Dear football,
You challenged me with insecurities about myself. I’m not going to catch every football. I’m not going to make every block. I’m not the strongest. I’m not the fastest. I’m not going to be the best player on the team. I’m going to fail. I’m going to get injured. People will move on from me.
You taught me about unity. You taught me about being consistent. You taught me effort. You taught me to serve others. You taught me sacrifice. You taught me to just give it my best. You taught me to see it before I was walking in it.
You gifted me coaches that believed in me. You gifted me some of the best trainers in the world. You gifted me coaches that were like fathers. You gifted me teammates that became my brothers. You gifted me the opportunity to travel the world. You gifted me the opportunity to get a free education.
You showed me football isn’t my life. You showed me that football can’t save me from life problems. You showed me that I needed a Savior. You showed me that football will one day end but my relationship with Jesus Christ will never end.
Football, thank you for being a gift given from God for me to steward that would point me to Jesus Christ. To everyone who prayed for me, poured into me, and supported me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. What’s next? “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
Yours in Christ,
Tyler Mabry