Judge Tim O’Hare hosted the inaugural Tarrant County National Day of Prayer Luncheon on Thursday at The Bowden in Keller.
The keynote speaker for the event was pro football Hall of Famer and Dallas Cowboys legend Cliff Harris, who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1970-1979. He is one of only 13 NFL football players in history to have played in five Super Bowls, of which the Cowboys won two (1971 and 1977).
Brian Estridge, the voice of the TCU Horned Frogs and former morning show host on WBAP, was the emcee.
The occasion included prayers for family, churches, government, the military, and businesses. Special music was provided by Savanna Freeman.
Hundreds of people attended the luncheon, including several local elected officials, such as Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn and Texas Reps. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) and Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth).
“I can tell you it is okay to bring God into government. We always need prayer, we always need God, but there has never been a time in our nation’s history where we needed it more,” O’Hare told the audience.
A video introduction for Harris was played before being welcomed by Judge O’Hare. Harris spoke about his football career and how his faith has played a role in his life. O’Hare asked him how Tom Landry, the legendary coach of the Cowboys, impacted Harris’ professional career and life.
“I was so fortunate to have a man like Tom Landry to be my coach and inspiration … because it’s a fast-paced life to live in the world of a player, to keep your life on track as best you can. But it was a blessing for me, a true blessing, that I made the team, and we played so many great games, so many Super Bowls. To have Tom Landry as coach is a gift of God for me,” Harris said.
“You mentioned a specific verse in Proverbs. Tell us about your faith and why you chose that particular verse,” O’Hare asked Harris.
The verse Harris mentioned in the introduction video was Proverbs 3:5,6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path.”
“That verse meant a lot to me, and it still does to this day,” Harris said. “The influence that God had on … my life, I just think, ‘Bless God,'” Harris said. “I grew up with family and faith. … We need to have leadership that has faith.”
When O’Hare asked who had impacted Harris’ life the most, Harris said, “My dad, of course. … He was a B38 pilot shot down in the South China Sea … and survived, and if he had not survived, the Cowboys would not have made it to the Super Bowl.”
Harris spoke about his dad’s example of leadership and how his dad instilled discipline and prioritized family, traits that helped Harris become the person he is today.
“It was easy for me to have his example of mental toughness,” Harris said. “He was a great example of life and discipline and a great man of faith. I am very fortunate to have that kind of leadership in my life.”
“Wonderful,” O’Hare responded. “We need more strong fathers. Isn’t that the truth?”
When discussing hope for the future, Harris said the fact that hundreds showed up to the event shows that there are people who care.
“I plead with you guys to go out — everyone to go out — express your faith and talk about life and God and the influence that you can have in your life and everyone’s life. This, for me, has lit a fire for me, for my heart,” Harris told the audience.
At the end of the program, O’Hare announced to the audience that two non-profit organizations, Mission Arlington and Embrace Grace, would each be getting a $5,000 donation from the event proceeds.
