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LUZERNE — Former Penn State star and NFL veteran Leo Wisniewski told men gathered at the Hope Center on Sunday that his life is defined by faith and not by football.
Not that Wisniewski would come up short when it comes to the game. As a senior in 1981, he was co-captain of the Nittany Lions team that finished No. 3 nationally. His son, Stefen, was an offensive guard on this year’s Philadelphia Eagle’s team that won the Super Bowl.
Still, Wisniewski, in the midst of the accolades of playing college football and the partying opportunities of a large campus, remained unfulfilled until he came to faith at 20.
Wisniewski, now executive director of Locking Arms Men, now shares his faith with men, many of them sports aficionados, encouraging them to put all aspects of their lives — work, family, friends and athletics — in the context of being strong, moral men.
“Most men tend to compartmentalize their lives. You have problem at home and you go to work and forget about it,” he said. “But men need to be consistent in their character.”
Ron Hillard, executive director of the Hope Center, said the event was the first of many inviting people to the facility for community outreach.
Hillard said the clinic has, since moving to Luzerne about three years ago, served many physical needs of area residents.
“Now its time to address the spiritual needs of people, body, soul and spirit,” said the center’s Dave Roberts
Ted Mike, of Shavertown, said he attends a Catholic church and appreciated the interdenominational spirit of the event.
“I went to Penn State and enjoy hearing stories about the team,” he said. “I also enjoy hearing about inspiring men.”
Brian Lewis, also of Shavertown, said it was nice to hear about players that set aside their own interests for the benefit of the team.
“When Carson Wentz was out as quarterback and (Nick) Foles came in,” he said. “Wentz encouraged him, prayed for him before the Super Bowl.”
Mike said he had never followed professional football, but now considers himself an Eagles fan.
“I wasn’t an Eagles fan, but I am now because of their Christian witness,” he said.
Wisniewski encourages small group Bible studies called “huddles” to gather men together for fellowship and encouragement.
The Hope Center sponsors a “huddle” at 7:30 a.m. every Monday morning.
“We’re know studying 30 principles for a good life,” said Roberts. “One of which is ‘you reap what you sow.’ If you plant corn, you can expect corn and not pumpkins. If you do the right thing, the right things follow.”
At the event’s end, Wisniewski was heading up to Chase Correctional Institute to offer a Bible study for the men there.
He took time to share the importance of family and his experience of being at the Super Bowl with his son playing on the team.
“It was surreal, there was confetti everywhere,” he said. “Although my wife and I weren’t able to go down to the field after the win, we looked down and we could see my son with his wife. It was an amazing moment.”
