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Instead of watching football on the tube Sunday, fans can see the real deal by attending church at Faith Baptist Church in Meeker.

Special guest Kevin Wyatt, a National Football League player until 1987, will preach at the church's morning and evening services.

"I'm having him come in because he's a blessing for our kids," Pastor Jon Swope said. "It shows that somebody can be good in sports and life. He's somebody who is successful as a preacher and father, not just in sports."

Wyatt played football in college at the University of Arkansas as a defensive back. He was the fourth pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1986, according to his biography.

Wyatt's career ended abruptly in the third game of the 1987 season, after he sustained an injury while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. Wyatt started preaching in 1991 and serves as the pastor of Living Baptist Church in Denver.

Church member Nancy Murphy said bringing in a former football player turned pastor can help attract new members to the church. Murphy said she already sees new faces after the church brought in a John Wayne impersonator to speak in August.

"If anything, it'll attract sports people," Murphy said.

Church officials are taking it a step further to invite people to their parish Sunday by dubbing it Friend Day. Parishioners who bring along someone new to church will receive Rocky Mountain chocolate bars.

"It's easier to invite people when there's a reward involved," he said.

Murphy said church members already have advertised Sunday's guest speaker by placing fliers on every door in Meeker. Murphy said there should be a large turnout, judging from the responses she has received. When handing the fliers to young children, she regularly got responses from them that this might be something their fathers would like to attend.

The former football player also should attract a younger generation than the John Wayne impersonator, Gene Howard, did. Murphy wondered aloud whether many children knew about the former actor, known for his Western films.

"It's helping bring in a diversity of people," Murphy said about recent speakers the church has sponsored.