John Offerdahl and his wife Lynn have pledged their likeness, time, talents and treasure in an effort to positively impact South Florida. Established in 2012, the Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation (OHOF) mission is to “Feed the Needs of Those in Crisis” in partnership with business, government, civic and faith-based organization.

Since 2010, the Gridiron Grill-Off Food and Wine Festival has raised money to “Feed the Needs of Kids in Crisis” through foster care and homeless agencies across South Florida. In 2013, the Gridiron Grill-Off became a subsidiary of OHOF. Check it out at www.gridirongrilloff.com
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In 2015, OHOF created another subsidiary, Home Team Advantage Restorative Housing, with the purpose to “Feed the Needs of Those in Crisis” who are seeking relational restoration and homeownership victory!

How do you measure success? Is it reaching a set of goals professionally, gaining wealth, or enjoying the fame and respect of a pro athlete? Allow me to share my story…

I grew up in Wisconsin, the only son of 5 children born in a 6-year window. That’s right, my first conscionable moment, I realized I had 4 older sisters and no brothers! For over a decade, my wardrobe was literally hand-me-downs! I escaped to my bedroom to “rock” and dream myself to sleep. Beside my bed hung a lone picture frame that held a quote from Teddy Roosevelt that would define my future… “In life, as in football… Hit The Line Hard!” In 9th grade, I put on my first helmet. As a Junior, I became the 1st string inside linebacker and defensive captain for the Fort Atkinson Varsity football team while playing 1st chair French horn for the concert band. I was a good kid, from a good family and from that day onward, in life as in football, I “Hit The Line Hard”.

I was recruited and offered a half scholarship by Western Michigan University. I chose the scholarship to assist my family in financial matters, 5 kids in college was no easy task for my parents. Little did I know my decision would alter my life beyond finances. By the first game, I was starting inside linebacker and defensive captain under Coach Jack Harbaugh. The crucible of performance began to churn. My success on the field became my measurement of significance. I knew immediately a trap was being set! I was no longer just the good kid from Fort Atkinson, I was what fans expected, players respected, and coaches would thrust insatiably towards the hope of victory. I saw the same Wisconsin kid who savored family and yearned for meaning.

It was with this perspective, that I attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes and CRU joint meeting my Freshman fall and learned about an unconditional love and relationship available through Jesus Christ. I realized my success did not define my significance. That regardless of my performance, I was valued by the God who created me in His image and wanted a relationship with me through Jesus.

The gangly boy from Wisconsin who grew up with 4 older sisters, played the French horn and was recruited as a walk-on (not your prototypical inside linebacker prospect!), finished his 4-year career at Western Michigan as the all-time college leader in tackles and selected in the second round of the1986 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. I went on to become the NFL’s Defensive Rookie-Of-The-Year and a five-time Pro-Bowl Bowl Inside Linebacker playing alongside Dan Marino and captaining the defense under legendary coach Don Shula.

Over the years, I’ve become a respected member of my community. This may surprise you, but even a successful football and business career with money, fame and pleasure does not instill a daily heartfelt contentment nor provide hope for the future. Success is not what you do, what you own, or what others think of you, but a life found in Christ that serves others.

Think about it. Everything this life has to offer is temporary: your possessions, your reputation, and accomplishments. Though death is inevitable for all, few people prepare for life after death. Do you know that you will spend eternity in heaven?

I hope you realize that God loves you unconditionally, regardless of your past and that He created you to know Him personally through Jesus Christ. You can start your relationship with Him today by accepting God’s love and the sacrifice Jesus made when He died on the cross to cover every mistake you’ve ever made or will make. No one can ever do enough or be good enough in this life to be granted entrance into heaven. Your relationship begins by admitting your need for forgiveness and accepting it from the One who gave His life to pay for it. Forgiveness is available no where else.

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal LIFE.” John 3:16

“In LIFE, as in football, Hit The Line Hard!”

John Offerdahl grew up in Fort Atkinson, WI. He played football at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, under Coach Jack Harbaugh and received a degree in Bio Medicine. John played his entire pro career with the Miami Dolphins (l986-1993) under Coach Don Shula. He and his wife Lynn live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where they own and operate Offerdahl’s Off-The Grill restaurants and manage Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, a public charity that is the parent company to the Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival (www.gridirongrilloff.com) and the Home Team Advantage Restorative Housing (www.htadvantage.org). They have 3 grown children.