The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will honor student-athletes, coaches and communities that are committed to making a difference in young people’s lives through faith and fellowship at its 45th annual Orange Bowl Prayer Breakfast.
Sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida, the prayer breakfast will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 7:30 a.m., at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail. Players and coaches from Oklahoma and Clemson, the teams playing in this year’s Capital One Orange Bowl game, are scheduled to attend.
The event, emceed by Don Bailey Jr., will feature keynote speaker Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner and twosport standout at Florida State University as a quarterback in football and point guard in basketball. Ward subsequently led the FSU Seminoles to their first-ever National Championship under legendary Coach Bobby Bowden.
Though undrafted by the NFL in 1994, he became a first-round draft pick of the New York Knicks, helping them reach the playoffs for six straight years. Today he holds the distinction of being the only Heisman winner to play in the NBA. He played 11 seasons in the NBA with New York, San Antonio and Houston, then served as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets for two years.
In addition, Dennis Hickey, the Miami Dolphins general manager, also will make remarks. Hickey is responsible for football operations and administration, including directing the college and pro personnel departments. He directs all scouting efforts involving the college draft, free agency, the Canadian Football League and personnel of the other 31 NFL teams. He joined the Dolphins after spending 18 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including three seasons as the team’s director of player personnel.
The event is open to the public. Tickets for the Baptist Health Orange Bowl Prayer Breakfast are $30 each and sponsorships for tables of 10 start at $500. For ticket information, call 786-752-0845 or send email to NWilbanks@fca.org.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The event also will feature raffles for exclusive travel and leisure prizes.
