The Blessing of Sports in our lives

THE POPE BLESSING THE VIRTUES OF SPORTS - THANKS POPE.

"The correct practice of sport must be accompanied by practicing the virtues of temperance and sacrifice; frequently it also requires a good team spirit, respectful attitudes, the appreciation of the qualities of others, honesty in the game and humility to recognize one's own limitations. In short, sports, especially in less competitive forms, foster festive celebration and friendly coexistence. While playing sports, Christians also find help in developing the cardinal virtues—fortitude, temperance, prudence and justice."

Pope John Paul II

25th World Day of Tourism
"Sports and Culture:Two Vital Forces for
Mutual Understanding, Culture and Development among Countries."
September 27, 2004

Even Popes recognize the virtues of sports in our lives and the values they can promote to make us into better citizens of the world and better people. That's cool.

I am thankful for the blessings that some of my favorite athletes and coaches provide to us all.

Baseball:
Albert Pujols
Mariano Rivera
Matt Holliday
John Smoltz
Jamie Moyer
Lance Berkman
Orel Herschiser

Coaching:
John Wooden
Tony Dungy
Bobby Bowden
Turner Gill

Football:
Tim Tebow
Kurt Warner

I will be watching to see if the Giants make a bid for Matt Holliday. A solid bat, great clubhouse presence and a great role model.

Obviously, it doesn't get much better than Albert Pujols, who is going to have a stranglehold on NL MVP for years to come.

While I'm happy to see Turner Gill get a long overdue shot on a big time stage at Kansas, it is offset a bit by the way Florida State allowed Bobby Bowden to end his career at Florida State. Bowden put that school on the college football landscape. Shame on FSU for not allowing him to go out on his own terms.

As for Tim Tebow, I would take him on the Giants no questions asked. Where they will be drafting, I'm not sure if you get much more value out of another position and Eli can't play every down...like Peyton Manning does....dang maybe he can. Hopefully, he gets the chance to compete somewhere as a QB, that boy can get some things done and win some games for you.

BLESSING - "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. - Genesis 12:2