A Weekend to Remember
Patros Guys’ Weekend
Patros and Ohio State Football Are Inspiring a New Generation of Men
Despite living in Florida, I’m an Ohio State fan – and, I’ve had countless moments of excitement, but one in particular changed the trajectory of my work with Patros. It was 2022, and I was watching the game against Indiana. In the final minutes, C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass to Kamryn Babb, and the stadium erupted. The team celebrated wildly, and I thought, What’s the story behind this?
Later that night, I stumbled across the press conference. For 17 minutes, Kam and C.J. didn’t talk about stats or strategy—they talked about Jesus. Every answer pointed to God’s faithfulness. I was floored. Here were young men, at the pinnacle of college athletics, using their platform to glorify God. It’s not about being “deeply religious”, it’s about being authentic to your relationship with Christ. That’s when it hit me: Patros could bring these young, on-fire believers together to pass on wisdom to others.
Patros, derived from the Greek word for "father," was already creating curriculum to equip men in faith, character, family, and leadership. But Kam’s story brought a new vision: we could capture the wisdom of these young men walking boldly in their faith and create something timeless. Kam agreed, and what began as an idea grew into a full-scale project.
In 2023, we brought Kam and 12 other Ohio State football players together for a retreat at Briarwood Sporting Club. These weren’t just athletes; they were men transformed by Christ, eager to share their journey. The weekend was a mix of fun—clay shooting, fishing, and stunning lake views—and intentional sessions centered on Matthew 5–7, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We explored how to live counter-culturally, as men grounded in faith and not swayed by the world’s expectations.
What struck me most was the camaraderie and the relationships we developed along the way. Kam was protective of the group, ensuring it wasn’t about publicity but authentic connection. These young men, many of whom are headed to now in the NFL, shared their stories of revival—from Master Teague to JT Tuimolalou to Emeka Egbuka—and their passion for Christ was contagious.
The result? The “Counter Kingdom” curriculum, now inspiring men nationwide. Watching these athletes use their influence for God’s glory reminds me why we started Patros: to equip men to live boldly for Christ and pass on wisdom from generation to generation.
Be well,
Jeffrey Charles Ford