In many ways, Super Bowl LVIII could be considered a battle of the Tight Ends. Two of the best of all time at their position with square off, with only one walking away a winner. For the Chiefs, there’s Travis Kelce. For the 49ers, there’s George Kittle. The two stars have become famous for their on-field success and are likely recognized everywhere they go.
I doubt that the same could be said for their backups; Noah Gray in Kansas City and Charlie Woerner in San Francisco. At least, when it comes to Woerner, he’s recognized somewhere…
Prison.
The 49ers team chaplain, Earl Smith, also does ministry in San Francisco’s San Quentin Penitentiary. He has led some of the 49ers players, including linebacker Oren Burks, to work with current and former inmates, sharing their faith and collaborating with them on how to reform the criminal justice system. During an interview with EmPowerU, Woerner recalled the details about an experience he had when visiting the prison.
“That’s what these guys look forward to, to go out to the 9ers or the Warriors out here… They’re like Oh, Charlie, man…” No one knows who I am. To be honest with you, most 9ers fans don’t know who I am. But these guys are like “oh, you were out there laying guys out on kickoff!” And I’m like “What?!?! You watch me on Special Teams? Thanks, man!”
Even in his College days at the University of Georgia, he wasn’t the most recognizable face on the team.
On a team with recognizable names such as D’Andre Swift, Jordan David, Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, Rodrigo Blankenship, and Woerner’s close friend and college roommate, Jake Fromm, Charlie blended into the background. Though he played for 4 seasons, he only caught 34 passes for 376 yards and 1 touchdown. Most of his success came as a blocker. His success as a blocker, however, led him to be selected in the 6th round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
As Woerner looks back on his college days, he has 3 pieces of advice for young college students.
- Stay in Church. Woerner says, “I feel like so many believers… used being away from their parents, being away from their grandparents, or whoever was their leader in going to church – they see going away as freedom. And some of these kids, they wouldn’t darken the door of a church until they went home for Easter or Christmas. They became a Christmas and Easter Christian. I feel like that’s huge, just staying connected in the body of Christ. Being around older people who are wiser than you.”
- Find Good People. “There’s plenty of bad temptations in High School and College – they’re everywhere! It’s easy to go find all the worldly sin, but surrounding yourself with good friends, dating people who are like-minded as you in their faith, that definitely is #2.”
- Read the Bible. “Once you get out of college and hit the real world, you have a lot less time on your hands. So I feel like getting consistent and being in the Word in your time in College in huge.”
That’s some wonderful advice!
A Lamp Unto My Cleats 
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