By Sarah Lauch
Producer, Comcast SportsNet Chicago

There are inspiring stories that come along and change your life. They are tough to find in the world of sports, but part of the fun is searching for the great ones. The story of Adam Bruckner is one of those great ones.

Last fall, Luke Stuckmeyer and I interviewed Chicago Bulls guard Kyle Korver's parents in Pella, Iowa, for an inspiring story we were working on about Kyle and his life (link to video). During that interview, they told us to Google "Adam Bruckner." We had already interviewed Adam for Kyle's story because he helps to run Kyle's foundation in Philadelphia, but we didn't know anything about him beyond that.

When I arrived back in Chicago, the first thing I did was Google Adam Bruckner. All I could say after I did that was “wow!” I couldn't believe the story. I e-mailed Kyle's brother, Klayton, and got Adam's contact information. The first e-mail exchange was good, but I could tell he didn’t want to rehash the story and he had somewhat moved on with his life.

I spent the next week trying to convince Adam that we should do the story and that it would bring awareness to some of his dedicated and tireless work with Philadelphia's homeless. He was tough and there were some times when I thought he wouldn't give in, but he eventually agreed. The initial email was sent in October and here we are in July just airing the show. It was a long, stressful road for both Adam and I, but I am so happy with the end product and more importantly, so is he.

Without giving away too much, I would like to add a bit of insight on Adam and his role in Philadelphia. He spends most of his time in some of Philly's toughest neighborhoods with kids and homeless men and women. Seeing him around people that just need a little love is so inspiring. He is constantly giving time, food and money to those in need and everyone seems to want just a minute or two with him. Kids call him their best friend; the homeless call him their brother. "Mr. Adam" is very well-known around Philadelphia to say the least.

However, in 2002, his life unexpectedly changed forever when he helped detectives solve a murder. His Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder paired with a real need to figure out the truth led him on a crazy journey. What does it have to do with sports, you ask? The entire time Adam was trying to help detectives solve the crime, he was playing for the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

When I went to interview Adam in March, his mother passed away the previous week and he had to cancel. Another hurdle in the journey to get the story told and I thought at that point he may just back out and the story may be gone.

But the March trip to Philadelphia was very productive. Interviews with the lead homicide detective, a woman who heard the murder, along with the kids and homeless individuals who knew Adam drove me to get this story done.

Irvin, a child from the mission that Adam helps to run, put it best when describing Adam.

"He has a glow ..."

You can hear me gasp when he says that. It choked me up a bit. When I finally met Adam, it was the first thing that I noticed.

Photojournalist Brian Spielman and I went to the crime scene -- a creepy, dark fishing path in the shadow of the art museum just feet away from a major highway. The brush where the body was found was a bit surreal to see in person and although I wasn't spooked at that point, some days later, I was.

It is truly a story that runs the gamut of emotions. We owe a big special thanks to Adam Bruckner for his time and for reliving a very tough time in his life. Michael Barkann brings you “Adam Bruckner's Passionate Pursuit” on July 21st at 7:00 p.m.