Faith Drives Bruce In His Football Career

By Nickolas Montei ꟾ Rattlers Media

Arland Bruce IV has had an up-and-down journey during his career in the IFL – though he's currently sits as the Arizona Rattlers' leading receiver in 2026. Throughout his football journey, he has relied on one thing − his faith.

Bruce's college career began with two seasons at Iowa where he recorded 508 yards receiving and six touchdowns over two seasons before transferring to Oklahoma State. 

It was in Stillwater where a pair of teammates, current 49ers linebacker Nick Martin and Xavier Benson, now with the UFL's Columbus Aviators, invited Bruce to a church located just outside of Stillwater. 

It was at there that Bruce met a pastor who he said has had a massive impact on his life. 

"He was just real accepting," Bruce said. "He did a great job of portraying (Christian beliefs) to me and helping me understand the gospel and Christianity." 

When Bruce was forced to sit out in 2023 and 2024 at Oklahoma State, eventually ending his college career, he leaned on those beliefs to get him through.

"Just being away from ball for those two years, going through fall camp in '23 and not getting to play was really humbling," Bruce said. "And then, obviously, not getting a chance at a level that I think I should be at, whether that's the NFL, CFL, UFL, was also humbling."

After a series of stops, Bruce found himself in a Northern Arizona Wranglers uniform last season where, as a rookie, he recorded 395 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He was on the All-Rookie team as a kick returner, recording 409 yards and another three touchdowns as a returner.

Bruce signed with the Rattlers in October and has continued to produce, with 414 receiving yards and six touchdowns through his first seven games with Arizona. He recorded the team's only 100+ yards receiving game when he caught 11 passes for 119 yards against Tulsa.

"Just my belief in Jesus and the strength I get from God helps me not only as a man, but also in every other part of my life," Bruce said. "Especially on the field, because as athletes, sometimes it's hard to not base your entire life and your entire mood on your performance in your game.

"Just having that to lean on − whether you play good, whether you play bad, and knowing that your work is more than just in what you do. But it also helps me to know he's 'bussin' with these abilities and these talents, so I'm going to use it to my full ability that I can and be grateful for every second because there have been times where I wasn't able to play ball."

While Bruce is still looking for a church in the Phoenix area, he has, in the meantime, helped start a bible study group within the Rattlers.

While he said that the group hadn't gone too in-depth yet, only having the group come together a couple of times, Bruce believes it will have a positive impact on the team.

Hayden Hatcher and Carson Taylor are a pair of teammates that Bruce said had already been active within the group, and that he hopes the group and its impact will grow. 

"I think that's going to continue to be pretty good as the season goes on," he said.