Though former New York Giants lineman and 1986 Super Bowl champion Chris Godfrey enjoyed a memorable NFL career, he has dedicated himself to setting a positive example for young athletes everywhere.

Godfrey serves as the founder/president of Life Athletes—a non-profit association of over 300 professional and Olympic athletes who teach and inspire young people to live lives of virtue, abstinence and respect for life.

Through nationwide speaking engagements, Godfrey invites young people to make the Life Athletes’ Commitment, which involves the following four steps: 1) I will try to do what it right, even when it is difficult; 2) I will give myself only to the special person whom I marry as my partner for life; 3) I will respect the lives of others, especially the unborn and the aged; and 4) I will not quit or make excuses when I fail. I will try again.

Godfrey, who was born and raised Catholic, started this program in 1980 after the third time he was cut from an NFL team. He had a conversion experience in which he told the Lord he would follow Him in whatever direction He chose.

“You’re the boss now,” Godfrey told the Lord.

Soon after, Godfrey spoke to an eighth grade Confirmation class in Green Bay, Wis., and the program has taken off ever since.

Godfrey claims that good relationships are the key to a happy life.

“The relationship between a husband and wife is the mirror image of the relationship that Christ has with His church,” said Godfrey.

Though we live in a busy world filled with many responsibilities, Godfrey believes that all people should take the time to think about what will make them happy in the long run.

Godfrey recently brought his Life Athletes program to Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst. His program will continue to aid young people in making good life decisions.

For more information on Life Athletes, visit www.lifeathletes.org