UofL Football Players find TRUE Purpose

For the past eight weeks, 20+ UofL Football players and Coach Kragthorpe, have come together once a week to study The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Each week Chris would open with prayer and then simply allow the players and coach to openly discuss that week's reading. The hope of the study was for each to learn that God has an incredible plan for their life and for them to discover their purpose in Christ, but the study surpassed all hopes. In addition to each player learning to live the life God created them for, they also learned more about each other. Though these guys fight opponents together, they often don't "know" each other. Through open discussions, the players got the opportunity to learn more about each others backgrounds, struggles, and desires in life. Now when they line up on the ten yard line, they won't just be fighting alongside a teammate...they will be fighting alongside a friend they trust. At the conclusion of this study, 11 players accepted Christ as their Savior and 1 got baptized!

Here is what a few of the players had to say about the study:

"The Purpose Driven Life study has been an amazing addition in my life, and that of my teammates. It was a great way to create opportunities for team bonding. There is something special about watching the guys you play beside open themselves up and have the courage to be transparent in front of each other. The book teaches us how to live our lives with purpose so that we may fulfill God's will in it. God's promise to us is a life saving testament that the entire world should know about and believe in. Purpose Driven Life has helped plant that seed in the hearts of the Louisville football team. I am thankful I was able to be a part of it."

Scott Long, Senior Wide Receiver

"Doing the Purpose Driven Life study with our team meant a lot to me. I feel that while I grew spiritually throughout the study, the most remarkable thing about the study was the way the players around me opened up. It is very important that football players trust their fellow teammates. After this study I can truly say that I trust more of my teammates and I definitely grew closer to him. Everyone that participated in the study is very thankful that Chris took his time to do this with us and we all believe that it will pay dividends throughout the season."

Eric Wood, Senior/Captain Center

"From attending the Wed. night Bible study I can tell that my life has changed in an area that I least expected it to. Before I started the series me and the mother of my children did not see eye to eye for a while and we were not together and thinking about going our separate ways. After going every week to the Bible study and at times telling the mother of my children what I learned and working out our differences, we are stronger than ever and back together. Mr. Morgan is a positive role model to me and because of his help I am living a better and healthier life."

Mozell Axson, Senior Linebacker

"I think this study has been fantastic. I learned so much about my purpose in Christ and got to do it with my teammates. This study is not just going to have benefits off the field, but on as well."

Hunter Cantwell
Senior Quarterback