Richard Koonce

Richard Koonce is a former high school and collegiate football player. He was a 4 year letter winner at East Carolina University. After graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Industrial Distribution and Logistics he was signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007 and was allocated to NFL Europe where he played for the Rhein Fire. After a short stint with the NFL he continued to lift and train athletes at the Division 1 level and at local high schools. He desired to continue to compete in sport and in 2014 made it to Nationals under USA weightlifting.

Richard Koonce is a former fulltime firefighter and while he was a firefighter he was in charge of Tactical Strength and Conditioning Training.

He is currently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Linebacker Coach for Fayetteville State University

He is married to his wife Danielle Koonce and they have three children Richard, Jimmy and Sarah.

Testimony

I have been in church all my life. Even while in the womb I know I was in church. My grandfather was the Pastor of our church growing up. And most if my Aunts and Uncles are preachers or pastors. I grew up playing the drums for my family church. But once I graduated and went to college I didn't really want to go to church anymore.

While I was in college I was doing things I knew God didn't want me to do and I wasn't raised to do. And I felt shame. And that shame kept me from coming to God. But around my Junior year of college I started going back to church and I realized that God was bigger than any of my shortcomings. And he loved me even if I fell short. At that point I began developing a personal relationship with God. And I never been the same again.

I believe God calls us to be strong. And even though I enjoy the weightroom. I believe we can only truly be strong through Christ. And when we are strong in Christ we can lead effectively and change the world.

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:6‭-‬7 KJV