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Brendan Schlittler - Trusting the Greater Plan
11/17/2023 9:10:00 AM | Football
Note: Story provided by @FanWord and is the feature story in Saturday's Flames Illustrated Game Day Program
Heading into my sixth year this season, I couldn't wait to get back on the field and show everyone what we're still about here at Liberty.
We are a young team with a lot of new faces.
But just because we're a young team doesn't mean we can't replicate the high standard of success that has put this football program on the national radar in recent years.
With a new coaching staff in place, we had a renewed energy and a chip on our shoulders as we headed into fall camp.
But in what's true of life and sports, they have a way of throwing obstacles your way when you least expect them.
On the third day of camp, I was pass-blocking when the defensive end came underneath the right tackle, who proceeded to fall on my right knee.
I ended up tearing my MCL off the bone, in addition to my PCL and my meniscus.
As a strong man of faith, I came to the conclusion that God's plan is bigger than my own.
There would be blessings to come from this injury, and with God leading the way, I could still play an integral role in leading Liberty football to success.
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A Dramatic Transformation
I weighed 165 pounds during my freshman year of high school.
I was a third-string defensive end at the time, so I wasn't sure if I had much of a future in football.
Truthfully, I thought I'd have a better shot of playing college baseball.
But in what's become a theme of my life, the good Lord has a way of closing one door and opening another.
My body eventually started to fill out, and I got up to around 235 pounds. I gained about another 50 pounds after my junior year which put me in the 285 range.
As I continued to gain weight, my batting average went in the opposite direction.
God was telling me everything I needed to know.
I put away my glove for good and focused on football. I went from a scrawny baseball player to graduating high school as an all-state offensive lineman weighing 305 pounds.
I was a late bloomer, but my mind and body were ready for the challenges that awaited me playing Division I football.
Â
Becoming a Leader
My faith's always been the foundation of my life, and it's only continued to grow throughout my collegiate career at Liberty.
Our mission is training Champions for Christ, and I can honestly tell you we mean every word of that.
It's ultimately what led me to commit to Liberty.
You're much more than a body or number on the field, as the coaches truly care about you as a person and want to see you flourish both on and off the field.
Throughout my time here, there have been so many people who have supported me and developed me into the man I am today. I know you don't get that kind of support everywhere, which is why I'm so thankful to this university and program.
Coach Sam Gregg is one name I'd be remiss not to mention. He was my offensive line coach from 2019-21, and he took a chance on a young kid's potential.
There were so many life lessons, devotionals, and words of encouragement that he instilled in me about what it means to be a man and lead.
In the last few years, I've served as a two-year captain, and I'm engaged to the love of my life. I can't say for certain those achievements happen without Coach Gregg's mentorship, and I couldn't be more grateful for his influence on my life.
He prepared me for the highs, and most importantly, he prepared me for the lows that come with life.
Â
No Loss, Only Lessons
Something I've learned along the way is there's no such thing as a loss in life – only lessons.
When I went down with my knee injury in August, I knew there were lessons to learn and grow from this, and I couldn't wait to find out what they were.
I received my answers in the practices that followed with a clipboard in my hand. While I couldn't physically help the team on the field, I was more than capable of helping them succeed from the sidelines.
During games, I stand by our offensive line coach, Coach Durkin, and look for blitz pickups, defensive coverages, what plays are consistently working, etc. — essentially anything that will help the team win.
I also pride myself on being a vocal leader for this team. There was a time not too long ago when I wasn't comfortable speaking up and vocalizing my emotions and feelings.
I knew how to lead by example, but I wasn't great at vocalizing it.
My fiancée is a words-of-affirmation person, so I've had lots of practice through her in expressing myself and putting my thoughts into words.
I never miss a chance to do that with my guys.
Whether I need to fire them up or build them up, I just try to be that encouraging voice and let them know that I'm there for them and have their backs.
Holding a clipboard on the sidelines isn't exactly how I thought my season would go, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It's been an honor to continue to have an impact on this team and show the younger guys that adversity is a part of life, and it's up to us how we choose to respond to it.
God Has a Purpose
Despite what anyone else said or how many new faces are in our locker room, we said before the season how we wanted to win a conference championship, go undefeated, and win our bowl game.
We're in a position to do just that.
I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a part of me that wishes I could've been on the field for this special season, but I'm blessed to continue to play a role in spite of my injury.
From afar, it'd be easy to look at my injury as a setback, but I never saw it that way. I saw it as an opportunity to step up as a leader, support my teammates, and leave a lasting impact on a memorable season.
This has been a unique final season for me, but God's always had a purpose for my life, and this was His way of showing me the gifts I have within me to lead and make an impact on my team.
My journey as a student-athlete, along with the 16 other members of our Senior Day class, may be coming to an end, but our journey as a men of influence is just beginning.
Guided by my faith, I'm ready to embrace the next chapter of my life soon and eager to make a difference in the path God leads me down.
He's proven time and time again that His plan has been and always will be greater than my own.
Heading into my sixth year this season, I couldn't wait to get back on the field and show everyone what we're still about here at Liberty.
We are a young team with a lot of new faces.
But just because we're a young team doesn't mean we can't replicate the high standard of success that has put this football program on the national radar in recent years.
With a new coaching staff in place, we had a renewed energy and a chip on our shoulders as we headed into fall camp.
But in what's true of life and sports, they have a way of throwing obstacles your way when you least expect them.
On the third day of camp, I was pass-blocking when the defensive end came underneath the right tackle, who proceeded to fall on my right knee.
I ended up tearing my MCL off the bone, in addition to my PCL and my meniscus.
As a strong man of faith, I came to the conclusion that God's plan is bigger than my own.
There would be blessings to come from this injury, and with God leading the way, I could still play an integral role in leading Liberty football to success.
Â
A Dramatic Transformation
I weighed 165 pounds during my freshman year of high school.
I was a third-string defensive end at the time, so I wasn't sure if I had much of a future in football.
Truthfully, I thought I'd have a better shot of playing college baseball.
But in what's become a theme of my life, the good Lord has a way of closing one door and opening another.
My body eventually started to fill out, and I got up to around 235 pounds. I gained about another 50 pounds after my junior year which put me in the 285 range.
As I continued to gain weight, my batting average went in the opposite direction.
God was telling me everything I needed to know.
I put away my glove for good and focused on football. I went from a scrawny baseball player to graduating high school as an all-state offensive lineman weighing 305 pounds.
I was a late bloomer, but my mind and body were ready for the challenges that awaited me playing Division I football.
Â
Becoming a Leader
My faith's always been the foundation of my life, and it's only continued to grow throughout my collegiate career at Liberty.
Our mission is training Champions for Christ, and I can honestly tell you we mean every word of that.
It's ultimately what led me to commit to Liberty.
You're much more than a body or number on the field, as the coaches truly care about you as a person and want to see you flourish both on and off the field.
Throughout my time here, there have been so many people who have supported me and developed me into the man I am today. I know you don't get that kind of support everywhere, which is why I'm so thankful to this university and program.
Coach Sam Gregg is one name I'd be remiss not to mention. He was my offensive line coach from 2019-21, and he took a chance on a young kid's potential.
There were so many life lessons, devotionals, and words of encouragement that he instilled in me about what it means to be a man and lead.
In the last few years, I've served as a two-year captain, and I'm engaged to the love of my life. I can't say for certain those achievements happen without Coach Gregg's mentorship, and I couldn't be more grateful for his influence on my life.
He prepared me for the highs, and most importantly, he prepared me for the lows that come with life.
Â
No Loss, Only Lessons
Something I've learned along the way is there's no such thing as a loss in life – only lessons.
When I went down with my knee injury in August, I knew there were lessons to learn and grow from this, and I couldn't wait to find out what they were.
I received my answers in the practices that followed with a clipboard in my hand. While I couldn't physically help the team on the field, I was more than capable of helping them succeed from the sidelines.
During games, I stand by our offensive line coach, Coach Durkin, and look for blitz pickups, defensive coverages, what plays are consistently working, etc. — essentially anything that will help the team win.
I also pride myself on being a vocal leader for this team. There was a time not too long ago when I wasn't comfortable speaking up and vocalizing my emotions and feelings.
I knew how to lead by example, but I wasn't great at vocalizing it.
My fiancée is a words-of-affirmation person, so I've had lots of practice through her in expressing myself and putting my thoughts into words.
I never miss a chance to do that with my guys.
Whether I need to fire them up or build them up, I just try to be that encouraging voice and let them know that I'm there for them and have their backs.
Holding a clipboard on the sidelines isn't exactly how I thought my season would go, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It's been an honor to continue to have an impact on this team and show the younger guys that adversity is a part of life, and it's up to us how we choose to respond to it.
God Has a Purpose
Despite what anyone else said or how many new faces are in our locker room, we said before the season how we wanted to win a conference championship, go undefeated, and win our bowl game.
We're in a position to do just that.
I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a part of me that wishes I could've been on the field for this special season, but I'm blessed to continue to play a role in spite of my injury.
From afar, it'd be easy to look at my injury as a setback, but I never saw it that way. I saw it as an opportunity to step up as a leader, support my teammates, and leave a lasting impact on a memorable season.
This has been a unique final season for me, but God's always had a purpose for my life, and this was His way of showing me the gifts I have within me to lead and make an impact on my team.
My journey as a student-athlete, along with the 16 other members of our Senior Day class, may be coming to an end, but our journey as a men of influence is just beginning.
Guided by my faith, I'm ready to embrace the next chapter of my life soon and eager to make a difference in the path God leads me down.
He's proven time and time again that His plan has been and always will be greater than my own.
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