A Tall Man Stands Tall!

Wesley Britt is one of the great Christian athletes to grow up in Alabama. His faith helped him in so many aspects of his life, God always had first place.

Wesley is a good-sized boy—6 feet 8 inches tall and had a playing weight of 320 pounds. He was an All-American at the University of Alabama and played for the New England Patriots for several years.

After professional football, he served as Director of Economic Community Development with Alabama Power. He earned advanced degrees. Recently he joined the firm, Fine Geddie and Associates.

Wesley always had his priorities in order. When asked about his development as a Christian, he says that his most important role that God has for him is to be a good husband to his wife Katie and a good dad to his children Bennett and Ridgeway. That speaks volumes about values.

He started for forty-six straight football games at the University of Alabama. His consecutive starts of a game were broken only when he broke his leg against Tennessee.

Wes was heavily recruited by several SEC schools. He almost went to Florida. He had always been an Auburn fan, but the position coach told him he didn’t think he could play in the SEC. Big mistake!! He went to Alabama because of the integrity and Christian witness of the coach recruiting him—Dabo Swinney.

It’s most interesting to me that there was one group that named him for their All-American team, but with a condition. Playboy magazine said that he would be on their All-American team if he would be willing to have his picture and name appear in the Playboy magazine. Wesley said “No.” He refused to have his picture and name linked to Playboy. Wouldn’t it be great if more athletes stood up and expressed their values?

When he was playing with the New England and going to the Super Bowl, he helped readjust the player personnel for that game. Wesley agreed to play some tight end—something he had never done before. He was an offensive tackle. He thought this might be an opportunity for him to catch a pass and score a touchdown. In all his football history, he had never scored a touchdown. He wondered how much he should beg Tom Brady to throw the ball to him. Then he remembered that Coach Bear Bryant always told the team, “When you score, act like you’ve been there before.” Wes didn’t know how he might act because he had never been there before.

Wes is a tall man physically, but he is a much taller man spiritually. He stands tall for the right things in the Christian faith. Lynn and I had an opportunity to pray with him and Katie in the early days for her run for the U.S. Senate. To pray with them and for them was a great privilege.

I recently sat with Wes and Wayne Atcheson, former SID for Alabama, at a piano concert featuring Wayne’s brother Randall. I volunteered to be the bodyguard for Wes that night! He felt safe!

Wes stands tall in every way! He is the kind of Christian that young people can look up to and follow! His wife, Senator Katie Britt, is also a powerful role model for people of all ages.

How tall are you?