By Rachel Terrill, Player Engagement Insider
The high visibility of NFL players can sometimes overshadow those around them. But this year it was the wives of the Indianapolis Colts players who shined bright to help bring a light of Christmas joy to those in need.
NFL players and their families relish the opportunities to give back to their communities. Particularly around the holidays, NFL families can be spotted helping those in need.
While their husbands were hard at work preparing for Sunday’s game, the wives of Colts players were busy too. For the last five years, the wives of Indianapolis Colts players helped spread
Christmas cheer at Central Indiana Teen Challenge, one of the four Indiana Teen Challenge centers all of which are part of the national Teen Challenge ministries.
Central Indiana Teen Challenge is a fifteen-month residential boarding school program, located in Lebanon, Indiana, for girls involved with substance abuse and behavioral problems.
Paige Fleener, wife of Colts tight end Coby Fleener, helped coordinate this year’s party. “Spending time with the Teen Challenge girls is my favorite community event,” she said. “You can clearly see the healing work God is doing in these girls.”
Dawn Rose, director of Teen Challenge, is grateful for Teen Challenge’s relationship with the Colts wives. “They spend most the morning with the girls, hearing their stories, playing games, eating, just sharing themselves with us.”
The wives of Fleener, linebacker Robert Mathis, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, cornerback Vontae Davis, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, offensive lineman Joe Reitz, tight end Jack Doyle, defensive tackle Arthur Jones, and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen sat among the girls at Teen Challenge. Stars in their own right, the wives chose to write only their first names on their nametags.
“There’s no pretext,” Rose said. “We usually don’t know which player they are married to or are dating.”
Sarah Hasselbeck started the party by thanking Teen Challenge for allowing the Colts wives to be there. Then, girls from Teen Challenge shared the stories of what led them to Teen Challenge and how it had helped them grow.
“You can clearly see the healing work God is doing in these girls” Paige said. “Their total love for Jesus is so inspiring and encouraging; it gives me goose-bumps.”
Jill Reitz led games including Bingo and a Name That Tune competition. Each Colts wife in attendance donated party items including game prizes and candy for gingerbread house decorating. The Fleeners also surprised each teen with new Nike outfits and shoes.
“The girls are so precious, and I always leave so touched by their testimonies,” Paige said. “Dawn Rose, the house director, is such a special person. She pours her heart and time into these girls, giving them a second chance at life. It is so encouraging to see her use the gifts God has given her to help these girls.”
Being an NFL wife means supporting your husband on and off the field. For the wives of the Indianapolis Colts players and coaches, it also means making a positive impact in their communities.
NFL Players work hard to be great on the field, but the impact that players and their families make off the field is often even greater.