Randy Rich

Determination is at the heart of victory. Take me, for example. At 5'9" and 180 pounds, I lacked the size and physical strength one expects of a professional football player, yet I made my living as an athlete, defensive back in the NFL. Size never mattered to me. I knew in my heart that I could contribute to any team and I gave my best to the game. Football became my career, but winning was my life.

That attitude gave me success. I achieved my goals-playing in the California High School all-star game in Hawaii and going on to play for the University of New Mexico. I was a predator for athletic stardom, but still my life felt empty.

During my senior year in high school, a childhood friend began to tell me about the person and the reality of Jesus Christ. I was impressed by his sincerity, but not convinced. We planned to meet during the summer, to discuss it further. Unfortunately, we never had that meeting. My friend, Mark Drennan, was killed in a car accident when a man at a stop sign hit him. I received word of Mark's death in Hawaii- the night of the all-star game. Suddenly, winning didn't mean very much, after all.

I thought I was a good person. Didn't drink or do drugs, but I was still a sinner. The Bible says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". A few months latter, at a conference for Christian athletes, I saw Christ clearly for the first time. I cried out for him to come take control of my life. A decision that changed my life forever.

My size should have been a factor in keeping me out of the NFL, but God had other plans for me that included time in the league. Determination and speed, both from God was the difference. In 1977, I trained at camp with the Detroit Lions. I worked as hard as I could. Then, after only three games, I was cut from the squad. At first, I was angry with God. Then I accepted His Decision for my life. The Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your path straight". The bible was right.

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