The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER spending the past week in town providing some tips to our high school students on making “positive choices” in their lives, former National Football League player Michael Cobb returned to the United States.

Cobb, drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1977 before he went on to play as a tight end for the Chicago Bears from 1978-81, represented Sports World, a seed-planting ministry that uses former professional athletes to share their personal life experiences with students while challenging them with hope.

On Thursday, Cobb completed his school blitz at the HO Nash Junior School where he told the student population how, as a nine-year-old, he was forced to go out in the rain to practice for football. When he arrived at practice and his coach asked him why he showed up, despite the fact that it was raining, Cobb said it was because his father knew that he should have been at practice.

As a result of that decision, Cobb said when he went to Michigan State University, he never missed a day at practice because he was made to realise that “rain or shine,” he had to show up. It was a decision that enabled him to land a job in the NFL. It came, according to Cobb, from his decision to follow the advice of his father.

In his address, which came after he shared his experience during the morning assembly at Dame Doris Johnson Secondary High, Cobb informed the students that in order for them to be successful in whatever they do, they have to listen and follow the instructions that they get from their parents and those who are in authority over them.

The two school visits capped off three days of appearances for Cobb, who began with a church service at Temple Baptist on Sunday and a visit to Her Majesty’s Prison, Fox Hill, on Monday. He also spoke at Anatol Rodgers, RM Bailey and CI Gibson Secondary High on Tuesday and Government High, TA Thompson and St John’s on Wednesday.

“It was a wonderful experience. To be honest, it was probably one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time,” said Cobb, who departed for his hometown of Chicago yesterday. “I hope they will make the right choice and allow Jesus Christ to come into their lives and they go on to make good decisions and get a good education.”

As a former NFL player, Cobb said he could have shared a little more about how he became a NFL player and what he did to survive, but his mission was more on their motto: You are not born a winner. You are not born a loser. You are born a chooser.’ He said he was here to tell them some things that will better their lives.

But based on what he imparted and how the audience received him, Cobb said he will cherish the experience for the rest of his life and he hopes to come back in the future and follow up on the seed that he planted in some of the lives of the young people who ministered too.

Apostle Carlos Reid, who was a part of the local organising committee and was responsible for a big Family Rally at The Hope Center on Wednesday night, said it was an awesome week.

“I think the kids were challenged. I believe there was an impact that was left on these young persons and particularly now that our schools are infested in this culture with gangs, I believe any system that we can offer will help with the future development of these young children,” Reid said.

“I believe Mr Cobb’s presence here and the team that worked along with him made a difference this week and I believe that we will see some results from it, not only from the spiritual aspect, but sporting wise because these young people were influenced by someone who played at the highest level in the game of football in the NFL as a first round draft pick.”

The Rev Geoffrey Wood, pastor of Temple Baptist, who headed the local organising committee, said the week went beyond their expectations.

“All of the schools cooperated. We didn’t have to drop out of any and I think Michael did a great job,” Wood said.

“As soon as he got there, he summed up the school and tailored his message to the students. For that reason, his message was well received by the students.

“Most of all, I believe the kingdom was richly enhanced by his visit. We had a whole lof of persons who gave their lives to Chirst. I just hope we can have a follow up to those who made some commitments to Christ.”

Unfortunately, time did not permit for Cobb to put on a football camp, as was done last year when Sports World’s president Devon McDonald and two other former NFL players were in town for the initial tour, along with pro softball player Charity Butler. The group also went to Grand Bahama where they visited various schools and also hosted a football camp.

“We hope to make it bigger and better next year,” Wood said. “I want to take the team that will come in to Abaco next year.”

DJ Councellor also joined the remainder of the organising committee that included Minister Clinton Minnis, Jacqueline Bain and Brent Stubbs as they hosted the ‘Go Positive Tour Bahamas.’