My childhood hero died this week. I had not thought of him in years so I was very surprised at my reaction. I was in tears as I read the news.  

Steve Davis was the quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners from 1973-75. During those three years OU lost only one game and won two national championships.  

My parents met as students at OU. Their dream was for me to play at OU so at age six, they started taking me to Norman, OK to see games.  

I was a preteen when Steve Davis became my hero. My parents were thrilled to see his poster on the wall of my room (picture top right). I got his autograph a couple of times (middle picture). I always wore his number five in sports or even on my casual shirts (bottom picture - 7th grade). In high school football (four years after Davis quit playing), I asked for number 55 in his honor.  

I don't think my parents gave much thought to the fact that Steve Davis wasn't just a great  football player. He was also an ordained Baptist minister. I remember watching him on TV preach at a Billy Graham Crusade during his senior year. I could not think of anything better than OU football greatness plus being a minister for Christ.  

Until now, I hadn't considered that Steve Davis may have been my first influence to accept God's call to be a minister.  

Who are the heroes to your young people? I took my teenage daughter to get autographs of Christian music artists and Texas Ranger baseball players who were Christian. I found ways for her to spend one-on-one time with Christian women who were just a little older than her. What are you doing to make sure your young people have worthy heroes?

Mr. Hustle. (1974, Fall). The Big Eight Magazine, 3(1), p. 63.

Liberty Junior High School. (1976). Patriot Yearbook. Dallas, p. 25.

University of Oklahoma Athletic Department. (1975, September 20). Oklahoma Pittsburgh Game Program, p. 23. Autograph obtained by Eric Tooley on game day.