Fall 2000

Page 8

My knee collapsed. As I crashed to the turf, a tremendous pain shot through my body and I lay on the ground, moaning.

When I went to the doctors to learn more about the damage, they weren’t sure whether my athletic career was over. But they promised, "you’ll miss next season."

After starting at quarterback for the University of Washington in the 1991 Rose Bowl, I wondered: Will I recover? Is football suddenly a part of the past? What’s next?

I had worked long and hard to reach the pinnacle of the Pacific 10 Conference. To this point it was one of my greatest rewards. But like most athletes, I never mapped out injury in my game plan.

Baseball, basketball, and football had been part of life since elementary school in Santa Maria, California. My father was the high school athletic director, and with his steady encouragement I climbed toward the top of athletics.

At a fairly young age my parents started going to church. Since my best friend was a pastor’s son, the Christian world became a part of my life too. Unfortunately, I separated God from my daily existence.

By the time I reached high school, my talents had boosted me into a world of popularity and parties. When other guys thought drinking was the cool thing to do, I jumped into the action.

Although I twice had said prayers accepting Jesus as my Savior, He wasn’t Lord of my life. The worst thing was that I had no source of strength when I ran into problems.

That all changed my sophomore year of college. The director of a campus ministry invited me to hear an evangelist. His message was "Jehovah Rambo." He proclaimed that we served a mighty God, a powerful Lord who wants us to go out and make a difference in the world.

"God, I don’t want to be lukewarm anymore," I prayed. AI want You to give me strength to change every part of my life." I said, "now You are my Lord." The next night we got baptized in a horse trough.

I was excited. After years of playing a pious puppet who had the power of a wet noodle, I knew a source of strength who would carry me through every obstacle - including tearing two ligaments in my knee.

Before my injury, I spoke at the Billy Graham Crusade. Looking over the crowd of 50,000, I said, "If football ended for me right now, I know my life would still have meaning because of the love that Jesus Christ has shown me."

Football is a tough, demanding occupation. At the professional level everything moves faster and is more complicated. You are judged by performance. Fail to perform and you’ll be looking for another job.

Players also have to deal with the public’s expectations. Granted, we’re well paid and enjoy what we’re doing, but it takes internal strength to deal with life under a microscope. Playing before packed stadiums adds pressure.

The Lord didn’t give me ability to play football just so I could enjoy myself. "He allowed me to play this sport so I have opportunities to share my faith and be an example for Christ." God is at work in many ways throughout the NFL. Players regularly accept Jesus as their Savior. For example, in Jacksonville we have Bible study, a couples study and weekly chapel services.

God has given me many opportunities to speak to youth groups, churches and men’s breakfasts. But the real thrill is the chance to speak with younger players just coming into the league. I love being able to tell them what God has done in my life.

No matter where I go or what I do, I will also be teaching others this truth: Jesus loves you. He died for you on the cross. Invite Him into your heart today, accept His forgiveness, and you will have eternal life. That is the greatest reward.

Reprinted from the CPR newsletter, September 1998