Heart of an Athlete
Aug/Sept 2010
Q&A with Barrett Jones
University of Alabama
Offensive Lineman |
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Last season, sophomore offensive lineman Barrett Jones helped the University of Alabama football team win their 13th national championship. The right guard blocked his way to Freshman All-American honors after spending his Saturdays opening holes for Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram. Jones also stayed active off the gridiron as a member of both the Crimson Tide’s FCA Huddle and Campus Crusade for Christ; spent his spring break caring for earthquake survivors in Haiti; and maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.
STV: Tell us what it’s like to win a national championship.
BJ: It was amazing because it was the culmination of all the hard work our team had put in. Winning the national championship fulfilled all my athletic dreams on the biggest stage.
STV: Do they let the linemen hold the crystal football from the BCS Championship trophy?
BJ: Yeah, I got to hold it, kiss it, and get my picture taken with it. I don’t know the official weight of real crystal, but it was heavy. I was kind of freaking out when I held it, and I was the last person who got to hold it before the coaches took it away. I don’t think they wanted it to get messed up.
STV: What did your individual honors mean to you?
BJ: I was just happy to be a part of such a great team. Individual honors follow successful teams. It was an honor to be named a Freshman All-American, but I was actually more proud of being named an Academic All-American because of how difficult it was to perform well in the classroom while playing sports.
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“I held the crystal football, but it didn’t compare to having a relationship with Jesus.” |
STV: You are also involved with FCA at Alabama. In your opinion, why is it important for there to be athletic ministries on a college campus?
BJ: Ministries keep athletes focused on what is important. With all the other things going on, ministries are important in helping us stay focused on Jesus.
STV: Have you been able to share your faith with your teammates?
BJ: Yeah, I’ve had the opportunity to share with them, but it’s something I could do more often. I feel very blessed to have a relationship with the Lord and the testimony of understanding that earthly trophies are only temporary. I mean, there I was on the national championship team—the pinnacle of the college football world—holding the crystal trophy, but I still knew it didn’t have any eternal value. I held the crystal football, but it didn’t compare to having a relationship with Jesus.
STV: Athletes will be so encouraged by your message and inspired by the fact that you spent your spring break in Haiti. What was that experience like?
BJ: I don’t know if I can sum it up in words. I’d wanted to do something like that for a long time, and God showed me that it was where I should be. We worked at a refugee camp outside of Port-Au-Prince with kids who had lost everything. It was amazing to listen to their stories of how they survived the earthquake. We worry about so many things, and yet these kids have nothing but are still so happy. It really put my life and blessings in perspective. 
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About the Athlete
School: University of Alabama
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
Class: RS Sophomore
Position: Offensive Line
Career notes:
•2009 American Football Coaches Association and The Sporting News First Team Freshman All-American
•2009 SEC All-Freshman Team
•2009 Second Team Academic All-American
FCA Staff Quote:
“Barrett is a great player, but long after ’Bama’s fans forget about the blocks he threw, he truly hopes they remember the Christ he followed. Barrett is steady and consistent, and he makes the most of his opportunities for the Kingdom.” – Gary Cramer, University of Alabama FCA Director |
--For more stories about faith and sport, visit www.sharingthevictory.com, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To subscribe to STV, click here.
Photos Courtesy Alabama Media Relations
