FCA Magazine > Clemson's Rock

Clemson's Rock

Published on October 31, 2013

FCA

Clemson QB Tajh Boyd
Clemson QB Tajh Boyd

This fall, we interviewed college football players around the country who are passionately pursuing more than just worldly trophies and treasures. Beginning with Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, each answered the question, “Considering your relationship with Christ, what does it mean to relentlessly pursue Him?”

As you read their responses on the following pages, we pray they encourage you to be relentless in your own pursuit of Christ and in your pursuit of others with the message of His saving grace and salvation. Allow Christ’s power to come alive in you, as Hebrews 10:39 says, “But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life.”

 

Tajh Boyd – Clemson

#10 – RS-Sr./QB/Hampton, Va.

 

FCA: What does it mean to be relentless as an athlete?

Tajh Boyd: Being relentless on the field means trying to be the best player you can possibly be. You may not win every game, but you’re always striving to compete at the highest possible level. As you grow and mature, you realize that your time here is limited. So it’s all about giving your maximum effort every day, embracing the moment, and enjoying every opportunity to get better, whether it’s on the practice field or game field or in the film room. There is no room in this life to be complacent and content with where you are; there are always opportunities to grow.

FCA: How do you feel God relentlessly pursues us?

Tajh Boyd: God pursues us relentlessly by assuring He’ll never leave or forsake us. In life, especially being an athlete, a lot of different things are thrown at you. It’s up to us to handle everything we face. But once we understand Christ’s love for us and begin that relationship with Him, we can face everything in this life with confidence knowing He loves us and is there for us. That doesn’t give us the right to do everything wrong in the world, but it helps to understand that He’s going to be there regardless of the circumstances.

FCA: What does it mean to relentlessly pursue Christ?

Tajh Boyd: When you pursue something, you don’t want to let it go. You want more of it and never stop searching for it. It’s important to approach our relationship with Christ in that way. When we’re relentless in that pursuit, it’s probably the most special thing there is because, when you stop searching for and growing in Him, the rest of your life is affected. The relationship you have with Christ impacts the relationships you have with everyone around you—family, teachers, coaches, teammates, everyone.

FCA: How has your relationship with Christ impacted your time at Clemson?

Tajh Boyd: God has taught me just to be who I am. A lot of times coming into college you deal with trying to be in the crowd or fitting in, but the one thing Christ wants you to do is stand out. Be who you are and not what someone else wants you to be. I know people are watching me, so anytime I have the opportunity to make an impact for the Lord, I'm going to do it.

WANT MORE? Click here to watch a video profiling Boyd's faith!

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

ACC

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Travis Blanks – Clemson Travis Blanks
#11 – So./S/Tallahassee, Fla.
“Being relentless means forgetting life’s temporal circumstances and seeking God’s eternal glory without compromise.”
Cason Beatty – Florida State Cason Beatty
#38 – So./P/Charlotte, N.C.
“It's important to remain relentless in all situations because God stays faithful through the good and the rough times. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) to 'pray without ceasing,' meaning we should pray in all situations, not only when times are hard.”
Lamarcus Joyner – Florida State Lamarcus Joyner
#20 – Sr./DB/Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ is to sit down and think about what it takes to not fail in pursuit, to train for it, and then apply it to one’s life and go after Christ with all of your heart and determination. That’s relentlessness.”
Sean Davis – Maryland Sean Davis
#21 – So./DB/Washington, D.C.
“Pursuing Christ keeps me humble as an athlete. I have the talents, but all the praise goes to Him—the One who gave them to me. I always thank God first for any success that I have both on and off the field.”
Nathan Renfro – Maryland Nathan Renfro
#18 – RS-So./P/K/Brentwood, Tenn.
“Pursuing Christ means doing everything for His glory—whether on the field, in the classroom, or out in society. I know everything I have comes from Him, so I try to praise Him in everything I do.”
Ryan Mangum – North Carolina Ryan Mangum
#36 – So./DB/Raleigh, N.C.
“Being relentless in pursuing Christ means not only going to church and reading the Bible, but also building a personal relationship with Christ.”
Landon Turner – North Carolina Landon Turner
#78 – So./OL/Harrisonburg, Va.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ is to give your heart to Him. The more you know Him, the more you'll realize you can’t be truly relentless without Him.”
Asa Watson – North Carolina State Asa Watson
#82 – RS-Sr./TE/Rock Hill, S.C.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ is to recognize that we are in desperate need of a savior. This should lead us to become less like the world and more like Him every day.”
Derrick Hopkins – Virginia Tech Derrick Hopkins
#98 – Sr./DT/Highland Springs, Va.
“To be in a relentless pursuit after God means you never give up. You are always hungry and thirsty for God. Matthew 5:6 says, ‘Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.’”
Demitri Knowles – Virginia Tech Demitri Knowles
#80 – RS-So./WR/Freeport, Bahamas
“Continue pursuing Him whether you are experiencing success or failure. In your success, you give all the glory to Him. In your failure, you also give the glory to Him because when you’re weak, He’s strong.”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

The American

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville Teddy Bridgewater
#5 – Jr./QB/Miami, Fla.
“To relentlessly come after Christ is to come after Him with all of your heart. Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says ‘whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…’ He is our example and we should follow Him with excellence.”
Jamon Brown – Louisville Jamon Brown
#79 – Jr./OL/Fern Creek, Ky.
“We are called to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1). To relentlessly come after Him means to walk in a manner that He has created us to [walk in], with passion and our eyes focused solely on Him. If God is for us, who, then, can be against us?”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

B1G 10

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Matt Dooley – Indiana Matt Dooley
#91 – Jr./LS/Phoenix, Ariz.
“I have to always strive to become more like Christ every day because as a college football player, I am a role model. With 1 Corinthians 11:1 as my guide, I must use the platform God has blessed me with to point others to Him.”
Nick Stoner – Indiana Nick Stoner
#14 – Jr./WR/Greenwood, Ind.
“Relentlessness is a non-stop fight until the mission is accomplished—to fight the good fight of faith and finish the race of this life. We do this with a non-stop pursuit of Christ.”
Cam Gordon – Michigan Cam Gordon
#4 – RS-Sr./LB/Detroit, Mich.
“A relentless pursuit of Christ starts with prayer and forming a relationship with Him. Prayer helps to start the pursuit, while forming a relationship can allow you to relentlessly pursue Him.”
Andrew Green – Nebraska Andrew Green
#11 – RS-Sr./DB/San Antonio, Texas
“To relentlessly pursue Christ, I must die every day to self, acknowledge God and seek His glory. Galatians 2:20 explains the love of Jesus and states that my life is not my own.”
Rob Henry – Purdue Rob Henry
#15 – Sr./QB/Ocala, Fla.
“Nothing I do on a football field will give me a place in Heaven. I am a Christian first and foremost. ‘...Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 3:13-14).”
Ethan Hemer – Wisconsin Ethan Hemer
#87 – RS-Sr./DE/Medford, Wis.
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ means coming to work every day with Him in my mind, knowing that not only do I play for Him, I play with Him. He is my greatest inspiration, and I know that my time on this field is an act of worship for Him.”
Conor O’Neill – Wisconsin Conor O'Neill
#13 – RS-Sr./LB/Delray Beach, Fla.
“Always getting in the Word, never feeling satisfied with how much you know, and wanting to grow more in your relationship with God is to relentlessly pursue Christ.”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Big 12

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Levi Norwood – Baylor Levi Norwood
#42 – RS-Jr./WR/State College, Pa.
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ is never letting anything stop you. That goes for me on the playing field and in my walk with Christ. Even if I get tackled or make a mistake, I must get up and keep pursuing my goal.”
Bryce Petty – Baylor Bryce Petty
#14 – RS-Jr./QB/Midlothian, Texas
“Relentless is a perfect word to describe one’s faith due to the fact that it demonstrates how our faith has to be lived out in this world to make a difference. It’s a day–in and day–out, constant attitude towards Christ.”
Ty Darlington – Oklahoma Ty Darlington
#56 – So./OL/Apopka, Fla.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ is to grow closer to Him every single day. It is to strive to imitate His perfection and honor Him with my life.”
Corey Nelson– Oklahoma Corey Nelson
#7– Sr./LB/Dallas, Texas
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ means that in everything you do in life, you acknowledge the Lord and embrace the fact that you’re a vessel for Him daily.”
Clint Chelf – Oklahoma State Clint Chelf
#10 – RS-Sr./QB/Enid, Okla.
“When I think of relentlessly pursuing Christ, I think of it as a lifestyle. Whether things are going positively or negatively, it’s continuing the pursuit of Christ in your everyday routine without hesitation.”
Shaun Lewis – Oklahoma State Shaun Lewis
#11 – Sr./LB/Missouri City, Texas
“To be relentless in the pursuit of the Lord means to accept your shortcomings as a human but never give up on the quest to be like Him in everything that you do. The goal in our relationships is to love one another as He loved us.”
David Ash – Texas David Ash
#14 – Jr./QB/Belton, Texas
“Every day you have to relentlessly pursue Him and believe He truly is the bread of life. He really is the son of God who came and brought abundant life for us.”
Chris Terry – Texas Chris Terry
#47 – Jr./DE/College Station, Texas
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ is dedicating every area of my day to the Lord by selflessly sacrificing and serving others.”
Micah Awe – Texas Tech Micah Awe
#18 – So./LB/Arlington, Texas
“To relentlessly pursue God, you put your entire faith in Him into every situation and decision you are faced with.”
Summitt Hogue – Texas Tech Summitt Hogue
#38 – RS-So./DB/Lubbock, Texas
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ is putting His wants and desires above your own and consistently praying that He uses you to further His Kingdom.”
Aaron Green – TCU Aaron Green
#22 – So./RB/San Antonio, Texas
“Whatever circumstance or situation you’re in, you have to continue to believe and lean on Him when things aren’t great.”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Independent

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Jarrett Grace – Notre Dame Jarrett Grace
#59 – Jr./LB/Cincinnati, Ohio
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ means to say yes to the constant and eternal relationship He has to offer by opening our hearts to see His plans for our lives. The fruition of this relationship is the beginning of an eternity in love and splendor unimaginable except through our Lord!”
Prince Shembo – Notre Dame Prince Shembo
#55 – Sr./LB/Charlotte, N.C.
“Everything that has happened throughout my life, both the good and bad, has led me to realize all God has done for me and all of his blessings; that is to relentlessly pursue Him.”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

PAC 12

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Fabbians Ebbele – Arizona Fabbians Ebbele
#73 – RS-Jr./OL/Chicago, Ill.
“Living a righteous life, no matter the circumstance, in order to see God’s face in the end. No matter the challenges, obstacles or hardships that may occur, I will still relentlessly pursue Christ.”
Daniel Jenkins – Arizona Daniel Jenkins
#3 – RS-Sr./RB/Moreno Valley, Calif.
“To me, relentlessly pursuing the Lord means to believe and endure no matter what the situation may be. During times when life throws punches from every direction, we must remember that God loves us and have faith that He will always be there when we call on Him.”
Alden Darby – Arizona State Alden Darby
#4 – Sr./S/Long Beach, Calif.
“I relentlessly pursue Christ by knowing He takes care of me. There’s something greater than myself. All the interceptions, tackles and plays I make are not me, but Someone greater.”
Robert Nelson – Arizona State Robert Nelson
#9 – RS-Sr./DB/Lakeland, Fla.
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ comes with thanking Him every day and praying. Every time I pray, I get a good vibe that runs through my body, and I know that every day—no matter what—He has my back and is making sure I am on the right path.”
Marcus Mariota – Oregon Marcus Mariota
#8 – RS-So./QB/Honolulu, Hawaii
“When I relentlessly pursue Christ, I put all my faith in Him to be able to play well and lead my team. With His power, we are able to pursue and play for His glory. We want to go out and show the world that Christ lives.”
Brian Teague – Oregon Brian Teague
#65 – RS-Sr./OL/Portland, Ore.
“It’s pursuing Him in everything I do, not just at church or in worship. It’s not having a separate spiritual life and secular life, but having one life. I need to be always living for Christ, whether I’m playing football, taking care of my family or anything else.”
Cody Kessler – Southern California Cody Kessler
#6 – RS-So./QB/Bakersfield, Calif.
“Relentless pursuit of Christ is not just going to church every once in a while or praying only when times are hard; it is knowing you need Christ always, knowing you can’t live without Him. You are eager every day to wake up and worship and glorify Him in everything.”
Hayes Pullard – Southern California Hayes Pullard
#10 – RS-Jr./LB/Inglewood, Calif.
“I relentlessly pursue Christ by being transparent with Him and chasing after Him with everything I have. I wear Psalm 91 under my pads for every game and every practice to remind me to trust in the Lord, and He will never put me through anything that He cannot get me out of.”
Devon Kennard – Southern California Devon Kennard
#42 – RS-Sr./LB/Phoenix, Ariz.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ means to go after the Lord with your entire heart and soul and give your all in His name, not letting anything get in your way and trusting that He will guide and protect your every move.”
DiAndre Campbell – Washington Diandre Campbell
#19 – RS-Jr./WR/Oakland, Calif.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ means to press to be more like Him each and every day despite distractions, personal desires or what others may think about you.”
John Timu – Washington John Timu
#10 – Jr./LB/Long Beach, Calif.
“Relentless pursuit is making closeness to Jesus your main goal. The closer I can get to Christ, the better my life will be so that one day, when my time comes, Jesus Christ will not be a stranger.”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

SEC

Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

C.J. Mosley – Alabama CJ Mosley
#32 – Sr./LB/Theodore, Ala.
“It means fighting a never-ending battle to become more like Christ—knowing Him, becoming like Him, and making Him known!”
Kevin Norwood – Alabama Kevin Norwood
#83 – RS-Sr./WR/D’Iberville, Miss.
“It reminds me of this verse: '...whatever were gains to me I now consider loss... I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ...’ (Philippians 3:7-9, NIV).”
Steven Clark – Auburn Steven Clark
#30 – Sr./P/Kansas City, Mo.
“Make the pursuit of Christ a part of everything you do throughout the day. Find Christ in every situation and every person you meet. He gave it all for us, so we should do everything the very best we can for Him.”
Nosa Eguae – Auburn Nosa Eguae
#94 – RS-Sr./DE/Mansfield, Texas
“Our approach toward our sport is relentless and passionate, and we should be that way with our relationship with Christ. He blessed us with opportunities and talents. We need to make everything we do a pursuit of our love for Him.”
Chris Burnette – Georgia Chris Burnette
#68 – RS-Sr./OL/LaGrange, Ga.
“To pursue Christ relentlessly is to lay down my life and pick up my cross daily; to chase Him not for the benefits, but because I know He is the only One who satisfies.”
Chris Conley – Georgia Chris Conley
#31 – Jr./WR/Dallas, Ga.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ is to pursue the One who never stopped pursuing me, the One who gave me a chance when no one else would, and the One who loved me when I couldn’t love myself.”
Jalen Collins – LSU Jalen Collins
#32 – RS-So./CB/Olive Branch, Miss.
“To relentlessly pursue Christ means to look to the Lord at all times and include the Lord in all that you do. Thank Him for everything, whether it’s something big or small.”
Chris Laborde – LSU Chris Laborde
#13 – So./WR/Lafayette, La.
“Every single day I have to choose to die to myself. I’ve learned that nothing life has to offer can satisfy—no money, no girl, no amount of fame—except for the relentless pursuit of a relationship with Christ.”
Justin Bell – Ole Miss Justin Bell
#68 – RS-So./OL/Jackson, Miss.
“I know I'm a sinner and sometimes weak in my faith, but I pray every day that I go after the Lord's heart like David, and that He stays with me as He did with Joseph.”
D.T. Shackelford – Ole Miss DT Shackelford
#9 – RS-Sr./DE/LB/Decatur, Ala.
“Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. I keep that in mind every day as I pursue Christ.”
Dylan Thompson – South Carolina Dylan Thompson
#17 – RS-Jr./QB/Boiling Springs, S.C.
“Relentlessly pursuing Christ means to simply go wherever He leads and to make living out our faith more about Him and as little about me as I can.”
Nathan Peterman – Tennessee Nathan Peterman
#12 – RS-Fr./QB/Fruit Cove, Fla.
“We pursue Him because He first relentlessly pursued us. When we realize how gracious, loving and merciful He is to us, who are so unworthy, it makes it easy for us to do the same. He deserves our all in our pursuit of Him because He gave his all for us by laying His life down for our sins.”
Jake Matthews – Texas A&M Jake Matthews
#75 – Sr./OL/Missouri City, Texas
“I know I am not perfect, but if I relentlessly pursue Christ, giving Him my all, then I am heading in the right direction. My parents taught me to give my very best to Christ in everything I pursue and I’ll have no regrets.”
Mike Matthews – Texas A&M Mike Matthews
#56 – So./OL/Missouri City, Texas
“There are times when I am not as strong as I could be, but if I don’t give up, if I continue to pursue Christ and a closer walk with Him, then I am accomplishing the goal of relentlessly pursuing Christ.”
Carey Spear – Vanderbilt Carey Spear
#39 – Sr./K/Mayfield Village, Ohio
“It means having an intimate relationship with the Lord through struggles and triumphs and in times of clarity and confusion. [It's] Proverbs 3:5-6.”
Chase White – Vanderbilt Chase White
#73 – RS-Jr./OL/Plano, Texas
“Being relentless means never letting any temptation or distraction come between God and me, and never giving up on Him, because I know that He’s never going to give up on me.”
Players by Conference:

ACC The American Big 10 Big 12 Independent PAC 12 SEC

Originally Published: November 2013

Photos courtesy of University of Alabama; Arizona Athletics, Sun Devil Athletics; Todd Van Emst; Baylor Athletics; Clemson University Athletics Communication; FSU Sports Information; UGA Sports Communications Department; Mike Dickbernd/IU Athletics; LSU Sports Information; Maryland Athletics; University of Michigan Athletic Department; Nebraska Media Relations; UNC Athletic Communications; Eric Evans; NC State Athletics; Notre Dame Media Relations; OU Athletics Communications; George Bulard; Ole Miss Athletics; Purdue Athletics; South Carolina Athletics; USC Sports Information; Tennessee Athletics; UT Athletics Photography; Texas A&M Athletics; Texas Tech Athletics; TCU Athletics Media Relations; Vanderbilt Athletics Photography; VT Athletics Department; UW Athletics; Wisconsin Athletic Communications

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