Playboy didn’t ask Crimson Tide offensive tackle Wesley Britt to bare himself, but he felt nonetheless the magazine would make him vulnerable.
Britt, 21, recently turned down an invitation to be part of Playboy’s first team All-America, a prestigious award given to 22 college football players the magazine deems the nation’s best.
“There are lots of sports agents and reporters that go and talk to the players. It sets you up for other all-American teams, connections and public notoriety,” said Britt, a member of First Baptist Church, Cullman.
But despite the fact that Britt’s dreams to continue football after college could have been furthered by accepting the offer, Britt said he believes he found success in declining. “I was really excited at first- it would’ve been a good experience,” Britt said. “But I realized it wasn’t something I needed to do.”
The six-foot-eight, 312-pound junior frequently gets opportunities to speak to children and preteens and felt associating with Playboy would weaken his positive influence. “I wouldn’t be leading by example if I said, ‘Set your goals in God’s eyes,’ then went after some worldly objective that wasn’t part of my goals,” he said.
Britt said though some of his teammates jokingly called him crazy and told him they’d go in his place, he knew the first night he received the invitation he should turn it down.
“My devotion that night asked, ‘Has God called you to a missions field to live sacrificially, give up worldly objectives and follow Him?’ and I felt that was my answer,” he said. “There are a lot of people who look up to Alabama football players, and I want to lead people closer to Christ.”
His friends and family say they believe he made the right choice.
“To be honest, I’m really proud he made the decision,” said mother Vera Britt.
“It was definitely his idea, and it may have cost him some points in publications or places, but in the end we know God will bless him,” she added.
Though Britt, who red-shirted his freshman year, has two more seasons on the football field, he will graduate in December with a degree in business management and begin work toward a master’s degree in financial planning.
“After that, God willing, I want to play in the NFL… and maybe have a family,” Britt said.
Britt’s mother said, “God will be there for him because Wesley was there for Him.”
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