The Yard – Where Faith and Sports Collide: Former Carolina Panther, Nate Chandler

Former Carolina Panther, Nate Chandler

Nate offers his perspectives on trusting in God through all of life’s ups and downs.

The Last Dance:

• • What’d we learn?
    • MJ has a unique leadership style, to say the least.
    • Air Jordans transformed not just basketball, but American culture.
    • MJ’s close friends weren’t the likes of Magic, Bird, or even Pippen… they were his security guards, personal assistant and trainer.

Tyson – Holyfield III

• • Iron Mike looks unstoppable, but Evander has historically been the sweeter scientist

We are STARVING for Live Sports! Restrictions are easing up… PRAISE GOD!

• • The Yard teammate Heath Bell has been “airing” live wiffleball batting practice in his backyard!
  • If Nate were still playing, this would be tough, as NFL players should be gearing up for training camp at this point of the year.
  • We’ve turned to live, professional, championship Cornhole!
  • With no new football games, Nate has even caught himself watching guys play Madden
  • Even though things aren’t the same, we don’t put our trust in our situations, our finances, or our sports… We put our trust in the Almighty God!

A Little Bit About Nate Chandler

• Grew up playing baseball, even though it was more his brother and dad’s “thing”.
• He always wanted to play football, but his dad wouldn’t let him.
• In the 10th grade at San Diego’s Mira Mesa High School, Nate showed up at JV  football tryouts without his dad’s permission.
• Before ever seeing him touch a football, Coach Thompson called Nate up to Varsity.
  • Coach had his eye on Nate since he was a little kid
  • Nate learned everything he knows about playing Tight End from former Washington Redskin, SDSU alumnus, and former Preciado teammate, Ray Rowe.
• Nate ended up becoming the #1 Tight End Prospect in all of California
• Nate’s dad was proud of him for making the decision to play on his own, but said there was one condition to playing football: He could not quit!
• During Nate’s senior year of high school, his dad passed away.
  • That, plus the tough times of learning the game, really made him want to quit more than once, but his dad’s words echoed in his mind
• Was recruited and given a scholarship by UCLA
  • Started as a Tight End, but had to shift to Defensive Line in his sophomore year
• Nate had to quickly learn to put his ego aside, overcome adversity and not quit!
• Went undrafted, but was signed by the Carolina Panthers… and had to switch positions yet again in his second year in the NFL!
• Was moved to Offensive Line (Left Tackle) thanks to his natural athleticism and team-first attitude.
• Nate learned that while we have our plans, adversity and other bumps and forks in the road come along to reveal God’s plan for our lives! 
  • So much of life is about being flexible!
• Not only did Nate have to change positions, but he had to change his body from a 245 pound Tight End to a 295 pound Defensive Lineman to a 325 Right Guard!
  • Today, he’s back down to 260 and feels great not carrying around the extra weight.
• Nate did what he had to do to get the job done.

Nate’s Faith Journey:

• Nate grew up going to church on Easter & Christmas.
• In high school, Nate’s dad gave up alcohol and rededicated his life to Christ. 
  • Nate’s dad was his role model, followed his dad’s example, and was baptized as a 10th grader
• Nate’s dad battled cancer for nearly three years before passing away in Nate’s Senior Year of high school.
  • Nate learned that his dad had died while on his way to Florida for his High School All-American game.
  • Nate felt lost without his dad there to guide him.
  • The depression and lack of his own spiritual foundation led to Nate walking away from God’s will for some time.
• Nate relates his story to the Parable of the Sower:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” 

…18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23)

• Throughout Nate’s football career, he always knew who God was and that He was in charge, but didn’t live to the standard God calls us to.
• Nate hadn’t developed the habit of diving into God’s Word.
• Nate found joy in filling his painful voids with buying toys and chasing silly endeavors.
• When football was taken away through injury, Nate came face to face with his need for God in his life.
• Nate had found his entire identity in himself as a football player.
• When that was gone, he had to learn who he is in God’s eyes.
• Nothing in life fulfills us like God’s love and His calling on our lives.
• Nate’s next chapter in his life is leading him to become a Los Angeles Firefighter!

“Wherever God wants me to be, I’m going to go and I’m going to trust Him.” – Nate Chandler

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You can also find more encouraging words from other Yard teammates here!