AMAZING STORY
Alabama Athlete Heeds the Call to LSU
By Shannon Woodland
The 700 Club
CBN.com -The college football rivalry between Auburn and Alabama is one of the oldest and fiercest in the country.
Jeremy Peebles of LSU says, “Football is life down here.”
Jeremy Peebles was caught in the middle of that rivalry, because his mom went to Alabama, and his dad went to Auburn. Of course when it came time for Jeremy to decide where to play college ball, mom and dad had their say – but Jeremy had a different plan.
“In 11th grade I remember praying with my mom one day and God put on my heart ‘LSU’ and I said, ‘Mom, I feel like LSU is where I need to be.’ My parents weren’t feeling it too much at first but I said, ‘Hey, this is what I feel God wants me to do.’ And they came to support it.”
But a high school player doesn’t just walk in to one of the strongest football programs in the country. Even though Jeremy had been offered scholarships from smaller schools, he had no offers from LSU. “It was an act of faith to turn down scholarship offers to come to a place where my future was uncertain, in my eyes. It’s never uncertain with God. God always has the plan. He always knows what’s going to happen. He sees the end from the beginning. It grew my faith.”
In his sophomore year Jeremy made the team. But he got no playing time, which was hard for a kid used to being a starter. At times he questioned the decision he made and considered transferring to other schools. But he prayed about it and, one night, he had a dream - God wanted him to stay at LSU. He talked his decision over with his mom.
“I remember saying, ‘Mom, I’m going to stay here. I feel like this is where God wants me to be. I’ve been praying about it. I’ve been seeking the Lord and I believe this is what He really wants from me.’ And she said, ‘Okay, I think that would be a good thing for you to follow God. If that’s what He’s saying do that.’ And I said, ‘Yes ma’am.’”
“She said, ‘Just put your head down and work, and keep grinding. You put your hard hat on, bring your lunch pail and work. And in due time God will lift you up.’”
Jeremy put in the hard work and it paid off. This season he made the special teams and has seen some playing time. Still the question remains – are they rooting for LSU at home in Selma, Alabama?
“They root for LSU but at the national championship game, my sisters were a little ridiculous, so I heard. I was on the side and on the field. So I heard they were turn coats. They’re getting better. I’m trying to get them right. I’m trying to get them right.”
Jeremy is studying political science and international studies. He knows wherever that will take him, God has a plan. “It’s just obeying God and understanding too, the way I always thought about it, I’ll work as hard as I can, and I’ll do what I can and let the chips fall where they may. I told the Lord, ‘Lord if You’re willing, I’d love to pursue a career in football. I like football. It’s a fun game. It’s up to You.’”
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