Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard invigorated students and staff of Calvert Hall College High School in Towson Nov. 20 when he spoke at the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Turkey Bowl Breakfast. About 100 students gathered in the school’s Carlo Crispino Center to listen to the 27-year old Baltimore Raven accompanied by Raven’s team chaplain Rod Hairston.
Hairston opened by asking the students “does anyone love Jesus?” Nearly every hand in the room was immediately raised.
Hairston began asking questions, on behalf of the students, to Pollard regarding Pollard’s faith life, general life skills and tips for the athletes.
When Hairston asked Pollard what his favorite (Bible) passage was he noted Psalm 121, paraphrasing “you can always have God to look up to.” He also told the students he tries to read Scripture every night and “takes the Bible with him to work every day.”
The upcoming Turkey Bowl football game between Calvert Hall and Loyola Blakefield was mentioned to Pollard, who reminded the Calvert Hall varsity football team “when you play football, leave everything you have on the field.”
Pollard closed the breakfast by leaving students with a single, meaningful message: “Enjoy your time in high school. Be your own man. And most importantly, serve God with everything you have.”
Students gathered in the middle of the room and gathered for prayer led by Hairston and Archdiocese of Baltimore vocation director, Father Michael DeAscanis, before dispersing to having pictures taken with Pollard and have items autographed.
View a slideshow of Pollard’s visit to Calvert Hall
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