Travis Brown

When you find the right position, it makes all the difference in the world.

I didn't really grow up playing football. The only reason I played in high school was because it was expected. After all, my older brothers were stars, and went on to play in college. I actually played football simply to stay in shape for basketball.

Then, my senior year, I played quarterback, and I knew that's what I wanted to be.

It wasn't easy. In fact, it was an uphill battle all the way. I attended Northern Arizona on a partial scholarship, and was one of nine quarterbacks in camp. I red-shirted my first year, and then started the next four years, where I set school records in a number of categories and was All-Big Sky Conference as a senior.

My first pro team was the Eagles, and I then signed with Seattle, Buffalo and Indianapolis. Along the way I've played behind some of the best quarterbacks who've ever played - guys like Donovan McNabb, Drew Bledsoe and Peyton Manning. It's given me an opportunity to learn from the best, as I wait my time.

I've also learned that everyone has a role to play. My role, in my early years, has been to be ready to come in at a moment's notice and keep the team going. On a football team, and in any organization, there are no insignificant roles. Everyone is important. It's like the greeter at church - he may not be as visible, but has just as important a role to play as the one who gets the attention.

While my position in football is quarterback, my position in life is a child of God. And once I understood what that means, it made all the difference in the world.

I grew up in the church, in fact, I grew up in a home where Sunday morning church was a big thing. And yet, while I talked a little about my faith, I never actually lived it. I simply wasn't willing to give my whole life to my faith.

Then, when I was with Seattle, I found guys who were actually living out their faith. It made me realize that I didn't have what they had - I didn't have a relationship with God. It's like I was in the wrong position - I understood the religion part but didn't have the relationship part. That changed in the fall of 2000, and it's been an awesome ride ever since.

In fact, having faith has given me strength and perspective about who I am. Faith "right-sizes" me. It lifts me up when I need it, and, at the same time, keeps me humble. I look at God and all that He has done - and the fact He still thinks of me, and loves me, puts everything in proper perspective and proper size.

Finding my position as a quarterback changed my perspective on football, but finding my position as a child of God changed my life.

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.