By Steve Williams
De’Sean Bishop has his eyes on making history at the University of Tennessee this coming season. And if he does, all the glory will go to His-story; God’s story.
That’s the way it should be, believes De’Sean.
There was a big change in Bishop’s life after his freshman season at UT.
“I believe He is the only reason that I’m still playing,” said Bishop. “Football was going really well and I was doing it without Him at that point in time and I get hurt. Football goes on without me and I’m sitting there wondering will I ever play football again or at the level I was playing at. When God blessed me with football back, He blessed me with doing it His way and said ‘I’m going to give it back to you, but in order for you to be successful, you’re going to have to change a lot of stuff that you were doing.’
“I used football for whatever the world had to offer. You know, just for the material things, just because I was popular and people knew my name. But now God is using me to play football to bring people closer to Him. And I believe that is how he’s playing the factor in my life because at the end of the game He could care less how many touchdowns or catches or blocks or yards that I run for. It’s truly and strictly for Him. I think the only reason that He’s allowed me to see the success that I’ve seen is for His Glory.
“I gave my life to Christ two years ago before I got kicked off the team.”
Bishop now continues to go to Sevier Heights Baptist Church and invites people to join him. He’s come that far since he was down in the dumps with an injury.
Yes, God works in mysterious ways
This reporter covered Bishop in his high school career at Karns when he led the nation in yards rushing, but I hadn’t talked to him the last two years. I called him Monday afternoon, July 27, just to commend him on his college career and how he had impressed me with his faith in God. If he is challenged by a teammate for the running back position, he doesn’t quit like some players might. He just puts his head down and keeps battling. He believes that’s what God wants him to do in return to honor Him.
When I made that phone call to him I didn’t get an answer, and left De’Sean a message to call me back.
I got a text message reply from him at 3:05. “wassup Steve”
I texted back at 3:11 that “I would like to speak with you De’Sean when you have a few minutes. It’s important.” I also texted him my phone number at 3:12 to make sure he had it.
At 3:15 I texted: “Coming up on 3:16. My favorite bible verse.”
At 3:16, I texted De’Sean, “God may be in on this call.”
For several minutes we kept talking to each other on the phone and shortly after hanging up, I texted “Amen” to De’Sean.
During that time, I told De’Sean I had officiated high school football and basketball and would glance at the time on the clock (3:16) every chance I had in a game. It was just my way of honoring God and being thankful to be a TSSAA official.
“I might try that too in a game,” said Bishop.
Others who respect Bishop for his Christ-like ways
When UT players Radarious Jackson and George MacIntyre ended their autograph signings at Dick’s Sporting Goods in West Town Mall last Tuesday evening, I took time to interview the two Vols on what they thought of Bishop’s ways of honoring God in football.
“He came in as a walk-on,” said Jackson, a sophomore wide receiver. “Coming on as a walk-on, it’s hard to get on the field in the SEC. But he kept his head down, he believes in God and he worked his tail off. And look where it got him now. I mean he’s a great running back and he’s one of our leaders. He’s a great guy.”
“De’Sean is deeply rooted in his faith,” said MacIntyre, a red-shirt freshman quarterback. “I get to see it first-hand as his teammate, but also our lockers are right next to each other, so we spend a lot of time together. First of all, he’s just a great influence to be around. He’s not scared to check you. If he feels you’re not living right or something like that, he’s very confrontational but he means the best.
“He’s also one of the hardest workers in the building and he gets that from God and obviously, he’s right about that. We serve a merciful God and De’Sean knows that. We’re just blessed to have a teammate that’s such a good influence around us and can really share the word. We can see that through his actions and how he lives every single day.”
Bearden coach Brad Taylor, who coached Bishop through his high school career at Karns, said: “We keep up with him very closely. I am extremely proud of everything he is doing and the person he is. His commitment, consistency, and mindset has him doing very special things.”
