Former Philadelphia Eagle, FCA National Spokesperson, and Brooklyn Tabernacle Youth Pastor, Ray Sydnor will be speaking at Destiny Outreach Ministries on Sunday October 12th, 2008.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1958, Ray grew up in Baltimore City with his four sisters and parents, John and Eva Sydnor . A graduate of Northwestern High School, Ray lettered for three years in football and two years in basketball. He graduated as a High School All-American football and basketball player and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a full scholarship to play football. There he played football for all four years and basketball for three . During his senior year, he was selected as All-Big TEN Tight End and was subsequently drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He later was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles and was a member of their Super Bowl team in 1980.
Ray began to use drugs in high school at parties and with friends to build his self- confidence. At first it was a recreational habit, but as time went on he became more and more dependent on drugs as a social and mental crutch. In college, although playing outstanding football and basketball competitively, his life began to become complicated by his gradual addiction. After college graduation, in the NFL, Ray continued his drug abuse until finally it destroyed both his drive and initiative. As a result he was cut from the Eagles. Ray thought he could handle life, but his need for drugs ruined his football career and later stole years of his life. For 19 years, Ray was addicted to crack cocaine. After watching his life leave a trail of destruction and hurt, Ray began his recovery from addiction to crack cocaine in 1998.
