Sunday, August 31, 2008

Devout Heisman winner declines spot in 'Playboy' lineup

By Tim Murphy, Religion News Service

One year after winning college football's highest honor, University of Florida star Tim Tebow was pulled from consideration for Playboy's pre-season All-American team because the magazine conflicts with his Christian beliefs, a school official confirmed.
Tebow, who last year became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, comes from a family of missionaries and is a devout Baptist. Assistant Sports Information Director Zack Higbee said he chose not to nominate his quarterback for the Playboy spread based on what he knew about Tebow's spirituality.

"I've been working with Tim since his first day here and I know his priorities and his family," Higbee said. "He has that trust in me to make the decision."

As a teenager, the home-schooled Tebow made annual trips to the Philippines, where his father, a minister, runs an orphanage. This year, he went on separate missions to the Philippines, Croatia, and Thailand.

Read the entire article in USA Today.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

ELAINE BREEDEN - Olympic Swimmer

Born: Nov. 18, 1988
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
College: Stanford University

Event:•100m and 200m Butterfly

PRs:
100m Butterfly: 58.03
200m Butterfly: 2:06.75

Event Career Highlights:
USA Swimming National Champion – 100m and 200m Butterfly (2005)
200m Butterfly NCAA Champion (2007) – NCAA Record
1st Place, U.S. Swimming Trials in 200m Butterfly (2008)

“My faith has grown so much through my involvement in swimming. God is continually teaching me to rely on Him for everything and proving that if I put His Kingdom first, everything else will fall into place. My goal in swimming is to use the gift He has given me to build relationships and minister to teammates.”

Ryan Hall, Olympic Runner