At a Glance
If you could describe Bert Emanuel in one word, it would be versatility. Though most people know him as a standout NFL wide receiver, Bert is also an outstanding baseball player. He was drafted right out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays. Bert then went to Rice University and became a stellar outfielder - lettering three times and eventually was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course, Bert not only excelled at baseball at Rice, but also football. But not at wide receiver. He was their quarterback. As a senior, Bert was selected as an All-American by Football News and threw for over 1,500 yards. He was also fourth in the nation in quarterback efficiency. Then Bert transitioned into an NFL wide-receiver and made an immediate impact. In his first three years in the NFL, he snared 195 passes - the eighth-highest total ever for a receiver in his first three league seasons. But passes weren't the only things he snared.Bert met his lovely wife Teri on a blind date in high school. They both dated for six years because they wanted to complete college before getting married. Bert credits being married as helping him to "conquer the ups and downs in life" as Teri has been a source of strength for him. But Bert is not only a grateful husband, but a loving father. Bert says: "Being a father has changed my life by opening my eyes to unconditional love and the realization that I am held accountable by God to raise up kids of integrity and honor." And it's been Bert's life experience that has shaped his views on what it means to be a good father. "My mother and father split when I was 2. My mother remarried to the man who I know as 'dad'. I still kept in contact with my biological father until I was 13 before my name was changed. This is when all communication with my biological father ceased. When I was in college, he reappeared and it was awkward. Even though he was a very nice man, I didn't know him and it was strange being around him. I tried to build a relationship but it was too uncomfortable and left a void in my life. I don't want my children to ever experience what I went through. That's why being a father to me is the most important thing, besides living for God. God, wife and kids- everything else becomes secondary." So, as we've seen, Mr. Versatility, though great at many things, truly wants to be the best at what counts the most - family. As Bert sums up: "Family coming first is shown on a day to day basis in our household. It shows in the activities we choose to do and in every household decision made. Family is very important to us and encompasses every moment in our lives."
