A New Spin On Quarterback Controversy

by Kevin Burton

   Never heard this on CBS, FOX or NBC Sports. Not a peep, not on television anyway.

   It seems NFL quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Nick Foles are both Christians.  So a few years ago when they competed to be the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback it gave an interesting twist to the “quarterback controversy.”

   Except nobody told you.  I got it this week from Our Daily Bread Ministries. 

    The story written by Xochitl Dixon says “The two athletes have a ‘unique relationship rooted in their faith in Christ’ shown through their ongoing prayers for each other. As others watched, they brought honor to God by remembering they were on the same team—not just as Eagles quarterbacks, but as believers in Jesus representing Him.

   “Although competing for the same position, the two men chose to support each other and remained confident in their roles,” Dixon wrote.

   On replacing an injured Wentz in December 2017, Foles said, “It was really emotional. You hate for your teammate to get hurt. I’ve said before, I feel really bad for Carson. We’re tight in that QB room.”

   You may recall Foles led the Eagles to a Super bowl win over New England that season.  He has since moved on to Jacksonville, and now the Chicago Bears.

   While in Jacksonville, Foles himself suffered a catastrophic collarbone injury. What was his response?

   “Right when I felt this thing break, that’s when I went into the locker room and I realized, ‘God, this wasn’t exactly what I was thinking,’” Foles told NBC Sports for a story on their website.

   “Obviously, you get here and you want to create a culture and impact people. But at the end of the day, if this is the journey You want me to go on, I’m going to glorify You in every action, good or bad.’ I still could have joy in an injury. People hear that and say that’s crazy, but when you believe in Jesus, you go out there and you play, that changes your heart,” Foles said.

   Foles put the high of winning the Super Bowl right along with the low of injuring his collarbone.  

   “Just like when I hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, the reason I’m smiling, my faith was in Christ. In that moment, I realized I didn’t need that trophy to define who I was because it was already in Christ. That’s my message when I played. Same thing happens when I get injured,” Foles said.

   “We tend to make this so much about us as human beings. It’s not about us. If you make it about yourself, you’re probably going to go home at night and lay your head on your pillow and be very alone and very sad,” Foles said. “Our purpose isn’t football. It’s impacting people. My ministry happens to be the locker room. I’ve still been able to get to know these guys through an injury.”

   “From a spiritual perspective, I’ve been able to grow as a human being. I feel like I’m at a better situation as a person than I was before because of the trial I just went under. I know that’s a sermon in itself but that’s how I go through life. It’s not always about prosperity. I don’t believe in the prosperity gospel. I believe if you read the word of God and you understand it, there’s trials along the way but they equip your heart to be who you are.”

   Wentz may be involved in another quarterback controversy. He was removed in the Eagles’ loss at Green Bay Sunday. As of late Tuesday the team’s coach said rookie Jalen Hurts will remain the starter. These things are week to week or even drive to drive though.

   Whatever happens on the field, Wentz continues to represent a larger more important team, the global church of God. 

   The devotional points to a passage encouraging Christians to support and build up one another, regardless your role within an organization.

   “The apostle Paul reminds believers to live as ‘children of the light’ awaiting Jesus’ return. With our hope secure in the salvation Christ has provided, we can shrug off any temptations to compete out of jealousy, insecurity, fear, or envy. Instead, we can ‘encourage one another and build each other up,’” Dixon writes.