Big Oak Ranch celebrates 50 years [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WSFA) – Five decades of helping children in need.

It all started with a dream from former Alabama football player John Croyle, a farmhouse and the willingness to serve. Now the Big Oak Ranch is celebrating 50 years.

The ranch helps children who have been abandoned, neglected or abused and puts them into a loving Christian home. Now John’s son Brodie Croyle, a former Alabama quarterback, keeps the dream alive and growing.

“Now we have a boys ranch with 14 homes, a girls ranch with soon to be 12 homes, Ascend Village with 52 bedrooms, a school and outreach ministry that has over 100 ministries and that serves 6,000 kids,” Croyle said.

Like his father, Brodie had a decision to make about his football career. After playing in the NFL for five years, he said he felt a calling.

“I sat down in front of my wife and …