Last week I (along with many other football fans) were shocked by the announcement that Glen Coffee, RB for the San Francisco 49ers announced his retirement. A lot of shock was because he was a 3rd round pick last year out of Alabama and was expected to continue in his role as backup/3rd down back to starter Frank Gore. People speculated as to why he retired (didn't get along with how HC Mike Singletary ran training camp was one main one. When he finally answered question, Glen simply said that he felt that it was time to go and that in part it was because of his faith and trust in God that he decided to walk away. In an interview with a sports writer for the Sacramento Bee, Glen mentioned how he came to faith in Christ while at Alabama and that he shouldn't have entered the draft because his heart wasn't in it. When asked why he couldn't reconcile his faith and football, Glen responded: "His [God's] will, I felt, wasn't football. I felt like I forced football because everyone expected me to play football. He told me a long time ago to walk away from the game." Glen is heading back to Alabama to finish his bachelor's degree then pursue a master's degree.
This story is similar to one back in January that I blogged about. There, a prospect for the Oakland A's, retired to pursue a calling as a priest. The two stories are similar in that both were young and felt God's call into ministry. The difference being Glen was already in the highest level and was getting snaps and playing time while the baseball prospect may or may not have made it to the highest level.
While there are those who have played in the NFL while being bold in the faith, Glen Coffee didn't feel that was God's calling in his life. The important thing is to follow God's will. I understand in some way how Glen feels. Pursuing God's calling in your life is hard but in the end is the most rewarding. I wish him nothing but the best in the weeks, months and years ahead.
(Here's a link to the interview)
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