NFL legend Matthew Slater says God's goodness is behind his success and would encourage younger athletes to recollect their identification is in Christ, not sports activities. The three-time Tremendous Bowl champion and 10-time Professional Bowler with the New England Patriots was a Sports activities Affect honoree on the 2024 Ok-Love Fan Awards, which yearly honors an athlete or coach who has stayed true to their religion within the midst of success.
Slater retired this 12 months after 16 seasons and is at the moment a marketing consultant for the Patriots. He’s thought-about top-of-the-line particular groups gamers in NFL historical past.
“Keep true to the seeds that God has planted in your coronary heart – they are going to be examined, they are going to be talked about,” he mentioned when requested what recommendation he would give to younger Christian athletes.
“Be true to who God made you to be. Keep genuine. Hold it the principle, essential factor. One of many challenges that comes with being knowledgeable athlete is identification. And I feel lots of people wish to put their identification in what they do, particularly when the world tells you ways nice you might be and the way they benefit from the enjoyable that soccer brings. Keep in mind that your identification is in Christ and He has you the place you might be in an effort to proceed to be His ambassador in each area you might be in.
“Keep rooted in who you might be in Christ,” he added. “As a result of that's finally what's going to maintain you out of the sport.”
Slater grew up in an athletic dwelling. His father, Jackie Slater, is a member of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. Matthew made a reputation for himself at UCLA, the place he earned first-team All-Pac-10 earlier than being drafted within the fifth spherical by the Patriots.
Accepting the Ok-Love Sports activities Affect award, he mentioned, made him uncomfortable.
“I don't wish to give attention to the story. I need it to be as much as the Creator,” he mentioned. “I hope the individuals who had been round me understood that no credit score ought to go to me. My journey was very distinctive. And there's no technique to clarify it with out saying it's all due to the goodness and mercy of Jesus.”
He and his spouse based a non-profit group Slater Household Community Basisto assist meet the wants of the New England space.
“We attempt to present individuals the love of Christ, inform individuals in regards to the love of Christ and be there as a lot as we are able to,” he mentioned.
Photograph Credit score: © SWN/Jason Davis for Ok-LOVE Fan Awards
Michael Foust has lined the intersection of religion and information for 20 years. His tales have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity At the moment, The Christian Put up, Leaf-Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville Information-Sentinel.
