Welcome to Sports Hoard for the week of February 15, 2016!
Hot news items for the week include:
- Stephen Curry claiming the title of “The Best” in the NBA.
- Dwight Howard coming forward about his Christianity and the struggles he endured in the NBA.
- And of course, there’s Payton Manning, Again!
When Dwight Howard entered the NBA in 2004 at the age of 19, his intent was to use the league as a global platform to share the message of Jesus Christ. Young, naive and full of new money, the temptation and availability got to be too much for him. Through surgery and trades, Howard told CBN he endured hard times but his faith in God is what kept him strong. When asked about the “Draft Day Howard” and the present day Howard he says, he would tell himself to “let nothing steal your joy” and that “you’re going to go through hell.” Howard is reclaiming his faith and reinstating his mission of showing Christ on and off the court. Man looks at the outside but only God knows the true heart of a man. Let’s pray he stays grounded in faith and that he would have opportunities to share Jesus Christ and win souls for the kingdom!
Reigning MVP Stephen Curry may have ruffled some feathers when he said he is the best player in the world right now. Some agree Stephen is the best and should own it, but others are asking for a big dose of humility. Curry goes on to say, in order to achieve this level, you have to believe you’re the best. To do otherwise would be a disservice. To those with the humble spoons, Curry says you can expect him to keep getting better.
After winning Super Bowl 50 and contemplating retirement Payton Manning is facing new unwanted attention. According to an article in the New York Daily News, a former trainer from the University of Tennessee accuses Manning of sexual assault. The article claims there was a massive cover-up by the university and the Manning family to protect Payton, who was just a minor star athlete at the time. Dating back to 1996, these allegations cost the victim two prestigious positions in college sports. The victim is also claiming that multiple U of T athletes participated in some 27 instances of verbal and physical assault. When she came forward with accusations, they were played down in order to protect the athletes. Why is this coming up now, seems to be the unanswered question.
The 2016 Summer Olympics is scheduled to begin in less than six months. However, the Zika virus may be putting things in jeopardy. Even though it has been reported women who are not pregnant face no health threats if infected, Hope Solo and other women athletes have expressed concern (even downright refusal to go if contamination is not brought under control). Medical officials have advised women to refrain from becoming pregnant for 4-6 months after travel to Zika and affected countries. Solo states, she’s not willing to put her life on hold that way. She also states, her and her husband should be able to become pregnant when they wish and it may not be worth it to play in the Olympics.
Of course, this week wouldn’t have been covered without highlights from the 2016 NBA Dunk Contest! Enjoy!!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FKFF78tHN_k%2520frameborder%3D0%2520allowfullscreen
