Singletary Said His Mom Told Him "There is Greatness in You"

(MIKE SINGLETARY)

Mike Singletary was the youngest of 10 children. He said he was the smallest of 10. When he was 12 years old, his father who was the pastor of their church, asked Mike's mother for a divorce. Mike's brother, who came home to help his mother, was fatally injured in a car crash. That led his mother to ask Mike, at age 12, to become the man of the house.

That is a lot for a young person to handle, so Mike decided he would be, not bad, but "mediocre". Instead, his mother wouldn't let him settle for mediocrity. She told her son, "there is greatness in you."

Mike took his mother's words to heart. What followed was a hall of fame career as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears and being part of a Super Bowl winning Bears team, years as a coach in the NFL, and a long and successful career as a motivational speaker. 

Singletary shared those things from his life and more as the guest speaker at the 2023 Night of Champions to benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sunday night at the Effingham Performance Center.

Singletary shared much about football, but also about family. He said that he couldn't be successful as a parent if he was worrying about his children's friend. He shared that years later his children have thanked him for that discipline that is helping them with raising Mike's grandchildren.

Mike also reflected on his NFL career that, he said, often didn't involve some of the activities pursued by his teammates. It was a matter of loyalty to his wife, his family, and his God. 

Now, some of those same teammates are approaching Singletary for advice on life and asking for his prayers for them. 

Also speaking Sunday was Teutopolis teacher Rich Niebrugge, who had a long career coaching softball for the Wooden Shoes. Rich reflected on how he has been helped by FCA, including an idea to have his team members develop compliment cards as a way to develop stronger ties. He said he realized the impact of the cards when a team member died and the cards she had received were on display at the player's visitation and funeral. 

FCA Area Director Kyle Stortzum told the hundreds gathered for Sunday's event that their contributions to the organization are the means by which they operate. He called FCA a "faith-funded" organization. 

To contribute, go to my.fca.org/greatereffinghamfcagrowth.