NFL Coach John Harbaugh Inspires High School Football Players With Biblical Story
One NFL coach is inspiring perspective college football players with more than stories about how to break into the professional league.
During a training camp with high school prospects in New Jersey last week, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh joined his younger brother, Jim Harbaugh, the University of Michigan head coach, at a training camp where the elder brother decided to instill a competitive edge in players by sharing a biblical story with them.
While Jim, a former coach for the San Francisco 49ers, was looking for prospects, John asked the players a series of questions.
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"Where else would you rather be? What else would you rather be doing?" according to MLive Michigan. "You've got a chance to play football and be around these great players and great coaches, you are blessed. ... I opened up my Bible this morning, I opened up this old book called Samuel and read about this guy Benaiah."
The NFL coach went on to draw comparisons between Benaiah and the budding athletes.
"... Benaiah chased the lion, he was one of King David's 33 mighty men," he said. "Benaiah, on a snowy day, chased the lion into a pit and killed the lion. If you saw a lion, what would you do? You'd chase him into the pit and kill him, right?"
"That's what you do. You're a football player."
John also sang his brother's praises for providing the teenagers with a platform.
"Just to see the look on these kids' faces ... they're in their glory right now. They're young, teenage football players who are having the time of their life," he told MLive. "For Michigan and the other coaches here to provide that, what Jim's doing is an incredibly good thing."
That excitement during a training camp doesn't happen in the NFL, John said.
"You don't get to see this (in the NFL)," he said. "It's neat on every level, you get the combine in the NFL and guys get excited about that. But to come back and see this, this is what football's all about."
John has used scripture to inspire more than just high school prospects. When Ravens rookie cornerback Tray Walker died in a dirt bike accident in March, the heartbroken coach wrote an open letter to tell people to find their faith in God.
"I am asking you to consider what is at stake in your life. Consider what your thoughts, actions and choices mean to those around you," the coach wrote in a letter, according to the Ravens website. "Live your life fully and with purpose. Have fun and share your happiness. Find your Faith, and allow God to Grow Your Faith."
