Oct. 26, 2001

By Julie Brown MU Media Relations Office

Stepping on a football field as a sixth grader, Duke Revard never knew what a great impact football would have on his life. At that time, this future inside linebacker saw it only as a way to have fun.

"We dominated everybody. The coaches just let us have so much fun. From then on, I was pretty much hooked," Revard said.

Now, as a senior graduating with a consumer and family economics degree, Revard knows that this "fun sport" has taught him many valuable lessons about life.

"There are so many ways you can be tested - physically, emotionally and even spiritually. For me, the biggest thing I've taken away from football is having to rely on the Lord," Revard said.

Revard has relied on God for many decisions. Growing up in Bentonville, Ark., he never expected to play football for Missouri. After visiting a few other universities, Revard felt like MU was the place he belonged.

After four years on the team, it seems that Revard did make the right decision. As a Tiger, Revard has added to the team both as a linebacker and on special teams. In the 2000 season, he had his first start as linebacker and a career game against Oklahoma State, recording nine tackles and recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

Coming back as a veteran this season, Revard hopes to continue contributing in any area he can.

"I want to be really sound so the coaches don't have to worry whether I'm going to get the job done," Revard said.

Revard not only contributes on the field, but also off of it. Every Tuesday night, student-athletes gather around Revard as he helps lead the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Besides football, Revard considers this one of his greatest commitments.

While this commitment gives him a chance to be a leader, it also gives him the opportunity to spend time with fellow athletes. It is moments like these that Revard says he will cherish.

"Getting up at six in the morning is not what I'll miss. It's the fact that I had to get up at six with someone else, and we were always in it together," he said. "It's the time in the locker room that I have to build relationships with guys that I never would have had without football."

For Revard, what started out as just a game of fun has given him so much more. In fact, he views it as one of his greatest achievements.

"All of the football, all of the school, watching the Lord work through all the different trials and just making it through, the whole picture, is one big accomplishment," he said.

As Revard looks to the future, he cannot help but reflect on what he would like to leave the sport that has helped him accomplish so much.

"At this point, I'd rather leave a spiritual legacy as opposed to anything else," Revard said. "That people knew I was seeking God and that my heart was for God. That's what I hope people remember because I think that's what's eternal and that's what endures."