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)
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Reflections on Kurt Warner's Retirement
This past Friday, Kurt Warner, All-Pro and MVP quarterback retired from the NFL. It was expected but at the same time kinda sad. He went out on his own terms and did so while still having something left in the tank.
There are several things I've thought about in reflecting on Kurt. First, he's a great guy and a class act. He is someone who is strong in his faith and has reflected Christ both on and off the field. I must admit, I wasn't too happy when his team won the Super Bowl (the Rams back in Super Bowl XXXIV because they beat my Titans) but I admired the guy from where he came from. This was even more the case the past few years in Arizona. Though he was a rival to the Seahawks (who became my second team after living in Seattle for three years), I was really impressed by how he handled being a backup to Matt Leinart to coming in and lighting up the desert. I was rooting for Arizona last year in the Super Bowl and for Kurt.
There's always the debate about when one retires. In the end, I hold it's up to the person. Just as much as Brett Favre deserves to play as long as he wants, I think Kurt's right in deciding to retire now. God has blessed those who get to play the game with the ability and desire. I'm sure Kurt still loves the game but I believe he loves Jesus and his family more than the game and rightfully so.
Kurt, you will be missed and I hope you continue to do big things and serve God in whatever way He calls you to.
There are several things I've thought about in reflecting on Kurt. First, he's a great guy and a class act. He is someone who is strong in his faith and has reflected Christ both on and off the field. I must admit, I wasn't too happy when his team won the Super Bowl (the Rams back in Super Bowl XXXIV because they beat my Titans) but I admired the guy from where he came from. This was even more the case the past few years in Arizona. Though he was a rival to the Seahawks (who became my second team after living in Seattle for three years), I was really impressed by how he handled being a backup to Matt Leinart to coming in and lighting up the desert. I was rooting for Arizona last year in the Super Bowl and for Kurt.
There's always the debate about when one retires. In the end, I hold it's up to the person. Just as much as Brett Favre deserves to play as long as he wants, I think Kurt's right in deciding to retire now. God has blessed those who get to play the game with the ability and desire. I'm sure Kurt still loves the game but I believe he loves Jesus and his family more than the game and rightfully so.
Kurt, you will be missed and I hope you continue to do big things and serve God in whatever way He calls you to.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Reflections on Calling, Career and Baseball
I heard this story last week and I thought it was interesting. Grant Desme, a prospect for the Oakland A's, decided to quit baseball and follow after a calling to join the priesthood. It was first mentioned on ESPN.com and then this week Desme was interviewed with Dan Patrick. It was a really interesting interview and I would recommend listening to it if you get the chance. Here's a link to the interview.
One point that was brought up in the interview was a comparison between Tim Tebow and Grant Desme. Tebow is going to go to the NFL and use the platform as a professional athlete to share his faith while Desme is going into the priesthood to share his faith. I think it's hard to say that Desme is wrong for quitting baseball while he's still a good prospect (he was the Fall League MVP) and has an opportunity to make the big leagues. He feels lead by God to pursue ministry and that is something that we all must individually deal with.
I liked one quote that Desme said to Patrick. He said this "I want to throw everything I have into giving everything I have for God." That's something that I'd hope to do in my life.
One point that was brought up in the interview was a comparison between Tim Tebow and Grant Desme. Tebow is going to go to the NFL and use the platform as a professional athlete to share his faith while Desme is going into the priesthood to share his faith. I think it's hard to say that Desme is wrong for quitting baseball while he's still a good prospect (he was the Fall League MVP) and has an opportunity to make the big leagues. He feels lead by God to pursue ministry and that is something that we all must individually deal with.
I liked one quote that Desme said to Patrick. He said this "I want to throw everything I have into giving everything I have for God." That's something that I'd hope to do in my life.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Retirement of Brett Favre and the End of an Era
Today I heard the news that Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre is retiring after 17 seasons of playing pro football. I must admit, the first thought was shock. This was especially after the season that he just completed in leading his team to the NFC Championship game. Now that the shock has kind of worn off, there is a bittersweetness that remains. I will explain what I mean by that.
I have grown up watching Brett Favre play football. I was 11 when he entered the NFL and 12 when he became the starter for the Packers back in 1992. So roughly from the time I was in middle school until now, I've watched Brett Favre play football. And he has been one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch. On the field, he always played like he was just out with the guys having fun. And it showed with some of the kind of plays he made or tried to make. He played with a passion and an intensity that I've seen in few players.
The best picture I think there is of Favre is the notion (used both positively and negatively) of him as the "gunslinger". He was the type of quarterback that would throw caution to the wind and would keep firing regardless if had thrown 4 touchdowns or 4 interceptions. He put his team on his shoulders and win or lose would do whatever it took to try and get his team to victory.
It is an end of an era in several ways. One is he represents one of the last quarterbacks I watched growing up as a kid. Now I'm at that age where QBs are either a few years older than me, my age or younger than me. That is a weird feeling. Two, he was with one team his whole career. That is a rarity in sports today.
I think the term legend gets thrown around too much sometimes. But I think it's appropriate with Favre. He was a tremendous player who made an impact on the sport and will I think be considered one of the all time greats. He's a hall of famer in my book for sure.
I have grown up watching Brett Favre play football. I was 11 when he entered the NFL and 12 when he became the starter for the Packers back in 1992. So roughly from the time I was in middle school until now, I've watched Brett Favre play football. And he has been one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch. On the field, he always played like he was just out with the guys having fun. And it showed with some of the kind of plays he made or tried to make. He played with a passion and an intensity that I've seen in few players.
The best picture I think there is of Favre is the notion (used both positively and negatively) of him as the "gunslinger". He was the type of quarterback that would throw caution to the wind and would keep firing regardless if had thrown 4 touchdowns or 4 interceptions. He put his team on his shoulders and win or lose would do whatever it took to try and get his team to victory.
It is an end of an era in several ways. One is he represents one of the last quarterbacks I watched growing up as a kid. Now I'm at that age where QBs are either a few years older than me, my age or younger than me. That is a weird feeling. Two, he was with one team his whole career. That is a rarity in sports today.
I think the term legend gets thrown around too much sometimes. But I think it's appropriate with Favre. He was a tremendous player who made an impact on the sport and will I think be considered one of the all time greats. He's a hall of famer in my book for sure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)