Twin brothers John and Guy Earle were the speakers at an assembly attended by middle school and high school students on Thursday, October 28. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a club at WSHS asked the two to come to the campus. Both brothers shared how important making decisions have been in their lives: bad decisions can be fatal and good decisions can lead to success in life.

John and Guy Earle emphasize that choices make all the difference.

John Earle shared that he and his brother, both 6 feet, 6 inches tall found themselves making a bad choice when they were sophomores in college. A fight esculated from fists to the point when a gun was pulled on the young men. They had chosen to let their anger put them in a very dangerous situation.

Allisha Shanks and Whitney Dampier pose with the brothers.

He also shared about how a group of four teenagers made the decision to drink alcohol and drive a car and all ended up burning up in a collision with a tree.  Bad decisions, he explained, can be fatal.

But both men also told about good decisions as well. John played one year for the Kansas City Chiefs and felt strong. But right after training camp that year, he was called into Coach Schottenheimer’s office and let go from the team. As he started out of the building and into the parking lot, he felt like just giving up on his dream when Marcus Allen, the football legend, called his name. He gave John some advice that changed his entire thinking. Marcus Allen said, “I believe you can play this league, but what I believe isn’t important. It’s what you believe that makes the difference.”

John went on to play five years in the NFL for the New England Patriots, the St. Louis Rams, and the Atlanta Falcons. “Choosing to believe in myself gave my goals and dreams a chance.”

Guy Earle started out playing basketball in high school. He was first team all state. Then he began playing in college with a full athletic scholarship. Unfortunately, he broke his left foot three times and his right foot two times within 16 months. His basketball career was over. How was he going to stay in college? He couldn’t keep his scholarship if he didn’t play. His dream became to play NFL football. The problem was he was 6 feet, 6 inches tall and only 180 pounds. That only works in football if you are really fast. He wasn’t. But he didn’t give up on his dream. He wrote “I Believe” on the wall of his dorm and read it every day. He worked to become stronger. Eventually, he signed with the Washington Redskins and played for four years.

Both men have championship rings to show for their football successes, but even more than that, they have the message they want to show students so they can make a difference. “Why not me?” That is the question they want to inspire young people to ask. If something good is going to happen for someone, why can’t it be for them?

Finally, they shared that the greatest decision they have made was to follow Christ in their lives. John explained, “I can’t tell you what decisions to make in life. But know that your decisions make all the difference.”

Students gather around John and Guy to meet them and see their championship rings.