In August of 1997, high school athletes Tony Johnson (Medina, Ohio) and Demarco (Springfield, Illinois), joined John Saucier and Dave Cunningham in making a trip to Chicago, Illinois to see the New Orleans Saints play the Chicago Bears in an exhibition football game.  The attraction was the opportunity to visit with Irv Smith and Keno Hills, both members of the New Orleans Saints and young men once ministered to by John Saucier.

The TEAM JAM group all went out to dinner with Irv Smith, Heisman Trophy winner Danny Weurfel, and Ricky Brady (all of the New Orleans Saints) the night before the game.  This allowed quite a bit of personal attention for the young men we brought with us.  Irv Smith provided tickets for the game the next night, and we all went down to visit with All-Pro Willie Roaf, Danny Weurfel, Keno and Irv after the game outside the locker room.  Between the dinner, the pictures, the autographs and the personal conversation opportunities, Tony and Demarco were overwhelmed.  Both of them called it the greatest weekend of their lives.  It wasn't too bad for John and Dave either!!!!

                        For more on this story, continue reading below . . .

John, Tony Johnson, Gary Kuykendall, Dave Cunningham, and Demarco

Irv Smith, the starting tight end for the Saints, was an old friend of John Saucier's because John was once Irv's youth pastor.   Whenever Irv's team plays in an NFL city relatively close to Ohio, TEAM JAM usually brings a group of young people to the game.  Irv is always very gracious in spending time with these young men either the day before the game or after the game.

Irv came to know Christ when he was a freshman in high school because of John's high school outreach efforts that were similar to how TEAM JAM operates.  For several years he has made personal efforts toward our young people at games, in the off season, by phone, or by making a donation that will specifically meet the needs someone might have.

Another highlight for this trip, was the opportunity to meet up with Keno Hills.  Keno, an offensive lineman for the Saints, was also an old friend of John's.   Keno was a freshman lineman from Florida, struggling to make it in college at Kent State University, when TEAM JAM first had an opportunity to invest in his life.  That particular year was a rough experience for Keno and he finished the year feeling like the only friend he had at Kent was John.  When Keno left Kent at the end of the year, it was John who spent the day with him and took him to the airport to go home.

                    
                   Keno with John after his first NFL football game, the Hall of Fame Game.

Though he didn't end up making it with Kent State, Keno went on to star in college football in Louisianna, and was eventually drafted by the Saints.  His first NFL game was in, of all places, Canton, Ohio for the annual "Hall of Fame" Game.  And the only friend that was present for his first game?  John.

Dave Cunningham, from Springfield, Illinois, also met us in Chicago.  Dave has long ministered to young people as well as a number of athletes in the Springfield area as a high school basketball coach.  He also has teamed up with our ministry to provide unique opportunities to his athletes on a number of occasions, including basketball tournaments in Ohio.  On this occasion, Dave brought the top basketball player from his high school basketball team, Demarco, so that Demarco could benefit from the example of some successful Christian athletes.

John also brought an Akron area athlete.  Tony Johnson (the athlete featured on our Front Page with his phenomenal jumping ability), was rewarded for his efforts to finish his high school diploma.  

Hosting our trip was Gary Kuykendal of Chicago.  Gary and his brother Mike have represented TEAM JAM in Chicago for several years now.  Mike has put together several basketball teams that ministered to Chicago young men and Gary has helped organize a number of events as well as serve as an area high school football coach.  Gary and his sister arranged for us to be able to stay in a Chicago hotel near where the Saints were staying.
     This weekend was quickly shaping up to be a reunion.

             
                                      Michael Jordan's Restaurant in Chicago

The night before the game, Irv was gracious enough to join the TEAM JAM group for dinner at "Michael Jordan's Restaurant".  Irv also arranged for Danny Weurfel, the current Heisman Trophy (1997), and Ricky Brady (Saints and Oklahoma U.), to join us for dinner.  
               
All of these men are Christian athletes.  Each of them shared why Christ was so important to them and allowed our young men to ask questions about life in general.
                                      
                          Tony Johnson heading up the stairs to Jordan's private dining area.

The restaurant was also good to us, treating us to free dinners and great hospitality, which included being seated next to Michael Jordan's private dining room!  It was a great night, and the weekend was just beginning.

The next day allowed us quite a bit of free time before the night football game.  We used that time to visit a Cubs-Expos baseball game at Wrigley field.  We arrived just in time to see a Sammy Sosa home run break up a scoreless tie, and to see Harry Carey lead everyone in singing "Take me out to the Ballgame".   We also stopped by the United Center to see the Michael Jordan statue.
                                      
                                     Demarco and Tony with the Jordan statue

Basketball players getting the chance to see all this historic Michael Jordan memorabilia, Sammy Sosa and Wrigley field, Heisman trophy winner Danny Weurfel, tickets to an NFL game from Irv, personal time with great men like Irv, Ricky, Danny and Willie . . . .  what a rough way to learn about God and how fun life can really be !!!!!!

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