Key to Acceleration

For Monday's devotional, I wrote about NFL quarterback battles, where two guys compete for the starting job and are compared to each other. I talked about focusing on “our own game” instead of worrying about comparing ourselves to someone else’s.

Today, I want to unpack another dynamic at play within locker rooms: When it’s actually beneficial for a QB not to focus solely on his “own game.”

Every QB enters the league as a rookie, and any QB that sticks around the NFL long enough becomes a veteran. Sometimes that veteran shares a QB room with the rookie that will eventually replace him. They hope it will be when they are ready to retire.

Matthew Stafford is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, who won the league’s MVP last season. However, he is 38 years old, and it’s unclear how many years he has left. He’s back this season and ready to make another run to the Super Bowl.

That's why it was somewhat shocking when the Rams selected Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. Instead of drafting a player to help Stafford on the field, they drafted his potential replacement. So far in the preseason, Simpson has been impressive and has Rams fans excited about the future.

So, how is Stafford approaching the presence of a rookie QB? Is he just focused on his own game, or is he willing to come alongside Simpson?

He made this comment about Simpson on The Pat McAfee Show: “I’m in there with him in the meeting room, on the practice field, trying to share as much knowledge as I can…He’s a talented kid. I’m going to do everything I can to get this team ready to play and to win, but at the same time, share some of the knowledge that I’ve gained throughout my career.

"I wouldn’t be in the seat that I am right now, talking to you guys after a really good football season, if I didn’t have people helping me out along the way, too. So, I’m happy to do that. He’s been a sponge. He’s looking to get better.”

There’s an SI.com article with the headline: “Matthew Stafford's Mentorship Has Accelerated Ty Simpson's Growth With Rams.”

It includes this quote from Stafford: “I have a ton of experience, and he’s just now starting his journey as an NFL player. He’s a guy that’s asked questions. I’ve been trying to get into those as honestly and thoroughly as I possibly can.” 

Ty Simpson said in an interview with Bussin’ With the Boys about Stafford, “I’ve learned more ball in the last four months of being with him than I had in four years of being in college. He’s just so cerebral and smart with everything. It’s so cool. I appreciate him so much because he’s been nothing but nice to me.” 

Some star quarterbacks over the years have been unwilling to come alongside rookies, especially when they were drafted to replace them. That’s why it's refreshing to see Stafford embracing the role of mentor, and it’s encouraging that Simpson is eager to be mentored.

There is tremendous value in passing on wisdom from personal experiences to the next guy who is trying to figure things out and answer the questions that the young guy has. They are teammates after all!

The evidence is already clear that Simpson is thriving with the Rams, and Stafford is playing a key role in it.

I believe the mentorship model the Rams are demonstrating in football is an impactful reminder of what discipleship looks like for us as followers of Jesus.

When new believers first enter into a life with Jesus, they have so much to learn and need help from those of us further along in the journey. We can play a key role (along with the Holy Spirit) in their "accelerated growth."

Each of us has valuable lessons from our walk with Jesus that we can pass on to the “next guy” who is new to the faith and the Bible.

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT), “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

Colossians 3:16 (NLT) says, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives…”

It's important to ask ourselves if we're willing to pass on what we've discovered about Christ and share His wisdom so we can disciple, teach, and mentor others.

On the other hand, if we’re more like a rookie QB, we have to be willing to learn and ask someone more experienced for help and advice. We want to be like Simpson and ask questions while also being a sponge. (The truth is, though, even if we aren’t a “rookie,” there’s always wisdom to be gleaned from others.)

Let’s be inspired to be like "Stafford" ourselves and teach, and find someone like "Stafford" who isn't just concerned with their "own game" but is willing to come alongside us as we need help on our journey.

We know that following Jesus is amazing, but it can also be challenging. Instead of leaving new believers to figure things out on their own, let's provide them with help and wisdom drawn from what we've learned from God's truth.

We don't have all the answers, but if we ask God to remove our pride, insecurities, and excuses, He'll show us who we need to disciple and mentor so we can share our life's lessons and experiences with them.

When that happens, we can be like Stafford with Simpson...and be part of their "accelerated growth."

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for the work You've done in me and my life. I pray I can bring value to someone else on their journey. Please show me who that is and the ways I can come alongside them to share the wisdom You've given me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.