Former Canadian Football League BC Lion Quarterback speaks of past.

On the football field and in the business world, Jerry Tagge knew how to take charge and win."I am good at playing games," the former University of Nebraska and Green Bay Packers quarterback told those attending the Fremont Area Leadership Prayer Breakfast Friday at Midland Lutheran College.But inside, he was lonely, and for years, he hid that loneliness by drinking."I could be in a crowd of people, and I still would be lonely," said the executive vice president of Tagge-Rutherford Financial Group in Omaha.His drinking created dysfunction in his family - Tagge and his wife, Betty, have two sons, Nate and Zac - and he hid his addiction by consuming alcohol while driving to avoid being seen drinking in public.Tagge hit bottom several years ago when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
He started attending Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, but he said God had something more in store for him. That something was sharing his story with church groups and organizations. He will be in Seattle, Wash., today to speak to a group of Husker alumni."I usually have something in mind when I get up (before a group)," he said. Then, "God just takes over."Although Tagge was confirmed in the Catholic church and became a Lutheran after his wedding, it wasn't until he started studying the Bible that God entered his life, he said Friday."I was born again in a minute," he said. "The hope for everybody who has issues is Jesus."Tagge's life now has as many winning moments as his football career - if not more.He led the Huskers to national championships in 1970 and 1971 and then was picked in the first round of the National Football League draft by the Packers - a childhood dream for the Wisconsin native.Tagge played with the Packers from 1972 to 1974 and wrapped up his career in the Canadian Football League in 1979.