Comments on: John and Nellie Wooden: The Greatest Love Story Never Told

By: arlyn meguillo

arlyn meguillo — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:24:59 +0000

Wow! what a great love story. I think God used nellie and John’s marriage to inspire many couples like me and my husband. They inspired us. I can relate to them because we (me & my husband) also had 6 days together after the wedding day. my husband left for work overseas.

By: Weekly Hit List #22 | :: VFAM.COM ::

Weekly Hit List #22 | :: VFAM.COM :: — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:59:11 +0000

[...] suggests the answer is more Kirk Cameron. – As you may know John Wooden passed away a week ago. Here is a moving piece about his relationship with his wife. – Internet Monk pushed out a powerful quote from Bonhoeffer on “cheap grace”. – [...]

By: Britt Treece

Britt Treece — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:09:41 +0000

Yeah, you’re right about secular news programs, JT, but from all I’ve ever read or heard from Wooden, it seemed a lot more like he planned on worshipping his wife in the afterlife more than the Savior.

By: Ivan Lambert

Ivan Lambert — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:31:48 +0000

Guys I played college ball at a small college for a coach who was a huge Wooden admirer. My coach when in LA actually went to the campus in hopes of meeting Wooden. To his amazement, Wooden was present! My coach and Wooden had a conversation in which Wooden actually lauded world religions being similar in seeking truth and loving God and our fellow man.

It is indeed my hope that in subsequent years John Wooden, probably the greatest coach in American Sports History, learned that it is the major difference of world religions from Christianity that is the major issue to discern—- the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Justin, I’m not seeking to be a fire hydrant to quench this excitement, yet, I do feel I should communicate what I know. After being told this story 25 years ago, as a player, I’ve listened and read some of Wooden’s materials. I indeed found him to be religious, a man, working hard at serving others, loving mankind. He talked often of Mother Teresa and Abraham Lincoln, and of God in General. It is my SINCERE hope, Coach Wooden, came to embrace the wonderful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Justin, I love your blog, keep up the good work.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:40:23 +0000

FYI,

A book 30 Christian Impact Athletes By Michael Louthian (at http://www.books.google.com) provides in summary form a testimony of words and life of John Wooden. Many other athletes and coaches are featured as well as the reason for highlighting their lives in the light of public persona. I am sure there is much more. As noted Wooden although post basketball retirement often spoke publicly, he was in many ways a very low key and private individual.

JAM

By: Bob W

Bob W — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:47:55 +0000

Wooden’s faith was often discussed among students when I was at UCLA at the turn of the century, and much admired. I am curious, Justin, why you said 12 college championships. Did he win a couple somewhere else besides the 10 NCAA titles at UCLA?

By: Scott Klusendorf

Scott Klusendorf — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:29:24 +0000

If the prayer breakfast that I attended in 1989 was any indication of his true beliefs, he was indeed a Christ-follower.

By: John Wooden: Wise and Humble « Gospel Lens

John Wooden: Wise and Humble « Gospel Lens — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:58:23 +0000

[...] John and Nellie Wooden: The Greatest Love Story Never Told [...]

By: Bill Combs

Bill Combs — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:15:34 +0000

I understand, Justin. I was not trying to make some final judgment but just commenting on your comment that “by all accounts he was a faithful follower of Christ.” I pray he was. I was just making an observation that the clip on your blog gives no such indication. Any unbeliever could say what he says in the clip.

By: Justin Taylor

Justin Taylor — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:50:33 +0000

Bill: I would reserve judgment when you watch something edited down for a secular news program. They take hours of conversation and make it into 3-4 minutes, often with a vested interest in removing spiritual explanations, goals, etc.

By: Bill Combs

Bill Combs — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:33:30 +0000

“By all accounts he was a faithful follower of Christ.” Not by this account.

By: Stephen L

Stephen L — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:18:48 +0000

Wow! Simply, wow.

By: Scott Klusendorf

Scott Klusendorf — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:56:45 +0000

I heard John wooden speak at a prayer breakfast in 1989. He signed my Bible and right below his signature, he wrote “1 Corinthians 13.”

By: Patricia (Pollywog Creek)

Patricia (Pollywog Creek) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:54:23 +0000

So precious and rich. Terry, thanks for sharing that information.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:53:18 +0000

The radio program FamilyLife Today (www.familylifetoday.com) is planning to re-broadcast an interview with John Wooden about his faith and his love for his wife today and tomorrow. It’s worth hearing again.