Purpose2Play’s top 18 inspiring sports stories in 2018

Athletes like Tom Brady, LeBron James and Aaron Judge normally grab the headlines, but when it comes to the inspiring stories in sports, there are people like Carlos Arredondo, the hero in the white cowboy hat at the 2013 Boston Marathon, who decided to run this year's race. There's also Chelsea Werner, a champion gymnast turned fashion model, who has [...]

By |2018-12-31T14:03:23+00:00December 31st, 2018|The Big Play|Comments Off on Purpose2Play’s top 18 inspiring sports stories in 2018

11-year-old triathlete gives her medals to patients at a children’s hospital

A true athlete is defined by more than just wins, losses and crossing finish lines. Gracie Lindaman, an 11-year-old from Iowa, has learned that lesson early in life. A triathlete for the last four years, Gracie created national headlines when she made a trip to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston over the summer to give patients her triathlon and [...]

By |2018-12-30T13:06:46+00:00December 30th, 2018|Breakthrough Athletes|Comments Off on 11-year-old triathlete gives her medals to patients at a children’s hospital

Chelsea Werner, a gymnast-turned-model, is breaking new ground

Chelsea Werner, a 26-year-old woman from Danville, Calif. with Down syndrome, realizes that life is all about balance. It's something the former champion gymnast learned away from the balance beam. Werner, who still competes in gymnastics around the world, is also a model. She signed with We Speak, a New York-based agency that aims to create a positive change in fashion [...]

By |2018-12-29T13:16:21+00:00December 29th, 2018|Breakthrough Athletes|Comments Off on Chelsea Werner, a gymnast-turned-model, is breaking new ground

Nate Viands, an 8-year-old with leukemia, runs 3:32 marathon

Nate Viands, 8, has been outrunning leukemia since he was three years old, so it's no wonder his fortitude translates to long distance running, too. The Pennsylvania boy blew everyone away when he clocked a speedy 3:32 at the NCR Marathon in Baltimore on Nov. 24. He started the race with his father, Scott Viands, but pulled away from his [...]

By |2018-12-26T21:52:11+00:00December 26th, 2018|Breakthrough Athletes|Comments Off on Nate Viands, an 8-year-old with leukemia, runs 3:32 marathon

Victor Oladipo gives domestic violence advocate/survivor new car

Santa Claus doesn't always wear a red suit. Sometimes he comes in the form of someone wearing  a basketball jersey. Look no further than Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, who made domestic violence survivor and advocate Renita Hills' year when he gifted her a new car. Oladipo was given a new Kia Sportage when he was named the league's Most Improved [...]

By |2018-12-25T09:07:27+00:00December 25th, 2018|Jocks Giving Back|Comments Off on Victor Oladipo gives domestic violence advocate/survivor new car

Marine vet loses beloved Nationals hat, Carolina Hurricanes help recover it

Ken Brasington's Washington Nationals cap has been through hell and back with him. It's seen 33 countries, four IEDs and two combat zones, according to the 38-year-old Marine Corps veteran. So, when his hat was thrown onto the ice by a joyous Washington Capitals fan celebrating Alex Ovechkin's hat trick and lead-grabbing goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh on Dec. [...]

By |2018-12-21T11:50:01+00:00December 21st, 2018|Fast Breaks|Comments Off on Marine vet loses beloved Nationals hat, Carolina Hurricanes help recover it

Greg Norman surprises WWII vet with Augusta National tee time

Steve Melnikoff stormed Omaha Beach as a member of the 29th Infantry Division of the US Army on June 6, 1944, otherwise known as D-Day. Fast-forward 74 years, and the 99-year-old was surprised by golf legend Greg Norman with a new set of clubs as well as an invitation to golf with the 20-time PGA TOUR winner at Augusta National, [...]

By |2018-12-20T12:36:48+00:00December 20th, 2018|Fast Breaks|Comments Off on Greg Norman surprises WWII vet with Augusta National tee time

NBA referees donate game-worn shoes to help the homeless

It's said that the sign of a good referee, in any sport, is when he or she goes unnoticed. However, NBA referees are aiming to draw a little attention, at least this week, for the NBA Referees Association’s Annual Night of Giving. NBA officials have partnered with It's From The Sole to donate shoes to the homeless. On Dec. 18, [...]

By |2018-12-19T12:47:11+00:00December 19th, 2018|Jocks Giving Back|Comments Off on NBA referees donate game-worn shoes to help the homeless

Air Force Sergeant surprises twin daughters during basketball game

Christmas came early for 14-year-old twins Zoe and A'nina Pasco. That's because their father, Air Force Tech Sergeant Anthony Pasco, returned home to North Carolina after being gone for six months, and surprised them as they were cheering on their middle school basketball team. With pom-poms in hand, Zoe and A'nina noticed something different about their mascot, a grey dolphin [...]

By |2018-12-18T10:52:24+00:00December 18th, 2018|Fast Breaks|Comments Off on Air Force Sergeant surprises twin daughters during basketball game

Gene Dykes, 70, runs 2:54:23 marathon to set new age group record

Gene Dykes, 70, is a faster marathon runner than most men half his age. Nothing solidifies that more than his performance on Saturday at the Ameris Bank Jacksonville Marathon, where he clocked a 2:54:23. In doing so, he broke the late Ed Whitlock's longstanding marathon record for competitors in the 70-74 age group by 25 seconds. “Beating the record, it’s [...]

By |2018-12-17T17:43:40+00:00December 17th, 2018|Breakthrough Athletes|Comments Off on Gene Dykes, 70, runs 2:54:23 marathon to set new age group record
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