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 I’ve
always considered myself a good person. I was born June 22,
1982 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta Georgia and raised in
Snellville, Ga. I am blessed to have been born into a family
with two loving, supportive parents, and a sister. We were a
church going family, although there were times when we would go more
consistently than other times.
I began
to play the game of football when I was 6 years old and I was about
the smallest kid on the team. David Pollack, who is not only
my teammate at the University of Georgia but also my roommate,
played on my youth league team. He played fullback and I
played cornerback on that team. Our dad’s were both
assistant coaches on our youth league teams. I grew up loving
the game and started to play quarterback when I turned 7 years old.
During my
high school years, my life almost seemed to be perfect. I was
the clean cut, All American boy starting at quarterback for South
Gwinnett High. I received many accolades from sports writers, the
media and many people in my community. I was voted “most
respected” of my senior class. I had a beautiful girlfriend
and many friends. My life was great, except for the fact that
I didn’t fully appreciate GOD or the people in my life. It
was mostly all about me.
I arrived
on campus at the University of Georgia in 2000 not really knowing
what to expect. I red-shirted my freshman year and after the
bowl game our coaching staff was fired. In January of 2001,
Coach Richt was hired. He brought a new staff in and
immediately I could tell things were going to be different.
One major difference was our new strength and conditioning coach,
Dave VanHalanger. He was a positive motivator and began to
share how life was much bigger than ourselves and much greater than
football. Another person they brought in was our new team
chaplain, Kevin “Chappy” Hynes. All these men began to
share with us how GOD had impacted their lives and how great it is
to have a relationship with GOD.
I would
soon witness the peace that Coach Richt possessed in our meetings,
on the practice field and in the middle of a game. The 2001
season began and I was given the opportunity to start. It was
an awesome responsibility and a year that I learned a great
deal. It was also the year of “the catch” up in Knoxville,
a memory that I will cherish forever.
Since the
arrival of Coach Richt and his staff, I have been growing as a
person and a player. I have been regularly attending devotions,
chapel services, and this summer we had a team Bible study at our
apartment. Through all this, GOD has shown me that my goodness
is no substitute for GOD’S grace.
This
summer on July 2, 2004 my dad and I went golfing at Bear’s Best
golf course in Suwanee Georgia with Dr. James Merritt of Cross
Pointe Church. I rode in the cart with Dr. Merritt and we
talked all day about faith and football. As we arrived at the
18th
green, Dr. Merritt plainly asked me if I was willing to repent of my
sin and receive JESUS CHRIST as my Lord and Savior. I realized at
that moment that I had never humbled myself to this point and that I
knew that I had needed to do this for along time. I told Dr. Merritt
that I was ready to surrender my life. We then prayed to GOD
and I placed my trust in JESUS CHRIST.
Since
that day I’ve been a new person. I am much more aware of
people and their feelings, my life seems so much more complete and I
am fulfilled. I also have a desire to read and obey GOD’S
word. I realize that I am not perfect, but I know that GOD
loves me, He saved me and He will continue to grow me until I meet
HIM in Glory.
Learn more about
God's Grace and how to
live
in Christ.
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