Steve Thonn has sixteen years of experience in the Arena Football League—first as a player for six seasons and then as a coach for ten more. Steve played with the Chicago Bruisers and the Albany Firebirds. During his coaching career Steve worked with the Firebirds, the Connecticut Coyotes, the Milwaukee Mustangs, the Houston ThunderBears, and the Dallas Desperados. He is currently with the Georgia Force. His offensive units have led the AFL four times. Steve played football, basketball, and baseball in college, where he earned all-American honors in football.   

I have seen the game of football as a player and as a coach. My experiences have given me a unique perspective on the relationship between a player and the coach. 

I was extremely fortunate during my years as a high school and college football player to have solid coaches who were dedicated Christians. Those coaches had a huge impact on me and my life. I believe God put them in my life to guide me and prepare me for what I encounter now as a Christian coach. These coaches were very open about their faith and taught me a lot of things. I will never forget learning that I must give my best at all times in practice, in games, and in life, even if the coach or my teammates weren’t watching me. These coaches really cared about me as an individual; the relationships extended beyond football into other areas of my life. I was comfortable talking and sharing with them about my struggles and asking them for advice. 

When I began playing professional football, I was shocked at the huge difference in my interactions with coaches. My high school and college coaches were focused a lot more on the players as individuals. Although my pro coaches were high-caliber, the focus on and interest in me as an individual were gone. My coaches on the pro level had to continue winning games to keep their jobs and therefore needed me as a player to help win those games. I couldn’t just walk up and talk to them about personal issues in my life. The relationships were strained, and playing professionally felt more like a job than a sport. 

This was very apparent to me during my first year in the pros. In one particular game I knew I was on the bubble. Some guys were going to be cut, and I was potentially one of them. I didn’t know what to do in that situation because I didn’t have the kind of relationship I had had with my previous coaches. I couldn’t talk with the coach about my standing on the team. The disconnect between the coach and me was frustrating. After many hours of wondering and worrying, I made it past that cut. But the pressure was always there. I would see a teammate one day, and then the next day he would be gone because he’d been cut. I was always wondering, “Could I be next?” I didn’t have a relationship with my current coach so I was on my own and had to completely rely on God to guide and direct me. I learned that those years in high school and college had prepared me to be, to my new coaches and teammates, an example of a player authentically trying to live each day for Christ.

Now that I’m a coach, the primary thing I try to do is be open, fair, and honest with my players. Even though coaching is my job, I want to create a positive working relationship with them. I want to be open with them and make sure they know what their standing on the team is so they don’t always have to be wondering. As a coach, I know I make mistakes on the field and off. I also realize I’m not perfect. No coach is, and I don’t expect the athletes that I coach to be either. I want to continue to grow as a coach and a Christian and encourage my players to grow too. I try to make sure players know they can talk to me, that I will care for them as a person and not just as a player. 

Most situations you might find yourself in as an athlete with your coach, whether positive or negative, are opportunities filled with potential. God has allowed you to be in these situations for a reason. Even if you feel alone now, be confident that He can use these situations to develop you and influence other teammates and even your coach for eternity. I challenge you as a Christian athlete to pursue three personal goals that will set you on a path to have a lasting impact on teammates and coaches for the Kingdom. 

1. Be an example. In all situations set a good example. It doesn’t matter if you are with Christians or non-Christians. Coaches are often not interested in what you’re saying. They’re looking beyond this and watching your actions first. They want to see if what you’re doing communicates the same thing as what you’re saying. Earn your coaches’ respect and ear by allowing your actions to show the same message as your words. First Timothy 4:12 says, “No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
   
2. Don’t compromise. Stick to your guns and don’t compromise on what you believe. You need to be confident in knowing what your beliefs are and then stand firm in them. Even though it may seem OK at the moment to give in a little bit because of pressure from teammates or coaches, it will never be worth it in the long run. Also, be ready and willing to confront your coaches with humility and respect if you know they are wrong. First Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong.”
   
3. Build relationships. Make an intentional effort to build authentic relationships with your teammates and coaches. Although your coaches may be distant, authentic relationships will open opportunities to speak deeply about life and faith, and life change can happen. These long-lasting relationships with teammates and coaches, who you have gone to battle with, will greatly benefit you in many ways, long after you’re done playing. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17).

This story has been taken from the book, Beyond the Game by Keith Cote. For more stories and devotions from this book you can order it from the resource section of our website.