Notre Dame Corner Back Christian Gray's Vision Board: Mission and Blessing

Although I have taken down my tree, wrapped up all the lights and come to terms with the fact that the Christmas season is over, the sights and sounds of a Happy New Year remain. The crowded gym is ample evidence that many resolve to exercise more and make this their healthiest year yet. Even seven days later, folks still greet one another with "Happy New Year." I have heard talk of one words themes and 25 goals for 2025. Thanks to Notre Dame cornerback, Christian Gray, I have one more task to offer in the zeitgeist of new year invitations and opportunities. Create a vision board—sports and spirituality style.

In Season 1, Episode 6: Win and You're In, Gray—a resident of Knott Hall welcomes the camera into his dorm room. After meeting his dragon lizard named Bahati—an African word for blessed—Gray states "I keep everything in my life blessed, and filled with God." That truth is evidenced in the vision board that hangs on the wall. He adds, "my mom and I make a vision board every year. This is all the vision that God has given me. I put it as my mission to live out this entire vision." 

That vision includes reminders and realizations, words, tasks, directives and more. The 2024 vision board includes the following:

• Smile
• Be nicer to yourself
• Create
• Serious Strength
• The Power of Restraint
• I turned my passion into a career
• Gold
• #1 in the Country
• A Calm aof Discipline
• A New Chapter
• Found
• Clean
• Brave Warrior 
• Encouraging
• Top 10
• Be ready
• 1 Corinthians 9

I wonder what vision God has given Christian for 2025. I wonder who supports him in this mission to live out that vision. I want to know in what ways does Notre Dame football—teammates, coaches and staff challenge, encourage, assist and augment that vision...that mission.

Christian Gray is a valuable contributor to a team that has clear goals and remains united in their mission: to win a national championship. He caught the first of two pick-sixes in the Irish win over USC. He has earned the nickname "The Franchise." He concludes his profile piece in Here Come the Irish with the words, "I'm up here. I'm starting now. I'm playing. It's just really a blessing." The audience sees him kneeling in prayer. I can't help but think of the blessing that his testimony has offered. I think we should all consider what vision God has for us in this new year. Let it be your resolution, your one word theme, your mission. Amen.