Faith on the field

Ericka Sanders

“Linebacker’s faith pulls him through tough spot” Indianapolis Recorder. February 1, 2012.

Gary Brackett’s life reads like a movie. He was a walk-on at Rutgers University; yet by his senior year he was named defensive captain and won the team’s defensive MVP [Most Valuable Player] honors.

The linebacker went undrafted in 2003, but was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent. What should have been the beginning of the happiest times in his life was the beginning of the most tragic.

During a 17-month span, Brackett lost his mother, father, and brother. . . . What got him through? His faith in God.

“My mother was an ordained reverend and always told us about the importance of faith and being a faithful believer and (the power) of prayer,” he told the Recorder. “When I’m dealing with tragedies or injuries, I give it to God. . . .”

Brackett’s faith is a mirror to many NFL [National Football League] players. Like Brackett, when they secure a contract with a team, finding a church home is on the top of their to-do list. They pray with fellow teammates and gather together for Bible study with the team’s chaplain. Most important, they encourage each other to keep the faith.

“We [Colts players] have Bible study every week and chapel before every game,” Brackett said. “We have a bunch of believers on the team who stick together. When players bring up issues in Bible study or in confidence, we definitely lay hands on each other and pray together.”. . .

One of the retired players, Dextor Clinkscale, who played from 1980–86 with the Dallas Cowboys and Colts said the vast majority of players have a very close relationship with their faith. . . . “Players may not openly display their faith, although this year has been positive with Tim Tebow and his exuberance showing his beliefs, but he is one of the majority that have the same type of commitment to their faith,” Clinkscale said.

Brackett agrees. “Being a faithful Christian and a football player, in my mind, go hand in hand,” he said. . . .

Speaking on Tebow to a Texas newspaper where he resides, [former wide receiver and coach Raymond] Berry said Tebow and other players shouldn’t worry if they’re mocked because of their faith.

“In six years as an NFL head coach, I never said one word about being a Christian,” Berry said. “Still, the ridicule was constant. People will make fun of him just because he’s a Christian.”

Brackett, on the other hand isn’t concerned with being ridiculed or made fun of. “What’s going to happen in life has already been written,” he said. “I’m just going to continue being a good steward.”

Ericka Sanders

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