Living in 3D

Posted August 12, 2010

AT THE TIME Tyson Lee agreed to teach youth Sunday school at Fairview Baptist Church in his hometown of Columbus, Mississippi, he was a student at a nearby community college. Tyson, who had been an outstanding football player at Columbus High School, took his new responsibility seriously, vowing never to miss a single Sunday.

But then he made a life-altering decision to transfer to Mississippi State University, which had neither recruited him nor offered any scholarship money, and become a walk-on player. The decision was a good one. Before long he became MSU’s starting quarterback.

It seems likely that for most young men reaching such a high level in SEC football would put a quick end to a stint teaching Sunday school. But not for Tyson. If anything, he saw it as a golden opportunity—after all, weren’t the kids more likely to listen now that their teacher was a star player? Furthermore, didn’t this present a great lesson about keeping promises?

“I think consistency is an important value,” says Tyson, who recently graduated with a degree in secondary education with a concentration in biology. “There were plenty of times when I got home extremely late after games, but if the kids saw me on TV and then back in church the next morning, they knew I wasn’t going to make excuses for missing class. I felt it showed they are my priority, and I care about them.

“I hope that in turn they learn that whether it’s your church, family, or community, you should always try to put others first.”

A Team Player

All the while, Tyson, an honor student, was racking up statistics: he reached MSU’s Top 10 list in career attempts, completions, interception percentage, passing efficiency, and passing yards. He became the Bulldogs’ record holder in completion percentage.

He knew himself well, and it’s no wonder that he never hesitated in his plan to join the team as a walk-on.

“It was one of the most peaceful decisions I’ve ever made,” he says. “I have no doubt in myself or my abilities, and it was a great experience from the very beginning.”

But just as important to Tyson was earning the trust of his fellow teammates.

“It’s a brotherhood out there,” he says. “You really get to know guys, their backgrounds, their lives, and their struggles.” And, “I wanted them to know I truly care about them and their families, whether they’re white, black, bench players, starters, or whomever.”

Uncommon Humility

Given his athletic prowess, Tyson’s lack of hubris is remarkable, though not to him. He grew up in a single-parent household along with two younger siblings, and he seems more impressed by his mother’s accomplishments as a parent than his own successes on the field.

“She’s always been a hardworking person, working crazy hours just to provide for us,” he says of his mother, Tammy Nordquist, who works as a nurse in a retirement home. Her example helped to keep him on the right path even as he saw others around him stray.

Tyson says, “That old saying, ‘If you play with fire you get burned,’ I think it’s so true. So that’s one of the things I tell my kids in Sunday school, that if you’re hanging around with the right people, the odds of your moving in the right direction are a lot higher.”

He notes that he does not consider himself exceptional as a student-athlete who finds time to give back to the others. He says he meets others like him all the time. “I guess bad stories make news, but I know people on all teams who do well in school, who help out with different organizations on campus and in their communities. It’s just that they often go unrecognized.

Football as an Outreach

Post-graduation, Tyson is back on the field once again at Columbus High School, this time teaching a football camp that sounds like an extension of his Sunday-school class: “I want to take the time and talk to the campers about the importance of setting goals and having dreams,” he says.

“Dreams don’t always have to be sports related—sometimes those dreams can be to become a doctor, a lawyer, a pilot, or whatever they want.”

The program, known as “Tyson Lee’s 3D Football Camp” (based on his core values of Discipline, Dedication, and Determination), was held early this summer with sessions for children as young as first grade all the way to high-school seniors.

He plans to keep growing the camp for many summers to come. Meanwhile, he plans to begin graduate studies at MSU this month, studying sports administration while also contemplating a career as a school principal and coach.

He did not actively pursue a post-college career in pro football.

“My dream was to play for MSU,” he says, “and now that I’ve done that, I’m satisfied. I was able to meet a lot of great people and loyal fans who’ve helped me out.

“So hopefully as years go by, I’ll be able to help them out, too.”

Regions is the Official Bank of the Southeastern Conference and proud sponsor of the SEC on ESPN Scholar Athlete of the Week.

comments (20)

I am not a big football fan, but I admire ambition such as Tysons'. It is uplifting to see a player turn celebrity into servant as this young man has. It is not how high you go, it is how many you encourage along the way by your example. I can see a bright future for Tyson no matter where he goes or what he does because of the person he is. His example was his mother and how she made it no matter how hard it may have been. He is teaching others important lessons by leadership. Way to go!

Judy Bates

I am a huge sports fan. It is so refreshing to read of fine young men like Tyson with goals and values, outside of his sport. He is the type of person that all ages can look to as a role model. We need more young adults like Tyson for our youngsters to respect and follow. He is giving back to the community and his admiration for his mother is touching. She helped mold him into the adult he has become.

Debbie Nail

Tyson Lee has got his head on straight. Priorities are a major part of life. They set direction, give focus as well as real meaning to life itself. Good to see you acknowledge these kind of efforts on your web site.

Otey Sherman

Reading this article was very refreshing. It is amazing and rewarding to know that there are people out there who value others before themselves. Tyson's story about his upbringing and his current future plans are inspiring for all single mothers out there. That no matter the circumstances in life, as a mother creating a faith built foundation is the key to raising your children up in this world where they focus on make a difference in this world. I thank GOD that there are men of GOD like Tyson who take personal responsibility into changing this generation and want to be an impact to the youth as a role model. This assurance is a gift in itself for me as a single mother. Thank you Tyson for your dedication, inspiration and showing the same love to others GOD has for his people.

Chami Warnakulasuriya

What a great story! Tyson's 3D theory is not only good for football but for LIFE. So many athletes miss a wonderful opportunity to be the role model to our youth. Tyson understands in God's eyes you must be last to be first and puts that in practice everyday. May God continue to use in in a mighty way and may Tyson inspire others to do the same.

Carol Mills

This is a nice story. He is correct, most of what you hear in the news about the athletes is bad. it is nice to see something positive.

Beth Walker

As an MSU fan I am very proud of this young man. His actions on and off the field were always exemplary. I have seven grandsons who I will read this story to and hope that they can take away what is really important in life.

Dianne McCormick

I am very proud of you Tyson. I am going to make sure that my grandson read you inspiring and uplifting story and hope he will truly learn something positive from it. Way to go!

Beverley Anderson

As someone who works with teens on a day-to-day basis, it is so uplifting to hear of a young adult inspiring todays teens. This generation is in desperate need of leaders and mentors with integrity. Keep up the good work Tyson.

Julie Johnson

It is always good to hear of someone who dedicates their time to help children better themselves. A great leader leads by example and that is what Tyson has done, it had nothing to do with sports it was about a young man who kept his promise to a group of children and didn't allow anything to change that, a young man who dedicated himself to give back to others with the hope that it would make a difference. We need more people like Tyson, children are our future leaders and if no one takes the time to make sure they choose better paths in their lives while believing they can accomplish anything they set their mind to, our future will be very dark, so Tyson keep up the good work and know that you have inspired others become better leaders for the children in their community.

Georgia Kirby

Sounds like Tyson has his values in order, by doing what is right, he's put people first and reached higher and dedicated his life to understand and meet the needs of others! Thank you for your example Tyson! Bless you!

Traci Newsom

This is a great story! I'm so glad Regions recognizes people like Tyson!

Laurie Mize

His story was so inspiring, I am going to share it with my two grandsons and their friends. Both love the game of football and hopefully Tyson's story will help them to make good life decisions as they young men.

Rebecca Spence

I know Tyson personally and can attest to his character and his passion for life and for serving others. He and I were recently involved in a Fatherhood rally in Columbus led by RV Brown ... an inspirational experience . Being around Tyson inspires me to be a better man, a better father, a better husband and a better Regions employee. Thanks for the story

Hoot Wilder

Keep up the good work, and continue to put God first, he will continue to direct your path.

Patricia Waldrop

My son played football at MSU with Tyson and he is an amazing boy!! GOD is number 1 in his life!!

DeAnna Merritt

Awesome story...It is so good to see a young men as yourself being such a good example for the kids in your sunday school class you were teaching and to the kids on the football team. I love to see young Christian Leadership. I do agree that showing consistency, that you care, and being the example to them mean all in the world to young people as I worked as a youth leader for several years. Thank you for following God and being that good example to so many!

Kim

Tyson Lee certainly appears to be a fine young man making a possitive difference in the lives of others! Although I am an Ole Miss alum I admire what Tyson did at Mississippi State and how he is choosing to live his life off the gridiron. Congrats to Tyson and his mom.

Kerwin Trussell

Sometimes I feel my grandson i s spending too much time practicing football and that it consumes his whole life. After reading about Tysons' committment, I can see that consistency in practice is a tool he can use in other aspects of his life. My grandson is a committed christian also and I feel we have to give to God 100% in whatever we are doing. Thanks for the insight.

Peggy Page

What a great story! Most of us have preferences that we call convictions, but this young man is one of the best examples of character that I have seen in a long time. The kids in his class can see that reputation is what people think you are, but character is what you are when the going gets tough.

Jimmy Bryant