Super Bowl Breakfast Features Tributes to Several NFL Greats

Athletes in Action’s 2012 Super Bowl Breakfast featured a host of National Football League legends and current players but with a twist – all were pointing to their faith in Jesus Christ as the key to life.

Former San Francisco 49ers tight end Brent Jones emceed the 25^th annual breakfast, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 4, the day before the New York Giants and the New England Patriots took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Super Bowl.

Current and former Indianapolis Colts players Jeff Saturday and Tarik Glenn – who co-chaired the event – and Hunter Smith, a member of the host committee, shared first about their football experiences. Marine Corporal Josh Bleill inspired the audience with his story about losing both legs in Iraq in 2006 when his Humvee was struck by an explosive device. He now serves as community spokesman for the Colts after an encounter with the team at Walter Reed Medical Center after their Super Bowl win in 2007.

Jerry Reese, general manager for the Giants, also spoke briefly about the role of the AIA chaplain in the team’s growth.

Recalling “the catch”

A special guest for the morning was David Tyree, formerly with the New York Giants and the receiver of “the catch” made famous in Super Bowl XLII when the Giants and Patriots played in Arizona. Tyree recalled that 32-yard desperation pass on the Giants’ final drive in more spiritual terms.

“I was probably the least likely candidate to be in position for Super Bowl 42 to have any kind of impact… as a special teams guy,” Tyree said. “The night before the game was probably the most amazing moment I had. I was praying with someone I call my spiritual mother, and she said to me, ‘David, God is quickening your feet, giving you hinds feet like the feet of a deer to jump high; the Lord is putting a spiritual glue on your hands.’ The last thing she said to me is, ‘God is going to give you the big play.’

“I believe that God speaks however He wants to speak, and I received that word from God and said, ‘Thank you.’ But I never knew it would amount to Super Bowl history.”

Tyree retired in 2009 after a season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens Coach John Harbaugh attended as well and was featured in an interview segment with longtime friend Mark Householder, current president of AIA. Harbaugh spoke of his four years with the Ravens, the unique experience of playing against his brother, Jim, head coach of the 49ers, and the close call that changed the Ravens’ path to the big game.

“It’s hard to describe, and you don’t know what to expect, but really what I felt was an unbelievable peace,” says Harbaugh about the last-minute loss in the AFC championship. “Right then when Lee (Evans) dropped the pass and Billy (Cundiff) missed the kick, I felt something that was an incredible peace, what I refer to as a peace that is really unknown to mankind, beyond understanding. That’s a peace we prayed for as a team throughout the season.”

Harbaugh also spoke highly of Jim Caldwell, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and now the quarterback coach for the Ravens, who kept his commitment to the breakfast and served on the host committee.

Celebrating silver

In celebration of the 25^th year for the breakfast, several former Bart Starr Award winners were interviewed by Jones – also a Starr Award winner – including Anthony Munoz and Troy Vincent. Vincent shared about the honor he was unable to receive in person, having been home for the funeral of his grandfather on the day he was honored in 2004.

“To be a recipient of the Bart Starr Award and knowing what those individuals mean and what Bart means is truly a humbling experience,” Vincent said.

“You start to really go down memory lane of all those individuals that God puts into your life that really model character, that allow us to achieve certain things,” Munoz said. “I know firsthand it’s not just myself. I thought about having a chance at USC to enter into my spiritual journey and let God build character into our lives.

“Knowing about Bart Starr on the football field and as a person, I am still very thankful to be part of this great fraternity. Having that award after your name brings a responsibility to be an upstanding citizen and live a life of character. It holds you accountable.”

The celebration continued with a special interview segment of Starr, Green Bay Packers legendary quarterback, Hall of Famer and MVP of Super Bowl I and II, and his wife Cherry. Mrs. Starr enjoyed sharing some funny moments of their nearly 58-year marriage, including their elopement while in college at two different schools in Alabama.

The highlight of the breakfast was the presentation of the Bart Starr Award to London Fletcher, linebacker for the Washington Redskins. Fletcher thanked his peers for the honor and spoke of the importance of using his platform for God’s glory and message.

The event ended with Jones explaining how to become a Christian and asking the 2,000 attendees to fill out comment cards indicating any faith decisions they made at the breakfast.

By Teresa Young, AIA Communications

Photos: Top: Brent Jones (right) interviews Bart and Cherry Starr (photo by Mary Dixon, AIA)

Bottom: David Tyree (left) talks about “the catch” with Brent Jones (photo by Dave Perlow, AIA) by teresa young 8. February 2012 04:20

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