Ravens' Matt Stover gives lift
to local Christian athletes

Excerpt from the Maryland Gazette
By Matt Myers
Photo by Nicola Munchel

Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover shared his thoughts on a Christian lifestyle with dozens of local high school athletes Monday, talking about virtues that make a good person.

"You will have failure in your life. You will have success," said the Super Bowl-winning kicker. "But it's how you respond and that makes character." Mr. Stover's appearance at Northeast High School was the first big event for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a 2-month-old chapter of a national group at Northeast High School.

The fellowship, which includes members from youth sports to college athletes, is organized into "huddles" whose members dedicate their lives to God and a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. Members get together on Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. to hang out, share Bible studies and pray before the school day. The huddle is run by students, but overseen by head football Coach Kevin Kylus.

"It's a chance for people who necessarily aren't churchgoers to express themselves through Christ," member Mark Bois said. "They can come and hang out and give it a chance." Mark, a senior football, swimming and. lacrosse student-athlete, said he finds comfort for his stepbrother Anthony Thomas, who suffers from testicular cancer, during Wednesday morning's prayers.

Northeast High's chapter hosted Monday's service and invited other huddles from the area. In additiontz) the talk by Mr. Stover, there was music provided by the Christian rock band The Name.

Mr. Stover, who is interested in pursuing work in the ministry after his football career, talked about his faith and it's role in his 19 years in the National Football League. He said he points to the sky after every kick - make or miss. "You know why I point up?" he asked. "Not because it's good, but it's to God." Northeast High Principal Kathy Kubic presented Mr. Stover with a Northeast Eagles jersey.

Mr. Kylus said he is impressed with the character his student-athletes who are involved with the huddle display." The leadership they show will prove the man they'll be. (The huddle) is student-run, and they took it and ran with it," Mr. Kylus said.