Mike Singletary is a former NFL middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears. He later became a coach in the NFL. He was voted in on the first opportunity to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
Mike wasn’t allowed to play sports growing up. But when he was 12, his parents divorced, and he begged his mom to let him play football.
The local team started practicing a week earlier. The coach told Mike, “I’ll tell you what. If you can tackle Cookie here, I’ll let you play.” Mike didn’t see anybody on the field who intimidated him, but when Coach called Cookie, he came out from behind a group of coaches. He was as big as the coaches!
Mike tried his hardest to tackle Cookie, dragging him all over the field, but he never let go of his legs! The coach said, “Well, son. I like that. You never let go! I want you to be my middle linebacker.” That’s the only position Mike ever played from that day forward.
A linebacker is one of the most central and versatile positions in football. It requires athleticism and fortitude to play. Linebackers tackle opposing players on running and passing plays. They hit hard.
Being surrounded by immense chaos in his home life, Mike grew up an angry kid. He loved football mainly because it allowed him to hit someone HARD, legally! Football was the outlet to release his pent-up anger, and he took full advantage of the opportunity.
He became known as ‘Samurai Mike’ because he made crazy noises, which he picked up watching movies featuring Bruce Lee, his childhood hero.
Mike’s mom had a firm faith and trust in the Lord, and she taught him that all things are possible with God. He took that to heart and believed that whatever he did, he gave it his all. He fully believed if he did his part, God would do His, and He always did.
After Super Bowl XX with the Chicago Bears, Mike found himself angry and frustrated, even as the confetti was falling in the stadium. Mike stood quietly, Confused about why he wasn’t as overjoyed as expected to accomplish one of his primary goals and dreams.
He heard the Lord in his spirit say, “You need to forgive your father.” He was shocked God would ask this of him. God knew the hatred he had for his dad. With good reason, he thought.
In the process of forgiving his dad, Mike re-dedicated his entire life to the Lord. God became the driver instead of occupying the passenger seat.
The forgiveness of his father and his surrender to the Lord allowed Mike to be the husband, father, and man he was destined to be. Mike experienced peace, freedom, and joy that was never there before.
Even though Mike played a team sport, he felt that as the leader of the team’s defense, he needed to coordinate each player’s responsibility on each play and hold them accountable. It took a while to realize that’s how his walk with the Lord went.
A team’s success comes when everyone takes full responsibility for their position and is accountable to the rest of the team.
Mike’s success came when he allowed the Lord to lead him instead of asking Him to bless his efforts.
His success in sports gave him a platform to speak from corporate executives to Little League kids.
God has given Mike a heart for people on the fringes of society, and he helps people access services that will enhance their mental and physical health and well-being. He and his wife founded the non-profit organization Change Our Perspective (COP). COP believes everyone should have an equitable opportunity to reach and achieve their highest potential. Our focus and commitment are to help tackle the gaps in education, health and mental wellness, and vocational opportunities.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
Trusting God through our trials pushes us to maturity in faith, allowing us to trust God more deeply and with greater endurance. Trusting God through trials brings blessings from God. He is on our side as we trust Him through life’s most challenging moments.
Mike encourages us, “Don’t put it off another day. Trust in Jesus. A relationship with Him brings a richness to your life that you’ll never begin to imagine. You’ll be challenged like you’ve never been, but His rewards always outweigh the challenges.”
Will you pray as Mike has, repenting of the sin in your life and asking Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior? When you pray to receive Jesus Christ by faith, life’s final tackle will usher you through death’s door to eternity in God’s presence?