Members of the Carson-Newman football team look on from the banks of Mossy Creek as freshman Gavin Stinson (center), of Winston-Salem, N.C., is baptized by Drew Eudy (left) and Marty Blakely. Stinson was one of 31 C-N football players to be baptized.
JEFFERSON CITY — In a tradition that reflects the mission of Carson-Newman University, 31 members of the University’s Eagles football team were baptized in the waters of Mossy Creek on campus.
They were joined by other team members, coaches, University leadership and campus community who lined the banks of the creek to witness the event.
The public professions of faith were officiated by Marty Blakely, director of Lakeway’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Drew Eudy, congregation pastor at Mossy Creek Fellowship. The group marked the largest group since the tradition began several years ago.
Following the baptisms, first-year head football coach Ashley Ingram said that he wants football at Carson-Newman to be a transformative experience.
“I told the guys today, that obviously, we want to win a lot of games, and we want to win championships, but we won the ultimate championship today,” Ingram said.
“To see 31 guys, give their life to Christ this morning, and to publicly profess that, is really special.”
Daniel Morra, of Franklin, (center) is joined by Drew Eudy (left) and Marty Blakely in the waters of Mossy Creek on Carson-Newman University’s campus. Morra was one of 31 members of the C-N football team to be baptized on campus following an Aug. 21 practice.
Ingram reflected on when he first accepted the job at Carson-Newman.
“I said if we could bring kids here that don’t know Christ, it could have eternal ramifications,” Ingram said about the C-N football program. “Seeing that today was obviously very pleasing.”
Two years ago, when Mossy Creek was the site of 11 baptisms of players from the C-N football team, photos of the event went viral. The post on the university’s Facebook page reached a half a million people within 72 hours, marking the most successful social post ever by the University. B&R
