Harding HS football players receive state championship rings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Harding University High School Rams received their state championship rings on Tuesday night at Central Church of God. The location of their reception is fitting, because faith is the center of their journey.

Last December, the Harding Rams celebrated their first 4A state football championship in 64 years.

"We knew it wasn't gonna be easy, but we were gonna make Him standup at the end of the day and guess what? That good Lord is standing up saying 'Look what I created in these guys,'" said head coach, Sam Griener.

The team with no field house kept the faith. The team that practiced on a beat-up baseball field kept believing.

The team didn't have enough money to fit the $20,000 bill for championship rings, but their prayers were answered when Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis paid more than $15,000 to ensure the Rams received all 60 rings.

"Don't worry about it, we'll just pay the rest. So that's what we're going to do, we're going to pay the rest of that money you all need, so you can get ya'll rings," said Davis during a Power98 FM radio interview.

Head coach Sam Griener turned a one-win football team into state champions in just two years, but he made an impact in the lives of these kids that can't be measured in wins and losses.

Some of the players are now headed to college to stay on a winning path, all thanks to a championship won through faith, family and football.

Cox Media Group