All the Good in Sports

CBN.com - Believe it or not good things do happen in sports.  For every dog fighting case begging for our attention there is a professional athlete building houses for the homeless.  For each mention of performance enhancing drugs on the air or in print, there is an athlete doing his part to find the cure for cancer.  For every athlete who is selfishly taking, there is another who is selflessly giving. 

But herein lays the problem.  Why don’t we ever hear about the good things athletes are doing with the amazing gifts God has blessed them with?

Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Sandrolini has set out to do just that.  In his first book, “All the Good in Sports: True Stories That Go Beyond the Headlines” (Regal Books), Sandrolini has cobbled together 25 such stories, all featuring Christian athletes who share their faith and what it takes to be a champion on and off the field.  Featured sports figures include Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, St. Louis Cardinal slugger Albert Pujols, and Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton.

“I wanted to feature stories about athletes going through real life issues,” explains Sandrolini, in a recent interview with CBN.com.  That is what I tried to focus on because that way you or I can pick up this book and say ‘I had someone who went through cancer too.’  Most people can relate to that.  I just think a lot of people are tired of reading ‘I’m a Christian athlete.  I am doing well.  My life is perfect.’”

A story of particular interest is one of survival … literally.  In July of 1989, Denver Nuggets play by play announcer Jerry Schemmel boarded a plane from Denver to Chicago, something he had done dozens of times before.  Only this time his plane never made it.  United Airlines flight 232 suffered a complete loss of three hydraulic systems and crashed into a runway in Iowa.  Amazingly 175 of the 285 passengers survived including Schemmel.  Unfortunately, his best friend did not.

Schemmel struggled emotionally for months, questioning how God could allow such a thing to happen.  But the accident eventually drew him closer than he had ever been to his savior, Jesus Christ.  Gone was the scathing rawness of grief that had plagued him so.   

“To me, Jerry’s story is important because it really gets you thinking about where you are going after your time here on earth is through,” says Sandrolini.  “A plane or car crash can happen to anybody at anytime.  We all think we are going to live a life that goes deep into old age but Jerry’s life is a pretty good illustration that your time could come at any time.  We all need to be closer to Christ.” 

On paper, professional athletes seemingly have it all -- money, fame, and a great deal of power.  In “All the Good in Sports,” Sandrolini has painstakingly picked through 25 years worth of stories from Sports Spectrum magazine to feature only the athletes who best represent the common thread of humility. 

“I think God honors humility,” Sandrolini points out.  “In the Bible it says the humble shall be exalted and the exalted shall be humbled.  I think that God looks for that in people to exhibit that, particularly when they get to the kind of position many of these professional athletes find themselves in.  Things can be taken away from you just like that.  I really admire those athletes who know who their source is – that source is God.”

A classic example of this can be found through the witness of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.  From an illustrious college career at a less than big time college, to packing groceries at a local supermarket, to becoming a bonafide NFL star with the St. Louis Rams, to his sometimes unglamorous role as a backup quarterback with the Cardinals, Warner has been the most exemplary person an organization could ask for.

“I question whether most people would be able to stand humbly and graciously in that type of situation,” agrees Sandrolini.  “But due to his faith Kurt Warner has.  Being able to accept everything he has been handed is a testament to his character.”

“All in Good Sports” is chock full of stories just like Schemmel and Warner’s.  In addition, you can read about the amazing spiritual journey of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, learn how LPGA golfer Betsy King uses her career success in sports to raise millions of dollars for humanitarian causes, or how college soccer star Doco Wessah has overcome a lifetime of hardship in Liberia to forge a new life in America.

In an era that has seemingly grown void of good news in the sports world, Sandrolini has done a commendable job of pointing readers toward athletes who strive to make a difference.  In this book, you will not find a single person who is perfect.  They all ride the same roller coaster of ups and downs that you and I do.  However, each has chosen to make the most of their fame and fortune by using the power of Jesus Christ as their guide.

As we quickly approach the Christmas season, “All the Good in Sports” would make a great present for the sports fan in your family.

To purchase your copy of "All in Good Sports: True Stories That Go Beyond the Headlines".