NFL champ speaks to TCS

Six-time Super Bowl player Don Beebe offered a blend of inspiration from National Football League experiences and his faith Monday during the Trinity Christian School Fall Fundraising Banquet Monday, held at the Airport International Inn.

"If God instills in you a will for your life ... the question is do we try to find out what that will is or do we just try to do our own thing? My story is just one of persevering, never giving up, and I knew at a very young age what I felt God called upon me in my life. That was through athletics," Beebe said.

"I had a dream in high school to play in the National Football League. I didn't want to give up on that. "The things I had to go through to where I eventually got to was a miracle in itself. It was really, truly a God thing. That's what I'm going to show people tonight."

Beebe moved from siding houses to playing a year of football for the NAIA Chadron State College in western Nebraska. He advanced to setting speed and agility records in the NFL that stand today. He was the first person to play for six Super Bowl Teams, was instrumental in helping the Green Bay Packers achieve the 1996-97 NFL World Championship, and is legendary for a play in Super Bowl XXVII when he forced a fumble at the goal line.

Beebe is reputed to be one of the fastest players in league history, running 40 yards in 4.21 seconds.

Beebe is instrumental is instrumental in the formation of character building programming that form the House of Speed (HOS). He also remains very active in midwestern camps and individual training of the elite athletes, expected to be the future stars of tomorrow. He attempts to instill a sense of honor in his athletes as they do what it takes to reach the next level of success.

He does up to 10 speaking engagments per year.

"That's what I do what I do now. I feel this is what God has called me to do now - to use my story to teach boys and girls today that whatever your dreams are, there are no limits with God. What I have found out is that way too many people limit themselves and never fulfill what God has in store for them because they are not willing to step out on faith and they are not sure about the abilities they do have. I want to tell them that nothing is too big for God. You can do anything as long as you put your mind to it."

By pro football standards when facing 350-pound players, Beebe is not large, but he did not lose sight of his dream.

"When I was in high school, there was only one person who thought I could go onto college and play in the National Football League, and that was me. It don't matter how big you are, what size you are, or whatever you think your limitations are. He said faith and his own hard work threaded him through.

"Our God is a big God. If you feel your passion in something -playing the piano or being a politician or whatever you feel God has called you to do, I would never give up on that until you exhaust all possibilities," he said.

He said his faith is integral part of attaining both his practical and spiritual goals.

"For me, the spiritual world is everything. I try to lean on what God has me do through the Holy Spirit. Instead of just letting the world lead views affect my decisions, I turn to the Lord.

"If I would have thought in practical terms, I would have never reached the NFL. I would have listened to too many other people's opinions instead of God's."

He has six Super Bowl rings to show how far that blend of faith and tenacity can get someone.

"To reach a 4.2 or 4.3 (second) 40-yard dash, you have to have some kind of natural ability to do that. ...If I would have never trained, I would have never made it."

He has launched the training business for young athletes, known as House of Speed is based out of Sugar Grove, Ill., It has five franchises across the country.

"I started the company on the premise that making an athlete a better athlete is easy, what's hard is making an athlete a better person. That's what we focus on is training an athlete to show up on time, work hard, never give up, don't let somebody outwork you, and earn stuff in life. All these principals are Biblically sound. ... If God calls you to be something at life, God calls you to be the best at it and to try your hardest."

He said the business concentrates on teaching all types of young athletes to respect their coaches, their parents and their teachers. With that discipline, they learn to clean their rooms and their grades are better."It's trained Olympic bob sledders, Olympic swimmers, volleyball. "We do all sports, all levels," said Beebe.

He is also coaching football at a Christian high school in Aurora, Ill. His team is among eight in the playoffs, vying for the state championship.

"When talking specifically football, one of the hardest things I've had to deal with is teaching the Christian athlete that it's OK to go up there and play hard, and to hit somebody really hard.

Beebe has given time to the Make a Wish Foundation and is a regular off-season speaker to church groups, giving Christian testimony and an informational message. He was honored as an "Unsung Hero" at the 24th NFL Players Association Awards Banquet, where all players are recognized for dedication and love football fans and community. He also is active with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Beebe said his faith has helped him avert vices in the pro league when the pressure is on.

"I have a God I can turn to in those times of stress that can relieve me and give me a whole different perpective on life or toward another person, toward the circumstances I may be going through. And, I can face it with a whole better attitude. But, it doesn't mean I'm not going to face it. Just like anybody else, we all face our problems and trials."

Doug Black, administrator for TCS, said Beebe was an obvious choice for a speaker. "Don is a product of a Christian school. He is coaching at a Christian school now in Aurora, Ill. We needed someone to share why Christian education is important," Black said.

Funds raised last evening will go to operational expenses.