A few spots remain for Thursday's Governor's Prayer Breakfast, where the Rev. Aeneas Williams will be the featured speaker.
Beginning in 1991, when he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, Williams had a 14-year, Hall of Fame pro football career, including playing in a Super Bowl and eight Pro Bowls.
He was selected "All-Pro" four times.
He joined the St. Louis Rams in 2001.
Williams was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 2, 2014.
But off the field, he has devoted his life to sharing the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God, after making his personal commitment to be a Christian while a junior at Southern University.
In 2007, Williams and his wife, Tracy Williams, founded The Spirit Church in St. Louis, and he serves as its senior pastor.
The governor's news release announcing Williams as the Prayer Breakfast speaker said he has "a love for people and a passion for helping each of us fulfill our full potential. ... He is a beloved St. Louis community leader and role model whose tireless service, outreach and personal counsel have changed lives."
While still playing football, Williams "had chances to help some of his teammates through some of life's rougher patches," the news release reported, and "these opportunities led him to the realization that unhappiness doesn't come from the things in our lives, rather it comes from things missing from our lives.
Before entering the ministry, he wrote "It Takes Respect," an inspirational insight into his passions, faith and leadership principles.
The Prayer Breakfast, at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, is an annual inter-faith event for all leaders and citizens of Missouri.
Its purpose is to seek God's guidance for the state's governmental leaders at the beginning of the legislative session, and - in addition to Williams' remarks - it will feature prayers and scripture readings.
This year's special music will be provided by Jefferson City High School's Chorale.
Although hosted by the governor, the annual Prayer Breakfast is administered by a not-for-profit organization and is not an official government function.
Its proceeds support the Governor's Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values, which brings together select Missouri college students from public and private universities for a three-day study of faith and leadership.
Participants explore the role that faith has played in the lives of business executives, sports figures and government officials.
Missouri's Governor's Prayer Breakfast was established in the 1950s as an extension of the National Prayer Breakfast, which was first held in 1953.
Tickets are $35 per seat, and may be purchased online at www.missourigpb.com.
The event also has a Facebook page.
Seating begins at 7:10 a.m.
The event is expected to be finished about 9 a.m.