Ryan Michel received his third arm tattoo earlier this season to represent his devotion to God. The Nixa all-state senior outfielder already sported a tattoo symbolizing his love for his family.
His latest tattoo features a cross and the words, ‘Forgiveness and Grace.’
“That's what you get when you give your life to Christ,” Michel said.
Michel likes having the words of inspiration where he can easily find them.
“It's a nice reminder that if I get down on my faith, I can look down at my arm and it's right there to remind me,” he said. “God is always going to forgive and He's going to be graceful. That's a helpful note for me.”
Michel also has an arm tattoo that includes his and his parents’ birth flowers.
“My birth flower is Gladiolis for August,” he said. "Lily of the Valley is for Mom and Water Lilly is for my Dad.”
Michel and his father and brothers all have a matching wrist tattoo.
Michel received his most recent tattoo on the eve of an Eagles game.
“It took about 3.5 hours,” he said. “(The next) morning it was pretty sore, but it was something I got over. It doesn't affect me. I've got a good artist, Patrick Fantozzi of Springfield Academic Ink.”
