Growing up in Tennessee (pre-Titans era), I’ve been an SEC college football fan more than an NFL fan (Go Vols!). Later, working in Christian radio in Buffalo, NY, provided some unique opportunities, including meeting several Buffalo Bills players, among them Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. It was in 2010, when my wife and I moved from TN to Buffalo, that I had my first up-close interaction with some of our culture’s heroes of the gridiron.
I was invited to the nationally recognized “Call to Courage” sports award breakfast, where each year the ‘Call to Courage Award’ is presented to an NFL player displaying outstanding character, commitment, and leadership on and off the field and in the community.
But what captured my attention most wasn’t the award, the crowd, or the speakers; it was the story behind “Call to Courage” founder Frank Reich. Frank Reich, a man known not only as Jim Kelly’s former backup quarterback, but also for a life and legacy of faith. And, for one of the most thrilling games in NFL history…
It was January 3rd, 1993, and things looked absolutely hopeless for the Buffalo Bills. They were playing the Houston Oilers in the NFL playoffs, and with just over three minutes left in the third quarter, they were losing 35-3. Thirty-five to three! The 75,000 fans in Buffalo’s stadium had mostly given up and headed for the exits. Sports commentators were already talking about the biggest playoff blowout in NFL history. Even some of the Bills players on the sideline looked defeated, their heads hanging low.
But their backup quarterback, Frank Reich, wasn’t ready to quit.
Frank wasn’t supposed to be playing that day. He was the backup to the star quarterback Jim Kelly, who was injured. Frank had spent most of his career sitting on the bench, watching other players get the glory. He’d been through disappointment before, lots of it. But Frank had learned something important during his college years at the University of Maryland. In 1984, his team had been losing to the University of Miami 31-0 at halftime. Everyone thought the game was over. But Frank led one of the greatest comebacks in college football history, winning 42-40. That day taught him something he never forgot: it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
As Frank looked at the scoreboard showing 35-3, he remembered those words. He thought about all the hours he’d spent preparing, even when he wasn’t playing. He thought about his teammates who were counting on him. And most importantly, he thought about what his faith had taught him about never giving up, even when things seem impossible.
“We’re not done yet,” Frank told his teammates in the huddle. “We’ve got plenty of time. We just need to take it one play at a time.”
Frank started throwing passes with precision and confidence. Touchdown after touchdown, the Bills began to chip away at that massive lead. With each score, the few remaining fans got louder. Players who had given up started believing again. The Oilers, who had been celebrating early, suddenly looked nervous. What had seemed like an easy victory was slipping away. When the fourth quarter ended, the score was tied 35-35. The game that everyone thought was over at 35-3 was going to overtime!
In overtime, Frank led his team down the field one more time. The Bills won 41-38, completing the largest comeback in NFL playoff history. After the game, reporters asked Frank how he did it. He said, “I learned a long time ago that you keep fighting until the final whistle blows. You never know what might happen if you just refuse to quit.”
Frank Reich understood something important: finishing strong isn’t about being the most talented or the most famous. It’s about perseverance, preparation, and having faith that good things can happen when you don’t give up. Frank had spent years preparing for a moment like this, even when he wasn’t the starter. He studied film, practiced hard, and stayed ready. When his opportunity came, he was prepared. And when everything looked hopeless, he chose to keep fighting instead of giving up. Frank’s story teaches us that how we finish is more important than how we start. When we prepare ourselves, trust in God’s plan, and refuse to quit, amazing things can happen. The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Easter has passed, Mother’s Day is a few short days away (hint, hint, guys!), and within a few weeks, CSB Units around the country will be wrapping up what I hope has been an encouraging and impactful ministry season. We continue to support and provide resources and encouragement for these faithful leaders across the U.S. to finish strong.
And even though the national ministry of Christian Service Brigade never stops for summer, we do mark a new chapter each year by ending our fiscal year on June 30th and starting the next July 1st. Just like we are encouraging the next generation to have the character and grit to finish strong in all areas of their lives, and for CSB Unit leaders to finish strong their ministry season, the national ministry is determined to finish strong as well.
CSB is making a comeback! All praise, and honor, and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!
And, this is where I am asking you to join us on the field and get in the game to help us win, to help the next generation win: with just 60 days left in our fiscal year, we have roughly $70k to reach our needed financial goal. I strongly believe in prayer, but I also believe in stepping out in faithful action, just like Frank Reich.
Frank Reich’s comeback wasn’t just about football; it was about character, faith, and the power of refusing to quit. Will you pray? Then take action to be a part of CSB’s comeback story! To get a closer look at Frank Reichs story GO HERE.
