Sharing the word: Sanders a visible part of Cowboys' bible-study group

11/29/98

By David Moore / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING - His voice thunders from above, filling the Cowboys locker room with the message almost every Thursday during the regular season.

Call it a divine invitation.

"For all of yea laboring in the training room, come on," Deion Sanders exclaims over the loud speaker. "This is the second call for bible study. Brother, come one, come all.

"If you're sitting on the couch, confused, longing for love and acceptance. Things just aren't like they used to be at home. The liqueur don't even taste the same. You don't dance like you used to in the clubs. I'm talking to you. Meet me in the defensive meeting room and may God bless you."

The solicitation elicits a few chuckles. But this is no joke. And it's not just about Sanders, although he's become a sort of spiritual ringleader for these weekly gatherings.

Every week, anywhere from 12 to 15 players will carve 30 minutes out of their lunch break to study God's word. Different speakers are asked to attend. Area pastors and members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will drop by Valley Ranch to take part.

"Sometimes, it's the only time we get an opportunity to discuss issues like that and to discuss Christ. It's been good," running back Emmitt Smith said.

"We get a nice, well-rounded study," center Clay Shiver said. "There is no real topic for the week. Whatever the speaker is led to share with us."

The players say there is interaction. But this isn't simply a session to share personal testimony. Sanders and others say it's a time for serious study.

"We can sit up there and talk about testimony all day," Sanders said. "These guys and myself need to learn the word of God.

"The bible says man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. You need to learn the word so you can stand on the word and stop fighting with sticks and stones. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. That's the truth.

"Fellowship is way down the line, bro. We're there to learn the word of God."

"You've heard these two words in a bar before," Sanders says, his voice once again reverberating through the halls. "Last call. Come to bible study, and yea shall receive. We don't charge you $10 for a table dance. We don't charge you $5.50 for a drink. We want to get your soul. We aim to please.

"Bible attendance has been decreasing while cafe attendance has been increasing. . . . Last call."

This isn't the first season a core of players has convened at Valley Ranch to study the bible. Meetings last year took place at 7:30 or 8 a.m. every Wednesday.

Only about four to five players regularly attended. It was decided to move the meetings to the middle of the day, after the morning position meetings and before practice, to increase attendance.

It's worked. Safety Darren Woodson. Linebacker Randall Godfrey. Center Mike Kiselak. Kicker Richie Cunningham. Punter Toby Gowin. These are just a few of the regulars.

But Sanders, as always, seems to be the most visible. His entertaining calls to bible study is one way he celebrates his new-found Christianity with his teammates.

It's something he takes seriously. Sanders is aware that if he's going to talk the talk, he has to walk the walk.

"You've got to be a walking testimony for these men," Sanders said. "You can't fool them. The way you carry yourself, when you score a touchdown or you are injured, what's going to come out of your mouth. Is it going to be profanity, or are you going to glorify the Lord, knowing that all things strengthen you, work together for those who love the Lord? God is sitting up there watching you.

"Some guys are bleeding inside. I've articulated this with some of the guys in this locker room. Some are on the brink of suicide, who are hurting, in pain, don't even want to go home after practice. You don't know what they're dealing with. A lot of people don't even care. They just see them as a commodity. You [media] see them as an interview. I see them as something different than that."

"This has been a blessing," Sanders said. " To know you have teammates that will pray with you, that will help you, that will give you some good advice and it's not his own advice. . . . That is a blessing. It really is."

The players aren't alone. Cowboys coach Chan Gailey has a bible study available every Friday morning for anyone on the coaching staff who wishes to attend. He had nothing to do with helping organize the players.

"That's all on their own," Gailey said. "If they want to do it, I'm happy for them. I'd love for them to be involved. But I'm not setting it up for them or anything."

On a recent Thursday, Sanders took the microphone one last time. Smith broke away from his game of dominos to join the group. A few more players sauntered through the locker room on their way to the meeting. This really was last call.

For this day.

"I know comfort, and his name is Jesus," Sanders coos. "God bless you and have a nice day."

Power, Money & Sex : How Success Almost Ruined My Life -By Deion Sanders w/T.D. Jakes

This Cowboy Keeps His Commitments

by Tim Waits for Crosswalk.com Sports

If there's one thing that Chad Hennings knows plenty about it's commitment. You could even say he wrote the book on it.

The Dallas Cowboys' 6-foot-6, 291-pound defensive tackle fulfilled his commitment to serve his country as an Air Force pilot during the Gulf War. He is committed to excellence on the football field, he is committed to being the leader of his family and, most importantly, he is committed to serving the Lord.

And, yes, he did write a book entitled "It Takes Commitment." You get the feeling that making a commitment is something Hennings takes very seriously.

"What I try to epitomize spiritually, at home and at work is a holistic being," said Hennings, "like God modeled for us when he sent his son Jesus Christ. I try to exemplify a commitment to my wife and family and to my work life."

From simple, sturdy beginnings, Hennings has gained a global perspective of the world that few might have imagined growing up on a farm in rural Iowa.

His decision to join the Air Force Academy took him into third world countries where freedom is not taken for granted and civil unrest is the norm.

Hennings was an A-10 tankbuster pilot during the Gulf War in 1991 as part of "Operation Provide Comfort." The object of that mission was to drop supplies to the Kurds in northern Iraq and southern Turkey. Hennings put the comparatively tranquil life of being a solid defensive tackle and nose guard for the Dallas Cowboys on hold for four years after winning the Outland Trophy in 1987 and setting a Western Athletic Conference record with 24 sacks.

He was a 26-year-old rookie when he reported to the Cowboys in 1992 after being an 11th round draft pick in 1988.

"I gained a different perspective of the world, of the different cultures in different parts of the world," said Hennings of his military experience. "It makes you realize the benefits of living in this country, our freedom of speech, our freedom of religion."

Cowboys' defensive coordinator Dave Campo calls Hennings a typical Air Force guy, and that's OK with Hennings.

"Chad Hennings is obviously one of my favorite guys because he's been around for a while and I like guys who pay their dues," Campo told The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle. "He has a leadership quality about him. It doesn't come from necessarily being a great player. It comes from being a leader."

Like a high-flying Air Force pilot, Hennings' spiritual life has taken off over the last several years. Just as he flew over war-torn countries, neither is he shy about sharing his faith, though he doesn't consider himself a particularly vocal leader in that area. It's something that has always been with him and has continued to mature within him.

"I'm not one of those people who can name a time and a date for when became a Christian," he said. "Faith has always been there. I rededicated myself to Christ after the Gulf War in 1991."

His faith is right there in his perspective of his sport and his livelihood. Since joining the Cowboys, Hennings has been a part of all three Super Bowl championships of the 90's, but has also seen his team slip to a losing record in 1997. He has seen a little of both in this topsy-turvy season for the Cowboys, who were 7-6 through Dec. 13.

"It's all about consistency of play and mental errors," he said. "But that's what life is all about. God gives you obstacles to overcome. A loss does affect me, but you can bounce back and learn from it. There's always another opportunity.

"The great thing about it is that it's a team sport and everybody is committed to each other," Hennings added. "We've had some ups and downs. There are so many variables on a 53-man roster. It's not just one spot, but it's as a team. You have to have a holistic approach."

Hennings is now 34 years old and is entering the twilight of his career. Players like Charles Haley, Jim Jeffcoat and Tony Tolbert were entrenched on the Cowboys' defensive line when Hennings first arrived. These days, he has assumed the role of the crafty veteran.

"Experience means a lot in this league. I've seen a lot of things on the field of play. When you've seen everything, nothing surprises you."

Hennings has two more years remaining on his contract and that's another commitment he intends to keep, adding that he would like to round out his career at the 10-year mark. Beyond his playing days, he's not sure whether he'll pursue some sort of ministry or join in the media. What he is sure about is that God has a plan for him, his wife Tammy, son Chase and daughter Brenna.

"One of the great things about walking with Christ is that you can't fight it," he said. "The sooner you get in line with Him the better."

Hennings has done that and you can bet he'll keep that commitment to the end.
It Takes Commitment
by Chad Hennings, Dave Brannon
Tim Waits is a writer who lives in Temple, Texas.

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