The much-anticipated NFL Draft in Kansas City has come and gone, with top college players learning where they will start their professional careers. Several, including top overall pick Bryce Young, used the national platform to share their faith.
Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy Winner and All-American quarterback at Alabama, was chosen No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers. He threw for 80 touchdowns and more than 8,000 yards during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide and guided his team to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
“It’s a blessing,” he said moments after being drafted. “I’m super grateful to be here. I’m super grateful for the blessings from God for allowing me to be here. I’m grateful for all the people that allowed me to do it. As amazing as this moment is — and I’m going to try to live in the moment — I can’t wait to get to work tomorrow and start building off of that. I’m gonna give it my all.”
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Young quickly became one of college football’s best quarterbacks during his first season as a starter in 2021 and one of its most prominent players of faith. His Twitter bio includes a picture of an empty cross and describes him as a “follower of Christ.” During Thursday’s post-draft interviews, he used variations of “blessed” and “grateful” more than 20 times.
“I work to be the best version of myself that I can be and to embody Christ in all that I do,” Young told Sports Spectrum before the 2022 season. “So for me, regardless of how someone else views me, whatever award, accolade, what someone may say, at the end of the day, what motivates me and pushes me is to model myself after the Lord.”
The Houston Texans selected Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick
“God has called me to do is be a leader,” Stroud previously told Sports Spectrum. “So I definitely try to show love and let people know that whatever they’re going through or whatever they have been through, they’re not by themselves. I think I’m a natural-born leader. I think I’ve been called to be a leader, not just in football but as a man of God.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice