Zack Blair - Football

I was…

Growing up I knew who Jesus was. I knew that He loved me and that He died to “wash away my sin”. I knew that I had to ask Him to be my savior in order to get to Heaven but what I didn’t understand was how God wanted to be a part of my everyday life and how He wanted to have a deep, personal relationship with me.

But Christ

I began understanding who Jesus truly was in middle school at a small Christian school in my hometown. For the first time I began to truly experience God’s presence and felt called to deepen my relationship with Him. I met some incredible people during this time, including my current girlfriend, who pushed me and walked with me through my many ups and downs. I had the opportunity to make my faith my own and ended up getting the opportunity to teach my younger siblings who Jesus truly was. My siblings and I got baptized during my sophomore year of high school at a Wednesday night worship service and have been walking with the Lord ever since.

And now…

God has blessed me in so many unexpected ways. A year ago today I was battling to be the starting quarterback at Ball State University. I became the starter midway through the season and 5 plays into the first start of my college career I broke my ankle. I ended up having surgery and wondered why God was doing this to me after I was so faithful in an environment where I could have easily walked away from my faith. I soon found the answer to that question when I announced my intent to transfer and came in contact with the coaches here at IWU. I came on my visit and knew this was exactly where God wanted me to finish my career.

Since I have been here, I built relationships with so many different people who have pushed me in my faith, whether it’s teammates, friends, coaches, or professors I am constantly being pushed to grow in my relationship with Christ. This is also the school where my little brother, Dylan, decided to come. It has been such a cool experience to be able to attend such a special place with someone I am so close to.

Life Verse

Proverbs 28:1 “But the Godly are as bold as lions”

Challenge to Other Athletes/Coaches

What can we do to reflect or grow closer to God on and off the field?

As a Christian football player, one of the hardest places to be the most Christ-like is on the field. The emotions of a football game are a roller coaster. The highs are so high and the lows are so low that you become a completely different person in those moments. One way that I try and remain consistent in my faith during competition is the night before every game I will write a Bible verse on the play call sheet that will be on the sideline for me whenever I come off the field and I will read that verse to remember that this ability that God has given me is not my own but can be used to bring Him glory.