Pastor’s son Scott sings praises at every opportunity

By JOHN PHILIP WYLLIE

If the Chargers are to improve upon last year’s surprising 12-4 regular season record, team depth will no doubt be a factor. Like it or not, injuries play a huge role in the fortunes of NFL franchises. The Chargers are therefore trying to constantly upgrade their talent pool and deepen their depth.

Fourth year Chargers defensive tackle/defensive end and special teams player, DeQuincy Scott, is one of those important role players providing depth. Scott has started on occasion, but more often he will be brought in to spell the starters and plug the holes along the Chargers line. One of several deeply committed Christians within the team, Scott was born in La Place, LA the son of a Baptist minister.

“People often say that a pastor’s children are the worst children, but I believe my parents raised me the right way,” Scott said with his characteristic warm smile. “They raised me as a God-fearing man. My Mom was really the disciplinarian growing up. My Dad would usually just talk to me (when I got in trouble). People expect you to behave a different way when you are the son of a pastor. I have always tried to live a life that was by the word of God. Everybody at some point hits a wall or slips and falls, but the point is, you then get up. I got caught doing a few bad things growing up, but you learn and you grow.”

Scott has never stopped growing in his relationship with Jesus Christ. During the season, he is a fixture in a local church where he sings in the choir with a former Chargers teammate, Robert Pollard.

“I think it is a good thing that we have a lot of Christian players on this team,” Scott said. “It’s good being around other Christians. We have the same values and we are always talking about the word of God. It inspires you and helps you on days when you may not have it. You can depend on God and know that he has given you a friend that you can depend on too. You might need an encouraging word and we try to do that for each other.”

Scott has been involved in his faith for many years, but his participation in the Bay View Baptist Church choir is a recent development.

“When I was younger, I always had a fear of singing in church, but God has helped me to overcome that. Now, I am able to lift my voice to Him. I’ve always sung around here (in the Chargers locker room), but I just started singing in the choir a few months ago. It is a great feeling to have the Holy Spirit upon you (when you sing).”

Scott sings the Lord’s praises whenever he has the opportunity and not just in a musical sense.

“Every chance we get we do (community involvement) things like feeding the homeless. I tell them that Jesus Christ is my main concern. Sometimes when you go into (public) schools they don’t want you to talk about religion. I tell them from the get-go, if you don’t want me to talk about Jesus Christ then you don’t want me here. I am going to talk about Him. He is my personal savior and He is the one who got me where I am now. I’m going to say that everywhere I go and I am not going to shy away from it.”