College of Alabama linebacker Jalen Milroe has a motto: “I'm greater than an athlete — I'm a Christian athlete,” he says.
A four-star recruit out of Texas and a redshirt freshman this yr, Milroe backs up the Crimson Tide's Heisman Award-winning beginning quarterback Bryce Younger. Milroe says the quarterback place is all about management, a lesson he put into follow in Bama's Oct. 1 win over the College of Arkansas Razorbacks.
Lower than 5 minutes into the second quarter of the Tide's sport towards Arkansas in Fayetteville, Alabama linebacker Bryce Younger injured his shoulder. Milroe entered the sport, scoring one landing and passing for one more within the second quarter. A 77-yard rush within the fourth quarter led to a different Alabama landing. Milroe completed the sport 4 of 9 passing for 65 yards, 91 dashing yards and one landing.
“That's what I like in regards to the quarterback place. You’ll settle for this management position. You embrace attempting to guide others,” Milroe informed The Alabama Baptist.
However as thrilling as successful soccer video games could be, Milroe says his life is rather more than simply soccer video games and his religion is essential to him.
“Greater than athletes”
“I simply need individuals to know that we're greater than athletes,” he mentioned. “We're student-athletes — issues occur. Additionally, like me and different individuals, we have now nice religion.'
Assembly different Christian athletes is essential to Milroe. He attends the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the place he meets with different believers each week.
“FCA is superb,” he mentioned. “It permits athletes to come back collectively to be within the presence of the Lord. … It's a fantastic factor, a fantastic alternative, a good time. All of us take pleasure in it.”
He additionally mentioned that one of many benefits of FCA is that it preaches the Phrase and reveals easy methods to apply the Phrase in each day life.
Soccer and religion go hand in hand with Milroe.
Milroe's Christian journey started in childhood by means of his household, rising up in church together with his grandfather, a deacon, and his grandmother, who led a Bible research.
Milroe additionally performed soccer, from the age of 4. Though he loved a number of sports activities, he was very energetic. Baseball was too sluggish for him, so he determined to deal with soccer. With teaching assist from his father, Milroe turned a star quarterback in highschool.
Whilst his athletic star rose, he saved his thoughts and coronary heart targeted.
“When it got here to my religion, it was vital to me as a result of it allowed me to stroll with function and it made me do issues apart from my sport,” he mentioned.
A dream come true
Being greater than an athlete was additionally vital to Milroe when he was nonetheless at Tompkins Excessive College in Katy, Texas.
“After I went to highschool, I wished to alter the ambiance at Tompkins,” he mentioned. “My objective in life is to not search blessings, however to be a blessing to different individuals. That is what I’ve moved ahead with my religion. I do know God. I do know who’s inside me. Now [I want to] put who’s in me into different individuals. My final objective is to put money into different individuals.”
Milroe had dreamed of enjoying for Alabama for so long as he may keep in mind, and he knew there was one thing particular in regards to the staff. He noticed the consistency and success of the Crimson Tide below head coach Nick Saban.
Numerous faculty recruiters got here to his highschool to observe him play, however he was most excited when the coach from Alabama got here to his highschool to speak to him. Later wWhen he obtained the recruiting name from Alabama, he and his dad and mom had been overjoyed.
“I nonetheless keep in mind it prefer it was yesterday. I ran down the steps and obtained the cellphone name. I obtained the supply. Alabama was my dream supply,” Milroe mentioned. “I keep in mind crying after I obtained the decision. I informed my mum and pop I obtained the supply they usually had been very excited.'
Leaning on God
Milroe credit God for serving to him get by means of robust occasions, each in soccer and in life.
“The Bible says, lean not by yourself understanding… lean on the Lord by means of all of it. That was vital as a result of right here at Bama you’re challenged every single day. Typically you may get drained; generally you’ll be able to deviate out of your final objective,” he mentioned.
“However you understand God has a plan. God desires us to lean on Him in every part. I’m challenged every single day. Regardless, I do know I can lean on Him. Not only for the unhealthy, however I can lean on Him [also] for good and thank Him.”
Milroe additionally teaches that challenges could make an individual stronger. He depends on Philippians 4:13.
“It doesn’t matter what it’s, He’s the one who strengthens me,” he mentioned. “If you find yourself going by means of robust occasions once you really feel like every part is towards you, know that God is the one who will elevate you up and push you to the place you need to be.”
“Christ is the one I can fall on, it doesn’t matter what it’s—irrespective of the circumstances, it doesn’t matter what's happening.” Christ is in me. With my religion, it truthfully catapults me to what I need to do.
“There's nothing I can't do for the person upstairs.
