Christian athletes come together for annual FCA Bowl Breakfast
BOISE, Idaho — The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) hosted its annual breakfast as part of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl festivities on Friday morning.
The FCA Idaho’s goal is “To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.”
Bowl breakfasts are held around the country to honor coaches and athletes and to unify followers of Christ. At the Boise Centre, community members, local athletes, FCA members, Aggies and Panthers joined together to share faith experiences.
Local FCA huddles are found throughout the country, including at Utah State University. At this year’s event, junior quarterback Levi Williams and head coach Blake Anderson shared messages from their journeys with Christ and how the FCA has impacted them.
“FCA has made a huge impact in my life,” Anderson said. “I look at the biggest and toughest times of my life and there was always somebody affiliated with FCA sitting right next to me through the celebrations of raising trophies to losing my boy and dealing with grief. It’s been amazing how FCA and the people always seem to be exactly where God needs them to be.”
Georgia State kicker Braeden McAlister (left), FCA board member JW Hardy, and Utah State quarterback Levi Williams address the audience at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes annual Bowl Breakfast in Boise, Idaho on Friday Dec. 22, 2023
Anderson described how he’s seen numerous athletes come to Christ over his coaching career and the impact it has on him and the team.
“Levi Williams is a great, great young man,” Anderson said. “As the third-string quarterback, he was one of the most consistent, hardest working, most selfless individuals on our team all year. I think he’ll tell you real quickly that it’s because of his relationship with Christ. It’s shown all season long and when we needed him most, he stepped up in a huge way to lead us to victory to get us here.”
Williams, along with Georgia State’s placekicker Braeden McAllister participated in a Q&A discussing their favorite version of potatoes, the best Christmas movie, and why they have dedicated their lives to Jesus.
“Me and Jesus, we’ve been on this ride for a long long time. When I was six years old, that’s when I first accepted Christ in my life,” Williams said. “I always know that Jesus is with me, but there’s some key moments where he’s carried me through some tough stuff. One of the biggest things is to align yourself with people who are walking down the same path. It really does help if you have someone walking down that path and not going somewhere else.”
Rocket Ismail participated as the event’s keynote speaker. The Notre Dame wide receiver participated in the 1988 National Championship Team and then went on to play in the CFL followed by a career in the NFL with the Raiders, Cowboys and Panthers. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
After an extremely successful career and worldwide fame, Ismail turned his life to Christ and has since become a motivational speaker. During the breakfast, he shared his story of converting from Islam to Christianity at a young age.
Key note speaker Rocket Ismail (left) and FCA board member Victor Miller address the audience at the annual Bowl Breakfast in Boise, Idaho on Friday Dec. 22, 2023
“There is a difference between success and significance,” Ismail said. “Anyone who has the capacity and chooses to use it to help others reach their full potential and to succeed in reaching their full potential, they are significant.”
Ismail encouraged the athletes to be peacemakers and examples to others as he shared a scripture from Matthew 5:9 which says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.”
“One of the most valuable assets you can have is inner peace because you’re in a world where turmoil is the standard,” Ismail said.
The event featured inspirational videos from FCA employees and young athletes who have participated in the organization’s sports camps. It also highlighted Vonnie Willis and Mike Greif, respectively, as the 2023 Coach of the Year and Dick Rant as the 2023 FCA Idaho Lifetime Achievement recipient.
Anderson and Georgia State’s defensive line coach Alan Smith each spoke on the season they’ve had, how FCA has positively impacted their athletes, and the excitement they share for the upcoming matchup.
USU and GSU will compete for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophy on Saturday, Dec. 23, to conclude the 2023 season.