All the Good in Sports, True Stories that Go Beyond the Headlines
by Mike Sandrolini
Published by Regal Books
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Reviewed by Dara O’ Sullivan
Being successful in the highly lucrative and pressurised world of professional sports is not generally regarded as being compatible with a strong Christian lifestyle and testimony, and understandably so. The temptations and pitfalls of ridiculous levels of wealth and adulation that land on the shoulders of generally young, attractive, talented people, too often brings with it a sideshow of lurid and troubled personal lives.
All the Good in Sports is a compilation of life stories and accounts that provides a refreshing contradiction to this unfortunate reality. It is a pleasant surprise of a book, particularly for the non-American reader, who would likely not be at all aware of the number of highly successful professional sports players, actively bearing and promoting a Christian testimony.
The book gives snapshot accounts of the lives of 25 sportsmen and sportswomen, drawn from football, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, gymnastics, baseball, and other sports. Each account begins with a summary of the sportspersons career and achievements, followed by an extracted article from the Sports Spectrum magazine, which focuses in a particular way on the Christian aspect of the sportsperson’s life and how it fits in with their success.
It is certainly fascinating to discover just how many of these undoubtedly exceptional individuals lead totally ordinary lives behind the scenes, and are faced with the pressures, troubles and fears common to all. A common theme of the book is just how many have been through personal tragedy of some shape or form. Often it is in such times that their Christian testimony begins or is strengthened.
One aspect that is not really touched on is the thorny issue of whether or not professional sport is fundamentally compatible with a Christian lifestyle. To many Christians, the obligation to ply ones trade on the Lord’s Day can be a bridge too far. Unfortunately, this appears to be assumed a non-issue.
Otherwise, All the Good in Sports is a refreshing, and at times, inspirational, read.
Armchair Interviews says: A pleasant compilation of ‘good-news’ stories.