prayers for blowouts

Michael Redd: A Big Loser (of weight)

If you're new here, and you're into sports and/or the Christian faith, subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

In an article published in the December 3rd edition of ESPN the Magazine, Chris Broussard writes of the physical transformation that Michael Redd underwent this summer after spending time with the Olympic qualifying team.

The piece, which begins with Redd making fun of himself for the “flabby arms” and “neck rolls” that he was sporting before getting serious about his physical conditioning this past year, includes this amusing anecdote:

Who is going to question an NBA star who, because of his religious beliefs, was celibate for three-and-a-half years before he tied the knot in August 2006?

Honeys knocked on his door at 2 a.m., followed him to his car after games and left seductive messages on his phone, but through it all he was faithful, to his Lord and to his future wife, Achea. His teammates thought he was crazy.

“You gay, man?” they asked. “Scared?”

Once they realized he was neither, they got behind his decision.

Redd, who scored a season-high 41 points last night in a Bucks loss to the Sonics, is the son of a Columbus, Ohio preacher. As is noted in Sports Spectrum this month, Redd viewed his opportunity to play with Team USA this past summer as more than just an opportunity to show off his game.

“I think that [was] my purpose, other than just to shoot the basketball,” Redd says. “It gives me the chance to let others know about Christ and help them through situations they may be going through. I thank God for the opportunity and the privilege to share the gospel in no matter what setting–whether it be in Vegas, in a casino, in a hotel–just somewhere I can let these brothers know that they need Christ. It’s a privilege, man. It really [was] an honor to come out here and do that.”

I’m not sure how much impact Redd’s faith had on his teammates, but his skills certainly left an impression. Redd finished the tournament as the fourth leading scorer on the gold medal winning Team USA, including a team best 29 3-pointers.

Now teamed up with rookie Yi Jianlian, Redd hopes his new lean body and improved focus can help propel the Bucks into the playoffs, “I got spoiled this summer…I got used to winning, so now I have a low tolerance for losing. I’m tired of settling for mediocrity — in the playoffs one year, out the next. I’m ready to win, and it starts with me.”

Tags: baseketball, Michael Redd