Over its 25 years of existence, one thing is clear about Athletes in Action’s annual Super Bowl Breakfast: God has divinely orchestrated each event.

The very nature of the breakfast, created in 1988 as an outreach to business executives in the Super Bowl host city, means some logistical challenges for the humans who plan the event from AIA headquarters in Xenia, Ohio. Every year brings a new city, a new venue, a new steering committee, new sponsors and a new award winner…one that isn’t known until about four weeks before the event.

Still, the massive undertaking comes together every February for one reason: God still seeks to move among the business community.

“Every year, God puts together the program the audience needs to hear,” says Terry Bortz, AIA Global Media Director and the key organizer of the breakfast, which she calls “an awards program with an inspirational message.”

The breakfast is a major production: around 2,000 are expected to attend annually, though last year’s event in Dallas drew a sell-out crowd of 2,400. This year’s event moves to the Midwest as Indianapolis hosts the big game. The breakfast is slated for Feb. 4.

The highlight of the breakfast is the presentation of the Bart Starr Award, given to the National Football League player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. Named for the Hall of Famer and MVP of Super Bowls I and II, the award is presented each year by Starr himself and is a big draw to the event.

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article courtesy of TheChristianPost.com

BROWNS NAME BRAD CHILDRESS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

The Cleveland Browns today named Brad Childress offensive coordinator, the team announced. Childress brings 33 years of coaching experience on both the collegiate and professional levels to the Browns, including 13 in the NFL. Most recently, he spent five seasons (2006-10) as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

As head coach of the Vikings, Childress guided Minnesota to a regular season record of 39-35 (.527), as the team won consecutive division titles (2008-09) for the first time in 28 years (1977-78). In 2009, the team posted a 12-4 record, matching the second-best win total in franchise history, while leading the NFL with a club-high 10 Pro Bowlers. Also in 2009, the team’s passing offense, led by quarterback Brett Favre, finished the season ranked eighth, as Favre set career-highs in passer rating (107.2) and completion percentage (68.4%), while throwing 33 touchdown passes. During Childress’ first four seasons at the helm, the Vikings’ rushing offense posted the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL (136.1 ypg) and the third-best average for rushing yards per carry (4.5). Under Childress’ tutelage, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson led the NFC and ranked second in the NFL with 1,341 rushing yards as a rookie. Peterson also led the league in rushing in 2008 with a franchise-best 1,760 yards and paced the NFL in 2009 with 18 rushing touchdowns. 

Prior to joining the Vikings, Childress spent seven seasons (1999-2005) with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he tutored the quarterbacks for the first three years (1999-2001) and spent the final four as offensive coordinator (2002-05). During his tenure with the club, the Eagles posted a 70-42 record (.625), captured four consecutive NFC East Division titles (2001-04) and advanced to the postseason five straight seasons (2000-04). Philadelphia also represented the NFC in Super Bowl XXXIX following the 2004 season. During that season, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb set franchise records in passer rating (104.7) and completion percentage (64.0%), while becoming the first quarterback in NFL history with more than 30 touchdown passes (31) and fewer than 10 interceptions (8) in a single season. As offensive coordinator, Childress led a group that ranked in the top 10 in total offense twice, amassed more than 5,000 yards each season and averaged 333.8 yards per game. In addition, the offensive unit was highlighted by seven starters who earned a combined 14 Pro Bowl berths from 2000-05. 

Childress began his coaching career at the University of Illinois, spending the 1978 season as a graduate assistant before coaching both the running backs and wide receivers for six seasons (1979-84). In 1985, he entered the NFL coaching ranks as he spent one season (1985) as the quarterbacks coach with the Indianapolis Colts. Over the next 13 years, he made coaching stops at Northern Arizona (1986-89), the University of Utah (1990) and the University of Wisconsin (1991-98). As the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin, the Badgers appeared in five bowl games, which included two Rose Bowl victories in 1993 and 1998.

Childress began his collegiate career at Eastern Illinois before transferring to the University of Illinois, where he played quarterback and wide receiver. He graduated from Eastern Illinois with a degree in psychology. A native of Aurora, Illinois, Childress attended Marmion Christian Academy.

Brad and his wife, Dru-Ann, have three sons, Andrew, Christopher and Kyle, and one daughter, Cara. They also have twin grandsons, Aiden and Brecken.

Brad Childress’ Coaching Background:

1978-84                University of Illinois, graduate assistant/running backs/wide receivers

1985                       Indianapolis Colts, quarterbacks coach

1986-89                Northern Arizona University, offensive coordinator

1990                       University of Utah, wide receivers coach

1991                       University of Wisconsin, running backs coach

1992-98                University of Wisconsin, quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator

1999-2001            Philadelphia Eagles, quarterbacks coach

1992-05                Philadelphia Eagles, offensive coordinator

2006-10                Minnesota Vikings, head coach

2012-                     Cleveland Browns, offensive coordinator

http://canton.woio.com/news/sports-recreation/70129-browns-name-brad-childress-offensive-coordinator

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

The 13th Annual Superbowl Gospel Celebration will be happening Friday February 3rd at Clowes Memorial Hall on then campus of Butler University. Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis and Former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy talk about faith and football.

article courtesy of superbowlgospel.com

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It’s Tebow time: Denver quarterback inspires nation

Were you talking about anyone else on Monday? Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich facing off in New Hampshire today? Your boss? President Obama’s new chief of staff? Doubtful.

The Denver Broncos quarterback — a fervid evangelical with more devotion than downfield passing skills — took 11 seconds to rip off the longest overtime touchdown pass in the shortest overtime in playoff history Sunday night, lofting his team into the second round of the NFL playoffs.
“Hyperbole is almost impossible,” says Tom Krattenmaker, author of Onward ChristianAthletes. “His piety and his outspoken evangelical commitment are interesting, but they wouldn’t matter if not for the incredible drama and success he brings to the football field.”

Now, Tebow talk has swept the nation.

•His against-all-odds heroics brought CBS a mind-blowing 25.9 overnight rating, the best for a wild card football game in almost 25 years.

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article courtesy of USAToday.com

Professional athletes with a desire to share their faith have in the past been met with harsh criticism, however, they have been offered a platform to give their testimonies with the hugely popular Power to Win DVD, which is being released for the 2012 Super Bowl.

Power to Win is a ministry tool that features testimonies from current and former NFL players who share their love for Christ, according to its website. It is popular among Christian athletes and can be used by outreach programs during halftime of the Super Bowl.

The powerful DVD has led thousands of people to make a commitment to Christ over the past, since 1992 when the first video was produced, according to powertowin.org. It was made to be used in churches, men’s ministries, youth groups, college ministries, sports teams and football fans.

Power to Win (PTW) is an opportunity to share the Gospel with both believers and seekers, according to Sports Spectrum. It has attracted over 2 million viewers, has been viewed at over 40,000 outreach parties and resulted in over 50,000 decisions for Christ

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article courtesy of TheChristianPost.com

Browns President Mike Holmgren addressed the Cleveland media on Thursday in a 73-minute “State of the Browns” season-ending news conference.

Holmgren asked Browns fans to be patient, reminding us that this team is in a rebuilding mode. How much more patience is left in this great football city of ours?

If Colt McCoy is not your franchise quarterback, then tell us all now. Don’t expect Browns fans to hold their breath through another draft and then get all excited for training camp when the team decides to go in a different direction, but you know we will.

Holmgren said without saying, that the quarterback has to be able to throw the ball to players who are going to catch the ball, while also being protected a little bit. Translation: Receivers have to stop dropping passes and the offensive line needs an overhaul.

Tom Heckert also mentioned that the team would most likely not bring a free agent quarterback in. He added it’s a little too early to commit to a quarterback in the draft without knowing who is coming out.

I know Robert Griffin III is coming out and I pick fourth. If he is there and all the scouts are right about his potential, then it’s a no-brainer, right? Again, patience Browns fans. Yeah, riggggggght.

Is Pat Shurmur the right head coach for the Browns moving forward? Mike Holmgren thinks so. The rookie head coach should not have also held the title of offensive coordinator. That is way too much to put on any head coach’s plate. Especially in a season that was shortened by a lockout.

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article courtesy of Newsnet5.com

Berea (WOIO) – The Browns cleaned out their lockers on Monday and headed home, but not before expressing optimism that the right foundation is in place, and far better days, and seasons, are on the horizon.

“I didn’t tell you that a year ago, because we were way off”, cornerback Sheldon Brown told Tony Zarrella, “but we’re headed in the right direction”.

Brown also threw his full support behind first-year head coach Pat Shurmur, saying players fought for their coach until the end.

Still, that sentiment comes after the Browns finished 4-12, with six straight losses to close out the season.

“4-12 is unacceptable”, said kicker Phil Dawson, who’s coming off his best season as a pro, and who’s about to hit the free agent market. 

The Browns, who own the 4th overall pick in next April’s draft, as well as a late first-round pick as well, face many tough decisions over the next few months, including their quarterback situation, and Peyton Hillis’ future with the team.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/16430470/browns-hit-offseason-optimistic

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News

The Browns would love to deny their division foe a first-round bye with a loss on Sunday, but more importantly, no matter who starts at quarterback (and at the time of this preview it looks like Seneca Wallace) the Browns need to prove they can hang with perennial division champs.

Wallace called the Steelers and the Ravens the bullies of the AFC North, and even with the surprise season the Bengals are having this year, the Browns need to start beating these two teams on a much more regular basis.

The Browns would like nothing more then to usher in the New Year with a win. Ben Roethlisberger did practice this week and could get the start and why not, the Steelers are 13-1 against the orange helmets in games started by Big Ben.

Pittsburgh would like to run the football and take the pressure off of Roethlisberger, but big plays hurt the Browns in the last matchup, especially with two 1,000-yard receivers to thrown to in Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, who’s 79-yard touchdown catch with 2:52 left put the Browns away in the first meeting.

Peyton Hillis is starting to heal just in time to help the Browns 28th-ranked rushing attack. Hillis ran for a season high 112 yards against the Ravens last week.

Josh Cribbs career-best 84-yard punt return for a touchdown will bring back some scary memories for the Steelers special teams as well.

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article courtesy of Newsnt5.com

Former Glenville High School and Ohio State University football star Troy Smith pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to all charges involved in a Dec. 23 traffic stop at West 9th Street and Main Avenue.

Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Anita Laster Mays set Jan. 17 as his first pre-trial date.

Smith, 27, was stopped for a traffic violation about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and that’s when police saw that he had an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license.

He was also charged with having tinted windows on his vehicle and an open container containing an alcoholic beverage.

In 2006, Smith won the Heisman Trophy while at OSU, then was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and played two seasons there before playing one year with the San Francisco 49ers.

In October, Smith finished his first season with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.

article courtesy of Wkyc.com

Amazingly, 79 of those 100 8th graders fulfilled those requirements and Edwards has followed through on his promise, donating $790,000 so the students could go to colleges . Edwards currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers and only earns $1 million a year, which is probably less than $790,000 after taxes.

Yahoo Sports reports:

As a Cleveland Browns rookie in 2005, Edwards announced he’d give $10,000 in scholarships to 100 area eighth graders if they could graduate high school with over a 2.5 GPA and 15 hours community service. Of the 100 who were afforded the opportunity, 79 met the criteria and have begun their first year of college. Many are attending Ohio universities, but the schools represented spread across the country and include Harvard, Cornell and Johns Hopkings.

Read More At Yahoo Sports