Are Arians, Palmer and Cardinals really for real?

After working his magic with Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts a year ago, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is up to his old tricks, this time resurrecting the career of former Pro Bowl caliber veteran Carson Palmer – and simultaneously, the near-future hopes of a Cardinals’ franchise desperate to get back into legitimate Super Bowl title contention ever since the beloved Kurt Warner hung up his cleats.

Arians has helped Palmer get back to near-elite status as he ranks ninth in passing heading into the Cardinals’ huge Week 17 regular season finale against San Francisco. While Palmer has thrown 21 interceptions to go along with his 22 TD passes, he has managed to give the Cardinals a chance to win far more often than not, which is exactly what they’ve done. 

Warner’s right … good for Goodell!

Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner 

was one of four quarterbacks the Saints 

offered a bounty for. The now retired legend 

agreed with commisioner Roger Goodell's 

punishment of the Saints.

As one of four quarterbacks targeted in the New Orleans Saints bounty program, Future Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Kurt Warner shared his thoughts on how NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handled the situation – and I agree with the Christ-loving Warner one million percent.

“I’m shocked like a lot of people, but not fully surprised,” Warner said. “One thing we realize about the commish is this has been primary from day one … he was going to protect our players. I am shocked at Coach Payton being suspended for a year and the various other things, but this is what Commissioner Goodell has done from day one. I love that he is trying to make statements to protect our game for the long-term.”

Lin’s lovin’ the Lord too!

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin.

From the late, great Reggie White and retired NFL superstar Kurt Warner to Denver Broncos polarizing quarterback Tim Tebow and now, New York Knicks impressive point guard Jeremy Lin, I’ve got to say, it’s a wonderful thing to see athletes profess their love of the Lord in front of millions of viewers.

While some sports fans don’t like to mix religion with their sports, I believe that only a fool can – and would – try to separate the two!

Why?

Because, first and foremost, the two have been, almost forever linked. Secondly, God is in everything we do – whether some folks agree with that fact or not.

Late, great NFL Hall
of Fame legend Reggie White.

Why else do you think prayer has always been a part of sports teams pre-game rituals, mostly, football, since the inception of the sport?

Having said that, I just want to say that it’s an awesome thing to know that Lin has joined Tebow and that young people all over the globe will want to become better people whether they practice Christianity or another religion of their choice.

To know that Tebow received a lot of backlash – and in some cases – outright hatred – because of his penchant for professing his love for the Lord, is a saddening fact of life today.

Former NFL
superstar Kurt Warner.

However, outnumbering Tebow’s detractors were a contingent of supporters like me, that praised him for living an exemplary lifestyle and being an upstanding role model for young people everywhere.

While Lin has now opened himself up to criticism from sports fans that like to keep religion and their beloved pastime separate, he’s also won over a huge following of like-minded Christians that are sick and tired of seeing today’s plethora of penitentiary-bound performers, no matter the sport.

After Lin lit up Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers with a career-high 38 points on Friday night' he told reporters after the game, "I just give all the praise to God."

At the start of the New Year, Lin’s facebook said that his resolution is to "love God more deeply and intimately by Dec 31 than I did on Jan 1."

On Twitter, Lin also said, "to know Him is to want to know Him more."

Last year, as a member of the Golden State Warriors Lin testified at River of Life Christian Church  that he considers everything in his life – including his coaches, his "tall" genes (6'3) and opportunities given to play – blessings from God.

"I look back and I realize these are His fingerprints all over my story," he said. "I realize I had to learn ... to stop chasing the perishable prizes of this earth ... and give my best effort unto God and trust Him with the results."

Say what you like about the sensational Jeremy Lin, but clearly this young man is being used to tell a story that only God could tell – and I’m enjoying the show as long as it’s running!