THE BLOG SERIES: "THE FAMILY BEHIND THE PLAYER"

                                



           THE OATSVALL FAMILY

 When interviewing Gwen Oatsvall for our "Game Day Ready Live" video, I knew I had to do a feature on their family. To say they are a bit "Intriguing" is an understatement. First, lets start with how gorgeous this family is. They for sure could be the GQ Family of the month. The first thing I thought to myself when I saw Jeremiah was that this kid looks just like Zac Efron. His mother says he gets that all the time. He has such a unique and marketable look, that of course the Hollywood manager came out in me and I start thinking of all the commercials and shows this kid could be in. Wait for it, and remember you heard it from me first. :)

 






Then you dig a little deeper and I find out his dad Scott also played college football. Yes, good looks and talent run pretty deep in the Oatsvall family. Look at dad, is he a stud or what?

JEREMIAH THE MAGICIAN

This is not your typical family as you can see, they are a blended family.  The love in their heart runs even deeper for the Oatsvall family. They started adopting orphans about 10 years ago and now have a ministry called 147 Million Orphans. Being a college quarterback is very challenging so to keep "Perspective"  Gwen told me that  every year the family takes time out to go on a mission trip. One of the highlights of the trip is the kids watching Jeremiah "The Magician" perform his famous card tricks which he picked up from his father. Gwen's smile is so big while telling me how the kids will just swarm around him waiting to see what Jeremiah has up his sleeves, literally. 

 

HOW CAN I SUPPORT
To get to know more about their ministry go to 147millionorphans.org.  The organization has a wonderful program called  "Gifts that Give" which is a perfect way to start your holiday season. Each item purchased will provide food in a different way for the vulnerable children in Uganda whether it be for a month, or 3 meals, etc. Below I have included pictures of the items along with their links if you would like to participate in "Gifts that Give".

147store.com  
myfirstreadingclub.com  
use the code ( HELP147)
diffeyewear.com 
bakdrop.com/products/147millionorphans 

IT STARTS WITH BELIEF
 In getting to know the Oatsvall family one thing that you will notice right off is their FAITH. They are a praying family with a lot of BELIEF.  "Belief is where it all begins", says Mama O. Mama O is what all the Austin Peay players call her. That's because in this game of football and especially being the mama of a quarterback you become the mom of many. Especially, when you are such an infectious family like this one. It becomes easy to gravitate to their positive, inspiring, and Godly leadership. The "Power of Belief "first started with Jeremiah breaking a 10 year streak since winning state at his high school, Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee. He went on to win state back to back his Junior and Senior years. Once you have had that "BREAK OUT" feeling and truly BELIEVE  you begin to realize it can be done again. Well, at Austin Peay this season Jeremiah once again stepped up to be the inspiring leader the team needed to break a 29 game losing streak to have their first winning season in years. Even though they got slighted for the playoffs this season,  their drive, belief, and determination this team took on as a unit was unmatched, as they never gave up. 

Interview with "Mama O" Gwen Oatsvall:

Stacie : Tell me how you became a mother of 6 and where did the kids you adopted come from?
Gwen: It was nothing planned, it was God's direction that lead us to them. We have two from Uganda and two from China.
Stacie: What does a typical day in the Oatsvall family look like?
Gwen: There are no typical days, only crazy days full of activities and practices. Basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, robotics, wrestling, and football.
Stacie: How do you relax Gwen because this is a lot for one mama?
Gwen: The only way I can relax is by working out, and when I am on the mission field.
Stacie: Do you have a special passion or hobby?
Gwen: I am passionate about the work I do for others.
Stacie: Your husband Scott was also a collegiate  athlete?
Gwen: Yes, Scott played football at San Diego State University when Marshall Faulk was there. He was a punter and scout team quarterback.
Stacie: What are your favorite things you like to do together?
Gwen: We like to take walks, go out to dinner to check on each other's schedule and we love cheering on our kids together.
Stacie: Ok, it's a Game Day! How in the world do you prepare with so much going on in the Oatsvall house?
Gwen: First I have to get a baby sitter if it's an away game, I get my clappers ready and my pom-poms and I PRAY!
Stacie: Do you have a Game Day ritual? A lot of fans wonder do moms have one?
Gwen: I am really traditional about what I wear, if we win I wear the same clothes the next game. I also have a prayer I pray before every game.
Stacie: Does Jeremiah have a Game Day Ready Ritual:
Gwen: JO watches his high school team play every Friday night at the hotel and talks to his former QB coach at BA a few times a season.
Stacie: Who is his favorite player?
Gwen: Tim Tebow
Stacie: What has been the hardest thing for you so far being a College Football Mom?
Gwen: By far having a son that is a quarterback and being a starter as a freshman. Knowing there is so much expectations and excitement and everyone expects them to win. 
Stacie: What has been your favorite thing about being a College Football Mom?
Gwen: All the new relationships and families that I look forward to seeing every Saturday. I also enjoy talking with and checking in on all the other CFM throughout the week.
Stacie: What is some advice you have always shared with Jeremiah before a game or just throughout his playing career:
Gwen: Our Family Motto: Hungry, Holy, Humble.I always reminded him that he is playing for Jesus, and to go out there and just have fun.
Stacie: Why Austin Peay a school that had a losing record:
Gwen: Funny thing is Jeremiah didn't want to visit Austin Peay. He had about 10 other offers but they were persistent and kept calling. Other schools saw him as an an athlete not really a quarterback standing at 6'1". Austin Peay we saw as a place that would allow him to play the position he was most passionate about and to utilize all of his gifts. They valued him as a person, and would allow his talent as a QB to grow and be developed.
Stacie: So what was the season like in a nutshell if possible?
Gwen: I'll try to narrow it down for you. We snapped a 29 game losing streak, first time winning seven OVC games since 1977, won the Sgt. York Trophy for the first time ever, first winning season in over a decade, and broke the school record for the most yards offensively as a team. So many more but that's in a nutshell.
Stacie: What advice would you give another QB mom at any level?
Gwen: Be a praying mother, treat your O line with treats and food and praise and always remember it is a team effort not only one person that gets the job done.
Stacie: Wow, this is such a great story and there is  so much I want to ask but I think I will end it with this. Lastly, how do you help Jeremiah with the emotional roller coaster ride of being a QB which is the most talked about position on any team?
Gwen: I think making sure he knows we love him so much outside of the sport and that nothing changes our feelings is what gives him the stability to handle set backs. He is always great about looking at a game and knowing what he can do better or if they did their best and then move on. They say the best attribute a QB can have is a SHORT MEMORY. 

This was awesome right! Thank you so much Gwen for taking the time out for us to get to know a little bit more about "The Family Behind the Player". To hear the live interview with Gwen Oatsvall please go to our Face Book page "Game Day Ready Live".

Seems to me like Jeremiah is  "THE MAGICIAN"  on and off the field. Congratulations Jeremiah and to the Oatsvall family for all you do to make a difference on and off the field! Oh, and by the way Zac Efron has nothing on you kid! 

Thank you for reading another Game Day Ready Edition.
Peace and Love,
Stacie McCall Harris
Founder CFM 2016
#3'sMom #Notredame