NFL’s Heath Evans witnesses in 7x7 competition in West Palm

Jul 28, 2009
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter

INSPIRATIONAL NFL player Heath Evans gives an inspirational talk to more than 400 players at lunchtime during the Heath Evans Foundation 7X7 Championship June 20 at West Palm Beach. Photo by Al Mason/Heath Evans Foundation

Wes Welker, Matt Cassel and Kevin Faulk were among the NFL stars who attended the Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championship. Photo by Al Mason/Heath Evans Foundation

WEST PALM BEACH (FBW)—High school football players from central and south Florida competed for top honors at the fourth annual Heath Evans Foundation 7X7 Flag Football Championships June 20 at the King’s Academy campus in West Palm Beach. Although showcasing football skills may have drawn the high school players and coaches to West Palm Beach, organizers also focused on the spiritual health and fitness of participants.

Encouraging the teenagers’ football performances, Evans, a New Orleans Saints fullback and long-time member of First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, told them what Jesus means to him. At a lunchtime gathering, Evans and Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, spoke to more than 400 players about integrity, character, perseverance, and making godly choices. According to First Baptist Church Pastor Jimmy Scroggins, the teams heard “a clear Gospel presentation.”

Among the 25 young men who made decisions during the event, several recorded “first-time” decisions. All the participants received evangelism materials and a copy of the Gospel of John as part of their gift bags.

“Our church is excited to serve the community and get the Gospel to coaches and players in south Florida,” Scroggins said.

Sixteen teams, including two state champions in classes 4A and 1B, participated in the invitation-only event featuring individual competitions between high school students, spectators and NFL players.

CHAMPIONS Heath Evans surrounded by the winning Booker T. Washington team at the conclusion of the Heath Evans 7X7 Championship June 20 at The King’s Academy school in West Palm Beach Photo by Al Mason/Heath Evans Foundation

The 2009 championship was not decided until the final play, when Jayvon Wrentz of Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School leapt to grab a Hail Mary pass from Jeremiah Hay as the last seconds ran out in the game between Booker T. Washington and Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes. The final score—33-28.

The final afternoon game was the culmination of 7X7 games beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Eight 40-yard playing fields were marked out on the King’s Academy campus and four groups of four teams played 30-minute round robin games in the morning. In the afternoon, the teams were seeded and played single-elimination games. Seven-on-seven competitions involve a team’s skill players—quarterback, receivers and running backs on offense, and safeties, cornerbacks and linebackers on defense.

The teams participating brought dozens of players to the event, however.

The annual football competition and clinic is sponsored by the Heath Evans Foundation, an organization dedicated to giving “hope and healing” to children and families affected by sexual abuse, according to a Foundation press release.

Evans is a graduate of King’s Academy, a Christian school in West Palm Beach. After attending Auburn (Ala.) University, he was drafted in 2001 by the Seattle Seahawks, and has since played for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. Evans was signed by the Saints in March 2009.

Several fellow players from Evans’ four-year stint with the New England Patriots joined him in encouraging and competing with the high school players: Randy Moss, wide receiver, New England Patriots; Matt Cassel, quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs; Wes Walker, wide receiver, Patriots; Kevin Faulk, running back, Patriots; Jabar Gaffney, wide receiver, Denver Broncos; and Abram Elam, defensive back, Cleveland Browns.

For the first time, high school players and two spectators could compete individually against the pros in Beat the Pros Challenges that included a 40-yard dash, passing accuracy and punt catching. Four high school students among the 400 present bested the pros’ efforts. Evans labeled the Beat the Pros Challenges “a big hit with everyone.”

“The players were as good as you will find anywhere. The event keeps evolving and improving with outstanding athletes and teams from around the state,” Evans said. “I wish there was an event like this when I went to high school.”

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