Olympic swimmer michael phelps was on the verge of suicide. Thats when friend and former nfl player ray lewis stepped in to help. Michael phelps on rehab and his friendship with ray lewis. Its no secret that baltimore sports greats michael phelps and ray lewis are close friends. Olympian michael phelps reveals purpose driven life. Weve talked about so much the last couple years of my career, phelps said. This book of christian wisdom turned it all around for michael, as it allowed him to refocus on his life and family in a positive way. Michael phelps prepares for life after 2016 rio olympics. He also gave him the purpose driven life a book written by pastor rick warren.
Aug 10, 2016 thenravens linebacker ray lewis, left, and olympic swimmer michael phelps hug before an nfl football game against the cincinnati bengals in baltimore, monday, sept. Aug 15, 2016 what you can learn from the purpose driven life and michael phelps trending christian blog and commentary on. The hardhitting linebacker gave the superswimmer a book by pastor rick warren. It seems that everything is going well in phelps s life, but despite his fame and achievements, that wasnt always the case. Man, this book is crazy, lewis says phelps told him, i cannot thank you. A couple of years ago, ray lewisformer american football. Michael phelps and nicole johnson secretly wed in arizona in june. The purpose driven life, by megachurch baptist pastor rick warren. In the interview, phelps says, its turned me into believing that there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planeti think it helped me when i was in a place. Look at how the life of michael phelps including a complicated relationship with his. Barry svrluga barry svrluga became a sports columnist for the washington post in december 2016. Lewis also gave michael a book called, the purpose driven life. Lewis convinced phelps to enter rehab and gave him a book to read. The real story behind michael phelps aim for success.
Aug 01, 2016 phelps entered rehab carrying a book lewis gave him, the purpose driven life, by rick warren. I learned quite a bit about ray lewis that i didnt. From a rookie player to a football veteran, lewis has experienced everything imaginable during his football. The most decorated olympian in history, michael phelps, talks about being a huge baltimore ravens fan and ray lewis role in phelps decision to return to the pool for the 2012 olympics. Ray lewis gave an emotionally charged speech during his hall of fame commencement on saturday night, and one person who got swept up in it was none other than olympian michael phelps.
Phelps heeded his friends advice and entered the rehab facility carrying a book lewis gave him, the purpose driven life, by rick warren. Set goals and follow your dreams, olympic gold medalist michael phelps told students at wiley middle school in leander, texas, on tuesday. Phelps was so depressed that he had contemplated ending his life. Its turned me into believing there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planet, phelps told espn. Olympic swimmer phelps credits purpose driven life for. A key turning point in michael s life was when his friend ray lewis gave him a copy of the purpose driven life by rick warren zondervan, 20. Aug 18, 2016 michael phelps story is a reminder that no. But on the verge of ending everything, phelps received guidance from devout christian and nfl legend ray lewis. Within a few days, phelps called lewis and told him man this book is crazy. Michael phelps gives baltimore ravens pep talk after. Michael phelps talks rehabilitation in sports illustrated.
This is the best place ive ever been in my whole life. Aug, 2016 michael phelps credits this book with saving his life. And the christian book had a profound impact on michael. Lewis and other friends convinced phelps to seek help at the meadows, a rehabilitation center outside of phoenix. Michael phelps says he didnt want to be alive after dui. Ray lewis influenced powerful people beyond football, from michael. He was dismissed from coastal carolinas football team and the university in 2016 upon being indicted by a south carolina grand jury on a charge of thirddegree criminal sexual assault. Nov 18, 2016 reading recommendations that cover everything from football to life to leadership, from pageturning nerds including andrew luck, pete carroll, ray lewis, michael phelps, steve smith sr. He just helped me get through a lot of hard times, and i wouldnt have been able to. What you can learn from the purpose driven life and. Celebs from michael phelps to kim kardashian want a purpose. Olympic swimmer michael phelps is celebrating after earning his 23rd.
Read how the olympic swimmer turned his life around and found peace through god. Michael phelps visits ray lewis after super bowl win youtube. Phelps credits warrens book for uplifting him and giving him hope again. Thenravens linebacker ray lewis, left, and olympic swimmer michael phelps hug before an nfl football game against the cincinnati bengals in. Aug 16, 2016 in september of 2014, phelps wanted to end his life. Sign up for the for the win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. The students in this particular school must have already known that. Michael phelps smack talks steelers, gives ray lewis shoutout in final race as far as ravens fans are concerned, swimmer michael phelps essentially hit. Double murder charges still haunt exraven linebacker ray lewis.
Ray lewis influenced powerful people beyond football, from. Aug, 2016 michael phelps gave ray lewis a shoutout after his final gold medal. You may have heard of this book published by zondervan in 2002, and by 2007 over 30 million copies sold. He told espn that nfl star ray lewis urged him to check into meadows, a behavioural rehab facility outside phoenix. Michael phelps has 22 books on goodreads with 5464 ratings. What you can learn from the purpose driven life and michael.
Aug 15, 2016 ray lewis explains the relationship he has with michael phelps after the olympians goldmedal walkoff in rio. A religious and family man with seven children, he is a very different person than the man who used to be on the football field. In the 2008 beijing olympics, michael phelps amazed the world with his. Michael phelps, kevin plank, steve bisciotti and others say ray lewis hall of fame playing career shouldnt overshadow his extraordinary efforts to uplift spirits and be a compassionate friend. Michael phelps talks rehabilitation in sports illustrated cover story. Nov 10, 2015 michael phelps tells how he did not want to be alive any more after dui arrest as he opens up about his stint in rehab and his friendship with football great ray lewis. Feb 08, 20 michael phelps visits ray lewis after super bowl win gamefap. Aug 04, 2016 a key turning point in michaels life was when his friend ray lewis gave him a copy of the purpose driven life by rick warren zondervan, 20. Michael phelps makes powerful statement about his christian faith. Michael phelps gets support from close friend ray lewis in.
Michael phelps climbed out of the pool for the final time at the 2016. How michael phelps overcame childhood issues to become. I was talking to ray lewis earlier today and we just had a great talk. Olympic star michael phelps life was spiraling out of. In an interview with espn, phelps said the book turned me into believing there is a power greater. So he cracked the book ray lewis gave him, called the purpose driven life. With the help of friend and nfl player, ray lewis, phelps committed his life to christ. Celebs from michael phelps to kim kardashian want a purposedriven life. Celebs from michael phelps to kim kardashian want a purpos. Jul 26, 2018 michael phelps, kevin plank, steve bisciotti and others say ray lewis hall of fame playing career shouldnt overshadow his extraordinary efforts to uplift spirits and be a compassionate friend.
His son, ray lewis iii, played college football at the university of miami and later coastal carolina. Olympic gold medalist michael phelps contemplated suicide amid his alcohol problems, but found a lifeline in christian nfl star and longtime friend ray lewis gift a purpose driven life book. We have all been glued to our televisions watching the greatest olympic. Lewis gave him the purpose driven life by rick warren and it stirred his thoughts about a life with christ. Michael phelps gives baltimore ravens pep talk after practice. Michael phelps saved from suicide by rick warren book.
Olympian michael phelps reveals purpose driven life saved him. The purpose driven life of michael phelps bible gateway blog. In addition to encouraging phelps that he could make it through his dark time, and advising him to seek the help of a rehab center, lewis, who is public about his christian faith, gave phelps a book. Michael phelps wont touch alcohol and has rededicated himself to swimming after leaving rehab, the olympian told sports illustrated. Michael phelps is back on track these days, back swimming with a passion and not drinking anymore, living life to the fullest with the help of nfl super bowl champion ray lewis. Phelps entered rehab carrying a book lewis gave him, the purpose driven life, by rick warren. The sports illustrated article reads like a tellall book, with michael phelps detailing his darkest days and his push to. But then christian friend and nfl star ray lewis stepped with words of. He told me to read those books, and they have changed my life, thats for sure. Whether you have read rick warrens book or not, whether you like the book or.
Former ravens linebacker ray lewis emerged as one of. Aug 11, 2016 lewis convinced phelps to enter rehab and gave him a book to read while he was there. Lewis, who is public about his christian faith, gave phelps a book. But these heartbreaks gave him the courage to trust in god and continue his dream to play for the nfl and win the super bowl. Lewis convinced phelps to seek help at the meadows, a behavioural rehab facility outside phoenix. Football isnt an olympic sport, but ray lewis was partly responsible for the united states winning six.
Michael phelps didnt want to be alive, but ray lewis. Jul 29, 2019 still, much worse was his feeling of not being himself mentally. Phelps appearance was the reward for winning first place in the scholastic book fairs national middle school contest. The words struck a chord with olympic swimmer michael phelps. Nfl hall of famer, ray lewis, reached out with an unexpected gift. What you can learn from the purpose driven life and michael phelps trending christian blog and commentary on. Michael phelps visits ray lewis after super bowl win gamefap. Billy graham described the book as one that would guide you to greatnessthrough living the great commandment and the great commission of jesus.
Ray lewis uses the story of david and goliath to show the importance of fighting your own fights, and says the effort is what defines you more than wins or losses. Nov 10, 2015 michael phelps is back on track these days, back swimming with a passion and not drinking anymore, living life to the fullest with the help of nfl super bowl champion ray lewis. However, god stepped into his situation, through his christian friend and nfl star, ray lewis. Celebs from michael phelps to kim kardashian want a. God used rick warrens the purpose driven life to rescue. Warrens the purpose driven life lewis also gave phelps a copy of the purpose driven life by rick warren. Why michael phelps is a role model the odyssey online. After reading the book for a couple days at the meadows, phelps called lewis. For michael phelps, he credited the book with saving his. Lewis who is an outspoke christian gave his friend a copy of rick warrens. Still, much worse was his feeling of not being himself mentally. Ray lewis explains the relationship he has with michael phelps after the olympians goldmedal walkoff in rio.
For example, after reading this book i cannot tell you what michael s favorite band is, nor whether he attended his high school prom, nor whether he got good grades in school. Lewis who is an outspoke christian gave his friend a copy of rick warrens book the. Michael phelps credits this book with saving his life dave willis. Michael phelps makes powerful statement about his christian. Lewis convinced phelps to enter rehab and gave him a book to read while he was there. Lewis convinced phelps to enter rehab and gave him a. This cometojesus turnaround, as lewis called it, began with a book that. Did olympic swimmer michael phelps give his life to christ.
This month, michael phelps, 30, a year and a half removed from that night, will be trying out for his fifth olympic games. Barry svrluga barry svrluga became a sports columnist for the washington post in. It was the millionplus seller the purpose driven life by rick warren. Aug 30, 2016 michael phelps was about to end his life, but god had a different plan. When phelps was dealing with some personal issues, lewis suggested michael read rick warrens purpose driven life, a book that has been translated.
Michael phelps credits this book with saving his life. Aug 08, 2016 lewis and other friends convinced phelps to seek help at the meadows, a rehabilitation center outside of phoenix. I learned quite a bit about ray lewis that i didnt know and found very interesting. Michael phelps was about to end his life, but god had a different plan. Ray lewis spoke with michael phelps before final race, could not be. But then christian friend and nfl star ray lewis stepped with words of encouragement.
Why michael phelps is a role model and its not just the 26 olympics medals. Michael phelps story is a reminder that no matter how big a mess your life. A couple of years ago, fellow athlete and friend ray lewis aka gods linebacker gave the. Michael phelps credits this book with saving his life dave. Ray lewis helped me win olympic medals chris strauss, usa today sports football isnt an olympic sport, but ray lewis was. Phelps explained the book helped by turning him into believing. Michael phelps gave ray lewis a shoutout after his final gold medal. Phelps started reading it the first day he entered a rehabilitation center in arizona. Michael phelps was about to end his life, but god had a. After reading the book for a couple days, phelps called lewis. I feel like going on tells the story of ray lewis s life through his point of view.
Nov 10, 2015 michael phelps wont touch alcohol and has rededicated himself to swimming after leaving rehab, the olympian told sports illustrated. An unusual friendship between baltimores brightest stars. Michael phelps tells how he did not want to be alive any more after dui arrest as he opens up about his stint in rehab and his friendship with football great ray lewis. There are some personal stories here and there about his childhood, but this is in no way a michael tells all story of what it has been like to be michael phelps. Phelps wedding party included former nfl star ray lewis, who played his entire 17year career for the baltimore ravens.
Aug 12, 2016 celebs from michael phelps to kim kardashian want a purposedriven life. In between winning olympic golds, phelps made headlines for very different. Nov 05, 2015 double murder charges still haunt exraven linebacker ray lewis ray lewis was leaving a super bowl party in 2000 when 2 men were stabbed to death. He gave phelps rick warrens book the purpose driven life. And as he headed into treatment, ray gave him a special gift his very own copy of rick warrens the purpose driven life. Michael phelps gets support from close friend ray lewis. Aug 08, 2016 phelps said that the book turned me into believing there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planet. Plus football galore, including dak prescott, antonio brown, teddy bridgewater and.
Lewis suggested michael read rick warrens purpose driven life, a book. Ray lewis tweets strange thing about michael phelps medal. Aug 05, 2016 thats when friend and former nfl player ray lewis stepped in to help. Ray lewis tweets strange thing about michael phelps medal count. In an interview with espn, phelps said the book turned me into believing there is a. In this new york times bestselling memoir, ray lewislegendary baltimore ravens linebacker and one of the greatest defensive players of his generationholds nothing back on the state of football as well as his troubled childhood, his rise to athletic greatness, the storm that threatened to ruin his nfl career, and the devastating injury that nearly cost him a final moment of glory. Olympic swimmer michael phelps is the most decorated olympian of all time.
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