Inspiring Athletes

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Ned Jarrett (Photo courtesy of NASCAR Media)

In NASCAR’s rough and tumble era of the 1950s and 1960s, Hall of Fame inductee Ned Jarrett stood out due to his understated personality and polite demeanor. Perhaps that’s why the media often referred to him as “Gentlemen Ned” and looked at him as one of the sport’s original statesmen.

After winning two Cup championships, Jarrett shocked the racing world by retiring in his prime. He went on to have a stellar broadcasting career and gained additional notoriety as Cup champion Dale Jarrett’s father.

These days, Jarrett enjoys reminiscing over his glory days on the track and a faith movement that he helped pioneer.

In this Inspiring Athletes conversation, Jarrett talks about his beginning in the sport, the prevalent nature of moonshine during those early days and how faith has evolved amongst the NASCAR community:

Chad Bonham: How did you first get interested in stockcar racing?

Ned Jarrett: My dad had taken me to some races in the area here (in Newton, North Carolina) at some dirt track events and made a racing man out of me. Then they started building a track about eight or 10 miles from the farm (in Hickory). It was a big thing for the community because there were very few forms of entertainment. You had a couple movie theaters in town and high school sports and that was about it. Having a racetrack, that was a big thing. You’d go down to the country store on a rainy day when you couldn’t work on the farm and these farmers and saw millers would be sitting around talking, “Boy, wait ‘til they get that thing built. I’ll go up there and show ‘em how to drive.” Secretly I thought, “Wow, I want to do that.”

Bonham: How aware were you of the moonshine connection within the sport?

Factory Ford driver Ned Jarrett won the Southern 500 in 1965, beating Buck Baker’s Plymouth (No. 86) by 14 laps, the widest margin of victory in NASCAR Cup Series history. (Photo by RacingOne/Getty Images)

Jarrett: Once I got into racing, I knew of people who were involved. In fact, it seemed like back in those days, a big percentage of the drivers were involved in moonshine, one way or another. That’s one of the reasons why my dad did not want me to drive racecars. He didn’t think that it would be good for the image that he had worked so hard to build his family and the respect that he tried to build in the community. He couldn’t see where my participation with the moonshiners could add to the image that he had worked so hard to build. He felt like it might tear down the image. He wasn’t against those people. There were a lot of good people who were involved in moonshine. They worked hard at it. He didn’t talk against them, but he didn’t want his sons involved in it. There was a reputation that came with (moonshine). And the biggest part of that reputation was they were doing something that was against the law. They were breaking the law. I don’t know that my dad or anyone else looked at them as big sinners. They just had a different way of making a living. For some of them, it was the only way they knew. It was just something that sort of accepted. It’s not that my dad wouldn’t associate with them, but he just didn’t want me involved in a sport that didn’t have a very good image back then, especially when so many of the participants were involved in moonshine.

Bonham: You were one of the few outspoken Christians during the late 1950s and early 1960s. What was the atmosphere like within the sport for you and other believers?

Jarrett: I never felt any animosity as a result of being a Christian. I never tried to hide the fact that I was a Christian but I also didn’t try to push it on anyone else. Whatever beliefs they had, that was their business and the beliefs that I had was my business. I never felt that anyone felt badly towards me because I was a Christian. I didn’t try to hide it, but I didn’t try to get up and preach because I wasn’t capable of doing that. I don’t think God put me on the earth for that or He would have led me in a different direction.

Bonham: Why did you retire at such a young age?

Class of 2011 Inductee Ned Jarrett (L) and Dale Jarrett (R) pose prior to the 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the Charlotte Convention Center on May 23, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Jarrett: There were a number of reasons that I got out as early as I did. One was that I vowed to myself early on that however far up the ladder I got, I would quit while I was there and not go down the other side. People have a tendency to remember the last thing you did and I didn’t want them to remember me as a has-been. Also, we didn’t know how long we could continue to race and how old we could be and continue to race and be effective. We were comparing ourselves to athletes in other sports. You get in your mid-30s and you start losing some of that athletic ability. I was 34 and although I felt like I still had some years left in me, I had broken my back the year before in ’65, but I continued to drive through that and won the championship. I don’t say that boastfully but that’s the way it was. I felt physically fit to continue on in ’66 and then Ford pulled out and it made me step back and take a look at the lack of security there was in the sport, for one thing. I was also missing out on a lot of things that my children had going on in their lives and I wanted to be a part of it. My daughter (Patti) was six years old. Dale was nine years old. My oldest son Glenn was fifteen. They were at the stages of their lives where they had a lot of things going on. I couldn’t be a part of their lives as long as I was running all over the country driving race cars. That factored into it as well.

Bonham: How would you compare your era to the current era where so many young drivers are openly sharing their faith?

Jarrett: It’s very different from when I was driving but it’s very refreshing. I love to see it. I happened to be at Daytona when Trevor Bayne won. I went to Victory Lane and I’d never met him. It’s great to see that. It certainly is a sharp contrast to the days when I was racing. But you’ve got a different platform now then we had back in those days. There was no television and very few media members that were there and those media members were either not Christians or they didn’t talk about it either and they wouldn’t write about it. I don’t recall many stories that were written about me being a Christian while driving racecars. What little that was written about the sport back then, they would write about what the driver was doing on the racetrack. There were some complimentary articles written about me being a family man and those kinds of things over the years, which I really appreciated. But as far as digging deep into my faith, I don’t recall much of that going on.

Bonham: Why do you think NASCAR has become so friendly and open to the idea of public expressions of faith and ministry at the track through organizations like Motor Racing Outreach?

NASCAR Hall of Fame member Ned Jarrett poses beside his 1964 #11 Ford Galaxy, during the Hall of Honor unveiling at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 24, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/ Getty Images for NASCAR)

Jarrett: The sport has always been pictured as a family sport, starting with the France family. I think the family image has been and has become even more important to NASCAR as years have passed. If the families are made up of down-to-earth type people—fun-loving, God-fearing people—then I think that has certainly helped. That image has grown and NASCAR is more interested now in seeing it grow more. I think they like that and they should. I feel that has helped to open doors for Christianity and faith in the sport. It’s good to see that (NASCAR is) actually encouraging the things that go on in the sport and the work that God’s doing in the sport.

This is a just a small portion of a longer interview conducted with Ned Jarrett for an upcoming Judson Press book called Faith in the Fast Lane set to release in January of 2014. This book chronicles NASCAR’s rich faith story and include additional commentary from legendary drivers such as Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Darrell Waltrip and Phil Parsons.

Sam Hornish Jr. (Photo by John Harrelson/NASCAR via Getty Images)

The Nationwide Series isn’t the exact place Sam Hornish Jr., wanted to be for the 2013 season, but you won’t ever hear the Defiance, Ohio, native complain. As a former Indy Car champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, Hornish Jr., is just happy to be getting a shot at one of NASCAR’s premier racing titles.

After capturing the aptly named Sam’s Town 300 in Las Vegas earlier this season, Hornish Jr., has established himself as a legitimate threat to capture the Nationwide crown. In this interview, the driver of the #12 Penske Racing car talks about the infamous wreck at Daytona earlier this year, why Christian faith is so visible in NASCAR and how his kids are impacted by ministry at the track:

Chad Bonham: You narrowly escaped the nasty wreck at the season opener in Daytona this year. What do you remember about the way that race ended?

Sam Hornish: When you run these Nationwide cars at a place like Daytona with the tandem drafting we have going on right now, there’s not a lot that you can see. I was pushing the 33 car and all I could see was his rear spoiler. The rear spoiler goes up high enough to where you can’t see through his car at all. So I’m putting a lot of faith in my spotter that he’s going to tell me when something happens with the cars in front of me. Everything happened so quick and he just told me that the people that were one and two were getting together. About the time he said that, the 33 turned hard left and I went from seeing the tail lights of the 33 to seeing the tail lights of the 22 in just a matter of a few ten thousandths of a second. I did my best to stay away from him and ended up getting into the back of the 22. They were already wrecking. We were lucky at that point to graze off someone who was basically out of control. I was trying to hold on to my car because in trying to avoid hitting him, I hit the grass and that sent my car sideways. Once I got to the start finish line, I just locked the brakes down and couldn’t do much. I didn’t see anything that happened behind me but I watched the replay on a TV from pit road. That’s when I knew it was obviously pretty bad.

Bonham: What was your initial thought when you saw the wreckage make its way to the grandstands?

Sam Hornish Jr., celebrates his win at the 2013 Sam’s Town 300 in Las Vegas (Photo courtesy of NASCAR Media)

Hornish: We know the risks of drivers. Racing is very much a reactive sport. But you never imagine that something could happen to the fans. They try to make things safe with the fences but a lot of the reason so much debris got through the fence is because of the walkway there that the fans use to go out on to the front straightaway before the race starts. Those are things you can’t do if you’re a fan of another sport. You don’t get to walk on the football field before a game starts. That’s part of what makes racing such a popular sport for the fans. But unfortunately that example of being fan friendly is probably what got people hurt.

Bonham: NASCAR is perhaps more outward in its embrace of the Christian faith than any other pro sport. How do you explain that?

Hornish: I think a lot of our fans are generally Christians. Our country was initially founded on faith and I think we need to keep all of those things in NASCAR. I don’t know how all the drivers feel about it but I know there are a lot of guys in the Nationwide Series that go to chapel. There are all sorts of Bible studies going on. I know where I stand in my beliefs and I think the prayer before the race is a great thing.

Bonham: With two young daughters, how important is the ministry that Motor Racing Outreach provides to kids at the track?

Sam Hornish Jr. (Photo courtesy of NASCAR Media)

Hornish: It’s awesome to have that there. At Daytona, my little girl made a “Joy Journal” with all the things she’s thankful for. She’s all about saying her prayers before bedtime. Both my girls enjoy going over there and playing and going to Bible school. Sometimes they’re over there from nine a.m., in the morning until eight at night. They have an Easter egg hunt. They do Father’s Day and Mother’s Day activities. They have a Fall Festival. It’s a great thing to have.

Bonham: Why is charity such an important part of your life as a professional athlete?

Hornish: I’ve been very blessed. When much is given, much is expected. I want to be able to give back. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve got two healthy kids, a healthy wife. I might have had some setbacks career wise, but at the end of the day, I’m pretty far ahead of the game. I should want to help people. That’s part of the deal. I enjoy it. I’m glad that I have an opportunity to do that.

This interview with Sam Hornish Jr., was one of over 50 conducted for a Judson Press book called Faith in the Fast Lane set to release in January of 2014. This book chronicles NASCAR’s rich faith story and include additional commentary from legendary drivers such as Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Darrell Waltrip and Phil Parsons.

Matt Cullen, Minnesota Wild center (Photo by Andy King/NHLI via Getty Images)

With the NHL Playoffs in full swing, Minnesota Wild center Matt Cullen is feeling right at home. In 16 seasons, Cullen has enjoyed several postseason runs including his 2006 sting with the Carolina Panthers that resulted in the city’s only Stanley Cup championship.

In this Inspiring Athletes interview, Cullen talks about the Stanley Cup, his faith journey, the importance of facing fear, and how Christianity is becoming more prevalent within NHL locker rooms across the league:

Chad Bonham: What do you appreciate most about your experience winning the 2006 Stanley Cup?

Matt Cullen: We played game seven at home in Carolina and won on home ice. I had my whole family there. That was the ultimate right there. That was as good as it could ever get. My wife was pregnant with our first boy and my dad was on the ice after the game. My dad was so influential in my career. It was a fulfillment of every athlete’s dream. I dreamed about it as a kid. We played hockey in the backyard. We had silver buckets we carried around like the Stanley Cup. It was everything that you would hope.

Bonham: Tell me about your faith journey.

Cullen: My mom was very spiritual. We were a Catholic family. We read the Bible at a young age. I have two brothers and a sister. We’re all very close. That was part of our childhood. But when I went to college and then got drafted and played in Anaheim, it was a life changer for me. I was exposed to so many things. I was out on my own for the first time. Some of the older guys on the team invited me to their chapel services and that really helped me get my feet on the ground and reestablish my faith. Since then, it’s been second nature. I go to chapel at the rink and we go to church as a family. My faith has been with me through my whole career and without it I don’t know where I’d be.

Bonham: When you contributed to the FCA Hockey New Testament, you talked about courage and fighting fear. What has the Bible taught you about those concepts?

Cullen: So often in the Bible we see the words “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid.” When we give in to fear, it’s because we’re not trusting God. What are we afraid of? Everything is out of our hands anyway. It’s a matter of doing what you’re guided to do and trusting that it’s the right thing. Courageous people do that regardless of what others think or say. The people that follow through on God’s will are the people that trust Him.

Bonham: Are there any Bible stories that have personally inspired you along those lines?

Cullen: The first thing that jumps out in my mind is David versus Goliath. That’s one of the first stories we ever learn as kids. That’s one of the most inspirational stories about courage. David stood in the face of terrible odds and defeated the giant. I love reading that story to my boys. Being courageous is doing something isn’t easy or fun but you do it because it’s the right thing to do.

Of course, Jesus was the most courageous man who ever lived. He prayed and asked God to take the cup from Him before He went to the cross, but He still went because He knew that’s what He was supposed to do.

Bonham: Has fear ever caused you problems during your career and if so, how did your relationship with God help you get through that situation?

Cullen: The 2006 playoffs were such a rollercoaster for me. I was able to lean on God and know that no matter what things were going to work out the way they were meant to work out. I had that trust that allowed me to go into the games without fear. When I prayed before games, I was able to just let it go. When I played in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, I prayed more that day than I have my whole life. That was a day that I leaned on the Lord a lot. It helped me to face some of my fears. I was nervous going into that situation. It was everything I had worked for and dreamed about as a professional athlete. Having that courage and trust made a big difference and put me at ease knowing that somebody was with me. It was just a fun feeling going into the game and being able to trust that it was in good hands. I just played free without any fear or doubt. It was the most fun I’ve ever had playing which is funny because it was supposed to be the most pressure packed game I’ve ever played in.

Bonham: Where have you had to fight against fear in your personal life?

Cullen: When our third boy was born, I had been traded to Ottawa and we were playing in the playoffs at Pittsburgh. My wife Bridget went to the hospital during game two of the series and had our boy Joey. I couldn’t get home that night. He had problems with his lungs. That was a time when I leaned on my faith. I was praying about making sure Joey would make it through each day. Eventually he was fine, but I was very nervous and scared about the situation early on.

Bonham: What would you say to other athletes and coaches that might be dealing with fear?

Cullen: First and foremost, prayer is so helpful. But I think that you need to face your fears head on. Don’t avoid them or say that you’re not scared. Acknowledge it and be honest about it. It’s normal to get nervous about a big game or to get nervous about an important event in your life. Everyone is going to be afraid sometimes. Then you ask yourself, “What am I really afraid of?” Then you can address it, because there’s nothing to be afraid of. It helps a lot when you just face it and put it in perspective. It gives you that courage to fight through it. As an athlete, you can’t be afraid to make a mistake. Courageous people are not afraid to fail. So often in life and in sports, we’re afraid to fail. Instead, we should attack things with excitement and enthusiasm and think about the positives as opposed to the negatives.

Bonham: Are you seeing a shift in the NHL culture as it pertains to faith expression?

Cullen: Yes I am. But I think it’s a testament to what FCA is doing and Hockey Ministries. So many of the young kids are coming in and they’re established in their faith. It’s impressive. Cam Ward and Eric Staal, for example, were young guys coming into Carolina. Those guys are stars and it’s big to have those players that everyone in the locker room looks up to. It’s inspirational. These young kids come in with so much confidence in their faith and they’re not afraid or embarrassed or shy about it. All of the chapel services are getting younger and younger. So it has changed and it’s definitely growing.

Bonham: Are the misconceptions about Christian athletes starting to fade in the NHL?

Cullen: Christian guys had a reputation for being soft or not being tough enough to play the game. But every chapel we’ve had, our team fighter has been in there. Stu Grimson is very outspoken. Dan Bylsma, the head coach at Pittsburgh, was one guy that really helped me a lot. I can think of so many tough guys that by definition it’s their job to be tough and they’re all in chapel. That’s such a misconception and it’s kind of gone out the window. Guys feel more comfortable going to chapel. I remember when I first started, guys were nervous about it and it was kind of a secret. There was still that stigma that came with it, but it’s definitely been removed and (the faith movement) is definitely growing.

Matt Cullen is one of several current and former NHL players to be featured in a new FCA Hockey New Testament. Learn more about this resource by visiting the organization’s official website HERE.

Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard (Photo courtesy of NBA Media Central)

Derek Fisher has never been named to an NBA All-Star team or won any major individual awards. But he has still been one of the most valuable role players to take the court over the past 17 seasons. With five championships to his credit (all with the Los Angeles Lakers), the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard is just as known for his leadership in the locker room and his impeccable character and strong Christian faith.

Fisher’s mettle was especially tested in 2007 when his 10-month old daughter Tatum was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer that typically affects children. Fisher was playing with the Utah Jazz at the time and famously left to attend her surgery in New York before rejoining the team in the middle of a crucial playoff game.

“He has his priorities in check,” Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks says. “He does what’s right for his family. I admire that. I appreciate what he brings to our team. He has a great family. He has a great work ethic. He’s everything you want in a professional athlete. He represents the league very well.”

Now seeking a sixth NBA title, Fisher is as driven as ever, but nonetheless content no matter how things play out in the twilight of his career. Brooks greatly appreciates Fisher’s commitment to excellence and integrity in all phases of his life.

“He’s as good of a leader as I’ve been around,” Brooks says. “I joke about this all the time. He’s going to be a running a Fortune 500 company. He just has leadership quality that you don’t get overnight. You can tell that he was raised to be a leader. His parents did a great job with him. He brings to our team great leadership but he still brings a lot of great play and a lot of great toughness that our team needs. But I love the guy. I love what he’s about. I love that he loves to play. He’s been to a lot of NBA games and seen a lot of situations and won a lot of championships. But he still has a fire in his belly that burns every game. He’s a very prideful player and he’s someone that our players can definitely look up to and be guided in the right way.

After speaking to Brooks, Inspiring Athletes also caught up with Fisher who shared his thoughts on his role as a veteran, how adversity has made him stronger, and what it means to be a spiritual leader:

Chad Bonham: When you’re in the role of team veteran, do you have specific things you’re trying to share with your teammates or do you just rely on feel and timing?

Derek Fisher: I think it’s more of a feel and respecting the fact that whether it’s a team or an individual, certain experiences you have to experience on your own. It’s not about somebody telling you everything what to expect or what to do or how to do it. I think we have smart enough, talented enough guys to figure a lot out on their own. For me, it’s just having the feel that now might be the time to say something or now might be the time to take a particular action that just helps us as a group to collectively focus on a point.

Bonham: Coach Scott Brooks says you are going to run Fortune 500 company someday.

Fisher: That’s humbling. I’ve been playing this game a long time. I’ve always thought of myself as more than a basketball player. I’ll worry about that when the basketball part is done as far as what I do next.

Bonham: How did the adversity you faced with your daughter’s health make you a stronger man?

Fisher: I think we’re all shaped by our life experiences—the good and the bad. Every day, I’m working not to just be a better basketball player, but a better person. Adverse situations in life help that development. It’s painful when it’s going on, but you’re for sure better for it after the fact.

Bonham: Do you have a better perspective now that you’re a few years removed from that difficult time?

Fisher: When you’re going through the storm, it’s tough to see outside of it and around it. You think it’s the worst thing in life that will ever happen to you until the next storm comes. You just have to try to keep things in perspective and remain positive in the face of adversity. That’s what this team is all about now. In the face of adversity or in the face of a tough loss, how do you bounce back? How do you respond to it? Are you mentally strong enough to keep pushing even when people think you can’t?

Bonham: Do you consider yourself a spiritual leader of this team?

Fisher: It’s kind of always been part of my role with just about every team that I’ve been on—even when age wasn’t a factor and I was one of the younger guys in the locker room. I still took that responsibility seriously in terms of being a leader and saying things that needed to be said and also doing the things that need to be done in terms of certain toughness and the way I approached the game on the court. It’s both ways. It’s not just being a spiritual leader or a locker room guy and saying certain things. It’s also being an example in terms of how you approach the game and how hard you work every day and making sure people see how you approach this business.