How do athletes prepare themselves? They train, eat right, rest and then do it all over again. They must constantly watch what they do with their bodies, what they take in to them, how they work them and how often they rest them. That preparation makes a huge difference in how they compete.

Staying hydrated is a perfect example. Athletes know that without proper amounts of water or sports drinks, they will not be able to compete at their highest level. It’s the same with training. If an athlete’s body is not fit for competition, chances are, he or she isn’t going to compete as well as if they had trained harder.

Every time my family goes to a Baltimore Ravens football game we get caught up in signaling and chanting “Move those chains!” every time the Ravens get a first down. At first glance you might think, ‘big deal…they moved the ball ten yards.” But first downs lead to touchdowns.

The player or team that practices, prepares, and performs with the most consistency generally outplays their opponent. And when we “move the chains”, we create and sustain momentum. Consistency leads to excellence and is fueled by self-discipline.

New Year's resolutions. I have made a thousand over the years. Some have worked, others have not gone so well. Every January we have the chance to start a brand new year. As athletes, we set goals to become bigger, faster and stronger and to improve our personal performance. As coaches, we strive to learn more, listen more and win more. But a new year brings us much, much more. What makes this year different?

Paul “Bear” Bryant, born on September 11, 1913, once said, “It’s not the will to win that matters; everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” September 11, 2001, will forever be remembered as one of our country’s worst tragedies; however, on September 11, 1983, I experienced my own tragedy. On that day, I suffered a spinal cord injury during a football game. I dislocated three vertebrae in my neck, and was told I would never walk again and could be permanently paralyzed from the neck down. Today, twenty-two years later, I am confined to a wheelchair.

Susie and Sally were twins. Both were great athletes, both went to church, and both had a choice to make. After a game, the girls went to a party where “everyone” was there. The party got pretty crazy, and throughout the night Susie and Sally were offered many things.

Every once in awhile you find an athlete who has the right stuff. Talented on the field, in the classroom, with their friends, and everybody's All-American. Northwestern University has such a young man. His name is Jason Wright. I just watched Jason finish his football career the other night in the Motor City Bowl where he helped his team by gaining 336 all-purpose yards and was named Co-MVP of the game. His team came up short that night, but football is just what Jason does, it is not who he is. Jason learned a long time ago that his significance is found in Jesus Christ. His religion is not football, his truth is not his football playbook. He lives to serve Jesus Christ. His Bible is the ultimate "playbook" for his life.