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Storm's Rachal In Tune With His Life And Religion

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By ADAM ADKINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Storm linebacker/defensive back Traco Rachal doesn't remember exactly when or where he first heard the phrase. What he does remember is it led to a life transformation.

"When you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, that's when you'll change," Rachal said.

It was 10 years ago, during his junior year at Texas A&M Commerce, that Rachal became sick and tired of the way he was living his life. It was a life that included partying, drinking, smoking and chasing women.

At that time Rachal was staring at the reality of becoming a first-time father. He knew those weren't the characteristics he wanted his future daughter - now 10-year-old Kayla - to see in her father.

The change Rachal made was turning to religion, becoming a Christian. The new lifestyle was something he could lean on to help steer him away from the negative aspects he encountered during his football career.

But Rachal's religious transformation also opened another avenue, one that allowed him to further explore his second love behind football - music. Rachal became a Christian rapper.

"I was always rapping, but once I gave my life to Christ I had stopped," Rachal said. "Then, I realized it could be used for some good."

Rachal said he realized an opportunity to spread some worthwhile messages through rapping about his life experiences and what drove him to turn his life around. He teamed with lifelong friend Dion Mills, whom Rachal said went along a similar path and later became an ordained minister, to form the group Grace N Mercy.

Rachal and Mills began by performing live shows in and around their hometown of Carson, Calif., performing mostly at churches, schools and in front of various youth groups. They also managed to put together a compilation album titled Dangerously Gifted, one in which the two wrote all their own material.

When Rachal came to the Storm as a free agent in 2007, he landed an opportunity to display his skills in the Tampa Bay area, thanks to former teammate Khalid Naziruddin. Naziruddin serves as the youth minister for Our Generation at Without Walls International in Tampa, and after the two quickly became friends, Naziruddin invited Rachal to perform in front of his group.

Rachal has performed a handful of times there, including once within the last month.

"The good thing, when he gets up there they know what he's going to do and what he's about. Traco always gives a spoken word before he does his rap, which is really encouraging before he starts," Naziruddin said. "It brings out a good message and it's got a catchy beat along with it. It's real up-tempo and real fast, and it really gets them up on their feet.

"He's perceived in a good way. He's been around for a while now. They know who he is and how he is, on and off the field. They know what he's about."

And what Rachal is about now is a far cry from a decade ago.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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