully submitted to a mission can lead their people successfully.

We see this picture not only in the life of David, but also with Moses and Abraham. These men were shepherds, not kings, so why did God choose them to lead in mighty ways? Look at the life of a king, president, ambassador or chief and you’ll see

God’s showing us the prerequisite for leadership is a heart submitted to the needs of others. them being served by others. Look at the life of a shepherd and you’ll see he’s always preoccupied, not with his own needs, but with the needs of animals that cannot help themselves. In the same way, leaders must be familiar with the needs and interests of their flock. They need to have a heart on mission.

“Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth… this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.” – 1 Samuel 17:34-37.

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As a leader, you have to understand you have many limitations. You are not perfect and you don’t know everything there is to know. If you see yourself as a king of sorts, the first thing to come to grips with is that your “reign” – your sport, career, community – has deficiencies. Furthermore, you have limitations. A kingdom is always going to take on attributes of its king but when the king is a fallen being, his followers will take on that fallenness for themselves. That’s one of the reasons man-worship is so dangerous. We don’t want to duplicate our own sin patterns! Also, when we imitate another human and they fall or die or sin in some way, their followers will scatter.

The only King worth serving is Jesus. He is the only King with a perfect résumé. And not only that, He is the only King who has literally died to save His people and then risen from the dead to give us new life!

If you’re in a position of influencing and leading others, you’re going to have to consider the King’s agenda before you think about any other agenda. If you are leading others in football, you will need to consider the King’s agenda in football: to raise up people the public looks up to, who can then point to Christ. If you are leading others in marriage, you need to consider the King’s agenda for marriage: to make us holy, not just happy. If you are leading others in the community, you need to consider the King’s agenda for community: to love your neighbor as yourself.

Other agendas around us will often scream louder than the King’s. But when we fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word and believe He is the King that He says He is, then we can truly seek to establish His Kingdom here on earth.

You are an ambassador of the King.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Jack Easterby New England Patriots chaplain

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FAITH

RYAN TANNEHILL ON PRAYER

I think prayer plays a crucial role in any relationship with God. It’s your communication; it’s your lifeline. You have the Bible, the living Word, to give you the game plan of how to live, and prayer is your interaction with God. In my life, the times when I’ve been really consistent and spent daily time with God in prayer, those are the times where I flourish the most, and the times when I’m feeling the tightest with God. And that’s what you want to have.

Once you have that tight feeling with God, you don’t want to feel anything else. He’s such a fulfilling God and such a giving, loving Father that we don’t deserve. You get a taste of it, and you just want more.

I pray before every game. I spend time with God in the morning before I get to the stadium, and when I lace up my cleats, I thank God for the opportunity to suit up and go out there and attempt to glorify Him. In pre-game, during the national anthem, I thank Him for this country, and that I get to play a game I love. I pray for safety on both teams, since we play such a dangerous game. Injury is a part of the game, and it’s just kind of the way it goes, but I do pray that everyone can go home to their families at the end of the game.

BENJAMIN WATSON ON SALVATION

I was injured and rehabbing during the Super Bowl (XXXIX), and didn’t get to play for the New England Patriots. Though we won, I didn’t feel like I earned it, and I wanted to earn it. When you’re a Super Bowl champion, people want to hear from you. And when people wanted to talk to me after that Super Bowl, I didn’t want to talk about it or put on my ring. I felt like I had no right to wear it or be called a champion because I wasn’t physically on that field. How could I enjoy those privileges when I didn’t help earn it?

Looking back, I had the realization that through grace, that’s what Christ did for us.

He won the ring for us.

We didn’t earn our salvation, just as I didn’t earn my Super Bowl ring. But when I put it on, I have all of the rights and privileges of a Super Bowl champion, and I will always be one. We didn’t earn the right to be called God’s children, to be redeemed, to be forgiven, or to be called new creations. Christ earned it for us. When we put our faith in Him, and repent of our sins, we are saved. That’s something we can’t do for ourselves.

DREW BREES ON GOD’S PURPOSE

God gives the ultimate meaning to life. Regardless of whether I have football — which I’ve had since I was born, practically — I feel like I know my purpose, because it’s well beyond football.

It’s well beyond anything that could be given to me or provided to me on this earth. God has given me a great purpose. Therefore, I can wake up every morning with great intent as to what God has called me to do, and have a great peace as well.

I think as people we want to see and touch and feel things in order for them to be real for us. But 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we live by faith, not by sight. It’s one of my favorite verses, and something I live and breathe by, just because so much of life is that: It’s faith in God, knowing He’s got a plan, and at times you don’t understand it. You’re not going to see it, and yet you have to trust Him and have faith that this is all coming together for good, for those who love Christ are called according to His will and purpose (Romans 8:28).

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DEMARIODAVIS ON CHURCH

OUR NEED FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

I

n getting to know Jesus Christ, the first thing you come to know is not just His radical and passionate love for you, but His incessant and unbelievable love for his bride, the Church. You can’t come into a relationship with Jesus Christ and ignore the Church. When people say, “I’m a Christian, but I don’t go to church,” or “I don’t do corporate worship,” that’s like having a deep friendship with someone, but completely ignoring his wife. It’s not an “either, or.” It’s a “both, and.”

The Church is the community and unity of the entire body of believers.

If you’re going to love Jesus, you’ve got to love the Church. What does that look like? For one, understanding our own need for Church.

We’re not designed to operate alone. There’s a need for my Christian brothers and sisters, because there’s something they can do that I cannot do alone. When we’re all joined together, then we’re able to operate properly.

The devil wants to get us isolated. The first place the devil tries to insert himself is into relationships. He wants to destroy your marriage, he wants to get between parents and their children, and he wants to break up friendships. In broken relationships, you don’t have the people you need to count on, you feel isolated, and you start going to dark places. And that’s where depression, suicide and all these dark things can start. Where was the close person they could have talked to? That’s the importance of our Christian brothers and sisters.

During our darkest times, if I don’t have a Christian brother or a sister I can call, tell them what I’m dealing with, and have them speak into my life, I don’t care what level of believer I am. I’m going to fall. And that fall can be disastrous if I’m isolated.

That’s our need for the Church community.

But when we neglect the Church, the Church stumbles too. When people don’t take up their roles in the Church, then the Church is left without resources, without funds, and ultimately our duty is left unfulfilled.

People will say (about dealing with social problems): “That’s the job of the Church.” Well, aren’t you the Church? When you deny the Church, the Church falls, and that’s your responsibility. The Church needs us, and we need the Church.

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SPORTS SPECTRUM SHARING STORIES AT THE INTERSECTION OF SPORTS AND FAITH SINCE 1985 Sports Spectrum spans the entire world of sport to bring you athletic stories with eternal impact.

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

For 32 years, Sports Spectrum Magazine has been a resource for sports fans who are followers of Jesus. The quarterly publication includes devotionals from pro athletes and chaplains; previews and recaps of the major sports seasons; interviews; and stories with athletes of all levels displaying an athletic lifestyle pleasing to God.

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The first-person voice of the Christian athlete. With more than 50 testimonial videos shot, and hundreds of articles written by the athletes themselves, The Increase has reached millions in Jesus’ name through the world of sport. Just this past June, Adam LaRoche’s story reached 3.8 million people on Facebook alone.

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MATT FORTE: “Jesus is the ultimate reason I do what I do… How I live my life is my gift back to God, who gave me the gift of life! The NFL is one of the greatest platforms I could have been given to share my faith. I’d be doing my Creator, myself and others a disservice if I didn’t bring Jesus into everything I do.” — Matt Forte, New York Jets running back, on TheIncrease.com

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THE

UPPER BODY:

A BEAUTIFUL BALANCE OF WORKTO-REST RATIOS \\\by TARYN MAST

“L

IFE IS NOT A SPRINT, IT’S A MARATHON.” THAT’S A COMMON SAYING, BUT ONE I’VE CHANGED. JUST AS JESUS LIVED A LIFE OF INTENSE MOMENTS FOLLOWED BY MOMENTS OF REST, SO MUST WE. “There are seasons in life that resemble a MARATHON, but the very glue piecing them together are the moments that resemble a SPRINT.” Shortened, that might read, “Life is a beautiful balance of work-to-rest ratios.”

So let’s talk about work-to-rest ratios and their relation to HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).

First, we must understand some principles.

By definition, interval training is exercise that uses alternating periods of work and rest. The different ratios will depend on which energy system is being recruited.

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WORKOUT

A1 - Medicine Ball Slams :15W to :45R (repeat(X) 6 times) Rest 2:00 B1 - Battle Ropes - :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Rest 2:00 C1 - Medicine Ball Chest throw (against wall) - :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Rest 2:00 D1 - Up Down Planks - :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Stretch (pecs, lats, subscapularis)

LOWER BODY:

A1 - KB Swings - :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Rest 2:00 B1 - Sled Push - :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Rest 2:00 C1 - Squats (butt to ball) :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Rest 2:00 D1 - Jump Rope :15W to :45R (X 6 times) Stretch (Quads, piriformis, hamstrings, calves) ASSAULT BIKE FINISHER ADVANCED : :15W TO :45 REST (X 10 times) BEGINNER: :30W TO :30R (X 6-8 times)

To maintain simplicity, below are the energy systems at basic levels, their general work-to-rest ratios (respectively), and some examples.

ATP-PC (sprints/shorter intervals) // 1:3-1:6 // (ie. :10 to :30) Glycolytic (moderate distance/time) // 1:2 // (ie. 1:00 to 2:00) Oxidative (longer distance/time) // 1:1 // (ie. 3:00 to 3:00)

As a general rule of thumb, the more intense the action, the shorter the work interval will be and longer the rest will be. The longer the interval, the shorter the recovery (as it relates to the work) generally needs to be.

Now it’s time to implement. See the red box above for some basic recommendations for an active athlete. If you’re a beginner, start with intervals in the Oxidative Energy System range. Always warm-up properly and consult a physician before activity.

TARYN MAST, CSCS, TPI IG: @TarynAlesha F: Redefine by Taryn Alesha T: @Coachtarynmast

AND THEN A LITTLE NUTRITION FINISHER… Drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water daily, and supplement with highquality electrolytes. Just because you drink a lot of water doesn’t mean you’re properly hydrated.

Ditch deli meat/processed meat. Studies show that processed meats increase your risk for cancer and heart disease.

Go for a plant-based diet or organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised meat.

More fiber. Most Americans get plenty of protein, but often lack fiber.

Margarine and vegetable oils are no bueno. They contain heart-harming fats.

Use a quality coconut oil instead.

Eat intentionally. Sit down, enjoy and digest your food. The health of our body lies in our digestive system, so treat it well.

Give it a go and

let me know how it goes!

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MEET THE TEAM JUSTIN: It’s commonplace to hear an athlete thank God for their success after a game, but it’s another thing to see an athlete live it off the field as well. Reggie White was the first player who made Christianity cool to me. He dominated offensive linemen and was a sackmaster on the field but he gave God the glory after the game, win or loss. What I think about most today was his hunger to learn about God. Images of him reading the Bible in Hebrew remains a source of inspiration for me to dive in deeper daily in my own relationship with Christ.

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AARON: I remember coming off the ice after my first practice playing junior hockey, feeling frustrated we weren’t allowed to check. Our star player was skating around showboating. I asked one of my line mates, who was unaffected, how he stayed so calm. He said, “Everyone has to be good at something, and maybe this is his calling and God’s gift.” I’ll never forget that moment and those words, and how it changed my outlook as a player and fan of the game. We each have a gift, whatever that might be, and we should cherish those gifts God has given us.

JON: I was working for a golf network when Bubba Watson won his second Masters.

Already well-known in the golf world, Bubba became better known to the larger sports world after this second major.

As we learned more about him, he was vocal about his relationship with Jesus. He took some flak for that, but I always respected him.

It made me seek out more Christian athletes like him, and write about them when a lot of other media outlets stayed away from stories about faith.

BECKY: I’ve always loved sports – competing in or watching, athletics has always been a huge part of my life.

Furthermore, I love hearing athletes’ stories – how they got where they are, why they fell in love with their sport, and what motivates them.

I remember reading Drew Brees’ book “Coming Back Stronger” in high school and thinking, “Wow, this isn’t only a great football story, this is a powerful testimony of faith!” Ever since, I knew I wanted to help Christian athletes share their faith through their sport.

SPORTS SPECTRUM

SPORTS SPECTRUM

RAYMOND: I will never forget the first time I saw an NFL player use Twitter to honor Jesus.

It was Quentin Groves of the Oakland Raiders.

I was blown away! Here was this seemingly mean, hard-hitting defensive player talking openly of being a Christian.

I felt emboldened by his words and his faith.

Groves passed away suddenly in 2016, but his legacy reached me beyond the football field. RIP Quentin Groves 7/5/84 – 10/15/16.

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H

OW HAVE YOU BEEN IMPACTED BY WITNESSING AN ATHLETE DEMONSTRATE THIER FAITH THROUGH THE PLATFORM OF SPORTS? ALIESE: Athletes both professional and amateur were instrumental in my becoming a Christian. I remember reading about Olympic gold medalist sprinter Allyson Felix when I was a freshman in high school. She was preparing for the Beijing Olympics, and was vocal about how her faith fueled her for competition and life.

At the same time, I was running track and cross country, and noticed how some of my teammates lived their faith genuinely in all areas of their lives.

Having a relationship with God became real to me, and I began to build my identity in Christ.

JASON: The Giants defeated the mighty Patriots 17-14 to win Super Bowl XLII. The hero of that game was an unknown receiver named David Tyree. He made what many consider the greatest catch in Super Bowl history, the now infamous “Helmet Catch.” After the game, I watched David be intentional, and utilize his sudden fame to make the name of Jesus known to everyone and anyone that would listen. I spent time with David at ESPN back in February 2008, and I was so impressed with his awareness in each interview to mention how Jesus had placed a special calling on his life.

MIKE: Growing up playing football, I had always heard that someday people will listen to what I have to say, so choose my words wisely. I didn’t know at the time that those words would come from an NFL platform. Making sure that people knew I didn’t make it to the NFL on my own was a top priority. Being able to share my faith alongside other pros and learning from the ones who came before me is an experience God put into my life to eliminate my reluctance to evangelize.

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$27.52, 4 issues (print); $36.00 outside USA For information on subscriptions, back issues, discount bulk issues, or changing your subscription address; Web site: www.sportsspectrum.com/subscribe/ Phone: 1-866-821-2971 Mail: 640 Plaza Drive, Suite 110, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Email: subscriptions@sportsspectrum.com General correspondence, Letter to the Editor, or Writer’s Query No unsolicited manuscripts, please E-mail: editor@sportsspectrum.com Permissions, Reprints Contact: Sports Spectrum permissions Fax: 1-704-821-2669 E-mail: info@sportsspectrum.com COVER • PHOTO CREDITS:

(Prayer Huddle) Corey Perrine/Getty Images

Volume 31 Number 3 SPORTS SPECRUM MAGAZINE A product of Pro Athletes Outreach PUBLISHER The Increase Network contact@theincrease.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Raymond St. Martin editor@sportsspectrum.com ART DIRECTOR Aaron Dean Sauer aaron@sportsspectrum.com SENIOR EDITOR Jon Ackerman jon@sportsspectrum.com STAFF WRITERS Becky York Aliese Willard Jason Romano Justin Adams WEBMASTER Jonathan Stanley webmaster@sportsspectrum.com

Sports Spectrum Global is a multimedia ministry with the purpose to impact people by connecting faith and sports in a relevant way, ultimately directing people, with resources for discipleship, toward a personal, loving God who demands Christ-centered lives. Printed in USA. Copyright © 2017 by Sports Spectrum Publishing. Bible quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

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– Chaplain Dave Bratton on the idea that sparked postgame prayer

Photo by Maddie

Meyer/Getty Ima

ges

#HISHUDDLE

“What can we do to let people see that these players have a spiritual nature as well as physical and material? We can pray together.”

#HISHUDDLE

THE POSTGAME PRAYER AT THE 50 BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 1990, AND IS STILL GOING STRONG TODAY.

Photo by Dan Istit

ene/Getty Images

#HISHUDDLE

“With all the problems in the NFL, if they fine these guys for praying after the game, they’re nuts!”

– Chaplain Pat Richie on 1991 non-fraternization rule

Photo by Rich Sch

“Although we play for different teams and have different uniforms on, we are one family when it comes to our beliefs and being part of God’s family.”

– NFL tight end Benjamin Watson

We’d love to see your social snapshots of a prayer huddle! If you see a prayer at any football game this year – high school, college or the pros – take a picture, post it on social media, and SPORTS SPECTRUM 88 use #HisHuddle.

You might just see it in our next magazine!

#HISHUDDLE

ultz/Getty Images

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