Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is sacked by Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. Ole Miss upset the Gators 31-30. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16
The Most Popular Verse
Have you ever asked why is John 3:16 such a popular Bible verse? It may be the most well-known Bible verse worldwide.
If you watched pro sports in the late 70s and 80s, you might remember seeing a face in the crowd wearing a rainbow-colored wig. His name was Rollen Stewart, and he was famous for displaying John 3:16 on large signs and in bold print on his T-shirt. He also had a great knack for being in the right spot in the crowd to get on TV with his large John 3:16 sign.
More recently, you might remember how much press Tim Tebow got when he wrote John 3:16 on the black anti-glare patches under his eyes and had the best game of his college career. Or the publicity surrounding the death of Aaron Hernandez, who had written John 3:16 on the wall of his jail cell. Sadly, he had written the reference in blood shortly before he hung himself. Also, did you know that FOX cancelled a John 3:16 Super bowl ad from being aired in 2011?
What is it about John 3:16? Preachers talk about that verse all the time, and have been for who knows how many years. People memorize it, and for some it’s the only Bible verse they have ever memorized. John 3:16 is frequently used on shirts and posters for a variety of reasons. It’s a verse that just keeps popping up in the public eye.
This verse was plucked out of a great conversation between Jesus Christ and a religious leader named Nicodemus. As the conversation unfolds, it is obvious that Jesus is speaking about spiritual things and Nicodemus is focused on the physical. Nicodemus comes to Jesus as a religious expert, but Jesus has to explain to him how someone can have eternal life with God. Jesus Christ took the time to explain the vastness of God’s love for all people and how much it cost Him. You should read John 3:1-21 for the whole story.
May I suggest that John 3:16 is so popular for these reasons:
1) It declares the DEPTH of God’s love, not just for a few,but for all people.
2) It declares God’s love is ACTIVE through a gift offered to each of us — the gift of eternal life, bought and paid for by Jesus.
3) It declares the HOPE available by accepting God’s gift through Jesus.
John 3:16 – The Love, The Gift, The Promise.
— Brian D Miller, Peterborough Petes hockey club head trainer
If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@sportsspectrum.com.
Former Florida and NFL quarterback Danny Wuerffel (second from right) with the "Donaldsonville Ball" at the 2025 Desire Street Ministries fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Danny Wuerffel)
The ballroom at TPC Sawgrass was filled with the sound of applause, tears and reverence as the Donaldsonville Ball was auctioned for $130,000 at the annual Desire Cup, hosted by the Wuerffel Foundation. The sale pushed its value to $500,000, making it the most expensive autographed football ever recorded.
What makes this football unique is that it isn’t signed by a Heisman winner or a Hall of Famer. Instead, the signatures belong to children in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, from the ministry that Danny Wuerffel volunteered at during his time with the New Orleans Saints.
“Every single human being has value, dignity and worth,” said Wuerffel, the executive director of Desire Street Ministries and 1996 Heisman Trophy winner. “I love football because it’s a team sport, and I think that life is a team sport. But the reality is we live in a world where we create an ‘us and them’ narrative when we look at people, so I hope this story pushes back against that narrative.”
Let’s rewind a few years back to the beginning of how this football came to life in the small town of Donaldsonville.
After winning the Heisman Trophy at Florida, Wuerffel was drafted by the Saints in 1997. It was there that he began volunteering in the impoverished Desire Street neighborhood. Later in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed Desire Street Ministries’ facility, Wuerffel took charge, helping locate students and rebuild the New Orleans community center.
In 2007, Desire Street partnered with a local church that worked with children from troubled homes at the Donaldsonville recreation center. The group invited Wuerffel to speak at the event. At the end of the night, to express their gratitude, the children signed a football and gave it to Wuerffel.
Wuerffel kept the ball on his desk for years as a reminder of the children he met and their generosity.
So grateful for @espn@ESPNCFB for sharing the story about how this football presented to me by kids from Donaldsonville, LA has helped us all remember we’re each created in God’s image and are valuable. Our @DesireStreet partners are supported by amazing donors. pic.twitter.com/oqylCKulTz
Fast forward to 2011, the Wuerffel Foundation put on the Desire Cup, a fundraiser for Desire Street Ministries that happens in conjunction with the Florida-Georgia football game. The weekend includes a gala and an auction followed by a shotgun golf tournament the next day.
At that year’s gala, a football signed by Wuerffel and Georgia legend Herschel Walker sold for $10,000. The next day, Wuerffel had an idea.
“Danny brought up the idea about auctioning off the Donaldsonville Football,” said James Gadsby, the chief operating officer of Desire Street Ministries and executive director of the Wuerffel Foundation. “He talked about how much the ball meant to him because of what the kids did to show their appreciation for him coming. He wondered whether anyone would even pay $5 for a ball that meant so much to him. His inspiration came from the belief that every person has infinite worth, created in God’s image, so he took a risk and put it up for auction.”
The next year at the Desire Cup, Wuerffel auctioned off the football and held his breath waiting for the crowd’s response.
“I never expected it to be this influential,” Wuerffel said. “I was really confident in the value proposition but at the same time, I was scared to death that nobody else would see it, so it felt a little risky.”
That night, the Donaldsonville Ball sold for $11,000 and the first winning bidder was announced, David Hodges.
Throughout the year, Hodges kept the ball on his desk as a reminder. Then Hodges himself had an idea.
“The next year, David reached out to Danny and offered to donate it back so that it could become an annual tradition,” Gadsby said. “It was an incredibly gracious and generous offer from him.”
Every year since, the Donaldsonville Ball has been the final item auctioned at the Desire Street gala as a constant reminder that every person has worth and value.
The ball not only raises money for Desire Street, but it touches the people who win it.
“David was the first to notice that when people asked about the football and he told them the story, they were moved by it,” Wuerffel said. “That really set the tone. Over the years, people have shared how they display it, what it means to them and their guests, and how the story continues to spread positivity.”
A few years into its journey, the ball reached a significant milestone.
“Some of the leading voices in autograph memorabilia told us that it was valued more than any football ever signed,” Wuerffel said. “And I thought, ‘Are you kidding me?’”
Going into the 2025 Desire Cup in October, the Wuerffel Foundation had a goal: to get the ball to be worth half a million dollars (the amount spent on it during the auction over the years). To make it to this goal, the ball had to be auctioned off for $130,000.
The event started and old players, coaches, friends and fans mingled around the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, until they were all called into the main room for dinner. Following a series of announcements and activities, the evening reached its final portion — the auction.
Several items were sold before the one everyone anticipated: the Donaldsonville Ball. The room fell silent as every head turned to Wuerffel, who stood on stage sharing his hope and dream of reaching a half-million-dollar valuation. He explained the mission behind the football and the message it represents.
Then the bidding began.
Before long, two donors — Hugh and Kalah Hathcock, and Kevin Edmonson — came together and split the amount, officially getting the Donaldsonville Ball to $500,000.
The room erupted in applause, and every seat was emptied as a standing ovation filled the room. It was a moment marked in history that all came from a simple idea from Wuerffel with a dream to get the message across that every person has value.
“To hit a half a million dollars, that’s incredible to be a part of, and it was so special that night. The people who really went out of their way to help get it there meant a lot,” Wuerffel said.
The story doesn’t end there, though. The inaugural winner, David Hodges, was unable to attend the gala last year, but he informed Wuerffel that he would like to support half of the $130,000 needed to reach the milestone. Thus, the other two donors covered the rest. A perfect full-circle moment.
With the football now valued at $500,000, the question becomes: What happens next?
With the Florida-Georgia game moving to Atlanta from Jacksonville, so too will the Desire Cup, Oct. 29-30, followed by the game on Oct. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“We’ve been thinking about retiring the ball, but there’s been so much continued positivity,” Wuerffel said. “We had a person challenge us, saying, ‘Your ball has lived a long life cycle at this particular event, but there’s other events that you’re at that you could share this story.’”
Whether the ball is retired or keeps on raising money for Desire Street Ministries, it will never lose its legacy.
It started as an idea from Wuerffel that was rooted in humility and care for others, and now a football most people wouldn’t pay just $5 for is the most expensive signed football in history.
“As a person, this story is so touching,” Gadsby said. “Even though I’ve seen the video [shown at the event] dozens of times, at the end it says, ‘I’m no one important but if my signature can help in that way, that’s a blessing.’ I still tear up watching that.”
Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees poses with the MVP trophy after the MLB All-Star Game, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” — Isaiah 49:15-16
Every July, MLB releases the rosters for the All-Star Game between the National and American League. From this, two talking points are always front and center — who got selected and who got snubbed. After the brief and initial fanfare of celebrating those who were selected, whether it be starters or reserves, the conversation shifts focus to those who were snubbed.
Snubbed players will get asked about not being selected and the reactions will vary depending on the player. Some will be more reserved, while others will bluntly express their anger about not making the cut. Even this year, several players came out and voiced their frustrations about being left out.
For followers of Christ, there are times when it can feel like God is doing the same thing — selecting some, snubbing others — even to those who proclaim His name. Some see the success and good fortune of other Christians, but struggle to see similar results and accolades surrounding them. This kind of feeling is something the enemy thrives on and will continue to pick at by any means necessary in order to keep a person from God’s truth.
God promises all of His people that He will always remember them. This theme is found time and time again throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 31:8, Moses assures Joshua that God will always be by his side: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
While Scripture never promises that each person will receive the same accolades or notoriety here on earth, followers of Christ can take solace in knowing that God will never forget about them or just leave them to do life on their own. While that may not make things easier, it absolutely provides hope.
Arguably the most significant developments in the college sports landscape in recent years have been the adoption of name, image and likeness (NIL) rules that allow athletes to get paid, along with the NCAA transfer portal that allows athletes to change schools virtually each year with no consequence.
Every year, thousands of athletes enter the portal looking for a better opportunity. Sometimes transferring is the right decision, whether it be due to a coaching change, family circumstances or a lack of playing time. Some players just realize they fit better in a different program.
But the transfer portal also reflects a temptation that extends beyond sports. We live in a culture where we often think, “What’s best for me?” Furthermore, many of these athletes leave schools before roots can ever form. We’ve seen instances where players have transferred to four, five and even six different schools during their college career.
This mirrors how many of us approach friendships, dating, careers and community itself. Modern life has conditioned people to evaluate relationships based on convenience and personal benefit rather than commitment and depth. Real, lasting relationships take time and intentionality, yet we settle for surface-level relationships instead of deep ones that may require sacrifice or putting aside selfish desires.
This is not how Jesus envisioned our relationships to go. In Matthew 5, in what’s known as the Beatitudes, He says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (v. 6). We often hear the word “righteousness” and our mind immediately goes to thinking in terms of personal morality. But in this context, Jesus is using the word to mean being in right relationship with God and other people.
Instead of seeing people for what they can do for us, Jesus teaches us to consider how we can love and serve them sacrificially. The most successful teams didn’t have locker rooms full of selfish people looking to use the person to their left or right for their own gain. They were built on trust, sacrifice, commitment and a true unified bond.
The same is true of friendships, marriages, churches, families or any other relationship. They require patience, humility, faithfulness and putting aside your own ego and desires to do what’s best for the team collectively.
If all you’re doing is chasing the next best opportunity to get to the next level financially, socially or whatever the goal, you will ultimately end up dissatisfied. And in many cases, you’ll probably miss out on so much growth and genuine joy that you would’ve experienced by sticking it out somewhere and approaching your relationships the way Jesus outlined.
As with sports transfers, there will be times when a friendship or relationship needs to end and you need to move on, for a variety of reasons. But that doesn’t always mean you need to run at the first sign of conflict or discomfort. As is the case with athletes, even if the situation isn’t exactly what you envisioned at first, consider whether the grass really is greener on the other side or if there’s a chance for improvement and personal growth.
And whether you’re an athlete, coach or fan, consider whether you’re treating people as stepping stones to your next opportunity, or as image-bearers God has called you to love and be in community with.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/John Locher)
It’s that time of year again. The 2026-27 NFL season is nearly upon us, as all teams who have yet to open training camp do so Tuesday.
One of those teams is the Las Vegas Raiders, whose rookies reported to camp Thursday and will be joined by the veterans Tuesday. NFL storylines are already abounding during this preseason, as they always do, yet perhaps none will be as intriguing as what will unfold in the Raiders’ quarterback room.
Las Vegas signed soon-to-be 38-year-old four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins in early April. Then, a couple weeks later, the Raiders added rookie QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, a player who dominated his way to a national championship and a Heisman Trophy with the Indiana Hoosiers. In addition to Cousins and Mendoza, the Raiders retain QB Aidan O’Connell, who started 17 games for the franchise in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Although many No. 1 overall draft picks start for their teams right away, first-year Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak has stated that he prefers for a rookie QB to begin his career behind a veteran, learning from him and easing into pro football. But, of course, the Raiders’ starting QB will ultimately be determined by the competition on the field.
“Everybody in the quarterback room is a top-tier quarterback,” Mendoza said last week via the Raiders’ team website, “and it’s going to be competing with each other, not competing against each other. … Competing with each other [is] pushing each other to be the best quarterback we can possibly be for the Las Vegas Raiders, and to enable [us] to then win as many games as possible.”
Cousins and Mendoza already appear to be building a strong relationship, even coming together in hilarious fashion to help the Raiders announce their 2026 schedule. And one factor that could help bring all three Raiders quarterbacks together and foster healthy and mutually beneficial competition is the fact that Cousins, Mendoza and O’Connell are all professing followers of Jesus. They can truly seek the flourishing of others, knowing Christ died for them all.
Cousins — a decade older than O’Connell and 15 years older than Mendoza — has an opportunity to provide tremendous spiritual leadership for his protégées in the black and silver, in addition to all he can teach them on a football field. Cousins has been forthcoming about his faith in Christ throughout his time in the NFL. He’s appeared on the Sports Spectrum Podcast multiple times, most recently last month when he spoke about faith, fatherhood and his decision to join the Raiders.
“It’s helped to recognize Who owns my football career,” Cousins said on the podcast, “and I use the word ‘my’ loosely. Once I’ve come to the realization that I’m a steward and it’s my job to steward this football career and this football journey — which means that I need to give great effort, I need to prepare well, I need to lead well, I need to build relationships, there’s plenty for me to do as a steward. But it also frees you up to not stress about things. … The first thing to do in being a steward is to surrender.”
He continued later, “Wherever you end up playing, you are sent by God, and He has a purpose for you being there.”
“There’s the intentional portion of prayer that’s very much maybe carving out time in the morning or in the evening to do that, maybe it’s with other people, not just with yourself,” Cousins said on the podcast. “Then there’s also the prayer that is just an ongoing walk and relationship and conversation with Jesus all throughout your day. I don’t think it’s one or the other.”
This year’s rejuvenated Raiders will seek to record a winning season for the first time since 2021-22 and earn a playoff victory for the first time since 2002-03. That path begins with a Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
And whether Cousins trots out of the tunnel that day as the starter or as a backup, he will be certain that God is at work for his good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.
