Associated for Years with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, This Standout Leader Claims, ‘FCA Has Provided a Platform to Support Me as I’ve Followed God with My Life’
November 1, 2021
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Coaching quarterbacks at pro football’s highest level is not for the faint of heart. Coach Clyde Christensen of the Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers knows that better than most.
But as Coach Clyde, as he’s affectionately known, shared exclusively with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, fca.org)—with which he’s long been associated—“I see coaching as one of the highest callings you can have, and FCA’s provided a platform to support me as I’ve followed God with my life.”
With FCA’s remarkable platform and impact that so many professional coaches and athletes have experiencedfor over 65 years, it’s no wonder this man has helped steer future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, in addition to so many others to success over the years!
Says Shane Williamson, FCA’s president and CEO, “Coach Clyde is such a godly, selfless, and loving coach. He has consistently modeled great commitment to his faith, family, and football, leading in each of these with excellence and integrity. We are so thankful to have the opportunity to serve and support coaches like Clyde and their commitment to share Christ and make disciples.”
Coach Clyde first “submitted to live for Christ at FCA Camp in the late 1970s,” he revealed. “I started going to FCA conferences at Black Mountain FCA Camp around ‘77 or ’78. I haven’t missed one since. I went as a Huddle leader, then as a coach, then [with my wife] as a married couple, then as a dad. Now, I take my grandkids,” he proudly commented. “Two of my daughters met their spouses at Black Mountain. FCA has had a significant impact on me.”
Coach Clyde added, “I’ve probably moved 13 times over the years, but each time, the Lord’s provided FCA, a church, and folks who support us. When I go to a different town, I find the local FCA because I know the staff will have a heart for coaches. FCA has provided a family wherever we’ve gone.”
Exactly what is it like coaching the great Tom Brady at Tampa Bay? “There’s no such thing as big time,” Coach Clyde explained. “We’re all just little men with a big God. We all have needs. We all wrestle and struggle to become what we’re supposed to be. It can be a lonely position when everyone thinks you have it all together because your bank account’s large or because you’re an NFL quarterback,” he continued. “This has been a fertile field for me to show care for my players and build relationships with them. It takes time, especially the higher you go. The top athletes can be less trusting because so many people want something from them. But I’ve told myself, ‘Whatever it takes. I will always be authentic and genuine with them.’ If you care about your players and you’re relational in your approach, the Lord can do some neat things.”
Last year, Christensen took over the role of chaplain for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—and through this ministry and his servant’s heart, he’s led many of the players to a deeper relationship with the Word of God.
Said Coach Clyde, “I felt like my plate was full in terms of coaching quarterbacks, but I saw the opportunity as something God-given. He provided at every corner and worked out all the details, from chapel speakers to Bible studies. I wanted to encourage the players to get into the Word because any time we can get people into the Word of God, then God does the rest. I wanted to get them exposed to great Bible teaching and get them familiar with their Bibles. Right now, we probably have 25 guys reading through the Bible in a year.”
FCA’s theme for 2021 is Pursue, based on 1 Timothy 6:11: “Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” FCA encourages its members to pursue God’s use of His Word as an anchor, grounding Christians as they look to His Kingdom.
Since 1956, the impact on coaches and athletes has been the main focus of FCA Camps, with each Camp offering fun, outstanding sports training, inspiring speakers, strong friendships, and lasting change. View the FCA Camps video here and browse camps by location, sport or date at www.fcacamps.org.
Read more about Fellowship of Christian Athletes here, visit FCA’s website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheFCATeam or its Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheFCATeam.
###
To interview a Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative about the FCA impact and the platform that so many professional coaches and athletes have experienced, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.
