Two Super Bowl footballs sit tucked away in a room in Walt Day's house. In his closet hang shirts with logos for the title-holding New England Patriots, as well as the World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

Walt lives in Boston, a city full of diehard Red Sox and Patriots fans. As a boy he dreamed of starting for the Sox. But the Campus Crusade for Christ staff member isn't a sports fan. In fact, he knows he can't be a fan. Walt serves both the Patriots and the Red Sox as the teams' chaplain.

"If you allow yourself to get too caught up in being a fan, you won't be able to do the job," says Walt. "I try to fly under the radar." In a position that could easily be about fame, Walt isn't about love for the game but about love for the men who play it. And his humility allows Walt to serve the athletes while also letting others lead.

Originally from Rhode Island, he spends his days in the locker room, on the field and wherever players are, always looking for opportunities to tell them about Jesus Christ. "I try and make myself available but not be a nuisance," says Walt, who works with Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade's ministry to athletes. This philosophy lends itself to a demanding schedule. Players work unusual hours and have intense demands on their time. Most don't live in Boston year-round, only during their playing seasons.

Because of their schedules, and also partly due to their fame, many players don't attend churchThe writer attributes Walt's success to his humility. Walt trusts God to use him in the lives of professional athletes. Who can you humbly reach out to in your daily life?Sunday is often a workday. So each week Walt holds chapel services for the players and the coaching staffs. For some, the weekly 30-minute service is the only time they hear the gospel message. For others, chapel is a much-needed source of encouragement. "His message is precise and clear and delivered with love and humility," says Jeremy Kapstein, senior advisor for the Red Sox and former chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres. "He directs us to go into the world and do what the Lord has done."

Walt's willingness to be available has helped build much needed respect and trust on the teams. "Guys are used to seeing him," says Patriots linebacker Don Davis. As Walt wanders around the locker room, he chats with some players while others barely notice him. This ability to blend in has been helpful. Players are constantly being asked for something, from autographs to tickets to money to time, and Walt's unassuming presence is refreshing. "There are very few people [the players] can trust," says Walt. He fiercely guards the rapport he has created with players and coaches.

But Walt has also seen the necessity of letting others in. At the Patriots chapel service, Walt invited two inner-city pastors to split the speaking schedule with him. He understands the importance of having other godly men the players can relate to: "It's not about me having to be the star of the show."

	Patriots strong safety Je'Rod Cherry (above, seated in the middle) started volunteering to lead a Bible study at a boys detention center in Boston through Walt's prompting. Now his wife, Samua, leads a study at a girls' facility. Their friendship with Walt prompted them to visit him in Florida (above, at right) where Walt attended Red Sox spring training.

Walt has also been able to share leadership with some of the players. While on the road, pitcher Mike Timlin leads a Bible study for the Red Sox, and each Wednesday, Don Davis leads the Patriots Bible study, formerly led by Walt. "I want to train players to reach their peers," says Walt. And Don appreciates the support Walt gives him as he leads his teammates. "A lot of times as you pour [yourself] out, you're not taking anything in," says Don. "Walt makes sure I'm being fed as much as I'm giving out."

But even as Walt allows others to lead, both the teams' championships have come at a cost for Walt. The demands on his time have been incredibly difficult. As the chaplain for two famous teams, Walt has gotten even more requests for speaking appearances and interviews. "It's a constant battle to live a balanced life," says Walt. "I have a tendency to work a little too much. It's good to have drive, but I need to step back sometimes." And as the players have gotten more exposure, so has Walt. "It's tempting when you're around fame, to start getting your identity in it," he says. But Walt understands the importance of fighting pride. "I realize that [fame] is a dead end," he says.

Walt is no stranger to difficulty. Tragedy struck early for him; at 13, both his parents and his best friend died—separately, but all within a year. "I saw the brevity of life," says Walt.

Walt's two older sisters raised him. His Little League coach, Carl Bishop, and Carl's wife, Tina, informally adopted him. At their house Walt first heard the gospel, and through their love for each other and for him, he saw firsthand what it meant to be a Christian. His relationship with the Bishops turned his understanding of the shortness of life into an urgency to make sure others understood the gospel. This urgency has developed into a desire to reach all of New England through these professional athletes. "The reality is that our society looks up to sports heroes," says Ken Moyer, director of AIA's outreach to professional athletes. "What we're trying to do is help our sports heroes look up toward God."

One person at a time, Walt is influencing New England to do just that. Red Sox third baseman Bill Mueller attributes his spiritual growth to Walt's example. "Walt's consistency helps my consistency," he says. Bill also appreciates consistent encouragement and friendship from the other Christians on the team. "It creates a bond when we are able to see each other that much and then keep each other accountable," says Bill.

Like many of the believers on the team, Bill has been able to share his faith on television, thanking God for his success. "I feel strongly that this is a God-given gift," says Bill. "I'm out there to play this game and glorify Him, not selfishly take credit." After Game 3 of the World Series, Bill's agent thanked him for the positive impression his public statement of faith made on the man's 10-year-old son.

That 10-year-old will never know that it was because of Walt Day's influence. Walt knows. And he's OK with that.

ACTION POINT - ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT > The writer attributes Walt's success to his humility. Walt trusts God to use him in the lives of professional athletes. Who can you humbly reach out to in your daily life?

For more information on Athletes in Action, visit www.aia.com or call (937) 352-1000. You'll find evangelistic resources like Reversing the Curse, a DVD featuring stories of faith from the 2004 Red Sox season.