FAMU faith tested, but football player baptisms at Bethel turn 'despair into destiny'

Florida A&M football players recently earned what the faithful see as the only victory that truly matters.

The Rattlers spent their final Sunday of the preseason two weekends ago at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where nine players were submerged in baptism ceremonies.

FAMU football joining the congregation before kickoff has become a Bethel tradition for nearly four decades running.

"It's something that I have done for the 36 years that I've been here at Bethel," Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr. said, adding that the players are covered in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

"It's a time to encourage them to excel morally, academically, socially, and athletically. It's always been our desire to make sure we build up young men's faith to know with God, you'll never quit or give up."

FAMU coach Willie Simmons called the baptisms the first of what he expects to be multiple victories this season, even as the Rattlers (0-1) look to open their SWAC schedule on a successful note Sunday against Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic.

But the Rattlers' faith, on and off the football field, has already been tested.

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During crisis with FAMU football game, players turned to faith

Five days after the baptisms, FAMU football was thrust into the national spotlight from an ineligible and uncertified player crisis that left 26 players inactive for the season opener at the University of North Carolina last Saturday.

While the team's charter flight to Raleigh-Durham International Airport was delayed for over six hours, the Rattlers discussed their options. There was talk of a boycott with players initially reluctant to travel to North Carolina. But following further discussions and prayers led by Holmes, the Rattlers changed course, took a vote, and decided to fight on the field.

Holmes received calls from FAMU supporters to share a few words and offer prayer to the conflicted players. His main message was the reading of Romans 8:28 that says that God works for one's good in all things.

"The stakeholders who love FAMU asked would I go over to talk to the team and pray. I asked Coach Simmons and Interim Director of Athletics Michael Smith would it be OK, and they said yes," he said.

"I told them about living a life of hope, turning despair into destiny, and how to look beyond the chaos to see the bigger picture. I couldn't tell them what to do, but as men, we should always honor our vows, values, and contracts — let's pray and the rest was history."

Due to the travel delay, the charter buses that were scheduled to transport the team from the Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse to Tallahassee International Airport had departed hours earlier.

Holmes contacted Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox to help arrange five StarMetro buses to transport the team to the airport and its Allegiant Air charter flight. City Manager Reese Goad notified Holmes the buses had been secured.

When Game Day arrived, FAMU impressed and played well, but eventually fell to the ACC Tar Heels, 56-24.

"I commend them for stepping up to save this football season," Holmes said.

"Had these young men have not gone to North Carolina, it would've been a national shame and embarrassment that would've lasted many years. It would've been a stain on the great history of FAMU and HBCU's in general.

"I applaud those young men in troubled times to rise above, to go out there to play a game that turned us into men."

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Linebacker Isaiah Major: 'God got my back'

The submersion at the baptism pool at Bethel has become a source of strength for the players.

Linebacker Isaiah Major is still finding his way at his new home at FAMU.

The junior from Oklahoma City has bounced around between Division II (Central Oklahoma) and junior college (Independence Community College) before landing on his feet with the Rattlers.

He decided to answer the call and was among the players baptized, describing the moment as a turning point in his life.

"Coming from Oklahoma City and living before I started playing ball, it's things I'm trying to get away from," Major said.

"Baptism was definitely a step in my life that I wanted to take and help get closer to God to open up my mental and spiritual life. It was like weight dropping off of my shoulders, and now I feel like I can run in any situation knowing that God got my back.

"The grass is a little more greener. It definitely put a smile on my face and made my day better."

Apart from the adoration and accolades the FAMU football season may bring, Simmons wants his players to be defined by their actions and decisions in life.

"As a football coach, we are often judged by wins and competition, but I've been one to want to be judged by the impact that I have on these young men off the field," Simmons proudly said.

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Touching Rattler lives beyond the gridiron

The baptisms came two weeks after the Rattlers attended Bethel as a team on Sunday, Aug. 7. The players' mantra this year ‘Leave No Doubt’ along with 'Hope' was the foundation of the sermon.

As the players sat in the sanctuary, nine made the decision to become candidates for baptism.

Two weeks later on Aug. 21, while the rest of the team was worshiping at Bethel AME, nine FAMU football players were baptized at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, including Kareem Burke; Jordan Cumberbatch; Winsome Frazier, Jr.; Jermaine Hawkins;  Isaiah Major; Jordan Moore; Alonzo Ruffin, Jr; Dariyon Weeden, Sr.; and Michael Williams.

It was a mountaintop moment for Simmons who has been coaching since 2005.

"Witnessing our young men decide to get baptized is one of the proudest moments of my coaching career," he said. "I'd like to personally thank Reverend R.B. Holmes and the Bethel Missionary Baptist family for always welcoming our team with open arms.”

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Shedding a good light in Tallahassee

FAMU athletics and Bethel have formed a perfect union over the years.

For the school's athletic teams, the church has been an open sanctuary – a place for fellowship and teaching young adults the strength of religion.

"We've had a great relationship with all the coaches," Rev. Dr. Holmes said.

"Coach Simmons is a young man who we've embraced and supported fully. He's brought the same mentality as Jake Gaither to make sure these young men will graduate from college to become good fathers, citizens, and role models to uphold the tradition and legacy of FAMU football."

"It's a ministry to empower these men and for them to use their athletic skills to be strong men mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually."

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Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Spirituality more important to team than any game win