From Sinner to SAINT :: A Story of Redemption
I know it’s time for the ‘Friday Update’, but this week it’s going to be a little different.
We’ll update you on our life next week –
for now I’d like to give you a little ‘inside information’ for the Super Bowl this Sunday!
I hope you’ll check out the incredible story of God’s redemption (written by me) below.
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This past 4th of July was a little different for us than ever before. Instead of spending it with family, or at home in Michigan, we were flown down to Georgia to meet some new friends.
Phil Williams is a sports agent who lives in Peachtree City, GA with his beautiful wife Meg and his incredible children, Hannah, Luke, Kyle, & Beka. He heard about Rusty through some mutual AIM friends, and looked him up online. After all – sports agents and former sports-casters are cut from very similar cloth… especially if they not only love SPORTS, but love the Lord.
The two immediately hit it off via email and phone call, and before we knew it we were headed down to hang out for the weekend. Phil wanted us to meet his family, and his very special ‘third son’… Anthony Hargrove. You may know him as #69, the New Orleans SAINTS Defensive Tackle.
Anthony isn’t Phil’s blood, he’s actually one of his clients. He doesn’t look like Phil’s other kids. His skin is a different color, his arms are covered in tattoos, he’s 6 foot 3 and weighs 272 pounds. But he’s FAMILY, through and through.
The Williams have been there for Tony in some of his roughest times. His story is full of pain – his dad left when he was a small child, his mom died of AIDS when he was 9. The rest of his life he was bounced around from relative to relative, and NFL team to NFL team. Eventually he found himself at his lowest point – out of money, abandoned by his family, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and suspended from his team. But Phil never gave up on Tony.
NEITHER DID GOD.
At the end of his rope, Tony found the God of redemption, the God of 
HOPE, the God of second chances. And he started over with a new outlook on life, and the desire to do something DIFFERENT with his NFL fame and money this time around. Instead of getting all the girls, cars, and clothes, he wants to change the world!
HOPE, the God of second chances. And he started over with a new outlook on life, and the desire to do something DIFFERENT with his NFL fame and money this time around. Instead of getting all the girls, cars, and clothes, he wants to change the world!
We heard Tony’s story that weekend, and watched as the video below was recorded. (Watch it to hear a first hand account of all he has been through. It’s worth your time!) We heard about all the horrible things people said about him, and all of his terrible transgressions. Every detail was unbelievable to me, especially after watching him put together puzzles and cuddle with Phil’s youngest daughter, Beka. He’s got a sparkle in his eyes that’s unmistakable, a spirit that doesn’t quit, and a heart as BIG as he is! (which, let me tell you, is pretty big!)
Just a few days after the Super Bowl, Tony will be following that big heart all the way to Swaziland. He’s been listening to God about giving back, and he wants to go GIVE HOPE to the children in Africa. He understands what these kids are going through – what it’s like to have your dad leave and your mom die of AIDS. What it’s like to feel unloved and unwanted. But he also understands what it’s like to LET GOD IN, and to find HOPE when all seems lost. I can’t wait to see what God will do through Tony there!
Keep an eye out for Tony this weekend as you watching the SUPER BOWL, and stay tuned to see what God has in store! Tony is special, and I know God has a very special plan for his life. God is a GOD OF REDEMPTION, and He is redeeming His SAINT!
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To see the awesome video about Anthony from NFL gameday, click HERE.
Ericka! This is GREAT! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with others about Tony’s wonderful story! I LOVE it! So excited to see where God has led him from and where He is leading him to, and glad that you guys are excited with us! WHO DAT!
Ericka this is awesome!!!
Beautifully written Erika! Try not to lose your voice tomorrow during the game.
This is beautiful Ericka! i absolutely love every single word of it! WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT THEM SAINTS! 🙂
Such a great article…very cool title, love it! Go Saints.