Lindley Finds Faith in the Football Journey

On the football field, San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley is glad linebacker Miles Burris has his sights on the opposing quarterback. But off the field, Burris has the senior’s back as a brother in Christ and a co-leader of a Bible study group for football players through Athletes in Action.

Lindley and Burris share the reins of Iron Sharpens Iron the same way they share captain duties for the Aztec football squad with defensive end J.J. Autele. As seniors, they also were both recipients of the Bryon H. Chase Memorial Awards at SDSU, Burris for Defensive Player of the Year and Lindley for Offensive Player of the Year.

Lindley and Burris played their last game on the collegiate level Dec. 17 as the Aztecs took on the Ragin’ Cajuns of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Lindley also graduated this semester with a degree in social science, but it has been a journey to get to this point. One that has taken him through a spiritual growth that has transformed life as Lindley once knew it.

Raised in a traditional church-going household in nearby Alpine, Calif., Lindley went through the typical steps of the church: baptism, confirmation, service as an altar boy and an usher. But something was missing.

“The whole time, I always felt like it was a Sunday thing and didn’t know how to transfer that over to make a difference in my life or with other people. I knew I was blessed but I didn’t have a relationship with God,” Lindley recalls.

When he was recruited to San Diego State and knew he was heading there, he began looking into Christian organizations on campus to get involved. He found Jimmy Brown, head of the Athletes in Action ministry at SDSU and met with him along with a friend. Once he got to school that fall, he found his roommate, Burris, was a strong believer who would become a source of encouragement and accountability.

“For me, AIA was something so new. I had never really dug deep into the Scriptures. I really loved that, though,” Lindley says. Soon afterward, Lindley began a real relationship with Christ.

Lindley, who got the starting quarterback duties in 2008 and has been the starter since, stayed involved in AIA, attending the weekly meetings and starting the men’s study three years ago with Burris and some other players. All have been beneficial in keeping Lindley grounded and growing.

“The group really helped a ton and has been great for me. Having those weekly meetings with the fellowship has helped me grow. I’m excited about how I’ve been able to get involved, too,” he says. “The Bible study was a good time to discuss issues that men face, and to bounce things off each other. A few other sports do it now too.”

Lindley has tried to use his platform for good as well. He spoke to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp in Los Angeles one summer to speak and help with the football aspect of the camp. He also helped with a local church’s camp for children, and visits local schools.

Faith is a much more active part of Lindley’s life now, on and off the field. He says his teammates know he is a believer and he doesn’t hide anything from them, instead trying to influence positively whenever possible.

“The biggest thing my faith does is keeping me level-headed in a lot of ways. When I was younger, it helped me handle success and failure, where you’re not boasting on your own accolades. It helps me know the reason we are here and the reason things happen. It’s not really about you, it’s about God,” he says. “These days, my faith helps me deal with struggles, remaining strong and knowing what God is calling me to do.”

Lindley recently became SDSU’s all-time leading passer with 12,277 yards heading into the bowl game. He was also a candidate for the Davey O’Brien Award for outstanding quarterback. He plans to train during the spring and hopefully play at the professional level.

By Teresa Young, AIA Communications

Photos: Ryan Lindley speaks to participants at a local church sports camp during the summer months. Lindley took the chance to share faith and his time with the campers, including joining in a flag football game.

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