By Steve Beavers
Independent Appeal, Selmer
Tyler Gibbs takes a reading break. Gibbs, a high school junior, gave up basketball this year to concentrate more on serving God. He continues to be involved with the game as a student coach.
— Photo by Steve Beavers.
ADAMSVILLE — Tyler Gibbs loves the game of basketball.
More importantly, the Adamsville High School junior has a deeper affection for God.
Gibbs’ desire to do more than just play the game he loves has been his goal since a young age. “I surrendered to the ministry when I was 10,” said the 16-year-old son of Danny and Ronnell Gibbs. “My goal in life is to share my beliefs and how God has changed me.”
The determination to please God saw Gibbs give up the game following his sophomore season which was plagued by injuries.
He made the decision to tell his high school head coach Nathaniel Root that he wasn’t going to play any more. “I felt like I had been putting basketball before God,” said the high school student. “I believe the injuries were a sign God needed to be number one.”
His decision wasn’t an easy one. Gibbs’ brother, Daniel had been a standout for the Cardinals. Both his parents had also played.
“The game has been engraved in me,” Gibbs said. “It was very emotional when I told Coach Root. I felt like I was letting everyone down.”
Neither his family or coach were let down. In fact, Root had the perfect plan.
“I have never tried to talk a player out of quitting,” the coach said. “When Tyler told me what he was going to do, I went home thinking about how we could work things out.”
The coach’s solution was to have Gibbs remain part of the team as a student assistant.
“Tyler knows the game,” Root added. “He can reach the players in a way Coach (Jason) Foley and I can’t.”
Gibbs appreciates the opportunity his coach is giving him. “Coach knew I was making the right decision,” he said. “The players have really accepted me and that has been a big help. I still get to be part of the game and help others at the same time. I want to help them love the game as much as I do.”
Fans won’t see the mild mannered Gibbs yelling on the sideline as a student coach. His method of motivation will be much different.
“A lot of coaches motivate through yelling and some players like it. I was one of those players who didn’t mind being yelled at,” said Gibbs, a member of Carmel Heights Baptist Church, Crump. “I try to be as positive as I can be with the guys and motivate them through encouragement.”
Gibbs credits his former pastor Keith Smith and friend Kevin Rippie for being role models for him when he was younger. Smith, especially, took Gibbs “under his wing” and helped him grow, Gibbs said.
At this stage in his life, Gibbs is more interested in serving God. There will be no turning back for Gibbs. He is done playing basketball.
“I want to be as Christ-like as I can,” he said. “The only way to do that is to give Him your everything.”
“I don’t want to shove the gospel down anyone’s throat, but I want them to see I’m different,” said the student coach. “Jesus lives inside of me. He is the only way to have joy and fill the void in your life. A person can’t fill that void through drugs, drinking, or anything else. It comes only through Jesus.”
Gibbs believes God is leading him to a college where he can grow and spread the gospel.
“I do not want to waste any more time,” he said. “I want to stand boldly and say I am a follower of God.”
