Browns fans pack local church to hear from Colt McCoy

[Kosar_For_President]

I'm not a religious man myself, but this is a great article. If this kid isn't a character guy that can lead this team for years to come, I don't know who is.

 

When Grace Church in Middleburg Heights decided to host a talk with current Cleveland Browns players about how their faith plays a role in their lives, in and out of football, they had no idea how big of a deal it would become.

 

Around 3,000 people packed the church's main auditorium and overflow rooms to hear from Colt McCoy, Kenyon Coleman, Reggie Hodges and John St. Clair.

 

"I think the turnout tonight just shows how much people love football and they love the Cleveland Browns," said Sr. Pastor Jonathan Schaeffer. "Especially with the recent resurgence of the team and beating some really quality teams, people are excited to hear what these players have to say."

 

All players, maybe, but one player drew extra attention.

 

"Colt McCoy has been an inspiration for Cleveland, he's brought the team such vitality and the team holds together with him," said fan Kathy Kraus of Medina.

 

McCoy, who is 2-2 as a starter, has faced three Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks and three of the league's top seven defenses in his first three starts. On top of that, he hasn't thrown an interception in the last 12 quarters.

 

"A rookie, you know, pressed into service (and) put into a role that he was never expected to face, and he's just doing phenomenally," said fan Art Todd.

 

The players were greeted to a standing ovation and balloons dropping from the ceiling as they threw miniature footballs into the crowd. When it came time to take questions from the audience, McCoy deferred most to the veterans with whom he was sharing the stage.

 

He did speak about trying to balance family and sport.

 

"I just got married, so I'm at the stages of growing of how to handle work and how to handle my relationship, my wife," McCoy said. "For me, I think it's being able to handle the competitive side of what we do... and being able to come from that and being the nurturing, spiritual leader that you're supposed to be in your relationship with your wife."

 

On football, McCoy says he remains locked in on simply getting better.

"You have to completely focus on your preparation, completely focus on your team and what you have to do when you're out on that field to give your team the best opportunity to to win and that's my focus each week," McCoy said.

[NewEraDawg]

As long as that boy continues to develop into our QB and keeps on doing what he does I will be a believer .

 

Can I have a big ole AMEN

[Dste Ace]

Preach on, my brother.

[Earl34]

I get the feeling that you won't be finding him in a college bar asking "bitches" to "take [his] shots".

 

A model citizen that Cleveland can be proud of on and off the field.

[tshirtfan]

I get the feeling that you won't be finding him in a college bar asking "bitches" to "take [his] shots".

 

A model citizen that Cleveland can be proud of on and off the field.

 

I also appreciate that he isn't an in-your-face type like Pastor Tebow. He takes his faith seriously and shows it through actions, not words.

[57BelAir]

I get the feeling that you won't be finding him in a college bar asking "bitches" to "take [his] shots".

 

A model citizen that Cleveland can be proud of on and off the field.

There was one game here in Austin, maybe his junior year, where he got beat up pretty bad in a game (I think it was a night game up in Lawrence, KS where he took a neck stinger) and he and his roommate friend Jordan Shipley still made it to Church the following morning. And then the story up in the Dallas area, in the off season, where he and his dad were fishing at dark, and heard a cry across the small lake. Because of time to get around the lake, Colt swam over and assisted a man on a pier who'd had a heart attack, while help was on the way. May sound like a tall tale, but is true. In this third round pick, as they say in the country, Cleveland got a "good'un". He's a winner on and off the field. And the more I get to know the Browns players and staff, Colt could not have gone to a finer organization and community. I'm more than happy for all of Cleveland.

[Canton Mike]

Colt's strong Faith gives him the Character & Principles that have always made him a winner on AND off the football field.

We in Cleveland are Blessed to have him play for and represent us.

Mike

[brnfan16]

I'm not a religious man myself, but this is a great article. If this kid isn't a character guy that can lead this team for years to come, I don't know who is.

 

When Grace Church in Middleburg Heights decided to host a talk with current Cleveland Browns players about how their faith plays a role in their lives, in and out of football, they had no idea how big of a deal it would become.

 

Around 3,000 people packed the church's main auditorium and overflow rooms to hear from Colt McCoy, Kenyon Coleman, Reggie Hodges and John St. Clair.

 

"I think the turnout tonight just shows how much people love football and they love the Cleveland Browns," said Sr. Pastor Jonathan Schaeffer. "Especially with the recent resurgence of the team and beating some really quality teams, people are excited to hear what these players have to say."

 

All players, maybe, but one player drew extra attention.

 

"Colt McCoy has been an inspiration for Cleveland, he's brought the team such vitality and the team holds together with him," said fan Kathy Kraus of Medina.

 

McCoy, who is 2-2 as a starter, has faced three Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks and three of the league's top seven defenses in his first three starts. On top of that, he hasn't thrown an interception in the last 12 quarters.

 

"A rookie, you know, pressed into service (and) put into a role that he was never expected to face, and he's just doing phenomenally," said fan Art Todd.

 

The players were greeted to a standing ovation and balloons dropping from the ceiling as they threw miniature footballs into the crowd. When it came time to take questions from the audience, McCoy deferred most to the veterans with whom he was sharing the stage.

 

He did speak about trying to balance family and sport.

 

"I just got married, so I'm at the stages of growing of how to handle work and how to handle my relationship, my wife," McCoy said. "For me, I think it's being able to handle the competitive side of what we do... and being able to come from that and being the nurturing, spiritual leader that you're supposed to be in your relationship with your wife."

 

On football, McCoy says he remains locked in on simply getting better.

"You have to completely focus on your preparation, completely focus on your team and what you have to do when you're out on that field to give your team the best opportunity to to win and that's my focus each week," McCoy said.

Wow what difference 1 year makes from the depression of the Quinn-DA joke to the High of a real future with McCoy. Years from now (and maybe rings) they will wonder how he lasted to the 3rd round of the draft. Browns fans everywhere feel or are getting the feeling that he has the "it" and the class of what we have been praying for so long. Here comes a new era!

[Hawgdawg]

I went to church with Colt in Austin. He and Jordan Shipley were active with the junior high and high school groups. I was really amazed to see them on a Sunday morningn after they had played in El Paso the previous night. They told me they had gotten in at 5:00 a m and they were on time for the morning services.

 

One humorous thing. McCoy and some of the youth group (and some of the ministerial staff) were passing a football around in the building and McCoy knocked a ceiling tile down. He was forgiven.

 

I know Shipley is now playing on a rival team, but we miss them. Fortunately, Colt's brother is at UT this year (yep, another quarterback) and will be joined by another Shipley (yep, another receiver) next year.

 

You really got a man when you selected Colt.