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| 16 Dec 2009 04:12:30 am |
| MICHAEL VICK, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles |
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“Life is so much easier when you just focus on the things that matter most.”
On December 7, Michael Vick was interviewed by Hannah Storm, on ESPN Sports Center, following his return home to Atlanta and his key contribution to his team’s success over the Falcons. The question Hannah asked of Michael was: “How are you a different man?” His answer included today’s Real Zeal quote. To listen to the entire, very inspiring interview.
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Today’s Real Zeal message is the last one you will receive in 2009. And what a brilliant, wise, and relevant message it is. Many of us have a jam-packed two weeks in front of us – presents to buy, parties to attend, bills to pay, projects to complete before year-end. Life becomes do, do, DO. In the rush of it, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most.
As a matter of fact, a reminder to focus on those things that matters most – our family, our friends, our passions, our God – may be the best advice any of us could receive right now.
There’s another reason today’s message is so relevant. The Christmas season is a celebration of new life and new beginnings. No athlete better qualifies than Michael Vick. This is someone who’s been to prison, who thought he might never play football again, and who clearly had lost his way in the world.
Yet, as you watch and listen to Michael Vick, he’s a new man. And according to him, without prison, he might never have changed, might not have become someone who knows that “Life is so much easier when you just focus on the things that matter most.”
As we enter two of the most hectic weeks of the year and commence on our own new beginnings for 2010, may we all remember that focusing on those things that matter most to us, those things that are near and dear to our heart – may be our single best access to an easy and fulfilled life.
To learn more about this 'reborn' inspired athlete, continue reading.
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Michael Vick is a fallen athlete – a former superstar and a highly paid, hugely successful professional athlete. But he had a dark side – he was someone who could not escape his past, nor the negative elements associated with it. And because he was a follower of that past and not a leader out of it, he has suffered severe consequences.
In November of 2007, Michael Vick was convicted on federal dog fighting charges and sentenced to 23 months in Leavenworth Prison. Dog fighting is a horrible, inhumane activity and because of Michael’s actions, millions of people turned against him.
Fast-forward to today. Michael Vick is in the process of turning his life around. He’s back in professional football, and slowly but surely making his mark again.
More importantly, he’s a changed man. His CHARACTER is altering. And, he is beginning to make a difference in the very world he trafficked in – humanity to dogs.
Michael is traveling the country speaking to the impoverished children who face invitations to participate in dog fighting almost every day. And Michael Vick is imploring them to not do what he did. And these young people are listening.
According to, Michael Markarian, the chief operating officer for the Humane Society of the United States, "He is reaching hundreds of kids and steering them away from dog fighting.” In other words, Michael Vick has become part of the solution where he used to be part of the problem.
Returning to today’s Real Zeal message, Michael Vick has learned a huge lesson. And according to him, he would not have changed were it not for prison.
In his interview with Hannah Storm, here is what he had to say:
“I have different views and a totally different perspective on life. Just realizing what’s important in life and that’s family. And not feel obligated to so many people. And I find out that life is so much easier when you just focus on the things that matter most. ... You know I would have never changed had I not went to Kansas. It helped me. I think everything happens for a reason.”
Sometimes, the most inspiring stories are the stories of redemption. And Michael Vick’s is surely one of those.
Happy Holidays everyone! |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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| 10 Dec 2009 06:41:13 pm |
| TIM TEBOW, Quarterback, University of Florida Gators |
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“Finish Strong.”
The motto of both Tim Tebow and his Florida Gator football team.
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In a sense, Tim Tebow is the inspired athlete who almost never was. The story of Tim’s birth is quite amazing. Tim’s parents are missionaries. At the time of his birth, his parents and four brothers and sisters were living in the Philippines.
Tim’s mother experienced multiple complications during her pregnancy with him, but her most serious came when she contracted amebic dysentery and ended up in a coma. The drugs the doctors used to deal with her illness made them very afraid for the baby’s well-being. The doctors strongly advised Tim’s parents to have an abortion. They refused.
As you can imagine, Tim’s parents consider Tim to be their miracle child and have told him so on many occasions. And he is very special.
On the athletic front, he’s virtually unsurpassed. He’s one of the best college quarterbacks of all time. He’s won the Heisman award once and been a nominee three years running. He has one national championship under his belt and this year leads his team against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.
In the living-life-front, there may be none better. Tim lives his faith consistently and without pride. He spends his summer in countries making a difference for those less fortunate. He spends his weekends and evenings inspiring young prisoners to transform their lives – to finish strong.
Urban Meyer, Tim’s coach and mentor had this to say about Tim and his amazing abilities to influence: "I've never seen anything like it; he's made unselfish kind of a cool thing."
There is no doubt, Tim Tebow is an inspired athlete inspiring the world. |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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| 03 Dec 2009 05:32:36 pm |
| VINCE YOUNG, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans |
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“Everything’s possible ... But we do this one game at a time.”
Vince Young spoke these words after the Titan's spectacular last second victory over the Arizona Cardinals. To read the post-game interview.
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Vince Young is back! After sitting out all of last year and the first half of this season, he and his Titans have done something no NFL team has ever done. They’ve won five games in a row after losing their first six.
And on Sunday, with only 2:37 left on the clock, Vince took his team 99 yards downfield, converting three 4th downs, and as time ran out, completed the touchdown pass that secured a 17-13
victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
In the press conference following Sunday’s game, Vince was asked to speculate on the team’s possible post-season playoff chances. His response: “Everything’s possible. Our team’s confidence level is really high right now. But we do this one game at a time.”
It occurs to me that this would be a good way for us to think about the upcoming year – first, by believing that anything’s possible. Second, by being confident. And third, by maintaining the mindset that victories are achieved one ‘game’ at a time.
So imagine, for a moment, that 2010 is a year where all things are possible. What wonderful, take-your-breath-away accomplishments would you create? Take a moment and ponder your answers to this question.
And then, as 2010 progresses, don’t forget to remind yourself that these awesome accomplishments don’t become real overnight. They happen one step, one action at a time.
Here’s to a phenomenal 2010!
To read more on the life and resurrection of Vince Young, please click below.
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I have loved Vince Young ever since his days with the University of Texas. The 2006 National Championship Game in which he and his Longhorns defeated Matt Leinart and the University of Southern California Trojans in the final seconds is one of the best college games of all time!
And one thing that can be said of Vince Young – from his high school days (Parade’s National Player of the Year) – to his 30-2 record at UT – to now. He’s a winner. And, as Tony Dungy said after Sunday’s game, “winner’s win.”
Another thing about winners – they don’t like failure – it’s unfamiliar and foreign territory. In 2007, Vince Young experienced failure for the first time. He threw too many interceptions. Fans booed him. And for a while, he lost his way. Lost the possibility of who he was. And ultimately lost his job as the Titan’s starting quarterback.
But true winners resurrect themselves. They learn from their experience and return stronger, steadier, more mature. I believe this is what is happening with Vince Young. The jury’s still out, but all the signs are pointing in the right direction.
Vince Young is an inspired athlete, an athlete who knows that anything is possible. But he’s also an athlete who is grounded in reality, who understands that great victories happen one play, one game at a time.
To read some good articles on Vince Young:
A good biography
A great article on Vince's transformation |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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