First let me introduce myself. My name is Christopher McClendon. I’m from Rixey Arkansas. Played my college football at OPSU where I started off as a walk on. I started for 3 years and was a D2 All American. Finished my career as the #2 rusher in school history.
The moment I realized football was bigger than me it changed my life. After I got home from my first year in the German Football League in 2016 I tried my best to get in the NFL but it didn’t happen. I thought I played well enough to at least get a futures contract for camp but nothing. I barely had any money when I came home. I told myself I wasn’t going back. I thought I had failed myself & my family because I didn’t make it to the NFL.
But then a week later, I checked my Facebook messenger. I had no clue about the request section where you approve people’s messages to communicate with you. I had nearly one hundred messages from people, mainly athletes, telling me how much they loved seeing me play and some even said how I motivated them. Some I’ve met before but others were complete strangers. That’s the moment I realized that God is showing me this is bigger than you.
I had no clue so many people watched and kept up with me. Seeing that impact changed my life. I made a promise to myself that I would stop playing for just myself and play for those around me who were looking up to me.
Fast forward to today and I’m still impacting others. I respond to every message, sign every autograph and take every picture. God blessed me with a platform and I believe if people take time out of their life for me, I should do the same for them. I play football for the kids growing up looking up to me, all the way to that kid giving up since he doesn’t have a scholarship because I was once in his shoes. When you hear it coming from someone that’s been through what you’re going through it makes you believe in it. That’s why I’m here, to show them there’s a better way.
You never know who you’re impacting and honestly, athletes have the biggest impact on others. No matter what level you’re playing at NFL, Canada, Europe and even college, realize football isn’t about just you, it’s about those you impact. For those reading this I’m here if you wanna reach out to me to share my story with you, or help you or somebody you know I’m here.
Add Christopher on Instagram to follow his journey.
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