Former NFL Lineman Jeff Hazuga Finds Fulfillment Through His Faith in Jesus Christ

A lot of kids grow up dreaming of playing in the NFL, NBA, or major league baseball. No doubt none of them dreams of not having enough talent to not make it, a career ending injury if they do, or that anything good could ever come of an injury. As a boy, Jeff Hazuga dreamed of playing in the NFL. Years later his dreams were fulfilled as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, as a defensive end, and he later played in NFL Europe. When he was younger, Jeff Hazuga had never dreamed, however, of two potential career ending injuries, or that his injuries would lead him to a rededicated faith in Jesus Christ, or to become a successful businessman.

He was raised in a Christian home, but his life wasn't totally pleasant. Jeff Hazuga's parents were separated, although they later reconciled. At one time, he seemed far too small to ever play in the NFL, or even star in a lower level of football.

Jeff Hazuga, however, did star as a football player in high school and college and was drafted by the Vikings for the 2001 season. Although his dreams seemed to be coming to pass, he also started to do things that were against the way he had been taught as a boy.

An injury struck him, and it seemed as though his career might be over.

"It was only the third game I'd played in that year," Jeff Hazuga, the football star who had not yet turned back to Jesus Christ personally, recalled in an interview on the 700 Club on www.cbn.com. "I ended up hitting a guy that was a lot bigger and tougher than me. I couldn't move my arm at all."

The scapula in his arm was broken into. He was scared, and he thought his career might be over. Although he healed quickly and went back to playing, he got hit again, and his coach cut him about halfway through practice.

Although Jeff Hazuga waited for other offers to play football elsewhere, at first none came. Finally, he was asked to try out for the Frankfurt (Germany) Galaxy of NFL Europe.

Things seemed to be going better for Hazuga until halfway through the season-when a teammate fell on him and broke his ankle. He had to fly to Alabama, like other injured players in NFL Europe, for surgery.