College LB Grounded in Christ Despite Tragedy

Published: December 9, 2024

College LB Grounded in Christ Despite Tragedy

By Movieguide® Contributor

University of Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac keeps his identity grounded in Christ.

“In high school at West Seneca East Senior High, he was the Buffalo News Player of the Year and rushed for a school-record 1,997 yards on offense and a school-record 157 tackles on defense. After being offered a full-ride scholarship to play lacrosse, Dolac chose to pursue football and join Buffalo as a preferred walk-on. In 2022, he led the Mid-American Conference in tackles (148) and ranked second in the nation. In 2024, he is currently leading the nation in tackles (159) and was named a mid-season All-American by CBS Sports,” Sports Spectrum reported.

But despite his on-field success, Dolac has had to overcome tragedies, including his father’s death.

“I say my identity is in Christ,” the linebacker told Sports Spectrum. “I think throughout my whole life, I’ve been through a lot of adversities and a lot of obstacles.”

“In 2016, my dad ended up passing away from Esophageal cancer, stage four. And just growing up and seeing my mom, how strong my mom had to be for — I’m the youngest of five siblings — and just seeing her having to be strong for all of us. You know, take my dad, you know, flying to Atlanta, Georgia, to the Cancer Institute of America and getting treatment and coming back and just staying strong for us and seeing that, you know.”

“Life will knock you down sometimes, but it’s how you respond that determines who you become,” he continued. “And, you know, throughout that time, I think I really found myself searching for Christ because my dad ended up passing away that year. Sometimes when things happen to people, they tend to turn away from God, and I had to make a decision to kind of turn towards Him and find Him and search [for] Him and make sure that what I do in my life is for Him and it’s for the glory of Him.”

For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.

Dolac often posts about his faith on his social media. In one post, the Buffalo star wrote, “Trust that God has you exactly where he wants you to be.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shaun Dolac (@shaundolac)

In another, he said, “‘What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open,’ Revelations 3:7b. Trust in Gods ability to give you what you need and deserve.”