Walker Lyons of Folsom, California, is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end who is strong enough to block massive linemen in the trenches and still athletic and versatile enough to sprint down field and catch a pass. This year he fielded scholarship offers from 35 major programs across the country and was named Man of the Year at the high school All-American Bowl.

Still, he is putting his college football career on hold and sacrificing millions in potential profit from “name, image and likeness” opportunities to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Assigned to serve in Norway, Lyons completed home missionary instruction and reported to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Feb. 8.

“The most impressive thing about him has nothing to do with his football ability,” said Folsom High School head football coach Paul Doherty, who praised Lyons for his leadership and “genuine humility.”

This Church News video, titled “Called to Serve,” highlights Lyons’ decision to serve a mission. “I have full faith in God that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to if you put Him and His Son first,” he said. “That is exactly what I am going to do.”