Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
What Motivates Me - Jordan Sterns
September 28, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Before every game, Oklahoma State safety Jordan Sterns clears his mind alone in a quiet space.
"I just focus on my breath and try to stay in the present moment," Sterns said. "Because that's all football is about. I mean that's all anything is about. Just staying in the now."
Once he is focused, he channels his energy into playing for what motivates him - his mother and his faith.
"Your mom always has your back, whether you were right, whether you were wrong," Sterns said. "Before people knew who I was, she was there. She loved me unconditionally and she whooped me when she needed to."
Sterns' mother, Brandi Biddy, raised Jordan and his younger brother Caden in Cibolo, Texas, a suburb outside of San Antonio. Sterns said he's always dreamed of the feeling he get's when he makes his mom proud.
"Whether it's on the football field or not, that doesn't mean anything to her," Sterns said. "She's always proud of me but I just love giving her the satisfaction of knowing when she cries, she's crying for a good reason."
That said, Sterns has given his mother plenty to be proud of on the football field. A second-team All-Big 12 selection last season, Sterns was honored by his coaches with the Leslie O'Neal award in 2015, which is given to OSU's outstanding defensive players. Not only is he the Big 12's active leader in career tackles, but he was also named to the 2016 watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to the nation's top defensive back.
However, Sterns said his greatest motivation is his faith.
"Over the last couple of months I've just grown a lot in my spirituality," Sterns said. "At the end of the day I wouldn't be doing any of this stuff. I wouldn't be here without God. I wouldn't be alive without God. I wouldn't be blessed with the talent I've got to play football without God."
"I just focus on my breath and try to stay in the present moment," Sterns said. "Because that's all football is about. I mean that's all anything is about. Just staying in the now."
Once he is focused, he channels his energy into playing for what motivates him - his mother and his faith.
"Your mom always has your back, whether you were right, whether you were wrong," Sterns said. "Before people knew who I was, she was there. She loved me unconditionally and she whooped me when she needed to."
Sterns' mother, Brandi Biddy, raised Jordan and his younger brother Caden in Cibolo, Texas, a suburb outside of San Antonio. Sterns said he's always dreamed of the feeling he get's when he makes his mom proud.
"Whether it's on the football field or not, that doesn't mean anything to her," Sterns said. "She's always proud of me but I just love giving her the satisfaction of knowing when she cries, she's crying for a good reason."
That said, Sterns has given his mother plenty to be proud of on the football field. A second-team All-Big 12 selection last season, Sterns was honored by his coaches with the Leslie O'Neal award in 2015, which is given to OSU's outstanding defensive players. Not only is he the Big 12's active leader in career tackles, but he was also named to the 2016 watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to the nation's top defensive back.
However, Sterns said his greatest motivation is his faith.
"Over the last couple of months I've just grown a lot in my spirituality," Sterns said. "At the end of the day I wouldn't be doing any of this stuff. I wouldn't be here without God. I wouldn't be alive without God. I wouldn't be blessed with the talent I've got to play football without God."
Players Mentioned
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