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COACH PRIME: THAT SPIRITUAL SPARK!

      I wanted to put in my .02 on the continuing adventures—and critics—of Coach Prime.  I will be doing so, though, from a historical viewpoint that many have overlooked—and I will be more than happy to lay out.

      I find it highly amazing—but not shocking—that Coach Prime (aka Deion Sanders for those who have been hiding under a rock during his twin careers in football and baseball) has been named the Head Coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.  I also am NOT shocked to see that he has been having a rough time of it during his first football season at the university. 

      This is how REAL Christians are tested for naming the name of Jesus Christ. 

      Mark it, men.  Folks are NOT going to like you because you name the name of Jesus and identify on the Lord’s side.  The KJV Bible informs us that testing, trial and temptation are going to ‘pop up’ in the Christian life—and it is to be expected.  Also, there IS an antichrist spirit alive and well throughout our current society—as the Bible proclaims.  Those critics who ‘hate’ on Sanders are doing so MORE for his faith and stand in Jesus Christ that for his actions on the football field.

      Let me throw in another reason for the critics dumping on the Buffaloes.  A few decades ago, there was another Christian Head Football Coach by the name of Bill McCartney who was the man on the field for the Colorado team.  McCartney, because of his faith, work ethic, and being blessed by the Lord, coached the Buffaloes to national prominence.

      However—according to Internet sources--the first four years coaching the Buffaloes saw the team’s gradual improvement.  Yep, I did say FOUR years…with the first year of McCartney’s coaching had the team…at 2-8-1.  The second season saw the team rise…to 4-7.  The third season mark…was 1-10.  McCartney’s contract was extended…and in season four, Coach Mac made some changes and the team rose to 7-4, got a bowl bid—and lost.  But this marched them onward to national prominence.

      Let me also mention that Promise Keepers was founded by Coach Mac during this period.  Full disclosure here: I used to cover Promise Keepers when I was a reporter, and I used to work for them as an Evangelism Trainer.

      Deion Sanders is part of this great football program—not by accident but by design.

      Coach Prime has handled victories humbly and defeats gracefully.  He’s the coach.  Not the team.  McCartney. Lombardi. Dungy. Rockne.  Prime is on his way.  Any great football coach at the college or pro level lets you know up front that it is the team that gets the job done under good, solid coaching.  Further, a coach that has faith in God is carrying a double load and must possess the ‘strength’ and ‘spiritual spark’ to be patient while his team comes together—and waits for the team to ‘gel’.

      It’s a marathon—not a sprint.  It’s a process—not resting solely on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness—for which college athletes can make money while in college sports).  It rests on a team of individuals coming together and playing as a team.  The coach is the one responsible for bringing the individuals and supplying the equipment needed for them to play (or work) as a team.  In the words of Michael Jordan: “At the end of the day, the team has to go out and play.”

      Sanders, in social media interviews, has let all know that he LOVES the process!

      Coach McCartney had the ‘spiritual spark’ to get that team going in his day, plus he listened to the Lord and gave our nation Promise Keepers which ushered in needed pockets of revival in our land during a VERY dark time.  Coach Prime seems to be heading in the same direction, with that same ‘spiritual spark’ from Jesus Christ!  It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years—regardless of what the critics have to say.

      Colorado is ripe for a miracle from the Lord.  All Colorado—and the nation—should do is let God work it out in his own good time and season, and Coach Prime is in the ‘overflow’ so the speak.  The Lord is the one who puts the pieces in place.  Once the miracle unfolds, expect crickets from the critics, and a big smile from Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes football program. 

      Keep those prayers flowing folks.  This is just year one for Coach Prime.  National revival COULD again START in Colorado and run through a football coach and a college program.

      Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996.  To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: mgmikeramey@yahoo.com.  ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.