The Singing Bengal

High-profile performance is nothing new for Ben Utecht. As a five-season NFL veteran and Cincinnati Bengals starting tight end, Utecht entertains hundreds of thousands of fans each fall with his skillful offensive field techniques. But the 28-year-old—who won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts—has more than pigskin on the brain. He's also a gifted singer/songwriter—his debut album earned four stars from us—who's proving his off-season aptitude to the masses. Utecht spoke with us about his music, the relationships that brought him from the gridiron to the stage, and why, for now, football comes first.

Ben Utecht

Will there be a place for music during the fall NFL schedule?

Ben Utecht: Once the season starts it's pretty much just football and ministering through football. I really feel like God wants to keep music for the off-season. He's blessed me with the opportunity to play in the NFL, and that has to be my primary focus. But you can count on me getting into music once the season is done.

So would you define yourself as a football player first, then as a musician?

Utecht: They are both part of my identity. But being a football player would probably come before being a musician right now.

Most people spend a lifetime of resources investing in a single career. Is it overkill to divide your energy between two demanding professions?

Utecht: I don't think so. Music has always been a relief for me, an opportunity to get away from stresses and anxieties that come along with [football]. It gives me an avenue to create and express myself. I think that has improved my capabilities as an athlete.

So it's therapeutic.

Utecht: Yeah. When you get into the football season it's seven days a week. It's very time-consuming. Music allows me a refreshing opportunity to experience Christ in a new way and rejuvenate my faith.

What unique opportunities does athletic celebrity afford your music career?

Utecht: I've been able to take my faith-based music into schools and talk about issues of character. I'm able to talk about issues that include the fruits of the Spirit without necessarily pushing Jesus on anybody. Music has given me a unique avenue to bridge some of the barriers that we face with separation of church and state, and doors will open for me that might not for other Christian artists because of the NFL.

Have you received any opposition from students or administrators?

Utecht: No. That's the crazy thing. I always do a little quirky thing about having this secret dream to try out for American Idol. Everyone starts laughing and usually someone says, "Prove it!"  I say, "OK.  I want y'all to be my judges." I say, "I grew up singing in the church, so my audition is always 'Amazing Grace'." People don't expect a football player to sing. The kids and teachers love it.

Ben as a Bengal

Students can be tough, but the locker room must be even tougher. Do you get a lot of grief from players for your musical aspirations?

Utecht: The cool thing is the guys understand my heart and realize this isn't just a gimmick. I get respect. It's been exciting to see how my teammates have jumped on board. I've got guys going on iTunes and checking out my website. It's a unique way for me to witness to these guys; I've been thrilled about that.

Any closet musicians on the team trying to audition for a spot on the road?

Utecht: [Laughs] You'd be surprised at how many hidden talents are on each team. One of my teammates, Rico Murray, plays drums, bass and lead guitar. He grew up playing in his dad's worship band. These kinds of guys are on every team.

How does proclaiming Christ differ on the field versus the stage?

Utecht: When I get on stage, people are coming to a Christian concert. They understand what they are getting. On the field, everybody comes from different places, different faiths and different backgrounds, so there's more strategy to it. To be a Christian in the NFL, you are put under a magnifying glass where people are waiting, if not wanting, to see you fail. I need to make sure I'm doing the best that I can to practice what I preach.

What are some specific ways you do that?

Utecht: Being a part of our team Bible studies. Inviting guys to come and hear me sing. Just loving on my teammates—going around the locker room and listening to guys, to get to know them. That's been a major way to reveal my faith to my teammates. Leading by example is something I learned from Tony Dungy [former Colts coach]. He walked consistently with Christ.

Dungy has said that you're "a talented football player.  However, I always thought his real impact would be in Christian music."

Utecht: I was speechless when I read that. Tony's all about the Kingdom. He means the world to me and he's been a major mentor both on and off the field. It's given me a lot of confidence to continue walking in music.

I hear Dungy is the entire reason you ended up playing for the Colts.

Utecht: It's one of my miracle stories. Two months before the 2004 draft, I was doing an event with Dungy. We both went to the same college. I said, "You know Tony, University of Minnesota alum take care of each other. Once the draft rolls around I expect you to pick me up." Everybody kinda got a kick out of it.

He joked back, "Unfortunately, we drafted a tight end first round last year." But then he said, "I promise you this. If for some reason you slip through the cracks, I'll be the first one to call you." I let that go in one ear and out the other. Then I had a pretty severe sports injury, and didn't get drafted. But Tony called me, and the Colts offered me surgery and the first year off just to rehab. And they would pay me like a starting rookie. It was an amazing gift.

Ben Utecht

Sounds like a bit of divine confirmation for your calling as a player.

Utecht: At one point I didn't even know if I was going to play again. It was one of the hardest experiences I've had to go through. I told the Lord, "I'm going to trust you with everything." Three years later I'm a starting tight end in the Super Bowl.

Does it seem a bit serendipitous then that long-time Hoosier and Colts fan, Sandi Patty, would discover and sign you to her label because of team ties?

Utecht: [Laughs] I laugh every time because it's so amazing how these doors open. After I spoke in Anderson, Indiana, Sandi approached me for an autograph. I about fell on my face. I handed her back the paper and said, "Actually, you need to sign this for me."  She took my wife and me in, and became a home away from home.

I've noticed other artists have come out of the woodwork to support your music since Sandi.

Utecht: Bill Gaither has taken me under his wing and mentored me. Jeremy Camp and I met after a concert and really hit it off. It was like two, long lost brothers. We have very similar testimonies. He's become my best friend in the world. We also co-wrote a song together on the album.

I feel incredibly blessed by these relationships. And none of them would have happened would it not have been for playing for the Colts. Isn't that crazy?

Prepping for a game. Prepping for a concert. Any pre-game similarities?

Utecht: [Laughs] You know what? It's really similar. People have gotten a kick out of seeing me before a concert because I'm literally backstage jumping up and down. It almost feels like I'm getting ready to go out and hit somebody. People get really scared when I try to chest bump them!

One thing that's different is that 99.9 percent of the time I'm not going to break a rib singing.

I have to admit, before listening to your record, I wasn't expecting much. Do you have to fight the jock stereotype just to be heard?

Utecht: [Laughs] Yes. When Mike [manager Mike Atkins] first brought me to Nashville, he said, "Listen, it might be Christian music, but we still have our Simon Cowells. They're not going to expect something from an athlete because they've seen it all before." When we sat down with Word to get this thing going, they told me flat out, "We were suspect about this. But we gotta tell you, we did not expect to hear that."

I always love the reactions. Because people don't expect it, it's a pleasant surprise and gives me an opportunity to connect with people's hearts.

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