BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford CHAMPS Program recently hosted Taylor Morton as the latest in a series of speakers hosted to benefit the school's student-athletes.
 
Morton's talk was titled Letting God Lead: A Conversation with Taylor Morton.
 
Morton is a thought-provoking leader who engages audiences with humor and stories. He travels the country speaking to churches, athletic teams and businesses. His story challenges them to become the best version of themselves they can be. 
 
Morton played football at The University of Alabama from 2011-2014. He was a part of two national championships and one SEC championship. While attending Alabama, he was diagnosed with cancer during his junior year. He is now cancer free and is married to the love of his life Linlee. They have two German Shepherds and live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
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Morton serves on staff at Valley View Baptist Church as their student pastor. He has a passion for challenging each student to be the very best leader they can be and to use their talents, gifts and abilities for the glory of God.
 
Below are what some of Samford's student-athletes had to say about the session.
 
Emerson Simpson- Women's Track and Field: "I thought Taylor Morton was awesome with an amazing testimony and key points to take away!"
 
Emily Surcey- Women's Tennis: "Hearing Taylor Morton share his life story was truly impactful. His testimony of resilience through unimaginable pain — from losing his brother, battling cancer, to facing the heartbreak of losing a child — was both humbling and inspiring. His encouragement to 'find purpose in the pain' reminded me that while we may not control the challenges we encounter, we can choose how we respond. His strength and perspective serve as a powerful example of courage and faith in the face of life's toughest trials."
 
Blake Gayles- Men's Golf- "Mr. Morton led an impactful discussion today with the telling of his life story. He has been through many unimaginable circumstances, that as he said is something you imagine could never happen to you. His ability to persevere is inspiring and encouraging. Being able to deal with pain by acknowledging it instead of trying to conceal it is an important lesson to be learned. He ended the message with a great perspective from Romans that no matter what happens, all things work together for the glory of God."
 
For more information on Samford's CHAMPS program, please contact JeNorri Armstead (jarmstea@samford.edu), David Moore (dmoore8@samford.edu), M.E. Eberhardt (meberha1@samford.edu) or Christa Urban (curban1@samford.edu).
 
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