Navy Midshipman Stands Out for Christ

This site has previously documented the public faith of Tim Tebow, the unquestionably talented Florida quarterback who led his team to championships and wore his faith on his life, as well as his eye blacks.  He has been lauded for publicly living out his faith in his “profession.”

The Baptist Press documents another “stand-out linebacker” who “serves Christ,” this time as a military Midshipman at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. 

Ross Pospisil is the Navy football defensive team captain, helping lead a team with an impressive string of victories (including the recent New Years Eve win in the Texas Bowl).

But Pospisil’s legacy at the venerable service academy…goes far beyond wins, losses and defensive statistics. He is a servant-leader poster child not only for the Brigade of Midshipmen but also for his deep Christian faith.

“He leads by example,” said Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo. “Not that he’s a quiet leader, but he’s not yelling at players. He’s leading by encouragement. It’s hard not to do it because he’s the first guy doing it. Guys look at one of best players on the team and the team captain and see that he works harder than anyone on the team, so it’s hard not to follow. He’s a man of great spiritual strength. Off the field, he does charitable work without any coercion. It’s the whole person.” (emphasis added)

Rarely is there a better example for professional excellence reflecting on the reputation of Christ, and the benefits of life evangelism.

Pospisil will play his final football game as a college student at the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando on January 23rd.  Thereafter, he’ll be able to focus on another significant obligation, as he will be a commander of a cadet company this semester.

It seems those cadets will have a model Midshipman to emulate.