Today we welcomed a special guest, former NFL player Mike McCoy, to the Morning Gathering. Since he retired from the NFL, Mr. McCoy has devoted himself to sharing his message of faith, hope, and encouragement with students in Catholic schools through his organization Mike McCoy Ministries. His faith-based messages help students to make good decisions, overcome challenges, deal with peer pressure and to develop the self-confidence needed to achieve true success.
Mr. McCoy told us of the challenges he overcame as a kid as the child of Polish immigrants in Pennsylvania. Catholic faith was always important to him and his family. His father, a functioning alcoholic, worked hard but had issues that affected his life and his family. At over 6 feet tall from a young age, Mike was always a big child who stood out. When he began attending Catholic school, he said that he found a place where he felt he was wanted and valued and finally fit in. The Priests at the school had a profound influence on him. He was not into sports but they encouraged him to try football, so he gave it a try. He excelled at football and received a scholarship to Notre Dame College, without which, he would not have been able to attend college. While in college, an incident where he got drunk and passed out made him realize that he didn’t want that life and needed to make changes. From then on, guided by his Catholic faith, he made a conscious effort to choose the right path. After college he began his illustrious 11-year career in the NFL.
Mr. McCoy’s message to be wary of the loud voices calling for your attention and distracting you and to be open and listening for the quiet voice of God to help guide you really impacted Logan, Class of 2035, who said, “The loud voices can take over and lead to negative ways,” he reflected. “But the quiet voice is often the better choice to listen to.”
Thank you, Mr. McCoy, for your visit and sharing your inspiring message with us!
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