February 2012 DigiMag

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SS at the Super Bowl FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH TONY DUNGY, JUSTIN TUCK AND OTHER PLAYERS AND MEDIA

ZEALOUS FAITH W W W. S P O R T S S P E C T R U M . C O M

CONTENTS FEATURES

Following the New York Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI victory against the Patriots, New York defensive end Justin Tuck bought 80 bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue for his teammates. Tuck is a professing Christian, which raises the question: How should Christians approach alcohol? BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

On the court and off the court Indiana University freshman Cody Zeller has followed his brothers. BY STEPHEN COPELAND.

CLOSEUP: Justin Tuck

Sports Spectrum talked to Super Bowl XLVI champion Justin Tuck on Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium the Tuesday before the Super Bowl. Tuck talked about his true passion in life, Jesus Christ.

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CLOSEUP: Matthew Slater

New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater talks about keeping the Super Bowl in perspective on Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium.

SS at the Super Bowl

Explore Sports Spectrum’s Super Bowl coverage as we interview Christians who play for the Giants and Patriots, members of the media and four sports figures from the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast.

PHOTO CREDIT: JUDSON UNIVERSITY

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CLOSEUP: Cody Zeller

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AIRING IT OUT: Tuck it away, not worth fighting

Corey Burke: Expanded Feature

There is more to Judson University’s soccer star Corey Burke than was featured in Sports Spectrum’s winter 2012 issue. BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

SPORTS YAPP: Caleb Campbell

Sports Spectrum podcast host Bryce Johnson talks to Kansas City Chiefs safety Caleb Campbell about his unique journey to the NFL. BY BRYCE JOHNSON

PHOTO CREDIT: CALEB CAMPBELL

ANOTHER ANGLE: Fame and façades

Some surprising truths were revealed while covering the events leading up to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. BY STEPHEN COPELAND

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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AIRING IT OUT

BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

Tuck it away, not worth fighting

SPORTS SPECTRUM

20, the verses that proceed the one where he talks about not drinking if it caused a Christian brother to stumble.

Those verses key in on the very thing we, as believers, should focus on every day – and that is the Kingdom of God and the encouragement of believers.

Consider this passage in Romans 14:1721.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. Because, if we don’t focus on the Kingdom of God and the encouragement of believers (as Paul also talks about in Hebrews 10:25, then we will waste time on something that has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God.) I’ll end with asking you to read II Peter 3:11-18, while asking you to pay close attention to verse 16, “...His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

So, instead of concentrating on trivial matters, let’s first and foremost focus on the Kingdom--just like Paul encourages us to do in Romans 14--and thereby avoid the destruction mentioned in II Peter 3:16.

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handled God’s Word, I am reminded of II Corinthians 4:1-2, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” But this column isn’t about all of that, because each side could debate for days on which side is right. I do know

that we are held responsible if we do something that would make a fellow believer stumble, as I Corinthians 8:13 and Romans 14:13, 21 say. Paul even went so far as to say that even though certain things are ok, that it’s best not to do it if it would cause a fellow believer to stumble (see Romans 8:21).

But, in the case of the engraved bottles of whiskey, we’re not even talking about drinking. It’s a keep-sake, and a fairly expensive keep-sake at that.

You can’t even talk about the appearance of evil, as I Thessalonians 5:22 says, because possessing the memento isn’t evil, even if it does have alcohol in it. And, also, according to scripture, some would say, it isn’t evil.

So, we are not left with very much-except what Paul says in Romans 8:17-

AARON MAY / SPORTS SPECTRUM

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eems Justin Tuck created quite a stir, in the secular and Christian community, when he bought each of his Super Bowl-winning New York Giants teammates, coaches and front office staff a memento to mark an occasion that only 45 other teams had ever experienced.

Tuck gave each of them a one-of-akind gift, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue whisky with the name of the player, coach or front office staff and the words “Super Bowl XLVI champions” engraved on the bottle. It was to commemorate their monumental 21-17 victory against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

It caused a stir in the secular community because the cost was $220 per bottle ($17,600 total), and it caused a stir in the Christian community because alcohol was the gift.

I don’t drink and I am not going to try and defend or ridicule Tuck’s gesture, even though I could cite Ephesians 5:18, which talks about getting drunk yet doesn’t condemn drinking: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” I could also cite I Timothy 5:23 that suggests using wine for medicinal purposes, but doesn’t condemn wine: “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”

I could also cite Proverbs 20:1, which says, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”

But, as Christians, we shouldn’t go at each other’s necks on something that people on each side of the issue could defend with scripture. Some, I have found out, have used scripture out of context and have deceitfully used it to fit their theology.

When I think about how they mis-

Brett Honeycutt is the managing editor of Sports Spectrum magazine. Follow him on Twitter: @Brett_Honeycutt

Cody Zeller INDIANA UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN CODY ZELLER HAS FOLLOWED IN HIS BROTHERS’ FOOTSTEPS ON THE COURT AND OFF THE COURT

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f anyone knows déjà vu, it’s the Zellers.

All three Zeller brothers won Indiana Class 3A state championships for Washington High School—Luke had one, Tyler had two, and Cody had three.

All three, during their senior seasons, earned the prestigious Indiana Mr. Basketball Award and were named McDonald’s All-Americans—Luke in 2005, Tyler in 2008 and Cody in 2011.

And all three were big-time recruits out of high school who went to play Division I basketball—Luke went to Notre Dame, Tyler is a senior at North Carolina, and Cody went an hour up the road to Indiana.

“My husband (Steve) and I are completely enjoying the ride,” says the trio’s mother Lorri Zeller. “We just have to enjoy every minute of it. We’re very grateful for it. We don’t take it for granted at all.”

But Cody Zeller isn’t one to talk about how he’s lived up to his brothers’ on-the-floor accomplishments. He never felt pressure. He never felt like he had to do what they did. It just worked out that way.

“We didn’t really see it that way,” says Luke, whom Steve always told to be the “trailblazer” of the family. “We are three different people and three different players. Cody has kinda approached it the way. Pressure is something everyone else put on him, not that he put on himself. Motivation maybe, but not pressure.”

What Cody will talk about, however, is how he’s followed his brothers off-the-court as they’ve all upheld the squeaky-clean Zeller reputation.

“They paved the way for me,” Luke says. “…Tyler was a nationally known guy, but he used his platform to further Christ’s kingdom. I kind of realized, ‘That could be me one day.’”

That “one day” is here. And his platform may be bigger than he expected. His 18,000 Twitter followers, who have seen his Christian symbol avatar and Philippians 4:13 background, are just an example.

And the Hoosier fans who have started attending Cody’s church to—at the very least—catch a glimpse of the 7-footer behind Indiana’s magical season.

“At the end of the day, we could have a lot of awards, but what’s the legacy we’re going to leave?” Luke says. “What’s the impact we’ll echo into eternity?”

Perhaps that’s one reason why Cody doesn’t feel the perceived pressure. His identity isn’t wrapped up in his on-the-court performance.

“I know a lot of people do look up to me because of my basketball ability,” Cody says. “But I try to be a good role model off the court and live for the Lord. I hope others will follow in my footsteps. I want to be a Christian and represent Christ’s Kingdom. I want people to look at me and want to know Christ.”

- STEPHEN COPELAND 6

SPORTS SPECTRUM

NCAA PROFILE CLOSEUP

SUBSCRIBE HERE to read a four-page feature on cody in our spring 2012 issue

LANCE KING / GETTY IMAGES

Justin Tuck “PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND ATHLETES ABOUT THE GLADIATOR ROLE WE PLAY ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD. PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE OTHER PASSIONS IN LIFE THAN GOING OUT THERE AND KNOCKING GUYS’ HEADS OFF. ONE OF MINE IS DEFINITELY MY FAITH. I’M SO GLAD WE PICKED UP THE SLOGAN ‘ALL IN.’ A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS. IT’S NOT NECESSARILY ‘ALL IN’ ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT IT’S ‘ALL IN’ IN LIFE. AND THAT STARTS WITH OUR BELIEF IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

NFL PROFILE CLOSEUP

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011 ANDREW BURTON / GETTY IMAGES

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

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NFL PROFILE CLOSEUP

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SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

MATTHEW SLATER NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FREE SAFETY MATTHEW SLATER TALKS ABOUT HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUPER BOWL AS A CHRISTIAN ATHLETE SS: As a Christian athlete, how do you approach this Super Bowl experience?

MS: You know, it’s an unbelievable blessing to have this opportunity. The Lord has handpicked each and every man to be here. That’s an extreme honor and a blessing, and I’m so thankful for that opportunity. At the end of the day, though, it’s important for us as Christian athletes to really keep things in perspective and realize that this isn’t the mountaintop. The mountaintop will not be seen on this side of glory. It will be seen on the other. Just trying to keep things in perspective and utilize my platform to get the good news out. But like I said, it’s an extreme blessing, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity and thankful that the Lord chose me and my teammates to be here.

SS: Talk to us about your testimony and how you came to know Christ.

MS: Fortunately for me, I was raised in a Christian home and came to know the Lord when I was seven years old. My father sat me down and shared with me the Word in my bedroom. At seven years old, there’s only so much you can understand about the walk. But as time went along— going through high school and college—the Lord really began to grow in me through different experiences and bringing me to this point…who would have thought? It’s just a testimony of God’s goodness and what He can do in a man’s life.

SS: What is God teaching you on this stage here at the Super Bowl?

MS: Don’t put limits on Him. There are certain things I wouldn’t have even dared to pray for that He has blessed me with and allowed this team to experience and me to experience as an individual. Don’t put limits on what He can do in your life, and that goes not only for me and my teammates but for anybody out there. He’s willing and ready to do special things in your life if you turn it over to Him.

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SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

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SS AT THE SUPER BOWL

explore sports spectrum's comprehensive super bowl coverage, and click the videos to watch a dozen interviews edited by ss staff writer aaron may

giants Defensive end Justin Tuck (top-left), tackle Tony Ugoh (bottom-left) and four Super Bowl XLVI Champs (bottom-right) share their faith.

PATRIOTS

New England Patriots free safety Matthew Slater and linebacker Jerod Mayo talk about keeping the Super Bowl in perspective.

MEDIA

CBS’s James Brown and NBC’s Tony Dungy talk about the ways God is moving in their lives, and ESPN columnist Rick Reilly talks about his column on Tim Tebow.

Ravens quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell (top-left) and Giants legend David Tyree (top-right) discuss their faith. Redskins 3-time Pro Bowl pick London Fletcher (bottom-left) talks about receiving the Bart Starr Award and Starr (bottom-right) himself gives advice about marriage and family.

W E B S I T E : w w w. S p o r t s S p e c t r u m . c o m

AIA BREAKFAST

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A HIGHER GOAL Ti

BY BRETT HONEYCUTT

JUDSON UNIVERSITY SOCCER STAR COREY BURKE COMES FROM A FAMILY WITH A RICH SOCCER HISTORY. BUT HIS PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE IS MUCH MORE THAN AWARDS AND TITLES.

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orey Burke said that serving in missions is one of his biggest highlights in his highly successful career.

On the surface, his statement could come across as odd to a pure sports fan devoid of spirituality because of his family’s place in the college soccer world.

Corey was the 2011 National Christian College Athletic Association’s National Soccer Player of the Year, an Academic All-American, a twotime NAIA and NCCAA scholar-athlete and the 2010-11 NAIA A.O. Duer award recipient, the NAIA’s top award for juniors.

Corey’s dad, Steve, has coached Judson University’s soccer program for 28 years and is the winningest soccer coach in NAIA and NCCAA history at nearly 500 victories and six national titles. He also has won 20 conference titles.

Steve’s father, Doug, is in the NAIA Hall of Fame and coached soccer for 36 years (until 1994) at Houghton College, where the field is named in his honor and where Corey played his first year of college soccer (2008) before transferring to Judson.

“My Grandpa Burke, I look to him as a humble leader like my dad is,” Corey says. “They’re so respected and have so much power and authority, yet so quiet and humble. Those are great influences in my life.”

Says Steve: “Well, my father had humble beginnings. He told us stories of growing up in West Virginia and having dirt floors in the house, 14

SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2011

how hard his dad worked, working in the coal mines. He never had a lot. Nothing was ever given to him. He appreciated that and gave back a lot. Being dedicated to a school like Houghton, and spending his entire career there, 36 years in one place, I saw how hard he worked.

I saw my mom washing uniforms for the players, having teams over for dinner and being selfless, giving and committed to the Christian education and the ministry of the church and what Houghton was all about – just pouring into people’s lives – and I saw that and that had an impact on me.”

That attitude and hard work also impacted Corey, who transferred to Judson after his freshman year at Houghton, where he helped his dad to a national title that next season – 30 years after Steve won an NCCAA national title with Doug – and began collecting those end-ofseason awards.

“To me, it’s nice to be able to bring that to my family,” says Corey about the awards. “But it’s not going to change my life receiving an award. I’m not going to say it’s not a huge deal to me. I love it, but it’s not going to change my life.”

What did change his life were the family’s many trips to serve and minister to people in Mexico, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda and Kenya.

Not just a week, but for months at a time.

“That’s how I was raised,” Corey says. “To help others, reach out to

PHOTO CREDIT: JUDSON UNIVERSITY

The 2011 National Christian College Athletic Association’s National Soccer Player of the Year, Corey Burke, takes a strike on goal.

Corey (left) and Steve Burke (right) won an NCCAA title together during Corey’s sophomore season.

PHOTO CREDIT: JUDSON UNIVERSITY

others. That’s our whole family.”

They have ministered by visiting orphans, feeding the hungry, and meeting the people’s spiritual needs, as well. His dad has also taken trips to the Philippines and New Zealand.

Corey’s trips have spurred the Biology major with a 3.9 GPA to pursue missions full-time as a medical doctor.

After he graduates from Judson in early May, he will enter medical school and marry longtime girlfriend Tatum Teevans on May 18.

“She is an awesome and unbelievable girl,” Corey says. “I’m thrilled to spend the rest of my life with her. She is really special to my family, as well. She’s really close to my family.”

He and Tatum, the captain of Judson’s women’s soccer team, have dated since high school and both attended and played soccer at Houghton College their freshman year before they transferred to Judson. Both also share a heart for missions.

“I think God has placed that in our hearts, a calling to Africa,” Corey says. “I would love to be in Kenya (after medical school). I loved the culture, loved the environment.”

His love for anything missions-related came from his mom and dad.

“I guess the biggest thing is my roots, my parents and how they’ve raised me in the faith,” Corey says. “Strong Christian background, obviously. A big heart for missions. And my whole heart for the underserved. My whole family is great about reaching out to others.”

Corey’s dad, Steve, says he would encourage athletes and non-athletes to go on one mission trip to help give them a different perspective on life and the rest of the world.

“Seeing people living with nothing, yet some of them are just so joyful and thankful and you look at us with all our gadgets, cell phones, and iPods, and people are not happy,” Steve says. “To be thankful for a potato peeler, or a sharp knife, it’s phenomenal what an impact that can have when you see that.”

“Any time you can get young people to travel and can see what people are like in the rest of the world, it puts us to shame. It’s so easy to lose sight of that, so easy to have the wrong priorities. Even for me that is a change. I live in a nice house, my car runs fairly well.

It’s pretty easy to get caught up in my world.”

Even though Corey was influenced tremendously by his father, he said his dad would never push him in any direction. Instead, his dad’s constant example of living out his life each day was what spurred him to make the decisions he’s made – concerning soccer and missions.

“I think the type of leadership my dad displays, even in soccer, I know it’s really important to him, but he would never push me too hard to play. He would never say, ‘Oh, you have to play soccer. You have to play in college.’” Corey says. “He would make known what was important to him, but he would never push on anything. He’s the perfect example.

Christ is obviously the center of his life, and he displays that to us, but he would never force that on us. With missions, he would share these amazing stories, but he would never push. He asked us to do things with him, but he would never tell us where to go. He would guide us.”

SPORTS YAPP

BY BRYCE JOHNSON Every week Bryce Johnson is joined on Sports Spectrum’s official podcast, SPORTS YAPP, by inspiring guests to discuss sports, faith and life. Listen to the full audio of all his interviews on sportsyapp.com. Below are some highlights from Bryce’s interview with Kansas City Chiefs safety, Caleb Campbell. Campbell went from West Point to being drafted by the Detroit Lions to serving two years in the US Army to joining the Kansas City Chiefs organization.

Bryce Johnson is the host of“SPORTS YAPP,” the official podcast of Sports Spectrum magazine.

BRYCE JOHNSON: You were told by West Point’s athletic director that the policy allowing you to play in the NFL ended up being revoked and you could no longer sign your rookie contract because you had to report back to active duty. What was that phone call like?

CALEB CAMPBELL: It was a punch in the gut. Wait a minute. How is this happening right now after the last four months I was training in the offseason and preparing for training camp? Not one word was said to me that this could possibly happen. I thought I was going to the stadium that morning to sign my contract.

BRYCE JOHNSON: There was a big media firestorm after this. What did you tell them?

CALEB CAMPBELL: I told them what I felt. The mere fact that I’m a soldier and I’ll do what I’m told, and I’m heading back to active duty immediately. It was kind of funny though. On the drive home I probably did close to 30 interviews and Rachel Nichols flew in on an ESPN helicopter to do a live report. I’m on the phone though not paying attention, going 92 mph, and I’m in the middle of an interview getting pulled over by a cop. I had to tell the guy on the phone that I had to call him back because I am getting pulled over. Then the cop looks at my ID and says he’s listening to me on the radio. He goes, “I’m the reason why you had to get off the phone. I’m terribly sorry.” Listen here to find out what the cop did for him.

BRYCE JOHNSON: There were people that considered football trivial and didn’t understand what the big deal was. How did you balance both sides of it? You wanted to play football, but also wanted to serve your country.

CALEB CAMPBELL: It was definitely tough. I got a lot of hate mail during that time period saying, “You’re a coward” and some really hurtful words. I never went and looked for the NFL. I did

what they told me I was going to be able to do (pursue the NFL). I went to West Point knowing I would be serving. They confronted me with this opportunity because they knew I had a shot to make it to the league. A lot of people just didn’t understand the details of all that.

BRYCE JOHNSON: You served your two years, and then you were able to give the NFL a try again. What has the experience been like trying to make a roster?

CALEB CAMPBELL: There were so many people and voices in my head telling me it’s over. You are two years out of football, you haven’t touched a football in two years, you’ve been in the Army, you haven’t done any football training. I wouldn’t change the two years I spent in the military for anything. What God revealed to me saved my life. At the time, my mind wasn’t where it was supposed to be, I lost sight of my faith throughout West Point, and those two years were a wakeup call. It really did save my life.

The whole process of being on a team, getting released, being on team, getting released. Talk about building a very supernatural patience. A lot of people don’t understand as Christians that we have to live by faith. Not allowing your present circumstances in your life dictate your walk with the Lord. I have focused on God’s promise even though the problems seemed so big and real in my life. A supernatural patience has been developed in me. I believe strongly as a Christian that living with the grace of God and His spirit, we’re designed to live from victory to victory, but so many people neglect that waiting period in between those victories. That is when you develop the character that is needed to uphold the anointing in your life.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Caleb Campbell COURTESY: CALEB CAMBELL

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Bryce’s Best: Movie: Man on a Ledge Man on a Ledge is a suspenseful and thrilling movie. It may look simple and predictable, but it’s actually very intriguing and fun. I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would.

Book: Thousand Years It’s a great book that forces you to take a look at your own life and the way you are living. Donald Miller writes about turning his other book, Blue Like Jazz into a movie and what it’s like to edit your life on screen.

TV Show: Shark Tank Shark Tank is a mustwatch show every Friday night on ABC. The show incorporates investors, real money and new business ideas.

The investors are called “sharks” and they decide what businesses they want to invest in.

It’s intense, funny,and exciting.

Tap Drill: Quick thoughts about faith, sports, life, and entertainment • I’m cheering hard for the New York Knicks’ Jeremy Lin and pray that he continues to use his platform to bring glory to God. • I watched the Grammys for awhile and I realized why I don’t listen to today’s pop music.

• Peyton Manning will have an MVP type season in 2012 for the Miami Dolphins, but I’m rooting for him to go to the Jets.

• Tiger Woods will win multiple tournaments this year including a Major.

• I would rather see Blake Griffin rest during the All-Star weekend than actually defend his Slam Dunk title so that he will be fresh and healthy for the Clippers’ deep playoff run.

• A team should give Randy Moss another chance next season. Panthers, go get him!

ANOTHER ANGLE

BY STEPHEN COPELAND

Fame and façades who have been deemed “successful”— you also see the world for what it really is. It’s deceivingly glamorous yet manipulative, seemingly fulfilling yet empty, and supposedly exuberant yet exhausting.

COURTESY: STEPHEN COPELAND

W E B S I T E : w w w. S p o r t s S p e c t r u m . c o m

My friend, author of the The Jersey Effect Hunter Smith, was quoted in the Indianapolis Star that week saying, “Success is to be endured more than enjoyed.”

As the week went on, that truth rang true more and more. Success is to be endured more than enjoyed. It’s a bottomless pool. You plunge deeper, deeper, deeper, thinking you’ll find meaning, but in the end, you’ll only suffocate.

I saw a lot of “successful” people who were suffocating. I saw a lot of people who were delving deeper, oblivious that they’d eventually run out of air. The selfishness. The self-promotion. The bustling. The grind. It became annoying.

Monotonous. Even exhausting.

Now, don’t get me wrong here. I don’t have a problem with “successful” or famous people (most of them were actually extremely nice), and I’d sacrifice a kidney to have that experience again.

It was amazing. I’ll always remember praying in the parking garage with my colleague before the Media Day festivities, asking the Lord to open doors so we could talk to athletes about matters beyond football. God answered that prayer.

But as I stood outside and observed the fish tank—as Deion Sanders walked by with his posse, aviators on, his jacket flapping, as businessmen made pitches to prominent athletes hoping to take a piece of them for their own benefit, as (gulp) I threw my credentials around my neck, shook hands, and felt important—I realized that this was the world. And though it was tempting, though it was exhilarating— at the end of the day, all I wanted was to worship the God I loved and be with the people I loved. You see the celebration, but it’s only for a second. You know life so you see the decay (Mumford & Sons). You aim for earth, and you miss out on heaven (C.S. Lewis).

We’re called to approach this world from another angle—to recognize the paradox. The glamour, the fame, the high life are mere façades of happiness. And despite the joy, thrill and dozens of stories that came from the trip, I left with two simple lessons: One, the world is empty; so don’t invest in it.

And two, wear the pink and cream argyle sweater.

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his world is a paradox.

The 10 days I spent in Indianapolis were a dream. As an inexperienced journalist who has never covered the events leading up to a Super Bowl—or anything big, for that matter—it was the coolest experience of my short journalism career.

At first, it was surreal. New England owner Bob Kraft next to you on the escalator. ESPN personality Chris Berman interviewing the same guy you are. Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin spotting your pink and cream argyle sweater through his shades, pointing, and saying, “Nice look, bro.”

(Dead serious. It happened.)

Everywhere you turn— whether it was Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium or Radio Row at the JW Marriott—there were players, celebrities and national media personnel. And not just that, but they were easily accessible. You want to talk to someone? Just go up and shake their hand. Want to interview someone? Just ask a question.

It was as if every celebrity and every person of some “importance” in the NFL world were all dropped into a tiny fish tank. And for some odd reason, you’re the little guppy that gets to swim around with them.

One day, it hit me. Media Day was over, the first day of Radio Row was complete, and I had just pulled into the parking garage at the JW Marriott. Literally, the first person I saw and talked to that day was none other than former star running back Eddie George. I realized something: This is the social and media epicenter of the entire sporting world. And I’m here.

What I experienced, however, wasn’t as glamorous as you’d think. Yes, I stuffed my face with coconut shrimp at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Media Party. And yes, I cleaned out my sinuses with free samples of St. Elmo’s world famous horseradish in the Marriott.

But when you’re in a situation like that—surrounded by so many people

Stephen Copeland is a staff writer at Sports Spectrum magazine. Follow him on Twitter: @steve_copeland

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