All-Star Breakfast Recognizes Christian Faith of NBA Player, Coach

By Jeff Schapiro, Christian Post Reporter Friday, February 15, 2013

Two members of the NBA community will be honored at the 2013 All-Star Breakfast in Houston on Saturday for their character, leadership and faith – both on and off the court.

Carroll Dawson, former Houston Rockets coach and general manager, and Michael Redd, a 2004 NBA All-Star, will be honored with the Jerry Colangelo Award and Bobby Jones Award, respectively, at the 8th annual breakfast. The breakfast takes place each year during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Dave Lower of Athletes in Action (AIA), the ministry that organizes the breakfast, says the media often highlights the negative off-the-court behavior of athletes, while those athletes who are making a positive impact on their homes and communities "fly under the radar."

"Unfortunately, too often when you see athletes in the news it's because of a DUI or a drug use or some other negative thing that they're doing wrong. And we feel that it's really important to lift up and celebrate the guys for living a good life on and off the court," said Lower.

Unlike certain other events in AIA's Sports Legends Series, the recipients of the awards at the All-Star Breakfast are not chosen by ballot. Instead, Colangelo and Jones confer with AIA leaders to choose who receives the awards.

Dawson served as either the coach or general manager for the Rockets for 27 years. Redd, a shooting guard who played with the Phoenix Suns during the 2011-2012 season, is an Olympian and appeared in AIA's "Give Me The Rock 2" video.

He also purchased a building for his father's Columbus, Ohio church in 2005, ESPN.com reported at the time, and supports other nonprofit organizations as well.

"When I told him about this he was just totally honored, and totally humbled about receiving the award," said Lower.

Athletes in Action is a ministry of Cru, and the All-Star Breakfast is just one of several events in the organization's Sports Legends Series, including The Super Bowl Breakfast and the Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast, which takes place during the NCAA Men's Final Four weekend.

Another such event is the Night of Champions, during which the AIA inducts exemplary athletes and coaches into its "Hall of Faith." Colangelo is being inducted this year, though the female inductee has not yet been announced.