During @UW_Football’s incredible run this season, there were two constants: a lucky glow stick and QB Michael Penix Jr’s unshakable faith.
In the offseason the Huskies team chaplain, Jonathan Rainey, gave Penix and his teammates each a glow stick and said, “in order to let your glow stick shine, you have to break it. Similarly, you have to break your own will to shine for others.” The message had a profound impact on Penix, who felt as though he had been broken time and time again after 4-straight season ending injuries. He experienced fear and doubt, but overcame that by always looking for the light within himself…it became a mantra that he repeated, especially during difficult moments. Because of this, Penix brought his glow stick to every game this season. It sat in the team’s sideline cart, and he touched it before every game and after every single drive, praying for protection and poise. When his head was in the sideline cart at the end of the Apple Cup, he was clutching the glow stick and praying for the game-winning field goal to go through the uprights. Everyone wondered why his head was always in the cart. Well, now you know that it was bent over in prayer.
It has been an absolute joy getting to know Mike. He is quiet (at first), confident, kind, funny, and made of all the right stuff. His parents must be so proud. His faith in God and belief in himself are intangibles that make him special in ways that can change a team, program, or franchise. It’s been an honor to witness it firsthand.
This Christmas, the race is on. Watch the official trailer for #TheBoysInTheBoat, from director George Clooney, starring Joel Edgerton and Callum Turner.
#RowingU x #LegacyLivesHere x #AsOne @MGMStudios