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Take a pro athlete who loves any and all things Superman, mix in some inspiration and music, and what do you get?  You get the incredible Ben Utecht.  A professional football player and a classically trained singer.  Utecht is currently a free agent in the NFL and was formerly a starting tight end with the Cincinnati Bengals and with the Indianapolis Colts when they won the Super Bowl two years ago.  Sports definitely plays a major role in his life, but it quickly becomes evident that off the field he’s equally as passionate about his faith, family and music.     

Utecht told SC, “Music to me has always been a release.  It’s always been something outside of sports in my life that is part of my identity…giving me a creative outlet.  One of the reasons why I’m drawn to music so much is because it’s really a universal language, and I don’t know if that sounds corny.  I don’t intend for it to.  What I mean by that is no matter what your background, no matter what your faith perspective, no matter how you were raised or the environment that you’re from…everybody has a connection to music. It just gives you, as a musician, such a unique avenue to really have an impact on people’s lives in a positive way.  And I just really get excited about that.”

Indeed Ben has a lot to be excited about as he was the first musician signed to legendary Sandi Patty’s record label – Stylos Records. While working on his debut project, he had the chance to collaborate with some of the finest in the industry including Sandi Patty herself, Jeremy Camp, Nathan Nockels and Mark Harris.  His self-titled album is definitely a heartfelt collection of songs.  Packed with a soulful sound and powerful lyrics, his album is simply awe-inspiring. 

Ben said it was almost foreshadowing and divine intervention that he ended up on Patty’s label.  A son of a Methodist minister, he grew up listening to Sandi Patty’s music. Plus his mom had sung Sandi’s music as long as he could remember.   In fact, his mom recently sent him a picture of when he was a little boy.  He was only 4 years old and was sitting on their couch with the piano behind him.  There was a Sandi Patty music book propped on the piano, and it looks like Sandi's eyes are just staring down on Ben. His mom attached a note to the picture that read, “God really does work in amazing ways.”  Fast forward to now, and he found himself performing at the “Sandi Patty & Friends” weekend at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort.  On the night of the February 5, 2010 opening event, Ben’s performance was outstanding, and Sandi said from the stage that Ben  had become like a son to she and her husband.  Sandi speaks very highly of Ben and his music and says that “He is really a singer in a football player’s body.”         

When asked what he’d say to inspire young athletes or musicians, Ben replied – “I would say never compromise who you really are.  I think often the peer pressure and things can have a major impact on us.  I was known as the person who went against the flow.  I think that was just in my nature.  I wasn’t a part of any cliques in high school because I didn’t need to be.  I grew up in a wonderful environment that gave my sister and I the wisdom at a young age to really have the strength to stand up for who you are. So I’d encourage them by saying don’t compromise who you are.  Be true to who you are, and I think you’ll be real surprised at how that breeds success.”

It's very refreshing to see someone of Ben's caliber who is so humble and grounded.  He's the real deal.  He has a strong Christian faith and although he goes through rocky times just like we all do, for him it’s just a matter of finding peace and balance while continuing to walk with the Lord on a daily basis.  Ben says “No matter how high the highs get or how low the lows get, God is always even keel.”

Recently the Lord spoke to his heart one day while he was working out.  Ben said he just heard the voice of God tell him “I didn’t just come to feed the full; I came to feed the hungry.  I didn’t come to heal the healthy; I came to heal the sick.  I need people in my prairies, but I need more in my battlefields.”  Ben definitely wants to be a positive, bright light in the battlefields.  In fact, he wants to start singing more classical/pop music as opposed to Contemporary Christian.  He wants to pour God’s love on people in mainstream entertainment.  That’s where he feels the Lord is leading him.  “The thing about the inspirational/classical/pop style is that it transcends the borders,” says Utecht. 

Ben and his wife Karyn, a former Miss Minnesota, both grew up in MN, but they currently live in Cincinnati, Ohio with their 11 month old daughter Elleora Grace.  To learn more about this multifaceted family man, visit his website – www.benutecht.com.