Report: Jeff Fisher close to selecting Rams

One report indicates that Jeff Fisher is close to selecting the St. Louis Rams in a move that could begin a domino effect for the NFL clubs looking to hire a head coach.

Howard Balzer of ESPN 101 in St. Louis writes that Fisher is “on the verge” of choosing the Rams over the Miami Dolphins. He cites a variety of reasons, the ones you would expect. St. Louis has quarterback Sam Bradford in place and the Rams compete in the NFC West, which doesn’t have a powerhouse to deal with like the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

Top-seeded Patriots wary of Tim Tebow magic

Tim Tebow has led Denver (9-8) on 18 scoring drives in the fourth quarter or overtime over the last 12 games, the most recent coming on Demaryius Thomas’ 80-yard catch and run on the first play of overtime in Sunday’s 29-23 playoff upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was Tebow’s fourth win in overtime this season.

The second-year quarterback played well in his first test vs. a New England team that has struggled defensively, allowing 4,727 passing yards. Tebow completed 11 of 22 for 194 yards and was Denver’s leading rusher with 93 yards and two scores.

If quarterback Tom Brady and his high-octane Patriots start quickly and make the NFL’s top ground game (164.5 yards a game) less of a weapon, Broncos coach John Fox is confident Tebow will respond to the challenge.

Church Super Bowl Outreach Resources, Videos, Ideas

2012 POWER TO WIN: Men of Character
Featuring Jeff Saturday, London Fletcher, and Hunter Smith…with host Heath Evans

Power To Win is an unparalleled ministry tool. It’s a DVD that features testimonies from current and former NFL players who share their love for Christ. This year’s DVD features four Super Bowl Champions. Jeff Saturday and Hunter Smith from the Colts, London Fletcher from the Rams/Redskins and Heath Evans from the Saints. This year’s Super Bowl is February 5th, 2012 so plan your halftime outreach today!

Get Super Bowl outreach resources for your church here.

UFC’s Jon Jones Fights for Christ in the Cage

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Jon “Bones” Jones will walk into “UFC 140” on Dec. 10, as its light heavyweight champion. He’ll take on 17-2 Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre in a winner-takes-all brawl. Regardless of the outcome, he’ll walk out with his staunch faith in Jesus Christ.

“I have no doubt that Jon Jones is a devout Christian,” said Roger Pattison, a training partner at Capital MMA in Alexandria, Va. “He seems to be humble, hardworking and a good person. Faith in Christ provides strength outside of yourself and makes any of the work you do much more fulfilling.”

Gene Chizik’s All In: What It Takes to Be the Best

All In chronicles the remarkable journey of Gene Chizik, who in two short years went from being the much-maligned 5–19 coach of the Iowa State Cyclones to the undefeated, AP SEC Coach of the Year of the 2010 national champion Auburn Tigers.

Coach Chizik shares never-before-told stories about his controversial head coaching career—from his highly contentious departure from Iowa State and his heavily criticized appointment at Auburn to his historic 2010 championship run and all the unexpected twists, turns, tragedies, and triumphs along the way. As he recounts his journey, he opens up about the pivotal role his faith has played in his life and career, and he shares his time-tested secrets to success, both on and off the field.

All In is an inspirational must-read for football fans everywhere and for anyone who has ever struggled to overcome their own 5–19 season of life.

Son of Fallen Rangers Fan Throws 1st Pitch of Playoffs

With 50,000 fans on their feet, many with tears in their eyes, 6-year-old Cooper Stone stood on the pitcher’s mound and tossed the ceremonial first pitch of the playoffs to his favorite player, Josh Hamilton.

Cooper is the boy who saw his firefighter father fall to his death while trying to catch a ball thrown to him by Hamilton during a Texas game on July 7. This was his first trip back to Rangers Ballpark, and it came at the center of a huge stage, with his widowed mother, Jenny, and Rangers president Nolan Ryan by his side.

“Game On: Find Your Purpose – Pursue Your Dream” by Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher of the Dallas Cowboys, Dancing with the Stars champion, and successful real-estate investor, outlines the principles that helped him become a winner on and off the football field. In this book he encourages you to live your God-given dream, now. Emmitt reveals that it’s not only vision and talent that propel us toward our dreams, but also a combination of determination, persistence, humility, courage, and faith. In this book, Emmitt gives readers the tools to pursue their dream with all their mind, heart, and soul.

The NEW 2011 NFL Pro Book with Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers

This year’s Pro Book has all the information you need to keep you on schedule for the upcoming season. Each Pro book includes a full season schedule of every team, the story and testimony of Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, and a clear gospel message. The Pro book is a great tool for outreach, sports ministries, youth ministries, and Bible studies. It also makes a great gift for business associates, family, and friends!

Order here.

Former Bucs DE Lee Roy Selmon dies

Lee Roy Selmon, the Hall of Fame defensive end who teamed with his brothers at Oklahoma to create a dominant defensive front that helped lead the Sooners to consecutive national championships, died Sunday — two days after being hospitalized for a stroke.

Newton officially named Panthers starter

The Carolina Panthers never asked Cam Newton to save them — just lead them. Now it’s time for him to show he can do it in a game that matters. The Panthers declared Newton their opening day starter following their 33-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night in the preseason finale. That came after he threw his first touchdown pass as a pro.