For sports fans, especially those living in Alberta, the hot ticket this year in the C.F.L.’s Western Conference is definitely to a game between the Calgary Stampeders and their northen rivals from Edmonton. Although this year — unlike the previous few — the Eskimos are measuring up well against their southern foes, Calgary remains a worthy opponent.
Eric Sutton, defensive back with the Stamps, is on a mission and it doesn’t involve the Grey Cup.
Last year, after a painful two-year battle with kidney disease, Sutton’s older brother underwent surgery to replace his failing kidneys. Kent Sutton, 30, received the organ transplant that he so desperately needed through a life-saving donation made by his mom, Michele.
“I was supposed to be the donor,” says Sutton. “I wanted to, but my family felt it could end my career and Kent was dead set against it.”
The operation happened on the day that Sutton was in Winnipeg for his Stampeder debut against the Blue Bombers, meaning that Sutton could be with his family in prayer only, offering his support long distance.
“It hurt not being there,” remembers Sutton. “I was even more concerned about my mother than my brother. She’s older and it was a little more difficult for her.”
Sutton may have missed the chance to stand vigil in the hospital halls, but he isn’t letting that hold him back from showing his concern for his brother and others with kidney disease. Sutton is collaborating with the Kidney Foundation and the Calgary Stampeders to help in the fight against kidney disease. Their goal is for sponsors to agree to donate to the Kidney Foundation $300 for each interception and $100 for every tackle that Sutton makes during this year’s football season.
Easy enough? Maybe not. One particular glitch has cast a shadow of disappointment over this opportunity to help those in the fight of their life ... to date no sponsors have stepped forward.
“I’m disappointed,” admits Sutton. “Often we don’t donate, give to charity, and do fundraising unless it is something we’ve had a personal experience with. Maybe the Kidney Foundation isn’t for you, but some charity has to be. Why wait until it strikes close to your home?”
In football, as in life, there are plenty of obstacles and often the most basic plays go terribly wrong. Instead of retreating to the locker room carrying all of his pain and disappointments Sutton has learned to lean heavily on his faith to get him through the tough times. When sickness and the possibility of death struck close to Sutton’s home, he turned to the Head Coach in his life — God.
“It makes you put into perspective that we are all going to die someday,” says Sutton. “It makes me think of my relationship with God, He is the substance of every part of my life.”
A native of Los Angeles, the 28-year-old Sutton was raised in a Christian home but it wasn’t until his second year in the NFL that he started didn’t take his faith too seriously. That was when he made a pivotal decision.
“After living the college life, having fun and gallivanting around, I made a decision to start doing the right things,” says Sutton of his commitment to become a Christian. “It’s when you make that decision that you‘re going to lay everything aside and decide you are going to live your life for God.”
From the NFL, Sutton moved to Canada, playing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders until 1999 when he joined the Stampeders. His first full season with his new team has a packed schedule. Any moments of freedom are spent with his wife, Emily and two-year-old son, Eric;
the devotion he has for his family and for God, exceeds his love of the game.
“I do it [football] for God, to satisfy Him and show Him how much I love Him,” states Sutton. “It’s the talent He gave me and I do it to glorify His name.”
Whether it’s on the field in McMahon Stadium or in the game of life, Sutton plays to win and make a difference.
“They say that when we die, people want to be remembered for the lives they live,” he concludes. “I want to be remembered for the people I’ve led to Christ and how faithful I was to God, how much I loved Him and my family.”
When his season is finished Eric Sutton will be remembered, not just by family, friends and fans, but by those suffering with kidney disease. They will remember the effort that he has made in the battle against this deadly illness.
If you would like to know more about helping out the Kidney Foundation or sponsoring Eric Sutton please call Krista Morz (403) 255-6108.
