Faith and Football: Blackmon Gives Back

OSU receiver Justin Blackmon is a nightmare for opposing defenses, but a positive influence in the community.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:58 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Oct 10, 2010 9:12 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- Students anxiously filed in the empty classroom of Stillwater High School. It was barely 7 a.m., but the room was riddled with conversations about upcoming events, homework and friends. A handful of students silently, sleepily shuffled toward the table in the back of the room, stocked with boxes of donuts.

Just a few steps away from their breakfast stop was the NCAA’s top-ranked receiver.

Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon woke up early that morning to speak to the group of students which make up Stillwater High’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. He likely would have been late, had the organization’s leader, John Talley, not called and made sure he was up.

Blackmon, a business major at OSU, juggles his role on the undefeated Cowboys football team, academics, and his involvement with FCA. It’s no surprise he was just as tired as some of the high school students.

If he didn’t stand at six-foot-one-inch, Blackmon might have blended in with the students. He came dressed in grey sweat pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap.

The group of students, which was comprised of about 30 teens, watched as Blackmon walked toward the front of the classroom. Talley introduced Blackmon, who almost shyly took the reins of the morning meeting. He briefly talked about his childhood, his involvement in FCA and his high school years, opening the discussion up to the students who had questions for him about living as a Christian while playing for a top 25 team.

This morning was like many other mornings for the Pokes’ wide receiver. He often speaks to high school FCA groups, sharing his faith and giving the students an opportunity to talk face-to-face with the same player who they watched on ESPN days before.

It’s that accessibility that allows Blackmon to effectively encourage other athletes to follow their faith, reach for their Bibles during time of struggle and remain humble during periods of success.

Connor Donavan, a baseball player at Stillwater High School, is also a senior leader in his school’s FCA. He took special interest in Blackmon’s leadership both on the field and off.

“It’s really cool,” Donavan said. “It’s pretty neat to have a guy like that, to know that there are athletes out there that do live through their faith.”

Blackmon’s goal was accomplished with that simple phrase.

“I was put on this stage for a reason,” Blackmon said. “I just try to spread the message. I tell them what I believe in, how I believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.”

It’s a message that’s well accepted by the students, in part because OSU’s top receiver lets them know he’s aware of their struggles. He floundered in his faith during his high school years, but now credits other athletes who spoke words of wisdom to him.

“Older people used to come speak to me when I was younger. It kind of made it easier for me seeing other athletes come down and speak,” Blackmon said. “It kind of made me open up?I should be out teaching others.”

His influence on students is undeniable.

They gravitate to him, they hang on his words and carry what he says as they leave for their classes. Through FCA, high school athletes are able to meet and listen to college and professional athletes who look to God for strength while striving for success on the field. Stillwater FCA hosts athletes like Blackmon once or twice a month.

“It has a bigger influence than they realize,” Donavan said. “It’s good for us to hear and see that they can stay in scripture and that helps them. It’s really cool, as an athlete myself, to see others that can stay strong, even through college.”

FCA isn’t active just in high schools though. Members of the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team stay after practice once a week for an FCA huddle. It’s a chance for them to hear a brief message, pray as a team and offer their time to give back to community members.

Each week, John Talley asks for players to help the elderly with yard work or to speak to students. The players take what they’ve learned in FCA out in the world and back on the field.

“It kind of brings us closer as a team because we believe in the same thing,” Blackmon said. “It helps us have each other’s back. Going out there on the field, you know that we’re playing, one, for OSU, then we’re also playing for God upstairs?we all have a common goal.”

Blackmon said it’s that unity that helps him find the success he’s experienced this year. But when asked which is more exciting, witnessing to others or catching a touchdown pass, the decision was easy to make.

“It’s a big deal both ways,” Blackmon said. “They’re both exciting, but when it comes down to life, it’s a little step higher. Knowing that you’ve affected some body’s life?that can do a lot of things.”

Justin Blackmon wrapped up his question and answer session with the teens. Donavan led a prayer just before the high school students hurried off to class before the next bell, carrying the advice and encouragement from the Cowboy.

Blackmon hurried off to the weight room, carrying with him the encouragement of knowing he’s influenced the students’ young lives.