EATON – Eaton High School will host Hot Rods for Helmets, a seven on seven football tournament and car show Wednesday, July 19.
The event, which will feature the county’s football teams, will begin at 4 p.m., and conclude at 8 p.m. Immediately following, in the Performing Arts Center, former Auburn quarterback Zeke Pike will share his story of drug addiction and what he has done to fight it.
Both events are free and open to the public. For those interested in bringing a vehicle to the car show, there is a $10 entry fee. Dash plaques for the first 50 cars registered. In addition to the car show, there will be a corn hole tournament, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, silent auction, First Responders display, car portraits, plus more.
All proceeds will benefit the Eaton football program.
Pike was a high school U.S. Army All-American and a five-star quarterback recruit, who came from a loving, Christian, two-parent home, but that didn’t stop him from from experimenting with drugs at the age of 13.
He continued his drug use throughout his junior high and high school days and eventually into college.
“I was on my way to achieving everything I had ever dreamed of,” he states on his website bio about becoming the starting quarterback his freshman year. “However, that same year, I began falling into the trap of drugs and alcohol.”
He was dismissed from Auburn and later landed at Louisville, but the drug problems followed.
He was let go from Louisville and left the campus after the tragic death of his girlfriend.
“My life spiraled down hill and with one last opportunity to play ball at Murray State, I failed. This time I found myself incarcerated in jail,” he said.
That’s when he made the decision to change.
He said he turned to God and founded number8ministries.
“When I found myself in jail at the age of 23 I realized that I was broken, lost, and alone. I though I had found my purpose in football, but I felt a huge hole inside me,” he said. “I rededicated my life to Jesus and I developed a personal relationship with him.”
He hopes by sharing his story he can help anyone who may be having their own issues.
“I realized my purpose here on earth is to live a life that is Christ-like and serve and help others – to share my personal story with others so they can grow from my life journey,” he said.
“The Mission of number8ministries is to provide assistance in taking the first step toward a new beginning of a new life, A life of recovery, and a life of sobriety. God blessed me with a new start, a new life and a new life’s purpose. He gave me a new beginning! By sharing my story of addiction, my struggles, and my heartbreak, I hope to help anyone who might be struggling with drugs or alcohol, find their new beginning. Through my story and message I hope to bring awareness to the signs of addiction and help them begin the journey of recovery. Our Mission at number8minsitries is to bring broken families back together, bring lost people out of the dark and into the light, and bring hope for a better tomorrow. Its our hope that you also would come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and allow him to become the center of you life.”
