Soul of 78: From Gridiron to Glory

How Adam and Josh Russell trusted in the Lord's guidance on their path to success.

Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter and Al Blanton

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." – Proverbs 3:5-6

If you asked brothers Adam and Josh Russell what their childhood looked like, they would mention two things – one, playing football, and two, gracing the church doors each time they opened. Today, this verse from Proverbs, which they learned as youngsters in church, is still instilled in the duo and has led them through many seasons of life, many of which involved time on the field.

From a young age, inspired by their father's experience as a former quarterback at Dora High School and encouraged by their mother's unwavering support, Adam and Josh began working hard to become quarterbacks.

"Our dad taught us how to play quarterback and he pushed us hard to be our best. And then we had our mom there to level it out and encourage us. To her, we were always the best quarterbacks ever, no matter what. Five interceptions? Still the best quarterbacks," Josh says, laughing.

As Adam went through his high school football career at Dora, a fourth-grade Josh would soak it all in from the sidelines while handing out towels and water bottles. Just as Adam began going to football camps and sending out highlight tapes, letters and phone calls started coming in. Adam's main goal was to play for a Southeastern Conference (SEC) school, and Mississippi State University gave him that chance.

“I was recruited by the legendary Coach Bruce Arians, but when he left Mississippi State for the NFL, I decided it was best for me to transfer to Troy to play football for the Trojans” Adam says.

While at Troy, Adam majored in Business Finance. He now works for Wells Fargo Advisors and for each of the last 6 years has been selected by Forbes Magazine as one of the best in state wealth advisors.

As Adam finished college, Josh worked through his high school football career at Sumiton Christian School, earning the title of Alabama 1A Back of the Year. While pressed to decide on his college offers, Coach Blakeney at Troy University called Josh with the opportunity to play for the Trojans.

"I was one of six quarterbacks on the roster when I started, but I was able to work my way up to a backup role and had a great experience at Troy” Josh says.

While playing at Troy, Josh studied Businesses Management, focusing on Risk Management & Insurance, leading him to now own Pathway Insurance Group in Fairhope, an organization that provides commercial insurance across the Southeast. However, Josh says the best part of his college experience was meeting his wife, Jennifer, with whom he now has three children.

In commemorating their outstanding football careers, the brothers were honored with induction into the Walker County Sports Hall of Fame, Josh in 2017 and Adam in 2018. They both say that this honor, similar honors, and the accomplishments that led to them were all made possible by their support system and their persistent reliance on the verse from the book of Proverbs.

"We've had the opportunity to play at the college level and to be in the Walker County Sports Hall of Fame," says Josh. "I think we both give our parents credit for all that, the people we played with, our coaches, and the Lord who blessed us with all those things. And I think that pretty much sums us up." 78