How I Wound Up There
So last Thursday, I’m scrolling through my local community group feed, right? Saw someone share a flyer about this big meet-up thing. “Top Middle Tennessee Christian Football Players Meet the Stars”. Sounded interesting! My wife actually nudged me, said, “You always talk about faith and sports, maybe you should check that out? Take pictures.” Took her advice for once!
Getting Ready & Heading Out
Saturday morning rolls around. Ate a quick breakfast – just toast and coffee, nothing fancy. Grabbed my trusty, kinda old DSLR camera and a notebook. Always carry that notebook, helps me remember stuff later. Jumped in the truck, GPS set for the community center they rented out. Took about 45 minutes to get there through some backroads. Parked way out in the overflow lot because, man, there were a lot of cars already.
Walking Into The Buzz
The heat hit me first stepping out. Tennessee summer ain’t playing. Walked towards the entrance – could hear the buzz before I even saw the doors. Lots of families, kids wearing jerseys, folks chatting excitedly. Paid a small entry fee at the door, got a hand stamp. Inside? Pure organized chaos, but the good kind. Smelled like popcorn and faint sweat.
Seeing The Set-Up & The Players
They had this big open area sectioned off. Couple of smaller stages on each end. Main attraction was the autograph area along one wall: long tables piled high with helmets, footballs, jerseys. Kids clutching stuff, looking nervous. Saw players I recognized instantly from local high school rivalries – big linemen, quick-looking running backs – mingling. They were easy to spot because they had on matching grey t-shirts saying “Player”. All looked super sharp and polite, shaking hands, smiling.
And the “Stars”? Couple of former NFL guys you might remember:
- One was a running back who played for the Titans years back. Super friendly, took time talking to every kid.
- Another was an offensive lineman – huge dude! – who played for a couple teams. Was cracking jokes.
- Even spotted a current position coach from a nearby college program just talking quietly with a small group of players.
The Real Vibe
I wandered around a bit, snapping photos where I wouldn’t be too obnoxious. What struck me hard wasn’t just the football stuff, though that was cool. It was how open everyone was about their faith. Overheard snippets all over:
- “…really leaned on my faith after that injury…” from one of the high school players to the coach.
- “God blessed me with these hands, gotta use ’em right!” the ex-Titan laughing.
- Quiet prayers whispered between a young player and one of the “stars” before a picture.
It felt genuine, not forced. Felt like community. Saw a bunch of local youth pastors helping organize, referees I know volunteering to manage lines, moms selling lemonade to raise funds for the high school booster club. Pure grassroots stuff.
Leaving With More Than I Came With
Stayed about two hours. My feet were killing me from standing! Notebook had scribbles: player names I didn’t know but wanted to follow, a quote from the ex-lineman about perseverance (“Block the next play, forget the last bad one”). My camera memory card was getting full. Bought one of those lemonades on the way out.
Drove home feeling unexpectedly pumped. Just seeing these young athletes, so talented, carrying themselves well, grounded by something bigger than the game… made me hopeful. Didn’t need any autographs or selfies myself. Just being there, soaking it in, listening? That was the whole point. Reminded me why sports, mixed with real faith and community, can be pretty darn special. Might just have to make this an annual thing on my calendar.