Latest / CBN Sports 1-ON-1 / Ep. 18 How Did This Kentucky Wildcat Keep Playing After Tragedy?
Transcript
- CBNS018 Colten Price Final: Welcome to CBN Sports One on One, where you'll hear exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in sports right here on the CBN Sports Podcast Network. I'm your host, Will Dawson. If you're like most of us and you love sports, but you're tired of the dark side of sports culture, me focused athletes, or even organizations that bow to an unbiblical belief system, we think you're gonna love this podcast. There's no yelling, no sensationalism, just great conversations with athletes and coaches who recognize that their purpose. Is bigger than their sport. Just a few weeks ago, we spent some time at the University of Kentucky with their football team. Specifically, starting center Colton Price just recently transferred from Baylor in this his last season. He was a preseason SEC All-American, and he's lived up to the hype. Kentucky's having an incredible season. But just a few short years ago, Colton had one of the most devastating things happen to him in his life, and that was losing his little brother. In his best friend. In this interview, you're going to hear about that. You're going to hear about his faith in God growing up, how his little brother's faith really helped him establish a faith after he lost him. And then what's he going to do as he looks to the future? And what a great conversation it was with Colton. Let's jump right in. Colton, let's talk about being a football player growing up as a young man. How much did you love the game? How much was it a part of what you did and who you were? Yeah. whenever I was younger, my dad was big football lover. he played defensive line. that was whenever he went to semi pro. But I've grown up watching him play and it encouraged me to play football as well. And so I love defense. I love offense. I've just loved being able to put the pads on and hit someone whenever I was younger. And so I grew up with that. And I mean, I've been around it my whole life and watching it. Whether it was the NFL or college. I've been around my whole life and I've loved it. What was your faith experience like as a as a younger person? Yeah, so whenever I was younger, I didn't know too much about Jesus. I was I would kind of say my trajectory wasn't doing too well whenever I was younger. I would say whenever I began to get in high school, maybe fifth grade, whenever I moved in with my stepmom, She started to show me the ways and like we were started to go to church every Sunday, went to youth on Wednesdays, didn't know too much prior, but beg began to build that relationship with God and it grew ever since. And so I would say it's been it's been amazing to be around. Awesome. Yeah, I I I can see it as as a young kid, there's a foundation that's planted that maybe doesn't grow immediately. But it takes root later on in your life. It sounds like maybe that's what that's what happened in your life. tell me about your younger brother Colby and how close you guys were growing up and playing football together. How many years apart were the two of you? Yeah. So we were about two years apart. his birthday was like four days away from mine. So his was March twenty first. And yeah, man, we were really close. We were practically just really close friends, really tight brothers and whenever I was younger, I we didn't have like the best situation. We moved around a lot whenever I was younger and so we had a we had a bond with one another. We had to basically be really close with one another throughout this like moving period and so 'cause we had each other the whole entire time and so I would say he's someone that relied on his faith a really a lot and so especially whenever we got older. being younger, we were just two best friends, just hanging out, playing football, the love of the game. And then whenever we got older, we started to see that love of football bond with the love of Christ. And so being able to have that bond with one another was amazing to be a part of. We were able to be really close within that. And so I would say he's one one person that was like really wanted to show his love for God. And so he wanted every single person he was around, he'd light up the room, he'd talk about his faith. we went to multiple like church camps and ch kids camps and he enjoyed it. You s you could see him, I loved it too. And the amount of power and the feeling you get from going to those certain places, I mean, it's very uplifting and being around him was was really amazing to be. Where was his strength and his faith? Where did that Come from. I know you said that you guys went to church, but yeah. What do you think? It seems like it w maybe it was even more than yours and that it inspired you. Right. Yeah, no, for sure. I would say that I had a relationship. to be honest, I think one funny thing was it might be like a little little weird, you could say, but we used to sometimes like we'd get grounded because we were just like brothers doing brother things and like we'd mess with one another, parents would get upset, but like we w got our phones taken away and We would sit in the room with a radio station on because we had an alarm clock. And me and him would s sit there and listen to Christian music and just sing the songs together and just vibe within that. And I would say that almost began the feeling of there's a feeling of friendship, but there's a feeling of an intimate love of God within that. And being able to have that with your brother is is really amazing. But I would say it's almost like that. That that that struck it and started the bond within that. And I would say he like once he was in something, like he was really locked in. Like once he once he loved it and found out within that and what it done for him and seen for the love for others, and it he just grew from there and it was amazing to see, especially to be around. It's a it's a great great memory, great testimony of him. When you went off to Baylor. your freshman year, what was it like leaving him behind? Yeah. like I was saying, like whenever we got older, we started to have a closer bond. be able to build that relationship with one another. I mean, we played together for one year while we were in high school. And so that was a pretty cool relationship, being able to play with your brother. And then whenever I went to college, I wouldn't say that that friendship went away. I would say that we we still stayed connected. We were still really close. And It was almost like just making sure we're checking up on one another. And their relationship was amazing. anytime I had practice, anytime I'd done something good, anytime I'd done something bad, I'd let them know and we'd call about it, talk about it, and text about it. And so I would say that relationship whenever I went, my first freshman semester was was really awesome and that bond within that was really cool. I do want to ask you about that call that happened when you found out that he had passed away, what was going on and and what what was your response to that? Yeah. I would like first off say like whenever whenever I was going to college, I didn't have I had my family, but they were back at home. You know, that's I think that's like a lot of like high school people moving on to college and it was like a new environment for me. We had lived in a small town. We we were really tight family. And talk to him every single day, had fun. And moving away, yes, I was I loved it and wanted to be a part of it and was curious about the journey I was about to go into for college football. But like that feeling of being away from the family like was really hard on me at one point and especially like going into fall camp, going through these hard things where you're thinking you're the guy and you get really humbled going into college. And so being able to lean on your faith within that, like during the times of despair and the times of really hard times and obstacles you're trying to face was very huge for me before all that and I was able to lean on my family during those times as well. But I would say like I faced those obstacles as soon as I got into college and I was having a really hard time with that. I was already struggling a little bit beforehand with I wouldn't say my faith fully. I was trying to get in I wouldn't say I was as close to God as I wanted to be. I wanted to build that relationship in college, but never really s took that step forward and really wanted to be a part of it. And my family, like I said already, we went to church every Sunday, we went to church every Wednesday and we were really close with God. but I really never took that step. And I would say that call that I got was was on January second. believe it was about five o'clock in the afternoon. My brother had work at five thirty, I believe. And we just dropped off my grandma at her house. And I got that call and was like, hey, your brother's gotten a fender bender. It was like, hey, it's nothing too crazy. I'm like, okay, cool, I'm on my way. Start driving. Well my dad wanted to hurry up and hop in and was like, hey, I don't know what this is about, but let's go like Let's go, I'm gonna make sure my son's okay. And so I'm like, Yeah, let's go hurry up. And as soon as we leave the house, not even a mile away, he got in the car wreck. And it didn't look very well, he got hit on in a hit-on collision with the ho rock truck. And so, the first thought it's like, Okay, yes, it looks bad, but maybe there's a possibility he's still okay. And so we're like, that's whenever we're starting to lean on our faith. We're praying to God on our way. we're watching the ambulance drive away. and the thing that was really challenging about that is is like my dad's questioning himself, like I'm questioning, what's going on. It's a really hard situation. And the ambulance is like the lights weren't even on. And it wasn't driving fast. And so that's whenever like the moments sank in and we were very eager to know what What did all happen and if he's okay or is he not? And why did this happen? And whenever we got to the ho or the hospital, all my family's there. We're getting everyone there that is close and cousins, aunts, just making sure everything's okay. And next thing you know, like doctor walks out and says, Your son is no longer alive. And like, I don't know why God Did the those things for me in that life, but I do at the same time because I wouldn't be the man I am today if that wouldn't have happened. I would say that one of those things is like questioning. I think everyone has a question and wants to ask God why during those circumstances. But like, especially like me during the time of of Losing a best friend, losing a brother, struggling with his faith, trying to be a an older brother to his sisters, be a son to his parents, and so travelling to juggle all these things along with playing in college football was really hard. And so it wasn't more of like a hatred towards God. It wasn't like, Man, like how could you do this? It was more of like yes, I wanna ask that question why? But it's more of in an eager way, like I said earlier, to what do you have planned for me? what what can I do out of this situation? Yes, I'm mourning, yes, I'm having a really hard time, yes, like I just lost my best friend, but what can I do to continue to glorify him and all that I do and is really hard to find that during that time, but it wasn't a freak out situation to where I'm I'm all over the place. It was more of okay, this happened. I'm still in shock. I die, I can't even believe this is real. But what can I do about this situation? 'Cause things won't change. And it was more of like me trying to focus in and be there for my family. Instead of looking at an inner thing to myself. And so yeah, I would say that that was the day. Wow, man. yeah. Jason, who's behind the camera back here, as an adult had a twin, lost his sister twin. and that came up the reason I share that is because that came up yesterday when we were talking to Pete Pete Nocta, yeah, who had stage four Not Hodgkin's the machoma, which he thought could be the end for him. But one thing that the two of them were talking about is a peace that passes surpasses all understanding. Was that the case for you? Like you just you said that you didn't ask God why. Was there just a peace that you had that that came about because of because of your relationship with him? Yeah, I would say that I believed really hard. in him and I believe that everything was done for a reason and that he did have a plan. I really never questioned him in an in a negative way. It was more of in a curious way. always like eager to know. Like I'm a curious person, eager to learn, but I would say that I was going through a really hard time and I was really shocked. didn't know really what to do with the situation, but the only thing that I knew to do was lean on my family and lean on my faith and go with something that I believed in and wanted to continue within that. Yeah. And I know nothing has changed. And times are probably still dark for you, but but what did was there a time when you turned the corner? I know that you got baptized when you were at Baylor. How tell me about that. Yeah. man, that's just awesome. I would say after this whole entire situation, I've never felt as much love as I did. Like going back to college, being able to like have that brotherhood within that, like I didn't know I needed it. Whenever I had my family and I was mourning with my family and we were able to understand this all happened for a situation and a plan. and I thought that we were able to do that together and I didn't need anything else. And so I felt like my my emotions and everything that I had was being balled up and I'll I almost wanted to just like lock it up. You know, I wanted to get rid of it. I didn't want to continue with that and I didn't know I needed it, but whenever I went back to college, being able to have those teammates and similar to like brothers, to lean on during those tough situations, helped a lot. And I was able to I had a buddy of mine, he was in my class, like Michael Allen. Him and Sawyer Robertson that I began to know later, began to make a a bible study within the team. And whenever we were there, it started off with like four, four of us. And it started out with six. And it started out with like ten. And it was like fifteen, twenty, and it was like thirty. And it was like forty. And it was like to the point where we enjoyed it. Like we were wanting to do more. We were wanting to like make more Bible studies. And we were wanting to continued to grow in that and it was like getting to the point where guys were getting baptized like each and every week, like multiple guys. And having that within the team and that goes with the connection aspect of things, but having that that bond and the love for one another, being able to rejoice in your in your love that you have for the Lord and show that to everyone in the world, that they can do just the same was amazing time of my life. I wanted to show the world that nothing can phase me that I have Jesus behind me. and so being able to have that and being able to have that love for him and being able to the fact that he put me in that situation was just amazing in general. I don't know, there's it's a really happy time of my life and I would say made it made me who I am today. being able to have those teammates, being able to have the the connection aspect and being able to show the Lord like what we can do and how far we can grow and that it's not only at Baylor, now I can take that information that I learned from there and maybe possibly do that here. being able to transfer that over here. And so I would love to get get get in that and be able to grow that. Do you feel like Colby, the strength that he had in his faith now as you get older and look back at that, is that something that you take with you, something you think about on a daily basis? Yeah. I would say it's very it was very inspiring to see. As an as an older brother, there were times where I I had to be there for him and I wanted to be there for him. And there were times like he would be there for me and In my eyes, I've always felt like my whole entire life that I had to be there for others. And I don't need any I don't need anyone to be there for me. And I would say the bond with me and him, being able to open up my heart to him allowed me possibly to be tighter with the Lord. It's it's kinda crazy to to say, but I would say that like He's who inspires me and wants me to chase to be closer to the Lord because of the amount of love that he showed, the amount of the things that he wanted to do for others and the way he lit up a room whenever h he was in it. It was just something that I enjoyed. and someone that she wanted to be around. And so I wanted to continue that and I wanted to to be there for him at that time and I wanted to show everyone From now on, he inspires me through what the actions that he did as a younger brother. And so you have a new this is a new chapter in your life for sure. Being here at Kentucky this year senior year, last year of college football. What do you hope both professionally and then also as a as a man of Christ? What what do you hope for the next few years happens in Colton Price's life? I wanted to glorify God and all that I do. I'm living right now a answered prayer. I'm in a situation that I don't think I would be without him. And I would say the fact that I my faith that I rely on that and I want to continue that and I want to push others around me to have that, whether it's like a little tiny conversation to the side, or whether it's just like continue to inch that. and allow someone and bring them over and continue to build that with not just me personally and having that relationship, but making sure that I can have that relationship and I can allow others to be there with me and go chase that. And I wanna I wanna I want everyone around me to know that. I wanna know that want them to know that I'm a God fear and man and I'm a great husband. I'm a great son, great friend that That loves Jesus and anytime you'll be around him like he lights up a room. And so I want I want as many people to know that that Jesus loves them and I want them to know that that I care for him and I would do anything for them to understand who Jesus is and think of Colossians three twenty-three. Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. Whatever you put your hands to, make sure you do it. to the best of your ability so that others can look at you and know, man, there's something something different about you. Without a doubt. You also have Ephesians six ten. On your arm. Tell me about that verse. Yeah, dude. So this is like one of the verses that I looked at whenever my brother was passing away. Like I have the Bible app and so I remember one time, this is like recent, like right after I was I was looking at my phone and I seen this pop up. And it was more of like a curious thing and I ended up reading this verse and falling back into that. And my old teammate, Say Robertson I was talking to you about, he talked about this verse as well. And I'm like, My gosh, I didn't know this was such a big thing. And this is something I fell back on every single time. Like I was having a hard time. Like it was yeah, it's finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. And so like you know that you're gonna face obstacles. that there's things that aren't gonna go your way that aren't planned. And understanding that God's strength overcomes all that. you're gonna face the enemy every single day, no matter what you do. The tighter you are with God, the more the enemy doesn't like it. And so I would say that being able to put that armor of Christ on, be able to fight that off every day. We're living in a spiritual battle and being able to overcome each and everything that you can face one by one is gonna make you a better person at the end of the day. And so I w I look at this and that's this is who I strive to be. Anytime I'm having a bad situation or a hard time, I look down on my arm and look at this verse and and know that it's gonna be okay because God is gonna be there for me. Yeah. Incredible. Incredible stuff. And then professionally, what are you what are you hoping for? Yeah. ideally I would love to to go to the league and perform really well there and have a future for me and my family. but it's not just all about football. You know, I wanna do as many things as I can for the people around me. I wanna build everyone up, I wanna coach, I wanna allow people to get to know Jesus. I wanna know in what ways Can I help the people get to know him? And can I make something or do something about it and allow him to grow? I want to do as many things as I can in order to do that. Cause I wouldn't be in the situation right now if it wasn't for him. And I know he has a plan and everything that I do to this day, like I do it to glorify him. Everything goes for him. Like there's There's nothing else. And so I would say, the love I have, I want to show it to the world and I want others to see what I see. Well, personally, I can't imagine losing someone like Colton did. And yet Colton was gifted with a blessing. He says that he wouldn't be where he is today if what had happened to him hadn't happened. And so that's hard for us to To grapple with to understand, but God does promise that he'll give us peace that passes all understanding. I love that that Colton says that it's not just about football, that his life is not about football. Of course, yeah, this guy's gonna be drafted in the NFL. probably we're looking at third round, maybe for Colton. Maybe as Kentucky progresses, it continues to climb. But we wish all the best for Colton and his family. His wife as they as they look to the future and see if the NFL is part of that. But we know one thing is for sure that his life with Christ is secure. Well, if you like this podcast, we appreciate you listening. We want you to go check out our other podcast, CBN Sports, Fuel the Fire with Will Dawson. That's the other one where we do where it's more timely and we have guests. We talk about sports events that are happening right now. So go check that out. Go look at us on YouTube, on Instagram, at CBN Sports underscore. And then just search for us on Facebook and TikTok. Well until next week, we'll see you then