Originally Published: September 2012
“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24
About the Athlete:
School: University of Nebraska
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Year: Senior
Position: Running Back
Notes:
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and First Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010)
First Team All-Big Ten and Academic
All-Big Ten (2011)
FCA Staff Quote:
“Rex has always been more than willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to share his faith and to be a witness on and off the field. His desire and focus to please Christ is seen wherever he goes as he carries himself with grace, poise and kindness as he interacts with all those involved with Nebraska football.”
Gordon Thiessen
Director of Training and Resources
Nebraska FCA
FCA: What’s it been like to play at the University of Nebraska?
RB: Nebraskans and Husker fans are the greatest in the country. They love Nebraska football. That's what it is all about in this state. Their energy really gets us going each week, and we make sure we're focused and ready to go out and perform for them. They’re also a reminder that I’m playing for something that's much greater than myself. I’m playing for my team, but also to glorify God. He's blessed me with the opportunity to play at a great university and at a high level of competition. I try to reflect His glory in whatever I do.
FCA: What’s something you’ve learned during your collegiate career?
RB: I've learned a lot about playing for God—how to focus on Him and put distractions like selfish desires aside. I still get caught up in them sometimes, but ever since I’ve been here, I've grown. I’d also never had a major injury until my freshman year when I broke my foot in practice. That held me out for about six weeks. I was really down at that point, questioning everything and getting into the false narratives: “Why, God? Why now? Why are You doing this to me?” What I really should’ve been saying was: “This is what You have in store for me. This is all in Your hands. This is the plan You have for me, and I’m going to learn from this.” I’ve developed that mindset now thanks to my brothers on the team and people involved with FCA and our weekly Bible studies.
FCA: How does your faith impact your life outside of football?
RB: It’s my goal to be Christ-like in whatever I do. Playing football is just a part of me, and life away from it is much more meaningful. God wants us to reflect His glory in every area of our lives, and that's a huge motivation when it comes to balancing my time between football, schoolwork and all the other opportunities in my life.
FCA: What has your involvement with FCA meant to you?
RB: It’s been huge in helping me grow in ways I never would have without it. It’s given me opportunities to share my testimony, speak at events, and be able to show the people of Nebraska that there's another side to us besides just being college football players. Nebraska fans look up to us, so I hope to use my platform to relay another message to them—that of my spiritual life and the message of the gospel.
FCA: What do you want your legacy to be when your collegiate career comes to a close?
RB: I’d like to be remembered as a person who was not just a football player, but someone who loved to help out in the community and was an ambassador for Christ. I hope that’s reflected in my attitude and in the way I come to work every day and work as hard as I can.
Photos courtesy of Gordon Thiessen and Nebraska Media Relations