|
Previous | Next
"Playing football is great, but it doesn’t matter what you do. It’s all about your relationship with Jesus Christ." -- Jaguar Griffith
Source: St Augustine.com
... and teach future stars
By JUSTIN FERRELL
Sports Writer
Free lunch?
These weren’t the reasons for the excitement of St. Augustine High School football players Ryan Cornelison, Brian Braddock and Tony White as they waited to enter Wolfson Park. At least not in the way one might think.
The Yellow Jackets took a respite from practice Tuesday to join more than 1,000 other players from high school football teams in Duval, St. Johns, Bradford and Clay counties at the 20th annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) football barbeque.
The three St. Augustine seniors were there to hear about God.
‘‘I’ve been going to a lot of FCA stuff this summer,’’ Braddock said. ‘‘If everybody on the team here today sees these guys talking, maybe it’ll help our school.’’
‘‘I’m just hoping everybody will listen,’’ echoed White. ‘‘It’s the foundation of life. You can’t go anywhere without God.’’
‘‘I’m pretty pumped up about (hearing Paup),’’ said Cornelison. ‘‘He’s a great player and a devoted Christian.’’
The point of the event wasn’t football, but spreading God’s Word through the sport, said Don Walker, the FCA director for North Florida and coordinator of Tuesday’s festivities.
‘‘We try to get the young men to understand the influence they have as football players,’’ Walker said. ‘‘We want them to understand the source of power in their lives, so they can go back and be change agents in their schools.’’
As the students munched on hot dogs, hamburgers and potato chips, the Jaguars’ players delivered their testimonies, as did the team’s tight ends coach, Fred Hoaglin.
Griffith, a four-year NFL veteran, began the ceremonies by leading the audience in prayer. He has been involved with FCA since his college days at Arizona, he said.
‘‘It’s all about influence,’’ the tight end said before the event. ‘‘Not too long ago, I was one of these kids sitting in the stands. Playing football is great, but it doesn’t matter what you do. It’s all about your relationship with Jesus Christ. We’re here to encourage and share what Jesus has done in our lives.’’
Thomas, a rookie free agent from North Carolina State, spoke to the players after Griffith and Hoaglin, his position coach.
‘‘As many kids as there are buses, there’s no greater opportunity to share Christ,’’ Thomas said. ‘‘Playing for the Jaguars, they’ll listen to you.’’
Dunn, a rookie free agent from Stanford, spoke the longest. The wide receiver told of his upbringing in Texas, his struggle with peers when he accepted Christ and the benefits his faith has afforded. The former high school all-American is an ordained Baptist minister.
Paup concluded with his own testimony and the trials he has faced in the NFL. ‘‘When He gives you the opportunity, you need to glorify Him,’’ the All-Pro linebacker said.
 
| 
