This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to experience a motivational speaker that spends his time ministering to the Monsters of The Midway. Since March of 2008, former NFL defensive back Ray McElroy has been the Chaplain for the Chicago Bears, where he conducts weekly services and Bible Study for the team’s players, coaches and their spouses.
“As great a player as Devin Hester is, he still has problems he needs to deal with. Brian Urlacher can hit you so hard, he’ll knock you back into yesterday and even coach Lovie Smith needs someone he can turn to in times of need;” said the Rev. Anthony Williams, Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in southwest suburban Robbins, Illinois as he introduced Chaplain McElroy to his congregation.
The Rev. Williams went on to say, “I’m so happy to be a Christian because it’s fun, especially when I have opportunities like this," referring to having Chaplain McElroy deliver an inspirational message on a near perfect summer day in July.
Chicago native Ray McElroy grew up on the Westside and matriculated to Eastern Illinois University where he earned his degree. While there, McElroy was a four-year starter at cornerback for the Panthers earning first team All Gateway Conference honors three times. In 1994, he was named an AP Third Team All-American and selected to play in the Kelly Tires Blue & Gray All-Star Classic. Following a stellar college career, McElroy’s gridiron skills afforded him the opportunity to play on Sundays. He played for three teams during his six years in the NFL, including a one-year stint here in Chicago. Originally a fourth round pick by the Colts back in 1995, he stayed with the team for four seasons before joining the Bears in 2000 and then completed his career the following year with the Detroit Lions.
Since leaving the league, McElroy has devoted his time to the enrichment and development of our youth through an organization known as Sports World Inc. (www.sportsworld.org). He brings an empowering message to youth across the nation about the consequences for the choices they make and shares with them the hope that comes with accepting Christ in your life.
“You can have a whole lot of money and still have an empty life,” said Chaplain McElroy as he addressed a sanctuary full of parishioners all riveted by his energetic discourse.
He was a well-dressed slender young man of about medium height and build, not at all what most expect from an ex-NFL ball player. He wore a traditional single-breasted black two-button suit with notch lapels. His shirt was a like a fine Bordeaux; the geometric patterned tie was just a shade lighter and complemented things nicely.
Chaplain McElroy started off his message by thanking the Rev. Williams for his rousing introduction, reveled that his wife and children were in attendance and then did something I’d expect from most any other visiting preacher but not from a former gridiron great.
“I grew up on the Westside,” he said, “that’s where I first found God. So if you don’t mind, I wanna go back there for a minute. Is that okay?”
The congregation responded favorably and with that endorsement, McElroy burst into song. His silky tenor was soulful, spirited and full of praise. As I sat there listening attentively, I thought about how Chaplain McElroy is a true renaissance man. That was really refreshing, especially in a time when so many professional athletes have become more famous as stars on police blotters than on the playing field.
Though Chaplain McElroy’s message was peppered with scriptural references and intended to appeal to your spirituality, you didn’t have to be a Christian to be inspired by the words he spoke.
They took me back to my freshmen year of college when I was a rookie recruit eager to make my presence known. I imagined myself in the Bears’ locker-room on game day. Coach Smith had assembled his warriors and their generals in a tight frenzied cluster. The air was charged with electricity and like hungry hounds left to guard the meat house, we could smell blood and it made our mouths water. But, we were still not ready to fight. The coach calls in Chaplain McElroy to address the team and just like he did to the spiritual warriors sitting in Good Shepherd’s pews, he begins to spit fire.
It was one of the most energy-filled and inspiring services I’ve been a part of in a long time. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to experience Chaplain McElroy’s outstanding message of hope, peace, passion and praise. We all left charged up and ready to do battle on our own turf, feeling as if victory would soon be ours.
______
Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
