Chapters

Back in August, Colt McCoy announced his retirement, after being in the NFL since 2010.  I missed this news when it happened, but recently came across an article by Nick Shook, an NFL.com writer who reported the news.  He shared how Colt McCoy was drafted by the Cleveland Browns.  Because of injuries, Colt was thrown into action as the starter earlier than anticipated.  “He would go on to start 21 games for Cleveland,” Nick Shook writes, “posting a 6-15 record while playing for two different coaches (Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur).  By his third (and final) season with the Browns, McCoy was nothing more than a backup behind Brandon Weeden before Cleveland traded him to San Francisco in 2013.” 

The author of this article goes on to write that McCoy would subsequently give his talents as a backup for several more teams.  “Throughout the back end of his career, he was considered by many to be a reliable option in case of emergency under center, a quarterback capable of keeping a team afloat for a temporary period.”  He also reported that McCoy is going to be transitioning to broadcasting for “its expanded Big Ten football coverage this season.”  The article can be found right here.

With everything going on right now, why would I bring this up now?  It’s the final days leading up to Christmas; December birthdays occupy my mind, like my brother’s 40th, and one of my coworker’s birthday is tomorrow.  Not to mention the impressive conclusion of “Superman and Lois” that aired back on 12/2, and with it, the end of the “Arrowverse” era.  So again, with all of this, why blog about the retirement this NFL player?  Because of the impact Colt McCoy had on me seeing him, from afar, go through the adversity of a devastating playoff loss and injury, and to see his bold stand after the loss.  Let me back up.

In 2011, I brought up Colt McCoy and his Texas Longhorns in a blog.  I had shared that in 2009, Colt had gotten hurt and was unable to play in the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama.  What I didn’t know until looking into these details for today is Texas had gone undefeated that year, and were looking to complete their perfect season.  It didn’t happen.  Instead McCoy had to watch his team lose the game 37-21, in a contest he couldn’t play in, due to injury.  In the sideline interview after the game, you can see the disappointment in his voice and body language.  But I was so impacted when he threw in these words in the interview:

“I always give God the glory.  I never question why things happen the way they do.  God is in control of my life, and I know that if nothing else, I’m standing on the Rock.”

Colt McCoy pointing to the Lord those years ago helped me recently.  You see, I’ve been preparing this blog for several days now.  As I was ruminating in the details, I went to work, and while there, I misplaced something of importance; I had to work, I couldn’t stop and look for it.  Understand when I work customer service at Chick-fil-A, I need my mind to be focused.  Because, my intention is to shine for God in my eyes, smile, words, and attitude.  However, in that moment, I was having trouble focusing.  As I was praying, and giving the situation to God, Colt McCoy’s quote came to mind:

“If nothing else,” he had said, “I’m standing on the Rock.”  Even if I had lost this item forever, I would still be a child of God; I would simply deal with the fallout as it came.  Very soon after all this transpired, I found the item I had lost.  But the point is, Colt McCoy’s example of looking to God in the face of disappointment helped me.  May it be said of me that my example inspired others in their walk with God too.

God bless,

Kevin