Mark Boyer began his National Football League career in 1985 and has played for the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets. He and his wife Janna and their children, Jessica, Lauren and Melissa, reside in Huntington Beach, CA.

Mark Boyer

Playing in the NFL has been a dream come true. The opportunity to compete at football's highest level -- against the finest athletes in the game -- is an incredible experience. I feel blessed to be a professional athlete and am thankful for the support my family has given me in the pursuit of my dreams.

Growing up in Southern California, I loved sports as a youngster and played high school football in Huntington Beach. I played quarterback most of my career but made the move to tight end my senior year. It was a difficult transition, but it proved to be very beneficial as I received many scholarship offers.

I went on to play at the University of Southern California where I eventually became a starter on the 1985 Rose Bowl championship team. School was also very important as I became a PAC-10 All-Academic selection as a senior.

Although there were times during my career when I became very discouraged with football, my perseverance paid off as the Indianapolis Colts made me their ninth-round draft choice in 1985.

While pro football is very exciting and lucrative, I can honestly say that all the benefits from my NFL career can't match the rewards that come from knowing God through a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

What are those rewards? For starters, I have real joy and a genuine peace inside my heart. The so-called joy and security the world has to offer usually relates to material wealth, prestige and pleasure -- all of which are nothing more than temporary happiness. The joy and peace that God offers each of us lasts forever and can carry us through all of life's adversities.

But the greatest reward of all is eternal life in heaven.

I was a sophomore in high school when I invited Jesus Christ to come into my life.

Are you willing to make a decision for Him today? It's not something that should be put off until later because we may not be alive tomorrow. In fact, we're not even guaranteed our next breath! Everything we have and everything we are can be wiped out in seconds. I pray that God will help you make this important decision.

Let me leave you with this. As I look back on my life, I can see that God has been faithful and has blessed me in many ways. I know that as I continue to honor God in everything I do. He will guide me to greater things when my playing days are over.

God has many blessings in store for you, too. He knows you better than anyone else because He created you, and He wants you to succeed in the game of life. With God on your side, the victory is yours in the end.

If you would like to know more about Jesus and what He can do for you, just click the button on the left side of your screen to change your life.