Ben Malcolmson, a former USC football player, shared a powerful story of faith and perseverance from his time with the Trojans. His journey began unexpectedly when, as a senior journalism major, he asked then-head coach Pete Carroll for a tryout as a walk-on, intending to write an article about the experience. To his surprise, he earned a spot on the 2006 team, which later won the Rose Bowl.
Malcolmson, currently the director of external relations for the Seattle Seahawks and a special assistant to Coach Pete Carroll, recounted his unlikely story in his book, “Walk On.” He felt a divine purpose from the moment he made the team. “From the moment I made the team, I knew God had a purpose for me there,” Malcolmson told Fox News. “I started pressing into that mission from day one.”
However, his initial attempts at ministry were met with challenges. Bible studies and prayer groups he started were poorly attended. Undeterred, Malcolmson decided to act on a verse from Isaiah 55:11, which promises that God’s Word will accomplish its purpose. He anonymously placed Bibles at each of his 100 teammates’ lockers on Christmas Eve, just before USC’s Rose Bowl game.
The day after Christmas, he was heartbroken to discover the Bibles had been ripped up. “When I walked in and saw the Bibles torn up and shredded all over the locker room carpet, I was devastated,” Malcolmson said. “It was the culmination of a season full of discouragement and my hopes for finding my purpose were now shredded all over the floor of the locker room.”
Feeling like a failure, Malcolmson continued his journey. Nearly four years later, while working as an assistant to Coach Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks, he received news that changed his perspective. An old friend connected with him and revealed that one of the Bibles had been picked up and read by a teammate who accepted Christ just three days before tragically passing away.
“With hindsight perspective and years removed from that experience, I could see that God’s goodness was on me and that situation all along,” Malcolmson concluded. “Even when I couldn’t see His hand in the moment, He truly was at work all along.”
Book signing on Friday in LA at the USC bookstore! 6:30-7:30pm! #WALKON https://t.co/ZBcymFFD93
FOUNDATION TARGETS SMALL TOWN USING PRAYER TO OPEN COUNCIL MEETING
For those in ministry, take heart. You might have more impact than you ever imagined.