Years in the past, when Tony Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs, the NFL issued all groups a “no prayers on the sphere” edict. The entire world noticed that directive get blown off when Damar Hamlin’s coronary heart stopped beating in Cincinnati this previous season. Dungy and different soccer greats saved the religion speak rolling of their appearances earlier than 2,000 individuals attending Saturday’s Athletes In Motion Tremendous Bowl Breakfast in Phoenix. 

Tv networks accustomed to disregard praying athletes confirmed a big group of gamers, shaken to the core Jan. 2 as medics labored frantically to revive Hamlin’s heartbeat, praying fervently on the sphere. 

Additionally boldly caught up within the Spirit, ESPN commentator Dan Orlovsky mentioned a prayer for the Buffalo Payments security throughout an version of “NFL Dwell.” Sure, woke ESPN. 

“It’s okay to hope, and God solutions prayer,” Dungy mentioned Saturday. God goes to make use of Damar, and He confirmed us God is actual. Payments’ quarterback and Hamlin teammate Josh Allen mentioned he wasn’t too non secular, however he noticed what was taking place, confessed that God is actual and is utilizing Damar for His glory. 

Grasp of ceremonies on the prayer breakfast, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, mentioned the general public prayers ignited by the Hamlin incident have been extraordinary as a result of individuals “who wouldn’t ordinarily share their religion” did simply that. It was “exceptional” what number of methods God used that night time to vary individuals’s concepts of what we are able to do as a nation. “It warms your coronary heart and provides you hope, he mentioned.

Hamlin would later say, “God is utilizing me to present others hope. The journey will proceed.” 

The prayer breakfast featured many extra inspiring present and former professional soccer gamers standing tall for Jesus. Ex-Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Luis Sharpe instructed an unimaginable of his personal redemption throughout six years of jail for drug abuse. “I went from soccer hero to crackhead zero,” he mentioned. “I had many rock bottoms. Like David and Paul, what was meant as evil for me … God modified hearts, and He modified me. I’m not sure to evil spirits or my unfavorable self.” 

Present Arizona operating again James Conner was identified with most cancers in 2015, however leaned on God to beat adversity. “I had 12 rounds of chemotherapy. A 12 months later I used to be most cancers free. It was one thing greater than the sport – talking God’s love and the Gospel. Honor and beauty to God on excessive. Who can I assist subsequent by means of it?” 

Along with praising God, Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins obtained the Bart Starr Award. The late Starr was a five-time NFL champion, winner of the primary two Tremendous Bowls and an superior witness for the Gospel. Cousins is the son of a pastor and a graduate of Holland Christian Excessive Faculty in MIchigan. 

As a younger quarterback with the Washington Redskins, Cousins met Starr at Lambeau Area in Inexperienced Bay and instructed him, “Thanks for who you’re as a person.” On Saturday, Cousins mentioned: “Bart and Cherrie Starr have been married for 65 years. They’re each of the very best character and other people of nice religion. I can solely hope that, on the finish of my life, I can have somebody converse of me in the identical means.” 

Cousins cited Hebrews 9:27 (it’s appointed as soon as for individuals to die after which to face judgement) and Romans 3:23 (all have sinned and fallen wanting the glory of God). By accepting the free present of God’s grace, we could have everlasting life. 

It’s refreshing to know that, throughout this period of woke sports activities franchises and athletes, there are nonetheless stand-up, inspirational athletes with deep religion who’re setting good examples by standing on God’s Phrase.