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If you’re in the D.C. Area this weekend, former NFL running back Shaun Alexander will  be speaking at National Community Church on Sunday (Evotional.com).

You didn’t hear much about Shaun Alexander’s return to Seattle on Sunday because, well, he didn’t play. In the 4 games he suited up for with the Redskins, Alexander carried the ball 11 times for a total of 24 yards. Today, Alexander was cut by the team.

When I saw Alexander deliver an impromptu sermonette at the Wave Conference last month, he talked about the circumstances that led him to come to Washington. How it seemed like all the signs in his life were pointing to it happening, and then the Redskins called. If you remember from that post, he was there at the conference with Clinton Portis, who apparently responded to the message preached by Judah Smith that night and met with Pastor Steve Kelly after the service.

I spoke with a pastor from Wave Church a few weeks later who confirmed that Portis and Pastor Kelly did meet after the service and that Portis was serious about connecting with God on a deeper level. Not sure how that’s working out for Clinton…I truly hope it is.

And now Shaun’s gone from Washington. I’m not surprised. For the past two seasons he hasn’t done much to impress. Seems like he became wary of taking a big hit, and was always backing his way into contact instead of trying to get by it or through it. (Not that I can blame him, they do hit pretty hard in the NFL.) Maybe he was wrong about God wanting him to play for the Redskins? Or maybe God brought him there for a few games to help Clinton Portis make some spiritual connections? Or maybe God wasn’t really involved at all?

Either way, I’m sure Shaun will land on his feet. And whether those feet are wearing cleats for another NFL team or wearing dress shoes as he talks at speaking engagements he will surely book upon eventually retiring, I’m betting you’ll hear nothing but positive things coming out of his mouth. He just seems like that type of guy.

So, if you’re an NFL GM, do you hire Alexander on the cheap? Or do you think he’s done?

What will some Redskins be doing on their trip to Seattle? Backup RB Shaun Alexander will be visiting his old church. Punter Ryan Plackemeier will be performing for Jesus when he comes out to punt. (WashingtonPost.com)

So I’m at this conference in Virginia Beach with some fellow leaders from our church for a few days. As I mentioned earlier in the week, I didn’t think I’d be able to post much from here. I thought it might be a good time forget about the sports/faith blog for a few days and just focus on the faith thing.

Well, after an inspired time of music led by Joel Houston tonight, the pastor of the church gets on stage and mentions we have a couple of special guests here tonight who play in the NFL. He introduces both players, who are members of the Washington Redskins: Clinton Portis and Shaun Alexander. Looks like I can’t get away from sports and faith! There they are sitting in the front row, about a Jason Campbell sideline post route away from me. As it turns out, Alexander is good friends with pastor Judah Smith, who was the main speaker for the evening. Portis, being Shaun’s new teammate, must have just come along for the ride.

Before Judah Smith began preaching he had Shaun come up and share a recent life lesson he learned about things happening in God’s timing. He talked about being cut from the Seahawks and how the circumstances worked out that led him to the Redskins. There were a few coincidental signs Shaun and his wife encountered as they prayed for God to show them direction and give Shaun and opportunity to play again. A few of these signs (a dream, a friend asking Shaun to be in Washington later in the year, a random gas station attendant telling Shaun he was going to play for the Redsksins) pointed to Shaun playing for the Redskins, so maybe they weren’t coincidences after all? Shaun feels like he is right where God wants him to be.

Here’s a photo of Shaun on stage. To the right you can see the arrow pointing to Clinton Portis sitting in the first row. This arrow does not exist in real life. I added it in photoshop. Though I like the thought that Clinton Portis walks around with a huge arrow floating above his head.

The message Judah Smith delivered was a good one. He talked about “tasting and seeing that God is good”. Not just observing the things of God like a spectator, but experiencing them also (Paslm 34:8). I think the message had an impact on Portis, who responded at the end to a call for those who would like to do just that. (yeah, I was supposed to have my eyes closed. But what can I say? I peaked. You would have too.)

I hoped to sneak down to the front and throw some hard-core PFB journalism in their faces after the service, but they snuck out before it was finished. Maybe they had to catch a flight to Michigan for their game against the Lions this weekend?

If anyone out there knows Jon Kitna, let him know that Clinton Portis was in the service tonight so he can do some follow-up with him once he gets to Detroit.