Football and Marriage

Marriage and football. There really is a connection. Jon Strain, director of Search Minsitries of Boise, wrote the following "Marriage Playbook and Rules (For Football Fan(atic)s that was presented to a young couple at their wedding ceremony.

HUDDLE BEFORE EVERY PLAY

Discuss what you're going to do and your position/roles so that you're moving the ball down the field together. "If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his pesonal goals to the good of the team." Bud Wilkinson

Check to see if there's a play being sent in from the head coach or you won't have a prayer. Or, if you don't pray, you won't have a play ... worth running, that is. The man's play: 1 Peter 3:7. Woman's play: Ephesians 5:33

Be prepared to run different offensive plays during different seasons of your marriage.

PROTECT THE FOOTBALL

The football is your relationship.

More football / marriage in the next blog.

Willis Overcomes Obstacles

Patrick Willis, an award-wining linebacker, is vying to become a first-round draft pick in the NFL draft in April. He is definitely turning loss into gain. Michael Marot tells the story through an AP wire.

When Patrick was four years old his mother abandoned him and three siblings. They lived with a disinterested dad. Two years later, he was cooking meals for his siblings and by age 10, was working in Tennessee’s cotton fields with his grandmother, earning $110 per week. The money went to his dad so he could pay family bills.
As a teenager, Patrick and sibs had to find another place to live because of abuse in the home. He earned a football scholarship to U. of Mississippi where he led the nation as a junior, with 90 solo tackles despite playing with a broken finger, sprained knee, sprained foot and a separated shoulder. As a senior, he finished the season with 137 tackles, was All-American and winner of the Butkus award as the nation’s top linebacker.

In 22 years, he has overcome more obstacles, challenges and disappointment than most people experience in a lifetime and Willis believes the tribulations have helped him grow as a player, too. “My real-life experience taught me how to compete through adversity, “ he said. “No matter what happens, if someone knocks you down, you have to find a way to get up and get the job done. That’s what you have to do.”
Loss, pain – to gain. I for one, am cheering him on to a first round draft pick!