Inspirational Sports Life Stories

Pistol Pete was passionate about basketball from the age of 7. His Dad inspired him with images of becoming one of the 11 or 12 greatest basketball players on the face of the earth and of being given a "big World Champion ring".

He would practice drills for hours a day. He even went to bed with a basketball until he was 14 yrs old, so he would not miss the opportunity to shoot the ball up in the air a few more times while repeating the mantra "Fingertip control, backspin, and follow though" until he finally fell asleep, "soaking wet from sweat because [he] could not wait to get up the next day to play."

Pete's dedication to basketball paid off. He went on to become one of the greatest college players ever to play basketball. He averaged 44 points a game all 3 years he played at LSU. Pete was a first team all-American for 3 years. He was voted College Player of the Year in 1970 by Sporting News. He averaged 24.2 points per game in a 10 year NBA career and was named to the All-Star team 5 times. Pete was the youngest player ever inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Pete's story tells of his discovery that basketball and the fame and fortune it brought him did not satisfy. Hear more about his his basketball journey and how he found hope, peace and fulfillment through his encounter with Jesus.

Complete audio story & transcript:

http://www.petemaravichstory.com

In 1985, Bernhard Langer was the No.1 golfer in the world, after winning seven tournaments on five continents, including the U.S. Masters. In 1993, he regained the Masters title with an impressive four stroke victory. With a total of forty wins, he ranks second in career wins on the European Tour. He has also shown great durability, finishing in a tie for fifth at The Open Championship the month before his forty-eighth birthday.

But there's more to the German pro than golf. In his audio recording and transcript, Bernhard tells his life story and what satisfies him more than winning any golf championship.

Complete audio story & transcript:

http://www.bernhardlangerstory.com/

Joe Gibbs led the Washington Redskins in becoming the second winningest team in the NFL history. He was their head coach for 12 years, leading them to 4 Super Bowls and 3 world championships.

During Joe's 4 year return to the Redskins, the team qualified for the playoffs twice. In contrast, during his eleven year hiatus from the team, they only made the playoffs once.

Currently, Joe is the head of his own auto racing empire and a popular speaker. In his life story audio recording and transcript he openly shares his trials and triumphs in the games of football, auto racing and the most important game of all, the game of life.

Complete audio story & transcript:

http://www.joegibbsstory.com/

From relative obscurity in the golf world to 1996's PGA Tour player of the year, Tom Lehman finally made his mark. Tom captured his first major title by winning the 1996 British Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. He broke the Links course record with a 64 in the third round. Also in 1996, Tom won the PGA Tour Championship, led the official prize money list, and captured the Vardon Trophy for low stroke average on the PGA Tour. Tom shares how God made the Difference.

Complete audio story & transcript:

http://www.tomlehmanstory.com/

Millions know Dave Dravecky as the ball player who came back to play in the majors after undergoing surgery for cancer in his pitching arm. Recurring cancer led to the amputation of his left arm and shoulder. His wife Jan experienced clinical depression; many friends they counted upon withdrew. You'll listen intently as Dave shares triumphantly how God strengthened him and his family as they walked through some dark valleys of despair.

Complete audio story & transcript:

http://www.davedraveckystory.com

In 1997, John Vanbiesbrouck was the leading goaltender in the NHL's Eastern Conference All-Star game and in 1998 he represented team USA at the Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. Although life appeared to be smooth on the surface, the Vanbiesbrouck home experienced significant stresses. John's older brother committed suicide. He and his wife Rosalinde faced the challenges of raising three sons, including a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this uplifting story of their lives, John and Rosalinde candidly share how God took these trials that they were experiencing and used them to transform their lives.

Complete audio story & transcript:

http://www.johnvanbiesbrouckstory.org