Athlete Testimonies:

Lovie Smith

Lovie Smith is a man of stable character-dependable and respectable. His mother, Mae, says she raised him "to be honest...fair, and treat everybody with respect." More importantly, though, she raised him in a Christian home. Smith recalls that going to church was a non-negotiable. Soon, Smith began to believe the things he was taught and own his faith. That is why his strong moral fiber has been such a constant for so long.

From playing football in high school, college, and the NFL, God led Smith to coaching. His brother Willie claims that Smith always said he wanted to coach. He started back at his own high school, coaching the JV team, and moved on to several colleges in the 80s and 90s before ending up in the NFL, now with the Chicago Bears.

Though he did not immediately convince others of his worthwhile standing as a coach, he certainly has now, especially after taking his team to the 2006 Super Bowl. But this all pales in comparison to Smith's real passion. "God has always been the center and focus of my life," he says. "I try to live a Christian life the best way I know how."

Uncommon Challenge