B

I played for Nick Saban, Bill Belichick, and Sean Payton. I studied under some of the greatest coaching minds in the history of professional football. And after the Lord saved me, I realized something that changed everything. Every single leadership principle that made those teams thrive is biblical. They just did it for the glory of man instead of the glory of God. Here is what I mean. Belichick taught us to do our jobs. Scripture commands us to work as unto the Lord, not for the approval of men. (Col. 3:23) Belichick held Tom Brady to a higher standard than anyone else. Scripture says to whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48) Belichick cut the cancer immediately, no matter the cost. Scripture tells us that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Gal. 5:9) Belichick sacrificed personal credit and took responsibility for every loss. Scripture calls leaders to be servants first. (Matthew 20:26) Brady sacrificed personal stats for the good of the team. Scripture says do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility consider others above yourself. (Phil. 2:3) Brady could encourage a teammate and confront him in the same breath. Scripture says speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15) These men did not know they were pulling from eternal, biblical commands. But the principles worked. They always work. Because truth is truth whether the man wielding it knows its source or not. Now imagine this. If these principles built a two-decade dynasty in professional football with men who did not know the Lord, what would God do through His church if we humbled ourselves and followed the same playbook? What would happen in your marriage if you coached yourself harder than you coach anyone else? What would happen in your home if you cut the cancers of laziness, passivity, and selfishness? What would happen in your leadership if you stopped protecting your ego and started serving your team? The blueprint is not new. The playbook has been written for two thousand years. The question is whether you are willing to run it. I spent 10 years in the NFL and the best locker rooms I ever walked into operated on principles that Scripture laid out long before football existed. Stop looking for a new framework. Open the Book. And do your job.

The Raiders are hiring Mario Jeberaeel as their offensive run game coordinator, per source. A Las Vegas native, Jeberaeel was most recently a defensive assistant with the Jaguars. Now he takes a key role on Klint Kubiak’s staff.

The Raiders are hiring Mario Jeberaeel as their offensive run game coordinator, per source. A Las Vegas native, Jeberaeel was most recently a defensive assistant with the Jaguars. Now he takes a key role on Klint Kubiak’s staff.

I am not ashamed of my journey. My life will be a testimony. But if I could offer a word of advice to any freshman, sophomore or junior athlete in high school it would be to just listen bro. All them adults in your life not just talking to talk. They been here longer. They done bumped they head already. They trying to save you from doing the same thing. Do not make the mistake of thinking your talent alone is enough. It’s not. Talent open doors. Character and grades keep you there. And if you already messed up, if your GPA not where it should be, if your name been in rooms for the wrong reasons… don’t quit. Keep digging. You can climb out the hole the same way you dug it. Class of 29, 28 and 27 hear me. Take your grades serious.
Choose who you hang around wisely.
Protect your name. Word spreads fast if you a crash out.
Respect authority. Nobody riding for you like your parents and coaches.
Work hard when nobody clapping. Do not wait until senior year to lock in. That GPA do not lie. I’m still figuring it out myself. I’m struggling but I know God got me. Be intentional.
Lock in early. Pray. Show up ready to work. I’m learning the hard way that my future is being built in the small decisions I make today. Start now.