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Face to Face ministries focuses on Christian athletes. A question I hear often is, “Why athletes? Why not focus on musicians or businessmen?” The answer lies in the importance of sports in today’s culture. Many things have changed over years, but the importance of sports among Americans has not diminished. Sports is also the last entertainment venue left where the key figures are willing to take a stand for Christ. When was the last time you saw a prominent Hollywood figure talk about Christ in a positive manner? The same is true with musicians, authors, and media figures. Even the ones who become vocal about their faith are often dismissed to a sort of “Christian ghetto.” But leading athletes are not ashamed to show their devotion to Christ. An example is Albert Pujols. The St. Louis Cardinals first baseman is called by some the best baseball player in America. In his first five years in the majors, he hit 200 homers, knocked in 621 runs and batted .332. Pujols is also one of the few men in baseball history to have hit more than 49 homers in one season. But he wants people to know of the importance of his Christian faith. And where many of his counterparts are looking to sneak away to a strip club, Albert is a family oriented superstar who asks his fans to pray for him so he won’t “fall into temptation.”

Another superstar on the rise is football star LaDainan Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers. The former Texas Christian University running back has become the envy of fantasy footballers everywhere. Yet off the field, LaDainan is just another person trying to cope with the tragedies of life. This was never more evident than in February 2005. He and his wife had just returned from Hawaii where he had played in the NFL Pro Bowl. However, his wife LaTorsha miscarried and their world was turned upside down. To cope with not only his own disappointment, but his wife’s grief, Tomlinson turned to the Lord. His faith is readily evident to teammates and fans in the San Diego area, but others may only see him as a key player in the Chargers run to the Super Bowl. Few know that he is the spiritual leader of that team.

It is certain that sports has its share of troublemakers, but there are many who use their prominence to help others in their daily lives. Think of these two the next time you see them on TV and be reminded that there are many, even locally who want to be like them.