Nick Foles, a former backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, went on to win a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and then sign a lucrative free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In the opening game of this season, he suffered a serious injury – ironically, against his old team, the Chiefs. Foles reflected on his ups and downs as he prepared to return to the field this Sunday.
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“When I felt this thing break and I was going into the locker room, I just realized, you know, ‘God, this wasn’t exactly what I was thinking when I came to Jacksonville,’” he said in a story posted by Christian Headlines. “Obviously, you come here and you want to create a culture and impact people, but at the end of the day [I said,] ‘God, 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 and you go out there and you play, that changes your heart.”
Grateful for everyone who has helped me in this road to recovery. I can’t wait to take the field with my teammates on Sunday! #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/zzPUWVsS0n
— Nick Foles (@NickFoles) November 13, 2019
Foles went on to compare the injury to his 2018 Super Bowl win with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Just like when I hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, the reason I’m smiling is my faith is in Christ,” he said. “In that moment, I realized I didn’t need that trophy to define who I was because I was already in Christ.”
“My purpose isn’t football, it’s impacting people,” he said. “My ministry happens to be the locker room, and I’ve been able still to get to know people, get to know these guys through an injury.”
Foles believes the adversity ultimately will help him grow as a player and more importantly, as a person
“But from a spiritual perspective – from my heart — I feel like I’m in a better situation here as a person than I was before, because of the trial I just went under,” he said. “And I know that’s a sermon in itself, but that’s how I go through life. And the good Lord’s been there, 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.”
– Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
