Hallelujah, it is football week! Summer is nearing an end, schedules are beginning to become routine, and yes, football is here. There is nothing like it.

It all begins this week in High School Football, climaxed toward the weekend with college football. Whatever team you support or have been involved with in your past, go out and support these young people. It is a privilege to be part of a team, a fellowship of people going towards the common cause of victory.

Competition is exciting and fun. It makes us work together to achieve the common goal of victory. So much of what I do today comes off of much experience gained as an athlete in high school. The lessons learned, whether on the field of football, court of basketball, court of tennis, diamond of baseball, or running on a track, ALL go together to help me today.

I have stated for years; the three most influential people in the life of a student are:

• His / Her Dad
• His / Her Coach
• His / Her Student Pastor

I have seen this to be reality through the years.

This is why I have had such a heart for coaches through the years, coaches of ALL sports. They hold in their hands the lives of students and young adults. They can train them up in the right way or drive them away with harshness. I believe most, if not all, coaches desire above all to make a difference. The attitude of Coach Tony Dungy tells the story when he said in his new book, Quiet Strength, “I do football in life, but football is not my life.” This is the attitude of a great coach, a Super Bowl winning coach.

This fall, pray for All of our coaches of ALL sports. They are influencers, and it is my goal to help them become all God wants them to become in their lives.

Are you ready for some football?