Back in the 80s I was stationed at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. We lived in Prattville, Alabama. I met a young kid entering High School by the name of Kevin Turner. He wanted me to teach him how to pitch so I did. I saw in him a gentle spirit. In fact once he saw that I was leading a monthly Adult Chapter of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Prattville, he asked if he could attend. A young man well before his time. You see at that time FCA wasn't encouraged at High School by the head coach so this was his only alternative. So he started coming and later on brought others with him. After a year of football he asked if I would also teach him how to punt since the team didn't have anyone to do those chores. I agreed and off to the football field for punting lessons. I could see in his Junior year that football was his sport so I just supported him in whatever he wanted. I arranged so he and a few athletes from Prattville could go to a summer leadership  FCA camp and he was even more excited with life after that experience.

I got to see him become a leader on that team and I got to see him play in Prattville's first state championship game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. His first punt went over 50 yards and he and I met at the 50 yard line and hugged each other. What a special moment.

I went on to my next assignment and tried to keep up with Kevin. He went on to The University of Alabama as a running back for 4 years and then on the the NFL for the New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a great player but I was even more proud of him as an FCA huddle leader at every stop.

Now the hard part. I found out from some close friends of mine in Prattville that Kevin has Lou Geherig's disease. I finally had a long talk with Kevin this year and we had a great talk about our faith and that HE will see us both through this period in his life.

I want you to check out his web site at Kevinturnerfoundation.org. Let him tell you his story. After he talks listen to the beautiful song Ty Herndon wrote and performed in honor of Kevin called "Journey On". Obviously Kevin influenced Ty's life too. The words also speak to my book. More importantly contribute anyway you can to his fight for his life.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. He brought us back together when we needed each other the most. You never know who you will meet on your life's journey but this is another reason to help people when they ask!! He is mentioned in my book!

God Bless you Kevin Turner!!!