Justin Britt ~ Walk of Fame Honoree
Justin Britt ~ In his own words from www.justinbritt68.com
I’ve been blessed with a strong support system, plenty of opportunity, and a talent that not many people have, and even though being a Seattle Seahawk allows me to continue to grow my skills and develop my legacy, I’ll always know that I made it to where I am today because of my roots.
Playing NFL football feels like what I was born to do.
Athletics Provided Consistency I grew up in a military family, so even as we moved from place to place, athletics was where I found my consistency. I have always loved sports, and even though my dad’s career kept us mobile most of the time, the desire to compete grew with me wherever we went. In sixth grade, we settled in Lebanon, Missouri, and to this day, I’m proud to represent the town and its people. It was then that I started wrestling and playing football, and sports became the focal point of my life. It was all I wanted to do.
When I was playing varsity football in high school, I went to the Mizzou team camp, and head coach Gary Pinkel called my dad and me into his office immediately after to tell me they were going to offer me a scholarship. He told me to take a few days to think about it. I didn’t need them. Right then and there, I said, “I want to be a Tiger.”
Drafted In The Second Round That was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and the success I’ve found in the NFL confirms that. Mizzou prepared me to play professional football without me realizing it at the time, and I was chosen in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Seahawks. I came in with the mindset that I was going to be the starting right tackle — that’s the job that I was fighting for, and that’s what I got.
My favorite bible verse, 1 Corinthians 9:24, helped keep me on track: I knew what my goal was, and I knew how hard I needed to work to get there.
After winning the spot in training camp, I started in the opening game against the Green Bay Packers, and I played in all 16 regular season games. At the end of my first season playing for the Seattle Seahawks, we played in the Super Bowl, which was more than I ever could have imagined when I was growing up just playing the game I loved to play. Even though the ending wasn’t what we had wanted, I know we have the skill, passion, and dedication to get there again soon.
My Life Off The Field Off the field, my team at home is made up of my wife Alicia, my daughter Navy, and my parents. Whether I’m hanging out with my daughter, playing Xbox with friends, or training to be the best NFL player I can be, I keep my faith, my family, and football in mind, and I’m grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given.