The excitement was palpable at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 19th as the Florida Gators won a 30-23 thriller over the Auburn Tigers in overtime. For fans, it was a familiar sight to see the game won with the participation of one man. As the Auburn quarterback fumbled on fourth down, disciple Ian Scott threw himself on the ball for the win. Ian, rated one of the ten best defensive tackles in the country and a member of the Gainesville church, seems to have a habit of excellence and good timing.

Growing up as the son of disciples Randy and Teresa Scott, Ian always wanted to be a disciple, but, he says, "just didn't know how to do it right." The rigors of playing three sports in high school and being the senior class valedictorian coupled with the absence of a strong teen ministry left Ian feeling a little frustrated. With the help of ministry leaders like Troy and Kim Chris, Ian made a big decision. "I had to choose between the University of Michigan, which had no real campus ministry and staying at home to attend the University of Florida. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it spiritually [at U of M]. I decided to stay here and become a disciple."

His mission ground became the University of Florida football team, where as a sophomore he made second team all-conference and is projected to be first team all FCC as a junior. Ian finds it to be a difficult task. Contrary to the "men's locker room" atmosphere one might expect, ("that would be a lot easier"), he found the team to be "very, very religious. And because of that, a lot of people were turned off before I got there." Ian persevered with the help of fellow disciples and teammates Johhny Lamar and little brother Alik Scott and baptized their defensive line coach Rod Broadway. His approach is simple. "I just ask them to study the Bible. Now that they know who I am and what I'm about."

When asked about heroes, the answer is quick and detailed. "I like the way my Dad is able to relate to all kinds of people, especially kids. He taught at my high school and had all my friends, and he was their favorite teacher. I'd like to play professional football and go into the ministry somewhere. A campus ministry, so I can be around young people, like my Dad." The admiration society appears to be mutual. Randy Scott, the 2001 Florida State Teacher of the Year, says of his son, "I want to be just like him when I grow up."

To read an interview with Ian on the website of the Gainseville Sun, click here.