Michael phelps was about to end his life, but god had a different plan. You may remember that phelps had some not so positive headlines in. Its turned me into believing there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planet, phelps told espn. Ray lewis shared words of wisdom with michael phelps before the final race of his career. How an nfl legend coached michael phelps to gold from an. Lewis also launched the tackling life podcast in 2016 with dr. Lewis had given phelps a copy of the purpose driven life by rick warren, and phelps explained the book helped by turning him into believing there is a power greater than myself and a purpose for me on this planet. Olympian michael phelps reveals purpose driven life. Michael phelps didnt want to be alive, but ray lewis. The most decorated olympian in history, michael phelps, talks about being a huge baltimore ravens fan and ray lewis role in phelps decision to return to the pool for the 2012 olympics. Ray lewis influenced powerful people beyond football, from michael. Michael phelps story is a reminder that no matter how big a mess your. Michael phelps on how reading purpose driven life saved him from suicide.
After reading the book for a couple days at the meadows, phelps called lewis. How ray lewis contributed to michael phelps medal haul in. And the christian book had a profound impact on michael. One was retired baltimore ravens linebacker ray lewis, who had long been a friend and confidante. A key turning point in michael s life was when his friend ray lewis gave him a copy of the purpose driven life by rick warren zondervan, 20. Michael phelps offers advice to ravens patrick queen.
Thenravens linebacker ray lewis, left, and olympic swimmer michael phelps hug before an nfl football game against the cincinnati bengals in baltimore, monday, sept. Phelps, whose struggles with alcohol threatened to derail his career, credited lewis with inspiring him to return to swimming after the 2008 olympics in beijing. Michael phelps gave ray lewis a shoutout after his final gold medal. The book contained the message phelps needed to hear. Ravens great ray lewis on the leaders looked up to in his career. Michael phelps is back on track these days, back swimming with a passion and not drinking anymore, living life to the fullest with the help of nfl super bowl champion ray lewis. But an article in the washington post details a new aspect. Still, much worse was his feeling of not being himself mentally. And as he headed into treatment, ray gave him a special gift his very own copy of rick warrens the purpose driven life. Phelps explained the book helped by turning him into believing.
Michael phelps on rehab and his friendship with ray lewis. Michael phelps credits this book with saving his life dave willis. Within a few days, phelps called lewis and told him man this book is crazy. Michael phelps gold medal performance in the 200m individual medley was shown on the ravensvision boards during the preseason game against the carolina panthers. Warrens the purpose driven life lewis also gave phelps a copy of the purpose driven life by rick warren. Michael phelps was arrested in september last year and charged with dui after he was found to. Ray lewis explains the relationship he has with michael phelps after the. Olympic star michael phelps life was spiraling out of. Why michael phelps is a role model and its not just the 26 olympics medals. Ray lewis tweets strange thing about michael phelps medal. Michael phelps says baby number two may be coming soon and explains why his wedding was a secret in bizarre video filmed as he golfs with nfl star ray lewis in just a bathing suit.
Ray lewis spoke with michael phelps before final race. An unusual friendship between baltimores brightest stars. Man, this book is crazy, lewis says phelps told him, i cannot thank you enough, man. Michael phelps visits ray lewis after super bowl win gamefap. Why michael phelps is a role model the odyssey online. Ray lewis tweets strange thing about michael phelps medal count. Its no secret that baltimore sports greats michael phelps and ray lewis are close friends. Ray lewiss cubicle, near a back doorway in the visitors locker room at gillette stadium, was a hub of activity sunday night. Michael phelps was about to end his life, but god had a.
He read it while in rehab, even to other patients, earning him the nickname preacher mike. The new york times bestseller, with a new afterword michael lewis s most ambitious and important book. Nfl legend ray lewis gave the book to 23 time olympic gold medalist michael phelps when he went to rehab. After reading the book for a couple days, phelps called lewis. In the interview, phelps says, its turned me into believing that there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planeti think it helped me when i was in a place. The purpose driven life has broken as many records as phelps on its way to being the bestselling nonfiction book published in the last century. Olympian michael phelps reveals purpose driven life saved him.
This isnt a book like the blind side that focuses on one players story but uses it to tell a story about football in general, this is a book about ray lewis. Ray lewis has put up with the ignorance and narrow minds of those who would drag this garbage up again. Thats when friend and former nfl player ray lewis stepped in to help. Reading recommendations that cover everything from football to life to leadership, from pageturning nerds including andrew luck, pete carroll, ray lewis, michael phelps. He gave phelps rick warrens book the purpose driven life.
Michael phelps gets support from close friend ray lewis. Phelps entered rehab carrying a book lewis gave him, the purpose driven life, by rick warren. For michael phelps, he credited the book with saving his life. In addition to encouraging phelps that he could make it through his dark time, and advising him to seek the help of a rehab center, lewis, who is public about his christian faith, gave phelps a book. Michael phelps talks rehabilitation in sports illustrated. Michael phelps wont touch alcohol and has rededicated himself to swimming after leaving rehab, the olympian told sports illustrated. God used rick warrens the purpose driven life to rescue. Double murder charges still haunt exraven linebacker ray. So he cracked the book ray lewis gave him, called the purpose driven life. As a guy who just published a book of his own, the most frustrating thing about this story is that phelps didnt even buy the book himself. Michael phelps talks rehabilitation in sports illustrated cover story. When the devil tried to detour phelps olympic dreams with substance abuse and family problems, god sent him a miracle in the form of a christian book. When phelps was dealing with some personal issues, lewis suggested michael read rick warrens purpose driven life, a book that has.
Barry svrluga barry svrluga became a sports columnist for the washington post in december 2016. When phelps was dealing with some personal issues, lewis suggested michael read rick warrens purpose driven life, a book that has been translated. This is the best place ive ever been in my whole life. When phelps arrived at the arizona center where he received treatment for alcohol abuse, he began each day with a chapter from a book lewis. Michael phelps says he didnt want to be alive after dui. Antonio brown, teddy bridgewater and our book of the week. In an interview with espn, phelps said the book turned me into believing there is a power greater. Lewis convinced phelps to seek help at the meadows, a behavioural rehab facility outside phoenix.
During a stint in rehab, his longtime friend and nfl hall of famer, ray lewis, reached out with. The purpose driven life of michael phelps bible gateway blog. Olympic swimmer michael phelps was on the verge of suicide. Plus football galore, including dak prescott, antonio brown, teddy bridgewater and. Millions of people including me have been encouraged and inspired by its simple message. Sign up for the for the win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Lewis gave him the purpose driven life by rick warren and it stirred his thoughts about a life with christ.
Michael phelps, kevin plank, steve bisciotti and others say ray lewis hall of fame. Joe klein, new york times michael lewis s brilliant narrative of the trump administrations botched presidential transition takes us into the engine rooms of a government under attack by its leaders through willful ignorance and greed. Sure he tells football stories from his career and talks about guys he played with, but it is very much about how these events and people relate to rays story. Michael phelps tells how he did not want to be alive any more after dui arrest as he opens up about his stint in rehab and his friendship with football great ray lewis. Phelps heeded his friends advice and entered the rehab facility carrying a book lewis gave him, the purpose driven life, by rick warren. Christian headlines editor, veronica neffinger, reports that ray lewis not only encouraged michael phelps to take a look at his life and read the book but also to enter rehab, which phelps. Michael phelps credits this book with saving his life. Michael phelps on how reading purpose driven life saved. Olympic swimmer phelps credits purpose driven life for. After checking into a rehab center, phelps started reading the book and it changed his life. Double murder charges still haunt exraven linebacker ray lewis. Michael phelps offers great advice to ravens patrick queen watch. Ray lewis explains the relationship he has with michael phelps after the olympians goldmedal walkoff in rio. Man, this book is crazy, lewis says phelps told him, i cannot thank.
How an nfl legend coached michael phelps to gold from an alabama bbq joint. Lewis convinced phelps to enter rehab and gave him a book to read while he was there. Michael phelps credits ray lewis for inspiring his. Look at how the life of michael phelps including a complicated relationship with his. Michael phelps credits this book with saving his life august. The sports illustrated article reads like a tellall book, with michael phelps detailing his darkest days and his push to. Power52 provides affordable renewable energy to inner city communities. In 2015, lewis partnered with rob wallace to found power52, a community solar solution. The words struck a chord with olympic swimmer michael phelps. How michael phelps overcame childhood issues to become. Lewis and other friends convinced phelps to seek help at the meadows, a rehabilitation center outside of phoenix. This book of christian wisdom turned it all around for michael, as it allowed him to refocus on his life and family in a positive way.
Ray lewis and michael phelps have become close friends in recent years. Michael phelps saved from suicide by rick warren book. Michael phelps says baby number two may be coming soon. Michael phelps testimony illustrates the salvation and peace that can only be found in jesus christ. Lewis could able to convince phelps to seek help at the meadows rehab. The purpose driven life, by megachurch baptist pastor rick warren.
Just a few days into rehab, lewis says phelps called him to talk about the book. But then christian friend and nfl star ray lewis stepped with words of encouragement. Ray lewis spoke with michael phelps before final race, could not be. A couple of years ago, ray lewisformer american football linebacker for the baltimore ravens and friend to phelpsgave a copy of the purpose driven life to phelps during a dark time in his life. Olympic gold medalist michael phelps contemplated suicide amid his alcohol problems, but found a lifeline in christian nfl star and longtime friend ray lewis gift a purpose driven life book.
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