On November 29, 1992, the Jets were playing the Kansas City Chiefs. Dennis was about to sack the the quarterback when he collided with a teammate and his spinal cord was snapped.

In the middle of the night, Byrd woke up in Lennox Hospital in a halo brace, not knowing where he was, not knowing why he couldn't move, not knowing where he was, not knowing what was happening. Suddenly he went from dreaming of making it to the Pro Bowl to hoping he could someday hold his daughter in his arms again.

The world watched and listened as Dennis Byrd told the media that Christ was his source of comfort in his time of tragedy. The doctors announced to the media that Dennis may never walk again, and it would be years before they would know. Dennis told the media that with God's help, he would walk again soon.

On opening day of the 1993 football season, less than a year later after the tragic collision, millions of television viewers watched as Dennis Byrd walked out to the middle of the Meadowlands Stadium while 75,000 New York Jet fans stood cheering in ovation.

The faith of Dennis Byrd forged a most unbelievable - miraculous comeback.

Athletic Principle

Whether you think you can or can't, you are probably right. That, simply put, is what faith is all about.

Faith acts as a safety valve to release the pressure that you put on yourself to perform at your best. It helps you put every athletic contest into proper perspective. It lets you see that there are many ways to become a winner. First, become a winner in life. Then, it is easier to become a winner on the field of play.

Faith alone is not enough. Just thinking like a winner doesn't automatically make you one. If this was the simple formula for success, then there would be no losers. The key to success is to blend positive thinking with hard work and perseverance. If you can do this, you will become a winner. Make your motto: "I can beat anyone when I out work them."

God's Performance Principle

Webster's Dictionary defines faith as...a belief and trust in, and loyality to God...a firm belief in something for which there is no proof...complete confidence.

The miracle in Dennis Byrd's life is not that he broke his neck and walked again, the miracle is that faith can overcome every situation and circumstance which comes before you. True faith is summed up as, "faith is being sure of what is hoped for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

The Bible, God's Word emphasizes that a person can strengthen themselves through faith in God. When you affirm big, believe big and pray big; big things will happen.

"Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in the prophets and you will be successful." (2 Chronicles 20:20)

"Have faith in God,' Jesus answered." (Mark 11:22)

"Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." (Luke 8:50)

Faith is a Fundamental Duty

"Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:28-29)

Faith is a Defensive Weapon

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16)

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

"Fight the good fight of the faith." (1 Timothy 6:12)

Faith is Essential in Prayer

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8)

"Then he (Jesus) touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you:' and their sight was restored..." (Matthew 9:29-30)

"He (Jesus) replied, 'Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."  (Matthew 21:21)

"If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23)