Former NFL player delivers touching message to Southwest students

October 28, 2015
Shania Stumpff
On Wednesday, the Southwest High School students had the opportunity to listen to former Pittsburg Steelers player Tim Lester talk about making wise and effective life choices.
Even though Lester played for the National Football League, NFL to him means New Found Life. Lester started out his presentation by playing different genres of music that most of the students knew, anything from the Zac Brown Band to Tupac. After listening to the music, he explained to the students that what you listen to and who you surround yourself with changes the way that you think.
When most people think about a professional NFL football player, they think of fame, fortune, glitz and glory. Although those things may be true, there are always struggles these guys face that the public and fans do not see.
Tim Lester was 22 years old starting out in the NFL and was the number one leading full back in the country when he played for the Pittsburg Steelers during the 90’s, and even had the chance to play in Superbowl XXX with the Steelers.
Lester had a past of his own, such as receiving a drug called Toradol before every football game. This shot was suppose to reduce inflammation in the players bodies so they wouldn’t feel any pain. This shot became a habit, as well as taking prescriptions drugs before every practice.
Lester is now traveling and speaking to students all around the country inspiring them to focus on what’s important. Lester’s motto is, “We weren’t born winners, we weren’t born losers, we were born choosers.” With having to make choices throughout his whole football career that had many consequences, Lester finds this motto extremely helpful.
Lester explained that his main goal is to, “Inspire people to focus on God and not the world. So many people spend their time chasing the world, and they never find peace. I’m just hoping these young people can find their peace at a young age,” said Lester.
Lester has received wonderful feedback from traveling and speaking to students all over the U.S. “It’s the best thing I have ever done,” said Lester.
Lester shared with the students that they can overcome whatever struggles they are facing if they just have faith.
Shania Stumpff
On Wednesday, the Southwest High School students had the opportunity to listen to former Pittsburg Steelers player Tim Lester talk about making wise and effective life choices.
Even though Lester played for the National Football League, NFL to him means New Found Life. Lester started out his presentation by playing different genres of music that most of the students knew, anything from the Zac Brown Band to Tupac. After listening to the music, he explained to the students that what you listen to and who you surround yourself with changes the way that you think.
When most people think about a professional NFL football player, they think of fame, fortune, glitz and glory. Although those things may be true, there are always struggles these guys face that the public and fans do not see.
Tim Lester was 22 years old starting out in the NFL and was the number one leading full back in the country when he played for the Pittsburg Steelers during the 90’s, and even had the chance to play in Superbowl XXX with the Steelers.
Lester had a past of his own, such as receiving a drug called Toradol before every football game. This shot was suppose to reduce inflammation in the players bodies so they wouldn’t feel any pain. This shot became a habit, as well as taking prescriptions drugs before every practice.
Lester is now traveling and speaking to students all around the country inspiring them to focus on what’s important. Lester’s motto is, “We weren’t born winners, we weren’t born losers, we were born choosers.” With having to make choices throughout his whole football career that had many consequences, Lester finds this motto extremely helpful.
Lester explained that his main goal is to, “Inspire people to focus on God and not the world. So many people spend their time chasing the world, and they never find peace. I’m just hoping these young people can find their peace at a young age,” said Lester.
Lester has received wonderful feedback from traveling and speaking to students all over the U.S. “It’s the best thing I have ever done,” said Lester.
Lester shared with the students that they can overcome whatever struggles they are facing if they just have faith.