What would you like to ask Coach Joe Gibbs?

Cris Richardson

College instructor Cris Richardson asked: “What do you think about the huge emphasis placed on sports in America while people seem totally ignorant about their government and what’s happening to the country?”

Joe: I think it takes balance. I think for a lot of people are just sitting on the sidelines. That’s just not going to be much of a life. I think it’s a matter of keeping God first. He made us competitive. We want to win things. We want to support winning teams. But you can’t do it from the sidelines.”

However, Gibbs doesn’t think God disapproves of enjoying sports. Jokingly, he noted:

“I’ve heard it’s going to take us a thousand years to begin to appreciate heaven. I don’t think so – not if heaven starts off with a thousand-year football game.”

Getting serious, he added: “I’m guessing now, but I think it’s going to take us a thousand years to begin to appreciate it, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong about being competitive down here. We just have to have the right priorities.”

Barbara Wilhelm

Barbara Wilhelm asked: “Who was your mentor or you hero as a child and why?”

Joe: My mother made a lot of sacrifices for me. I had an aunt and uncle who also meant a lot to me. My dad was key. I had a lot of people who nurtured me along, disciplined me, told me what I should do and shouldn’t do. When I was a college student, then when I got into coaching, San Diego State Coach Don Coryell had a big influence on me. I really appreciate my mother and grandmother keeping me in church. That’s where I made the key decision in my life, the biggest decisions I ever made to ask God to come into my life. Though I make mistakes, He’s always there to guide and even direct me.