1 00:00:08,257 --> 00:00:09,057 Speaker 1: Life audio. 2 00:00:11,216 --> 00:00:15,937 Speaker 2: This episode mentioned suicide and maybe triggering for some listeners. 3 00:00:17,377 --> 00:00:20,057 Speaker 3: Did you know that Jesus Calling has its own YouTube channel. 4 00:00:20,537 --> 00:00:23,617 Speaker 3: It's full of great content that will enhance your spiritual life. 5 00:00:23,896 --> 00:00:26,857 Speaker 3: You'll find beautiful videos with short devotional moments to help 6 00:00:26,897 --> 00:00:29,417 Speaker 3: you through your day, as well as stories on video 7 00:00:29,497 --> 00:00:33,537 Speaker 3: from celebrities, authors, pastors, and everyday people who share what 8 00:00:33,577 --> 00:00:36,497 Speaker 3: their faith journey has meant to them. You'll also find 9 00:00:36,537 --> 00:00:40,016 Speaker 3: that Jesus Listens Stories of Prayer series hosted by Susie 10 00:00:40,097 --> 00:00:44,776 Speaker 3: McIntyre Eaton, featuring new guests monthly. Subscribe today for new 11 00:00:44,857 --> 00:00:45,857 Speaker 3: videos each week. 12 00:00:49,577 --> 00:00:53,096 Speaker 2: I've always been driven and chasing the next accomplishment. But 13 00:00:53,177 --> 00:00:56,697 Speaker 2: there came a moment when I realized God wasn't interested 14 00:00:56,737 --> 00:00:57,497 Speaker 2: in my resuming. 15 00:00:58,017 --> 00:00:59,577 Speaker 4: He was interested in my heart. 16 00:01:00,057 --> 00:01:04,937 Speaker 2: All the roles I've played, athlete, author, commentat or attorney. 17 00:01:04,817 --> 00:01:10,897 Speaker 4: Were all different ways to Sir, the turning point was understanding. 18 00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:14,577 Speaker 2: That my purpose wasn't about achievement, it was about bringing 19 00:01:14,617 --> 00:01:17,097 Speaker 2: glory to Him and loving people. Well. 20 00:01:18,817 --> 00:01:22,137 Speaker 3: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. This week, in celebration 21 00:01:22,177 --> 00:01:24,657 Speaker 3: of Super Bowl Sunday, we'll hear from Tim Green, a 22 00:01:24,697 --> 00:01:28,897 Speaker 3: former NFL player, Best selling author and commentator, Tim who 23 00:01:28,897 --> 00:01:31,537 Speaker 3: now speaks with the assistance of technology due to a 24 00:01:31,577 --> 00:01:35,017 Speaker 3: diagnosis of ALS, reflects on a life marked by ambition, 25 00:01:35,297 --> 00:01:39,577 Speaker 3: the identity shaking diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disease, and the 26 00:01:39,617 --> 00:01:43,297 Speaker 3: perspective that transformed his understanding of what matters most in life. 27 00:01:43,617 --> 00:01:46,457 Speaker 3: Later in the episode, we'll hear from Mike Flint, whose 28 00:01:46,497 --> 00:01:49,817 Speaker 3: story inspired the twenty twenty three sports drama Fell the Senior. 29 00:01:50,337 --> 00:01:52,817 Speaker 3: One day, when talking with his friends, Mike shared one 30 00:01:52,857 --> 00:01:55,737 Speaker 3: of his deepest regrets, getting kicked off the college football 31 00:01:55,737 --> 00:01:58,257 Speaker 3: team as a senior. When asked, why don't you do 32 00:01:58,297 --> 00:02:01,017 Speaker 3: something about it, Mike decided to pursue a second chance 33 00:02:01,057 --> 00:02:03,977 Speaker 3: and became the oldest linebacker of a college football team 34 00:02:04,097 --> 00:02:07,617 Speaker 3: in NCAA history at age fifty nine, proving that it's 35 00:02:07,657 --> 00:02:10,337 Speaker 3: never too late to chase your dreams. Let's begin with 36 00:02:10,417 --> 00:02:11,017 Speaker 3: Tim's story. 37 00:02:13,857 --> 00:02:15,017 Speaker 4: My name is Tim Green. 38 00:02:15,617 --> 00:02:18,937 Speaker 2: I've been blessed to wear a lot of hats in 39 00:02:18,937 --> 00:02:22,897 Speaker 2: my life. An NFL first round draft pick with the 40 00:02:22,937 --> 00:02:27,457 Speaker 2: Atlanta Falcons, a number one New York Times best selling author, 41 00:02:27,937 --> 00:02:33,457 Speaker 2: a commentator, a lawyer, a husband, a father. But these days, 42 00:02:33,497 --> 00:02:37,457 Speaker 2: the most important thing I do is simply try. 43 00:02:37,217 --> 00:02:39,777 Speaker 4: To serve the people I love. 44 00:02:40,617 --> 00:02:44,777 Speaker 2: My life's work now is about family, about helping others, 45 00:02:45,177 --> 00:02:48,657 Speaker 2: and about using whatever time and gifts God has given 46 00:02:48,737 --> 00:02:56,737 Speaker 2: me to make a difference. I grew up in Liverpool, 47 00:02:56,937 --> 00:03:00,577 Speaker 2: New York, a small town outside Syracuse. My parents worked 48 00:03:00,617 --> 00:03:04,857 Speaker 2: hard and they taught me discipline and faith. As a kid, 49 00:03:05,017 --> 00:03:09,217 Speaker 2: I dreamed of playing football and writing books. At the time, 50 00:03:09,537 --> 00:03:12,457 Speaker 2: there was nothing strange to me about playing in the 51 00:03:12,577 --> 00:03:14,337 Speaker 2: NFL and writing books. 52 00:03:14,737 --> 00:03:16,137 Speaker 4: I figured why not. 53 00:03:17,297 --> 00:03:19,417 Speaker 2: People laughed when I said I wanted to do it, 54 00:03:19,497 --> 00:03:23,617 Speaker 2: But God had other plans, plans that were bigger than 55 00:03:23,657 --> 00:03:25,057 Speaker 2: anything I could have imagined. 56 00:03:25,657 --> 00:03:29,377 Speaker 4: Looking back, every step prepared me for the next one. 57 00:03:29,417 --> 00:03:32,177 Speaker 2: He was weaving the story long before I knew it. 58 00:03:32,657 --> 00:03:36,297 Speaker 2: Playing in the NFL was a gift, a dream cup true. 59 00:03:36,697 --> 00:03:40,337 Speaker 2: But it also taught me that success isn't who you are. 60 00:03:40,457 --> 00:03:43,777 Speaker 2: You can be cheered by thousands one day and forgotten 61 00:03:43,817 --> 00:03:46,137 Speaker 2: the next. The real victories are not off the field. 62 00:03:46,537 --> 00:03:49,337 Speaker 2: They're in your heart and soul. What really matters is 63 00:03:49,977 --> 00:03:55,537 Speaker 2: your faith, family, and identity in Christ, not in a 64 00:03:55,617 --> 00:03:58,857 Speaker 2: jersey or a job. Football gave me a platform, but 65 00:03:58,937 --> 00:04:01,057 Speaker 2: it's faith and family that gave me a purpose. 66 00:04:01,497 --> 00:04:04,537 Speaker 4: I've always been driven and chasing the next accomplishment. 67 00:04:04,897 --> 00:04:08,777 Speaker 2: But the moment when I realized God wasn't interested in 68 00:04:08,817 --> 00:04:12,297 Speaker 2: my resume, he was interested in my heart. All the 69 00:04:12,377 --> 00:04:17,616 Speaker 2: roles I've played, athlete, author, commentator, attorney were all just 70 00:04:17,697 --> 00:04:22,097 Speaker 2: different ways to serve. The turning point was understanding that 71 00:04:22,176 --> 00:04:26,696 Speaker 2: my purpose wasn't about achievement, it was about bringing glory 72 00:04:26,736 --> 00:04:28,496 Speaker 2: to Him and loving people. 73 00:04:28,577 --> 00:04:30,617 Speaker 4: Well. 74 00:04:30,816 --> 00:04:35,616 Speaker 5: When I was diagnosed with ALS, everything I built my 75 00:04:35,777 --> 00:04:39,856 Speaker 5: life on strength, ambition, achievement suddenly crumpled. 76 00:04:40,137 --> 00:04:42,376 Speaker 4: I had to face my own mortality. 77 00:04:41,816 --> 00:04:44,697 Speaker 5: In a way I never expected, And in that moment, 78 00:04:44,856 --> 00:04:49,456 Speaker 5: I realized God was giving me another chance, a chance 79 00:04:49,537 --> 00:04:54,097 Speaker 5: to stop being what I called and undercover Christian. I'd 80 00:04:54,137 --> 00:04:56,816 Speaker 5: always believed in God, but I didn't always lead with 81 00:04:56,897 --> 00:05:01,897 Speaker 5: that belief. My diagnosis forced me to confront what really matters. 82 00:05:02,416 --> 00:05:06,137 Speaker 5: To put crusts at the center, not tucked quietly the background. 83 00:05:06,176 --> 00:05:11,017 Speaker 2: It made every day, every relationship, every breath, more precious 84 00:05:11,056 --> 00:05:16,537 Speaker 2: and more purposeful. ALS pushed me into a darkness I 85 00:05:16,657 --> 00:05:17,176 Speaker 2: never knew. 86 00:05:17,616 --> 00:05:18,457 Speaker 4: Hit of despair. 87 00:05:19,056 --> 00:05:22,296 Speaker 2: I felt like everything I valued was being stripped away. 88 00:05:22,736 --> 00:05:25,737 Speaker 4: I voiced my independence, my identity I. 89 00:05:25,697 --> 00:05:29,497 Speaker 2: Had thoughts I never imagined having, but God met me there. 90 00:05:29,816 --> 00:05:32,257 Speaker 2: One morning, I woke up with a clarity I didn't 91 00:05:32,296 --> 00:05:35,936 Speaker 2: create that this wasn't the end of my story. I 92 00:05:35,976 --> 00:05:38,176 Speaker 2: realized that God had left me here for a reason, 93 00:05:38,856 --> 00:05:41,337 Speaker 2: maybe to show that even in suffering, his goodness can 94 00:05:41,376 --> 00:05:44,936 Speaker 2: still shine. That moment was a second chance, and it 95 00:05:45,017 --> 00:05:48,136 Speaker 2: wasn't going to waste it. The heaviest seasons were after 96 00:05:48,257 --> 00:05:52,897 Speaker 2: my initial diagnosis and then the day where I had 97 00:05:52,936 --> 00:05:55,616 Speaker 2: to get the tracheat of it. 98 00:05:55,616 --> 00:05:57,856 Speaker 4: It was easy to feel lost and afraid. 99 00:05:58,257 --> 00:06:02,137 Speaker 2: What kept me grounded was love, my wife, my children, 100 00:06:02,496 --> 00:06:05,296 Speaker 2: my family, and the constant reminder. 101 00:06:04,897 --> 00:06:08,816 Speaker 4: That God hadn't abandoned. Pray became less. 102 00:06:08,496 --> 00:06:15,577 Speaker 2: About asking and more about resting. Peace came in small moments, 103 00:06:16,296 --> 00:06:21,856 Speaker 2: a handheld, a smile, a sunset, reminders that God was 104 00:06:21,897 --> 00:06:31,936 Speaker 2: still here. Every chapter of my life has required a 105 00:06:32,137 --> 00:06:37,016 Speaker 2: deeper anchor than achievement. When the applause stops, when the 106 00:06:37,056 --> 00:06:40,657 Speaker 2: career ends, when the body fails, you need a foundation 107 00:06:40,816 --> 00:06:43,816 Speaker 2: that won't That's one of the reasons I've had so 108 00:06:44,017 --> 00:06:49,296 Speaker 2: much fun doing the podcast with my son. Nothing left unset. 109 00:06:50,176 --> 00:06:53,657 Speaker 2: It lets me openly connect with people about God and 110 00:06:53,697 --> 00:07:01,817 Speaker 2: the importance of faith. Connecting with God isn't a luxury, 111 00:07:02,257 --> 00:07:06,537 Speaker 2: it's survival. That's why I love Jesus calling. It brings 112 00:07:06,577 --> 00:07:10,737 Speaker 2: scripture into the quiet places of the day, reminding us 113 00:07:11,137 --> 00:07:17,696 Speaker 2: that God is speaking right now. When you listen, really listen, 114 00:07:17,816 --> 00:07:20,937 Speaker 2: you realize he's been walking with you the whole time. 115 00:07:21,617 --> 00:07:25,577 Speaker 2: When you're young and talented, it can feel like the 116 00:07:25,617 --> 00:07:27,137 Speaker 2: world expects perfection. 117 00:07:27,657 --> 00:07:28,897 Speaker 4: But God doesn't. 118 00:07:28,577 --> 00:07:30,737 Speaker 2: Call us to be perfect, and he calls us to 119 00:07:30,777 --> 00:07:39,057 Speaker 2: be faithful. Reading from Jesus Listens March seven, Compassionate Jesus, 120 00:07:39,697 --> 00:07:42,737 Speaker 2: I need to tell you about the things that have 121 00:07:42,777 --> 00:07:46,257 Speaker 2: been weighing me down. I realize you already know all 122 00:07:46,297 --> 00:07:50,577 Speaker 2: about them, but by voicing them to you provides relief 123 00:07:50,617 --> 00:07:55,337 Speaker 2: from the heavy load I've been caring. Whenever I'm feeling discouraged, 124 00:07:55,897 --> 00:08:01,217 Speaker 2: it's essential for me to spend time remembering you. Thinking 125 00:08:01,217 --> 00:08:04,977 Speaker 2: about who you are my Lord and my God, savior 126 00:08:05,057 --> 00:08:07,696 Speaker 2: and shepherd, the friend who will never leave me. 127 00:08:08,297 --> 00:08:10,977 Speaker 4: Lifts me up and brightens my perspective. 128 00:08:11,057 --> 00:08:13,217 Speaker 2: I'm grateful that you're fully aware of every aspect of 129 00:08:13,217 --> 00:08:15,417 Speaker 2: my life, including all my thoughts and feelings. 130 00:08:16,017 --> 00:08:18,497 Speaker 4: Everything about me is important to you. 131 00:08:18,977 --> 00:08:22,216 Speaker 2: As I relax in your loving presence help me recall 132 00:08:22,417 --> 00:08:25,136 Speaker 2: the many ways you've taken care of me, providing just 133 00:08:25,177 --> 00:08:27,777 Speaker 2: what I need. I'll try to thank you for each 134 00:08:27,816 --> 00:08:30,737 Speaker 2: blessing that comes to mind. In light of your presence, 135 00:08:30,777 --> 00:08:33,497 Speaker 2: I can see things more clearly and sort out what 136 00:08:33,617 --> 00:08:37,137 Speaker 2: is important and what is not. As I linger with you, 137 00:08:37,137 --> 00:08:43,097 Speaker 2: your face shines upon me, blessing, encouraging and comforting me. 138 00:08:43,217 --> 00:08:46,337 Speaker 2: I will again praise you for the help of your 139 00:08:46,377 --> 00:08:49,057 Speaker 2: presence in your mighty name Amen. 140 00:08:52,097 --> 00:08:55,977 Speaker 3: To learn more about Tim, visit author timgreen dot com 141 00:08:56,257 --> 00:08:58,617 Speaker 3: and be sure to check out his new book Rocket 142 00:08:58,697 --> 00:09:02,297 Speaker 3: Arm at your favorite retailer. Stay tuned to Mike Flint's 143 00:09:02,297 --> 00:09:12,657 Speaker 3: story after a brief message. Teens today face more pressure 144 00:09:12,657 --> 00:09:16,177 Speaker 3: than ever. If you're looking for a way to bring calm, clarity, 145 00:09:16,217 --> 00:09:19,457 Speaker 3: and faith into their everyday lives, the new teen edition 146 00:09:19,617 --> 00:09:23,577 Speaker 3: of Jesus Calling is here to help. This well loved 147 00:09:23,697 --> 00:09:27,137 Speaker 3: teen edition has been refreshed with a brand new modern cover, 148 00:09:27,577 --> 00:09:31,737 Speaker 3: making it even more inviting for today's teens. Jesus Calling 149 00:09:31,777 --> 00:09:33,817 Speaker 3: for Teens is a three hundred and sixty five day 150 00:09:33,857 --> 00:09:36,897 Speaker 3: devotional and cuts through the noise of an overwhelming world. 151 00:09:37,417 --> 00:09:40,817 Speaker 3: Each short entry offers peace when anxiety creeps in and 152 00:09:40,897 --> 00:09:45,177 Speaker 3: comfort when they feel alone. Every day brings them grounding scripture, 153 00:09:45,457 --> 00:09:48,497 Speaker 3: gentle biblical guidance, and a moment to pause and connect 154 00:09:48,537 --> 00:09:51,857 Speaker 3: with Jesus in a meaningful way. The teen Edition is 155 00:09:51,897 --> 00:09:55,537 Speaker 3: perfect for building morning quiet time, youth groups, small groups, 156 00:09:55,817 --> 00:09:59,137 Speaker 3: or simply building a steady daily rhythm with God and 157 00:09:59,217 --> 00:10:02,337 Speaker 3: with Jesus Calling. Available for adults and kids, Families can 158 00:10:02,377 --> 00:10:05,256 Speaker 3: grow together and share the journey. If a teen in 159 00:10:05,297 --> 00:10:08,017 Speaker 3: your lif life is looking for direction, reassurance, or a 160 00:10:08,097 --> 00:10:11,337 Speaker 3: deeper relationship with Jesus, this devotion will gives them daily 161 00:10:11,417 --> 00:10:15,577 Speaker 3: reminders that they're seeing loved and never alone. Find the 162 00:10:15,657 --> 00:10:25,977 Speaker 3: teen Edition of Jesus Calling wherever books are sold. Our 163 00:10:26,057 --> 00:10:28,737 Speaker 3: next guest is Mike Flint, a former college athlete and 164 00:10:28,817 --> 00:10:31,897 Speaker 3: strength coach. Mike reflects on the choices that derailed his 165 00:10:32,017 --> 00:10:35,177 Speaker 3: early dreams and shares about the remarkable comeback that brought 166 00:10:35,257 --> 00:10:37,497 Speaker 3: him back to the football field at age fifty nine. 167 00:10:38,897 --> 00:10:42,417 Speaker 1: My name is Mike Flint. I'm seventy seven years young. 168 00:10:43,377 --> 00:10:46,177 Speaker 1: I'm a born again Christian. I live in Franklin, Tennessee. 169 00:10:46,697 --> 00:10:49,777 Speaker 1: I've been married to my beautiful WiFi Lean for fifty 170 00:10:49,897 --> 00:10:54,697 Speaker 1: three amazing years. I'm the oldest college linebacker at age 171 00:10:54,737 --> 00:11:00,697 Speaker 1: fifty nine INCAA history. My family moved from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 172 00:11:00,697 --> 00:11:02,857 Speaker 1: when I was very young. I think I was three 173 00:11:02,977 --> 00:11:08,857 Speaker 1: years old. They moved to Odessa, Texas. It was growing 174 00:11:08,977 --> 00:11:11,857 Speaker 1: up there that my dad was a World War Two 175 00:11:12,017 --> 00:11:14,697 Speaker 1: veteran who was in D Day and then into the 176 00:11:14,697 --> 00:11:17,617 Speaker 1: Battle of the Bulge and was wounded there, and the 177 00:11:17,817 --> 00:11:20,457 Speaker 1: war had a tremendous impact on my dad. And my 178 00:11:20,577 --> 00:11:24,497 Speaker 1: mother was a war bride. She was from Nottingham, England, 179 00:11:24,777 --> 00:11:28,297 Speaker 1: and when my dad was in rehab after being wounded 180 00:11:28,417 --> 00:11:32,097 Speaker 1: in the Battle of the Bulge, they met there in London, 181 00:11:32,657 --> 00:11:37,217 Speaker 1: fell in love and got married. And when we moved 182 00:11:37,297 --> 00:11:43,137 Speaker 1: to Odessa, my dad felt like he needed to train 183 00:11:43,337 --> 00:11:47,697 Speaker 1: me as early as possible to take care of myself 184 00:11:47,977 --> 00:11:51,617 Speaker 1: given the environment that we lived in. He started training me, 185 00:11:51,937 --> 00:11:56,337 Speaker 1: but it was a military type training. When I was 186 00:11:56,377 --> 00:12:00,937 Speaker 1: six years old, we started boxing. He called it boxing. 187 00:12:01,057 --> 00:12:03,217 Speaker 1: I was young, but I was pretty sure what we 188 00:12:03,297 --> 00:12:06,977 Speaker 1: were doing was fighting. That had in this impact on 189 00:12:07,097 --> 00:12:11,177 Speaker 1: my young life, and the driving force for me was 190 00:12:11,457 --> 00:12:14,577 Speaker 1: I onted be pleasing to my dad. I wanted my 191 00:12:14,697 --> 00:12:17,977 Speaker 1: dad to be proud of me, and so my dad, 192 00:12:18,137 --> 00:12:21,897 Speaker 1: putting that adversity into my life at that young age, 193 00:12:22,937 --> 00:12:26,577 Speaker 1: I'm convinced was the reason that I was able to 194 00:12:26,737 --> 00:12:32,097 Speaker 1: do well in athletics and chose fitness as a way 195 00:12:32,137 --> 00:12:35,177 Speaker 1: of life. That was something that I looked back on 196 00:12:35,337 --> 00:12:38,937 Speaker 1: over the years and gratitude. At the time, I did 197 00:12:39,017 --> 00:12:42,537 Speaker 1: not appreciate it, but as I got older, I began 198 00:12:42,657 --> 00:12:46,657 Speaker 1: to realize how important that groundwork that he laid in 199 00:12:46,817 --> 00:12:50,817 Speaker 1: my life from a physical standpoint, the dividends that it 200 00:12:50,937 --> 00:12:57,097 Speaker 1: paid throughout my life. I was an All conference linebacker 201 00:12:57,137 --> 00:13:00,137 Speaker 1: at sol Ross and sol Ross played in the Low 202 00:13:00,257 --> 00:13:03,857 Speaker 1: Star Conference. At that time. My teammates had elected me 203 00:13:04,137 --> 00:13:08,417 Speaker 1: as team captain, which was a tremendous honor because it 204 00:13:08,537 --> 00:13:10,777 Speaker 1: was a team thing. The coaches didn't have anything to 205 00:13:10,857 --> 00:13:14,897 Speaker 1: do with it, and so I came back my senior 206 00:13:15,057 --> 00:13:19,177 Speaker 1: year in nineteen seventy one. I came back for one 207 00:13:19,297 --> 00:13:21,737 Speaker 1: reason and one reason only, and it was to win 208 00:13:22,057 --> 00:13:26,537 Speaker 1: a conference championship. Again. I was an All conference linebacker. 209 00:13:27,137 --> 00:13:30,457 Speaker 1: I had over one hundred tackles a year. The two 210 00:13:30,577 --> 00:13:34,057 Speaker 1: previous years, I had twenty four tackles in one game. 211 00:13:34,977 --> 00:13:38,256 Speaker 1: My teammates would play for me. Those guys knew that 212 00:13:38,377 --> 00:13:43,017 Speaker 1: I loved them and they loved me, and so I 213 00:13:43,137 --> 00:13:47,857 Speaker 1: had a stower reputation with my teammates. The administration, however, 214 00:13:48,017 --> 00:13:51,617 Speaker 1: did not share that same opinion of me. I had 215 00:13:52,817 --> 00:13:57,537 Speaker 1: ten off the field fistfights over a two year time 216 00:13:57,657 --> 00:14:01,937 Speaker 1: period that had me on the administration's radar. And the 217 00:14:01,977 --> 00:14:04,897 Speaker 1: way my dad raised me, I was a good person, 218 00:14:05,217 --> 00:14:09,697 Speaker 1: was a trouble maker, but I became a trouble seeker. 219 00:14:10,057 --> 00:14:13,177 Speaker 1: I didn't mind fighting, and then again in West Texas 220 00:14:13,297 --> 00:14:16,577 Speaker 1: with the Cowboys, the Roughnecks and football. If you don't 221 00:14:16,617 --> 00:14:19,977 Speaker 1: mind fighting, there's always going to be a lot of opportunities. 222 00:14:20,617 --> 00:14:25,537 Speaker 1: And so I came back my senior year to win 223 00:14:25,617 --> 00:14:29,777 Speaker 1: that conference championship. I was appointed by the coaches to 224 00:14:29,977 --> 00:14:34,097 Speaker 1: check rooms for curfew to make sure that everyone was 225 00:14:34,177 --> 00:14:37,897 Speaker 1: in on time. A couple of freshmen were in they 226 00:14:37,937 --> 00:14:42,457 Speaker 1: had been drinking. I confronted him about being late. One 227 00:14:42,537 --> 00:14:45,417 Speaker 1: of them took exception to me telling him when he 228 00:14:45,897 --> 00:14:49,017 Speaker 1: could and couldn't come and go, and it got physical 229 00:14:49,177 --> 00:14:53,577 Speaker 1: and he got hurt. The difference in this scenario was 230 00:14:53,737 --> 00:14:57,697 Speaker 1: that the police were called. They then called the president 231 00:14:57,777 --> 00:15:00,897 Speaker 1: of the college. The next morning, the head coach had 232 00:15:00,977 --> 00:15:04,457 Speaker 1: me in his office right and early. All my teammates 233 00:15:04,457 --> 00:15:09,217 Speaker 1: were already out on the field, and he told me, Mike, 234 00:15:09,657 --> 00:15:11,137 Speaker 1: I'm going to have to ask you not to be 235 00:15:11,217 --> 00:15:15,377 Speaker 1: part of our team this year. And I mean, I 236 00:15:15,417 --> 00:15:18,537 Speaker 1: couldn't believe it. I was in shock. And you know 237 00:15:18,657 --> 00:15:22,897 Speaker 1: I told him, I said, I coach, that wasn't my fault. 238 00:15:23,017 --> 00:15:25,017 Speaker 1: I was doing my job. And I said, if you 239 00:15:25,097 --> 00:15:27,777 Speaker 1: asked my teammates how they feel about this, and he said, 240 00:15:27,977 --> 00:15:30,417 Speaker 1: I don't have to ask them. I know how they 241 00:15:30,497 --> 00:15:33,497 Speaker 1: feel about it. But the president of the college has 242 00:15:33,617 --> 00:15:37,457 Speaker 1: called me and told me that he's heard Mike Clint's 243 00:15:37,537 --> 00:15:40,257 Speaker 1: name for the last time. It's you or Mike Flint. 244 00:15:40,297 --> 00:15:43,337 Speaker 1: Who's he going to be? And so he said, Mike, 245 00:15:43,377 --> 00:15:46,217 Speaker 1: you've got to go. I went on with my life 246 00:15:46,537 --> 00:15:51,137 Speaker 1: and getting kicked off that team, see that team that 247 00:15:51,657 --> 00:15:55,657 Speaker 1: had so much potential. Of that team that I came 248 00:15:55,777 --> 00:15:59,537 Speaker 1: back for, I needed six hours to graduate. I could 249 00:15:59,577 --> 00:16:04,577 Speaker 1: have graduated the previous summer, but I came back to 250 00:16:04,737 --> 00:16:08,217 Speaker 1: play my scene year and win a conference championship. I 251 00:16:08,337 --> 00:16:11,137 Speaker 1: got kicked out. They went four six and one. They 252 00:16:11,177 --> 00:16:14,697 Speaker 1: didn't even have a winning season, and so I shouldered 253 00:16:15,297 --> 00:16:22,297 Speaker 1: that responsibility and it just only made matters worse. Internalizing 254 00:16:22,417 --> 00:16:26,057 Speaker 1: it was really bad because it was like a cancer. 255 00:16:26,657 --> 00:16:30,137 Speaker 1: I didn't share with anyone. I didn't tell anyone how 256 00:16:30,217 --> 00:16:32,777 Speaker 1: I felt and the times that I cried over the 257 00:16:32,857 --> 00:16:41,377 Speaker 1: loss of my senior year. My walk with the Lord 258 00:16:41,897 --> 00:16:47,377 Speaker 1: was non existent until I met Eileen. After I was 259 00:16:47,497 --> 00:16:52,017 Speaker 1: kicked out, I couldn't go back to Odessa because everybody 260 00:16:52,177 --> 00:16:54,737 Speaker 1: was asking it was football season, you know, Mike, why 261 00:16:54,737 --> 00:16:58,857 Speaker 1: aren't you playing? What's going on? And I was offered 262 00:16:58,977 --> 00:17:04,337 Speaker 1: an opportunity in Austin, Texas, And so I moved to 263 00:17:04,456 --> 00:17:08,537 Speaker 1: Austin and Aileen was going to the University of Texas 264 00:17:08,977 --> 00:17:14,017 Speaker 1: there in Austin, and we met, started dating, fell in love, 265 00:17:14,497 --> 00:17:18,177 Speaker 1: and Eleen changed my whole life. She introduced me to 266 00:17:18,297 --> 00:17:23,617 Speaker 1: Christ and for me, it wasn't an overnight, over week, 267 00:17:23,777 --> 00:17:27,337 Speaker 1: over month process. It was something that even after we 268 00:17:27,457 --> 00:17:32,297 Speaker 1: were married. We were married for ten years before God 269 00:17:32,417 --> 00:17:35,977 Speaker 1: knocked me at my knees. I would sit in church 270 00:17:36,377 --> 00:17:40,217 Speaker 1: and I was polite. I would do anything everything that 271 00:17:40,337 --> 00:17:43,297 Speaker 1: Eileen wanted me to do. But I really had no 272 00:17:43,417 --> 00:17:47,977 Speaker 1: relationship with the Lord. And then a business venture that 273 00:17:48,537 --> 00:17:54,057 Speaker 1: I had been involved in from a peripheral standpoint, imploded 274 00:17:54,617 --> 00:17:58,337 Speaker 1: and I got dragged into it, and all of a sudden, 275 00:17:59,337 --> 00:18:03,456 Speaker 1: my whole world turned upside down. And I was drinking 276 00:18:03,497 --> 00:18:08,577 Speaker 1: a lot at that time. And I told Eileen one morning, 277 00:18:09,617 --> 00:18:12,537 Speaker 1: I said, you know, I think the easiest thing for 278 00:18:12,697 --> 00:18:15,377 Speaker 1: me to do would be to take my pistol and 279 00:18:15,497 --> 00:18:18,217 Speaker 1: go in that closet and get this over with. I 280 00:18:18,377 --> 00:18:21,936 Speaker 1: just can't stand this anymore because of my violent past. 281 00:18:22,337 --> 00:18:26,537 Speaker 1: It really frightened her, and she took me by the 282 00:18:26,657 --> 00:18:29,457 Speaker 1: hand and she said, come on with me. We lived 283 00:18:29,497 --> 00:18:32,457 Speaker 1: on a golf course in Austin, Texas at that time, 284 00:18:32,817 --> 00:18:36,737 Speaker 1: and it was closed that day, and we went down 285 00:18:36,977 --> 00:18:39,497 Speaker 1: on the golf course and we walked for I don't know, 286 00:18:39,617 --> 00:18:42,577 Speaker 1: we walked for an hour. And I had no idea 287 00:18:42,857 --> 00:18:48,057 Speaker 1: the depth of her relationship with Christ. And she began 288 00:18:48,257 --> 00:18:51,537 Speaker 1: to share scripture verses with me and talk about how 289 00:18:51,617 --> 00:18:54,217 Speaker 1: much God loved me and the plan that he had 290 00:18:54,257 --> 00:18:58,137 Speaker 1: for my life. And I realized for the first time 291 00:18:59,577 --> 00:19:04,497 Speaker 1: that I didn't know anything about God. I knew zero. 292 00:19:04,817 --> 00:19:09,377 Speaker 1: And Eileen, I mean quoting scripture and I thought, you know, 293 00:19:09,497 --> 00:19:13,377 Speaker 1: I've never read the Bible. Well, when went back home 294 00:19:13,577 --> 00:19:17,177 Speaker 1: and I took out a Bible and I started. Over 295 00:19:17,217 --> 00:19:20,417 Speaker 1: the next few days and weeks, I started trying to 296 00:19:20,497 --> 00:19:23,817 Speaker 1: read my Bible, and it was like eating dry cereal. 297 00:19:24,137 --> 00:19:26,617 Speaker 1: I mean, I'd read a page in and I would think, 298 00:19:26,697 --> 00:19:29,417 Speaker 1: what did I just read? What was that about? And 299 00:19:29,977 --> 00:19:36,617 Speaker 1: Aileen had bought a sixteen volume set of encyclopedia books 300 00:19:36,737 --> 00:19:41,457 Speaker 1: for children on the Bible, and I took down book 301 00:19:41,537 --> 00:19:44,617 Speaker 1: number one. It had pictures in it and it was 302 00:19:46,217 --> 00:19:51,017 Speaker 1: written for children under twelve, and I read all sixteen. 303 00:19:51,417 --> 00:19:54,657 Speaker 1: I went through the whole set. I could understand it, 304 00:19:54,977 --> 00:19:58,577 Speaker 1: you know, the pictures were there, the explanations were simple, everything, 305 00:19:59,217 --> 00:20:02,537 Speaker 1: And then I went back and picked up my Bible. 306 00:20:03,257 --> 00:20:06,097 Speaker 1: It was during that time period that I knew that 307 00:20:06,817 --> 00:20:08,897 Speaker 1: I had to make a profession of faith in Christ, 308 00:20:09,257 --> 00:20:13,017 Speaker 1: and so I did. And it was that profession of 309 00:20:13,137 --> 00:20:17,817 Speaker 1: faith in Christ and my realization that I knew so 310 00:20:18,057 --> 00:20:22,577 Speaker 1: little about Him that started me on my journey in 311 00:20:22,777 --> 00:20:28,737 Speaker 1: faith that I still pursue today. It was dealing with 312 00:20:29,137 --> 00:20:32,497 Speaker 1: that regret and going forward with my life. I became 313 00:20:32,657 --> 00:20:36,377 Speaker 1: very successful in the fitness industry. I became a strength 314 00:20:36,417 --> 00:20:40,817 Speaker 1: and conditioning coach at the University of Nebraska, University of Oregon, Texas, 315 00:20:40,857 --> 00:20:44,537 Speaker 1: A and M. I had fitness patents I trained the 316 00:20:45,697 --> 00:20:51,257 Speaker 1: US military. The regret over the years, I finally learned 317 00:20:51,337 --> 00:20:54,337 Speaker 1: to manage it. I mean, because it wouldn't go away. 318 00:20:54,737 --> 00:20:58,857 Speaker 1: That memory was there, that what ifs were there, and 319 00:20:59,337 --> 00:21:02,777 Speaker 1: I didn't have those answers, and I struggled with it 320 00:21:02,977 --> 00:21:06,657 Speaker 1: for so long that I finally learned to manage it. 321 00:21:06,817 --> 00:21:08,897 Speaker 1: I wouldn't think about it, and I would go for 322 00:21:09,457 --> 00:21:12,976 Speaker 1: extended periods of time and it would never come up, 323 00:21:13,017 --> 00:21:16,457 Speaker 1: and then something would happen that would cause me to 324 00:21:16,617 --> 00:21:21,497 Speaker 1: think about that loss of my senior year and the 325 00:21:22,017 --> 00:21:24,617 Speaker 1: adversity that my dad had put in my life when 326 00:21:24,697 --> 00:21:28,457 Speaker 1: I was young was now starting to pay dividends for 327 00:21:28,657 --> 00:21:32,817 Speaker 1: me in that arena. But that memory was always there, 328 00:21:33,537 --> 00:21:37,257 Speaker 1: impacting every time something would come up. Who I was 329 00:21:37,657 --> 00:21:42,297 Speaker 1: as a leader, who I was as a teammate and 330 00:21:42,377 --> 00:21:46,537 Speaker 1: a friend, and that question mark was always there, and 331 00:21:46,617 --> 00:21:51,817 Speaker 1: it was unresolved. The whole thing about football at fifty nine. 332 00:21:52,497 --> 00:21:55,736 Speaker 1: It was not a planned event. It really wasn't. There 333 00:21:55,857 --> 00:21:59,377 Speaker 1: was a reunion that was scheduled, and I received notices 334 00:21:59,497 --> 00:22:02,217 Speaker 1: here in Franklin about the reunion down in San Antonio, 335 00:22:02,857 --> 00:22:03,417 Speaker 1: and there was. 336 00:22:03,457 --> 00:22:04,457 Speaker 4: No way I was going to that. 337 00:22:04,977 --> 00:22:09,657 Speaker 1: I had struggled all those years to get past that regret. 338 00:22:10,297 --> 00:22:12,817 Speaker 1: And I knew that I wouldn't be there five minutes 339 00:22:13,137 --> 00:22:15,177 Speaker 1: and it would come up. So there's no way I 340 00:22:15,337 --> 00:22:18,697 Speaker 1: was going. I leaned, you know, she just she said, 341 00:22:18,697 --> 00:22:20,537 Speaker 1: I don't know what's going on with you that you 342 00:22:20,657 --> 00:22:23,057 Speaker 1: want to go down to that reunion and see those guys. 343 00:22:23,097 --> 00:22:24,377 Speaker 1: I know you you want to see them, and I 344 00:22:24,457 --> 00:22:26,777 Speaker 1: know they want to see you. They keep calling and 345 00:22:26,857 --> 00:22:29,817 Speaker 1: see I'd never told i Lean about this regret. I 346 00:22:29,857 --> 00:22:32,977 Speaker 1: adn't told anyone. I finally I said, okay, well you know, 347 00:22:33,017 --> 00:22:35,097 Speaker 1: I'm going to go down there. And so I got 348 00:22:35,177 --> 00:22:37,817 Speaker 1: down there and I wasn't there five minutes. In the 349 00:22:37,897 --> 00:22:40,777 Speaker 1: lobby at the hotel, and all the football players that 350 00:22:40,857 --> 00:22:44,177 Speaker 1: all congregated in one area and they were coming up 351 00:22:44,337 --> 00:22:48,177 Speaker 1: and talking and telling jokes. And then one of them said, Mike, 352 00:22:49,177 --> 00:22:51,777 Speaker 1: what was it about that one fight it got you 353 00:22:52,017 --> 00:22:55,377 Speaker 1: kicked out? When you had so many you know, what 354 00:22:55,617 --> 00:22:57,857 Speaker 1: was up with that? And I told them, I said, 355 00:22:57,857 --> 00:22:59,977 Speaker 1: you know, I just made a lot of poor decisions 356 00:23:00,057 --> 00:23:02,177 Speaker 1: when I was young, and that was the straw that 357 00:23:02,217 --> 00:23:04,936 Speaker 1: broke the camel's back. And I said, you know, but 358 00:23:05,097 --> 00:23:09,297 Speaker 1: what it's me more than anything. Is I still think 359 00:23:09,377 --> 00:23:14,017 Speaker 1: I can play? And I said, letting you guys down 360 00:23:15,177 --> 00:23:19,377 Speaker 1: had become my greatest regret in life. And then knowing 361 00:23:19,497 --> 00:23:22,257 Speaker 1: that I really feel like I can play, that just 362 00:23:22,337 --> 00:23:26,497 Speaker 1: makes it worse. And one of them said, well, if 363 00:23:26,537 --> 00:23:29,137 Speaker 1: you still think you can play, what don't you? And 364 00:23:29,257 --> 00:23:32,857 Speaker 1: I said, there is no way that I can have 365 00:23:33,017 --> 00:23:37,857 Speaker 1: eligibility after thirty seven years. He said, hey, listen, if 366 00:23:37,897 --> 00:23:39,936 Speaker 1: that's the greatest regret you've got in life, if you 367 00:23:40,017 --> 00:23:42,337 Speaker 1: think you can run with those guys, if you think 368 00:23:42,417 --> 00:23:45,057 Speaker 1: you can take the hits, you need to check it out. 369 00:23:45,297 --> 00:23:48,057 Speaker 1: They've changed to Division three. It's a whole new set 370 00:23:48,097 --> 00:23:51,617 Speaker 1: of rules. Well, I couldn't think about anything else the 371 00:23:51,697 --> 00:23:56,257 Speaker 1: rest of the weekend and got home. I found out 372 00:23:56,617 --> 00:23:59,696 Speaker 1: from the NCAA that I still had a semester of 373 00:23:59,777 --> 00:24:03,777 Speaker 1: eligibility limb. And so I go down to Saul Ross 374 00:24:04,457 --> 00:24:07,897 Speaker 1: and meet with him, head coach, and I freak him out. 375 00:24:08,097 --> 00:24:08,257 Speaker 2: You know. 376 00:24:08,377 --> 00:24:11,537 Speaker 1: I just walked into his office and told him that 377 00:24:12,457 --> 00:24:15,657 Speaker 1: when I'd played at Permim, the kind of player I was, 378 00:24:16,537 --> 00:24:19,337 Speaker 1: the number of football scholarships that I was offered, and 379 00:24:20,137 --> 00:24:22,137 Speaker 1: told him that I played at sol Ross the kind 380 00:24:22,177 --> 00:24:26,456 Speaker 1: of linebacker I was, and I'd gotten kicked out for fighting. 381 00:24:26,617 --> 00:24:29,817 Speaker 1: And then I told him about all the universities where 382 00:24:29,857 --> 00:24:34,137 Speaker 1: I'd coached at Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, A and M. And 383 00:24:34,217 --> 00:24:38,137 Speaker 1: then I said, I'd like to walk onto this team 384 00:24:39,537 --> 00:24:43,377 Speaker 1: as a linebacker. It enables me to help a bunch 385 00:24:43,417 --> 00:24:47,617 Speaker 1: of young men that I don't even know, and I 386 00:24:47,737 --> 00:24:50,337 Speaker 1: can make up for those guys I let down all 387 00:24:50,377 --> 00:24:59,697 Speaker 1: those years ago. And so coach said, wait a minute, 388 00:25:00,417 --> 00:25:02,657 Speaker 1: you will to play and I said, yes, yes, sir, 389 00:25:02,697 --> 00:25:05,257 Speaker 1: I want to play linebacker. He said how old are 390 00:25:05,257 --> 00:25:07,897 Speaker 1: you you are and I said I'm fifty nine. And 391 00:25:08,017 --> 00:25:10,537 Speaker 1: he said, now, when were you at Permian. I said, well, 392 00:25:10,577 --> 00:25:13,097 Speaker 1: it was back in nineteen sixty five and he said, 393 00:25:13,177 --> 00:25:16,577 Speaker 1: oh my gosh. Well the assistant head coach stepped in 394 00:25:16,657 --> 00:25:18,137 Speaker 1: about that time. He said, coach, you got a bunch 395 00:25:18,137 --> 00:25:20,417 Speaker 1: of freshmen down on the field waiting on you. And 396 00:25:21,657 --> 00:25:23,657 Speaker 1: he said, oh men, Mike, I totally forgot. I got 397 00:25:23,697 --> 00:25:26,377 Speaker 1: bunch of cures here for orientation. I wanted to see 398 00:25:26,617 --> 00:25:28,217 Speaker 1: what kind of shape there in, what kind of speed 399 00:25:28,257 --> 00:25:30,097 Speaker 1: they've got. He said, I got to get out of 400 00:25:30,177 --> 00:25:32,257 Speaker 1: the field, and I said, well, can I go with you? 401 00:25:32,617 --> 00:25:35,017 Speaker 1: He thought he was rid of me. So we get 402 00:25:35,057 --> 00:25:37,577 Speaker 1: down to the field and he said, I don't want 403 00:25:37,577 --> 00:25:39,736 Speaker 1: you guys to get stretched out. You know, we're going 404 00:25:39,817 --> 00:25:42,937 Speaker 1: to play fag football. I want you to choose teams, 405 00:25:43,577 --> 00:25:45,657 Speaker 1: and I want to see how fast you are. I 406 00:25:45,657 --> 00:25:47,057 Speaker 1: want to see what kind of shape you're in. So 407 00:25:47,097 --> 00:25:51,937 Speaker 1: there'll be no walking, no patterns less than ten yards, 408 00:25:52,417 --> 00:25:55,817 Speaker 1: and you guys get moved. What's ninety five degrees. I mean, 409 00:25:55,857 --> 00:25:57,817 Speaker 1: we're one hundred miles from Mexico. It's the middle of 410 00:25:57,817 --> 00:26:01,497 Speaker 1: the summer. And so they started stretching and I said, 411 00:26:01,777 --> 00:26:05,976 Speaker 1: can I join them? And I'd warn some bagg jeans 412 00:26:06,017 --> 00:26:09,537 Speaker 1: and my tennis shoes and a T shirt. And he 413 00:26:09,617 --> 00:26:11,817 Speaker 1: looked at the assistant head coach and he just shrugged 414 00:26:11,817 --> 00:26:14,057 Speaker 1: his shoulders and he said, yeah, I guess you can 415 00:26:14,177 --> 00:26:16,817 Speaker 1: join them. And so I got out there and we 416 00:26:16,977 --> 00:26:20,577 Speaker 1: stretched out and they picked teams. I was the last 417 00:26:20,617 --> 00:26:25,417 Speaker 1: player picked. We ran for an hour non stop, and 418 00:26:25,777 --> 00:26:28,257 Speaker 1: he bug a whistle call everybody up, you know, told 419 00:26:28,257 --> 00:26:30,457 Speaker 1: those guys to get the orientation. Told me he said, 420 00:26:30,457 --> 00:26:32,937 Speaker 1: come on, Mike, I'll take you back to your car. 421 00:26:34,257 --> 00:26:35,736 Speaker 1: And he told me, he said, I got a meet, 422 00:26:35,777 --> 00:26:38,017 Speaker 1: and things going through my mind he said, you'd be 423 00:26:38,417 --> 00:26:40,977 Speaker 1: in my office at nine o'clock in the morning. I'll 424 00:26:40,977 --> 00:26:43,737 Speaker 1: give you an answer to your question about walking onto 425 00:26:43,777 --> 00:26:48,137 Speaker 1: this team. I was there nine o'clock the next morning. 426 00:26:48,417 --> 00:26:50,657 Speaker 1: His whole staff was in his office. He introduced me 427 00:26:50,697 --> 00:26:53,337 Speaker 1: to everybody, and he said, after watching you run with 428 00:26:53,377 --> 00:26:56,177 Speaker 1: those freshmen yesterday, there is no doubt in my mind 429 00:26:56,377 --> 00:26:59,217 Speaker 1: that you can play college football. He said. To come 430 00:26:59,297 --> 00:27:02,657 Speaker 1: back and risk your health to play your senior year 431 00:27:02,737 --> 00:27:05,977 Speaker 1: of college football, you'd have to have an incredible reason, 432 00:27:06,057 --> 00:27:07,817 Speaker 1: he said, But I got to tell you, I can't 433 00:27:07,897 --> 00:27:10,936 Speaker 1: think of a better reason than the one you've given 434 00:27:11,017 --> 00:27:13,617 Speaker 1: me to help a bunch of young men that you 435 00:27:13,697 --> 00:27:15,617 Speaker 1: don't even know, to make up for those guys you 436 00:27:15,777 --> 00:27:18,137 Speaker 1: let down all those years ago. And he said, to 437 00:27:18,217 --> 00:27:20,737 Speaker 1: go through what we're going to put you through in 438 00:27:20,857 --> 00:27:23,657 Speaker 1: two days to make this team, you're going to have 439 00:27:23,817 --> 00:27:26,497 Speaker 1: to have a tremendous amount of desire. But he said, 440 00:27:26,897 --> 00:27:28,417 Speaker 1: you know, I could see it in your eyes, I 441 00:27:28,457 --> 00:27:30,696 Speaker 1: can hear it in your voice. You've probably got more 442 00:27:30,777 --> 00:27:33,377 Speaker 1: desire than a kid we've got on this team. You 443 00:27:33,537 --> 00:27:35,697 Speaker 1: be here August twelfth. I'm gonna give you a chance 444 00:27:35,737 --> 00:27:41,817 Speaker 1: to make this football team. So that's how it all started. 445 00:27:42,097 --> 00:27:45,057 Speaker 1: I get back and I said, I ain't, honey. Listen, 446 00:27:45,577 --> 00:27:49,057 Speaker 1: we're going back college. We're moving down to Texas and 447 00:27:49,657 --> 00:27:51,577 Speaker 1: coach is gonna give me a chance to make this team. 448 00:27:51,657 --> 00:27:56,657 Speaker 1: And she said, I cannot believe, at fifty nine years 449 00:27:56,697 --> 00:27:58,936 Speaker 1: old that you want to go back and try to 450 00:27:58,937 --> 00:28:01,617 Speaker 1: play college football. I feel like I'm married to Peter Pan. 451 00:28:02,177 --> 00:28:05,497 Speaker 1: And then it hit me that I had never shared 452 00:28:05,697 --> 00:28:09,217 Speaker 1: with her. I had never told her. And I set 453 00:28:09,257 --> 00:28:12,297 Speaker 1: her down and I said, you know, Ilean, I've lived 454 00:28:12,297 --> 00:28:15,337 Speaker 1: over half my life with regret over a mistake that 455 00:28:15,457 --> 00:28:18,097 Speaker 1: I made, and now coach is going give me an 456 00:28:18,137 --> 00:28:23,017 Speaker 1: opportunity to rewrite that last chapter and my athletic career, 457 00:28:23,497 --> 00:28:26,577 Speaker 1: and I've got to try. I very well may not 458 00:28:26,777 --> 00:28:29,897 Speaker 1: make the team, but for me to have an opportunity 459 00:28:30,697 --> 00:28:33,177 Speaker 1: to go and make that team and not take it, 460 00:28:33,897 --> 00:28:36,177 Speaker 1: for me, that'd be worse than getting kicked out the 461 00:28:36,257 --> 00:28:38,777 Speaker 1: first time and then to live the rest of my 462 00:28:38,897 --> 00:28:42,497 Speaker 1: life asking myself, what if, what if I could have 463 00:28:42,577 --> 00:28:45,057 Speaker 1: made that team. I've got to go try, And she 464 00:28:45,137 --> 00:28:49,817 Speaker 1: said I had no idea. She said, okay, let's go 465 00:28:49,897 --> 00:28:54,337 Speaker 1: play football. In two thousand and nine, after all went 466 00:28:54,457 --> 00:28:57,497 Speaker 1: back to play. I was asked to be on the 467 00:28:57,617 --> 00:29:01,857 Speaker 1: Joni Show in Dallas. I was there in Dallas and 468 00:29:02,017 --> 00:29:06,777 Speaker 1: I told the story about thinking about committing suicide but 469 00:29:06,897 --> 00:29:09,737 Speaker 1: then making a profession of faith in Christ and how 470 00:29:09,817 --> 00:29:14,177 Speaker 1: it changed my life. Several months later, after the Joni Show, 471 00:29:14,257 --> 00:29:17,497 Speaker 1: I'm back in Franklin, Tennessee, where I live now, and 472 00:29:17,577 --> 00:29:21,177 Speaker 1: I'm in a restaurant and I'm at a table with 473 00:29:21,297 --> 00:29:23,417 Speaker 1: several other guys. We're in a meeting, some guys from 474 00:29:23,457 --> 00:29:29,017 Speaker 1: our church, and this guy walks up standing beside our table. 475 00:29:29,537 --> 00:29:32,217 Speaker 1: I can tell through peripheral vision he's staring at me, 476 00:29:32,777 --> 00:29:37,297 Speaker 1: and I'm thinking, well, he recognizes me from church or somewhere, 477 00:29:37,977 --> 00:29:40,577 Speaker 1: and he's trying to place me. And I looked at 478 00:29:40,657 --> 00:29:44,257 Speaker 1: him and smiled, and he said, are you Mike And 479 00:29:44,777 --> 00:29:47,977 Speaker 1: I said yeah, and I stood up and shook hands 480 00:29:48,017 --> 00:29:50,457 Speaker 1: with him, and he said, oh my gosh, he said, 481 00:29:50,457 --> 00:29:53,977 Speaker 1: I cannot believe that I'm meeting you. He said, I 482 00:29:54,177 --> 00:29:57,817 Speaker 1: just moved here from California a couple of weeks ago. 483 00:29:58,577 --> 00:30:01,857 Speaker 1: He said, I just I have to tell you that 484 00:30:02,017 --> 00:30:05,097 Speaker 1: you played a part in saving my life. And I 485 00:30:05,617 --> 00:30:08,537 Speaker 1: I said what he said, I had put a hose 486 00:30:08,657 --> 00:30:13,217 Speaker 1: in the tailpipe of my car in the garage, and 487 00:30:14,537 --> 00:30:18,337 Speaker 1: I had gone out and put the hose into the 488 00:30:19,057 --> 00:30:21,817 Speaker 1: driver's side of the car. And I came back in 489 00:30:21,937 --> 00:30:26,217 Speaker 1: the house and the TV was on and the Joni 490 00:30:26,337 --> 00:30:29,857 Speaker 1: Show was on, and you were on there and you 491 00:30:29,977 --> 00:30:34,817 Speaker 1: were talking about how you contemplated suicide, but then you 492 00:30:35,897 --> 00:30:38,577 Speaker 1: poured out your heart to God, made a profession of 493 00:30:38,657 --> 00:30:42,017 Speaker 1: faith in Christ, and He saved you. And he said, 494 00:30:42,177 --> 00:30:44,937 Speaker 1: I just thought, God, if you do it for Mike, 495 00:30:45,537 --> 00:30:47,657 Speaker 1: you do it for me. And he said, I just 496 00:30:47,737 --> 00:30:50,777 Speaker 1: needed you to know that you played a part and 497 00:30:50,897 --> 00:30:55,177 Speaker 1: saving my life. It just blew me away. It was 498 00:30:55,217 --> 00:31:04,097 Speaker 1: an incredible reinforcement or encouragement of me sharing weaknesses in 499 00:31:04,337 --> 00:31:10,097 Speaker 1: my life, areas that I have struggled, and not out 500 00:31:10,137 --> 00:31:13,817 Speaker 1: of pride, but keep those things hidden their secret, because 501 00:31:13,977 --> 00:31:17,697 Speaker 1: so many people need to know that somebody else has 502 00:31:17,817 --> 00:31:22,497 Speaker 1: overcome that and that Christ was there and they can 503 00:31:22,617 --> 00:31:26,937 Speaker 1: take that same concern of same weaknesses to him and 504 00:31:27,137 --> 00:31:30,297 Speaker 1: know that if he did it for Mike, he'd do 505 00:31:30,417 --> 00:31:31,137 Speaker 1: it for anybody. 506 00:31:34,057 --> 00:31:37,457 Speaker 3: To learn more about Mike Flint, visit www dot Mike 507 00:31:37,497 --> 00:31:40,137 Speaker 3: Flint dot com if you'd like to hear more stories 508 00:31:40,177 --> 00:31:42,817 Speaker 3: about allowing God to rewrite your story. Check out our 509 00:31:42,857 --> 00:31:50,217 Speaker 3: interview with Rosy Rivero. Next time on the Jesus Calling podcast, 510 00:31:50,457 --> 00:31:53,577 Speaker 3: we'll hear from singer Stephen mcquarter who shares about growing 511 00:31:53,657 --> 00:31:55,857 Speaker 3: up as a preacher's kid and the turn his life 512 00:31:55,897 --> 00:31:58,577 Speaker 3: took when he became a mathetict and how he found 513 00:31:58,657 --> 00:32:00,857 Speaker 3: forgiveness through the healing power of music. 514 00:32:02,817 --> 00:32:05,857 Speaker 6: You know, there is something truly powerful on the other 515 00:32:05,977 --> 00:32:09,817 Speaker 6: side of forgiveness. It's not about reciprocation. Somebody made us 516 00:32:09,897 --> 00:32:12,617 Speaker 6: not say to you, well, I'm asking for your forgiveness, 517 00:32:13,017 --> 00:32:14,817 Speaker 6: but you have the ability to tear up the dead 518 00:32:14,817 --> 00:32:19,257 Speaker 6: and throw it away, and that's real freedom, that's real restoration. 519 00:32:25,697 --> 00:32:28,217 Speaker 3: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 520 00:32:28,297 --> 00:32:32,097 Speaker 3: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week we'll bring 521 00:32:32,177 --> 00:32:34,737 Speaker 3: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 522 00:32:35,097 --> 00:32:38,737 Speaker 3: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 523 00:32:39,577 --> 00:32:42,937 Speaker 3: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 524 00:32:42,977 --> 00:32:46,257 Speaker 3: wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a review 525 00:32:46,377 --> 00:32:50,497 Speaker 3: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 526 00:32:50,857 --> 00:32:54,297 Speaker 3: you can find encouragement resources and more on the Jesus 527 00:32:54,377 --> 00:32:56,937 Speaker 3: Calling website at Jesuscalling dot com