It was also during those years, after he completed his divinity degree and served as pastor at a Presbyterian church in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte for three years, that Reich realized he could serve a larger and more diverse audience in the NFL. Seven years at Reformed Theological Seminary, buried in the tall pines and azaleas of South Charlotte, helped shape Reich into who he is today as Carolina's sixth head coach.

I wanted to be able to go deeper than that, and explain the 'why' behind it.'' 'So I felt like if I went to seminary, I could get a more formal training that would help me. 'I really enjoyed doing that - and in doing that and seeing the positive impact. 'As a pro athlete for 14 years, there were a lot of opportunities to go to churches and father and son banquets and give a testimony ,'' Reich said. Reich, 61, initially chose the seminary to follow a call that had been building during the second half of his playing career, when he held Bible studies with teammates and shared his spiritual journey. I'll do anything you want me to do, including volunteer work with no pay just to get my foot in the door.''' 'And then seven or eight years later, he called out of the blue and said, 'I'm ready to go into coaching. I'm committed to these people, and I gave them my word, and as enticing as it is, I can't go back on my word.' And he called me back and said, 'Bill, I can't do it right now. I'm honored,''' recalled then-Colts president Bill Polian, who knew Reich from their time together with the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. Reich instead chose a different path: the seminary. The Indianapolis Colts offered Frank Reich that opportunity in 1998. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay in a game you've loved since you were a little kid. Never mind you have no coaching experience. Imagine finishing a 14-year career as an NFL quarterback and being offered the chance to coach quarterback Peyton Manning. Inside Frank Reich's journey from NFL QB to Panthers coachĬHARLOTTE, N.C. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser

Never Come Back by David Bell