Breaking away from an athletic identity is mighty difficult, especially for ex-pro footballers, even though one (me) may only have achieved limited notoriety as such. Playing professional football is probably the height of public recognition that most players will ever achieve. So hanging on to that hype (although restricted in scope as an offensive lineman), is just something you tend to keep around to feed a dying ego.

As my allotted time on Earth is coming quickly to a close and my most treasured high school peer athletes have already passed on , I’m much more inclined to raise the flags of Christianity over rehashing my praises for the footballer that I once was.

John the Baptist once said, “He (Jesus Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.” And Larry Gagner’s athletic self-image (as meager as it was) must now and forever more play second fiddle to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And I certainly don’t have a problem with that. The problem lies with my ego that keeps rising from its death in baptism to rear its ugly head ever time I feel a bit haughty. Yes, Heaven’s a high hurdle to leap over with just your own abilities. But once you surrender and commit to Jesus, He provides what you cannot–forgiveness of sins and eternal real estate in the Heavenly realm.