Book investigates what makes a champion

John Fream knows all about being a champion.

He played on the offensive line of his high school football team, which won the state title in Oklahoma’s highest classification.

“Those glory days taught and prepared me so much for life. The ups and downs, and the ins and outs of what it took to win a state championship, and the incredible effort it took. It set me on a road to say, ‘You don’t have to settle for good. Go for the championship.’”

That road has led the 56-year-old, in his 17th year as pastor of Cypress Baptist Church, to write his first book. “Traits of a Champion – Pursuing the Wins in Life” details five characteristics of champions. Those champions come from sports, business, politics and religion.

“I studied people who did great things. What is it that they do that’s different from other people?”

One of the things Fream found — the fifth trait in his book — is that champions have a high level of tenacity.

“At the end of the day, champions don’t quit.

There isn’t anybody who doesn’t lose. Michael Jordan (six NBA titles) missed a lot of shots — game-winning shots — but he didn’t quit. I looked a lot at (Walmart founder) Sam Walton. He lost his first store because of a contract oversight. He literally lost the store. The first sermon Billy Graham preached, he called the biggest disaster and thought there was no way he would ever be a preacher. We’re all obviously thankful he didn’t quit. He went on to preach to more people than anybody ever has.”

Fream’s research for the book included reading biographies and autobiographies. Their subjects ranged from former president Ronald Reagan to “one of my all-time favorite leaders,” British statesman Winston Churchill. Fream also studied legendary coach John Wooden (10 NCAA championships) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s, when the organization won four Super Bowls.

“What makes people excel? What makes them move above average and become what culture would call the best, or a champion?”

Fream also wanted to know if there were traits of biblical champions.

“You look at David. He didn’t quit. You look at Joshua and Moses. These guys had losses and difficulties, but they didn’t quit. They had incredible traits as well. It confirmed and backed up for me what I wanted to know. Following Christ, did these men of God have the same thing?”

Writing “Traits of a Champion” took more than a year. However, the book’s topic was conceived several years ago when Fream was asked to speak to a high school team about what it means to be a champion.

“I’ve preached it all over the country. It became a sermon series. Any time I spoke to men’s groups, I used it. … Over the years, mostly my family, but others, have encouraged me to put the traits of a champion into a book. Finally, after enough persuading and moving down my bucket list items, it is one of those that finally got done.”

“Traits of a Champion” is available at Cypress Baptist Church for $10. If you would like the book shipped from the church, the total cost is $15.