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By Andy Monnin - The Valley
Church
Craig Krenzel, No. 16, is pictured playing for The Ohio State
University Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami.
SIDNEY — The Valley Church, 1400 Seidel Parkway in Piqua, is
gearing up for a huge Super Bowl Sunday known as “Football Sunday,” on Feb. 13
at both the 9:15 and 11 a.m. services, which will feature Craig Krenzel, who led The Ohio
State University to a national title as their quarterback during his time as a
Buckeye.
“We’re having Football Sunday at The Valley right before the
Super Bowl because a lot of people love football and a lot more just love the
energy around the Super Bowl game. It inspires them, but I believe it can also
awaken in them a desire for something more,” The Valley Church’s Lead Pastor
Andy Monnin said in a press release.
“Football Sunday is a day to have fun, but also to use the
metaphor of a sports contest to apply it to our journey toward God. Paul in his
letters to the churches in the Bible often refers to the spiritual life as a
race, a boxing match, or a military contest and so we focus that day on a game
plan that will allow us to win in life, using what we know about football to
help us,” Monnin continued.
Krenzel, who started two
seasons in 2002-2003 at quarterback for The Ohio State University, led the Buckeyes
to their first win on the road against the Michigan Wolverines since 1987.
Krenzel was a two-time Fiesta Bowl MVP and helped OSU in 2002 to a perfect
record of 14-0 and its first national title since the 1968 season, which
culminated with him being named the team’s Archie Griffin Offensive Player of
the Year and Co-MVP. During his time in Columbus, Krenzel compiled a 24-3
record.
After college, Krenzel
was picked by the Chicago Bears in the 2004 NFL Draft in the fourth round. He
spent one season with Chicago after winning his first three starts. He went
on to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, but was released due to an elbow injury
in 2006.
Off the field, Krenzel
graduated with a molecular genetics degree and was three times named Academic
All-Big Ten. He was also honored as a First Team Academic All-American and
Academic All-American of the Year and won the Draddy Trophy (now called the William
V. Campbell Trophy) and Socrates Award.
Following his playing days, Krenzel became a principal with
Arthur Krenzel Lett Insurance Group. He has also appeared on 97.1 The Fan, a
sports talk radio station in Columbus, Ohio and is a popular motivational and
faith based speaker throughout the region.
Krenzel will share his journey with Jesus at The Valley and what
football has taught him about the race we are all in.
Those attending the services on Football Sunday are being
encouraged to wear their favorite team colors or team jersey. Before and after
the services, there will be indoor tailgating including wings and hot dogs,
sticker tattoos for the children as well as giveaways and the praise team will
be kicking things up.
The event is open to the public and there is no charge.
