On the eve of Tremendous Bowl LVII on Saturday, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was acknowledged for his exemplary character and management on and off the sector when he obtained the Bart Starr Award on the NFL's thirty sixth annual Tremendous Bowl Breakfast. Christian non-profit group Sportsmen in motion.
Identified on and off the sector for his outspoken Christian religion, the 34-year-old father of two and pastor's son says he feels blessed by God to be the place he’s in his profession.
“God has confirmed himself devoted time and time once more,” Cousins, who was drafted by Washington within the fourth spherical of the 2012 NFL Draft, stated in a latest interview with Athletes in Motion.
The Bart Starr Award is organized and offered by the NFL in partnership with Athletes In Motion, a ministry of Cru (previously Campus Campaign for Christ) that equips athletes to make use of their platforms to be a part of God's mission to “make disciples of all.” nations.”
The distinction acknowledges lively NFL gamers who show excellent character, integrity and management of their soccer careers and private lives.
The Tremendous Bowl Breakfast occasion has been held yearly since 1988 within the Tremendous Bowl host metropolis. The occasion attracts crowds of followers to listen to from among the largest names within the sport – a lot of whom communicate or share testimonials on the occasion.
Though the Bart Starr Award will not be given completely to Christians, in previous years its recipients have been Christian NFL gamers who’ve acted as household males, fathers, husbands and leaders on their groups. Final 12 months's recipient of the Bart Starr Award was New Orleans Saints linebacker Damario Davis.
Cousins stated he has been on a protracted “curler coaster” throughout his profession, each athletically and spiritually, including that God has guided him each step of the best way.
“It's clear that God is aware of what He's doing.” However a number of occasions it doesn't match my expectations or what I want to see occur,” Cousins stated.
“It's about trusting Him and obeying Him. It's not an advanced method. Nevertheless, it may be tough to really put it into apply.”
Earlier than being drafted into the NFL, Cousins performed school soccer on scholarship at Michigan State College, the place he was a starter for the Spartans from 2009 to 2011.
Cousins appears again at the place he began and believes God allowed him to grow to be the skilled quarterback he’s as we speak as a result of he “knew it was a calling that may preserve me on my knees and preserve me near him.” .
“I actually consider that's why I play skilled soccer. Finally, God owns my soccer journey, not me. Which, to start with, places a number of stress on me going into this journey,” Cousins stated.
“Secondly, it takes a number of religion to say, 'this isn’t my strategy to management. My job is to belief Him, take heed to Him, and provides Him management.” And it is going to be His name how lengthy I play and the place this profession goes. And I remind myself of that daily.”
Cousins, whose father, Don, is a former pastor at Willow Creek Group Church in Illinois, stated the gospel was shared with him for the primary time in his life when he was 7.
He remembers reciting a prayer declaring that he would have a relationship with Jesus for the remainder of his life.
“At this age, there's solely a lot you may perceive what it means and the dedication it's going to take.” I keep in mind being confronted with this thought once more in highschool, 'What does it actually imply to observe Jesus?'” Cousins recalled.
“The definition of a disciple was shared with me, which is 'being a totally devoted follower of Jesus.' It was defined to me that being totally devoted signifies that you 'put aside every little thing else. When tradition goes this manner and Jesus goes that manner, so do you [Jesus’] manner. Even when it prices you, observe Him.”
When Cousins turned 16, he stated he reached a degree the place he determined that “even when it prices me, … I'm going to observe [Jesus].”
“That was an enormous second in my life, placing that stake within the floor. Proverbs 3:5-6 has grow to be my life verse that claims 'Belief within the Lord with all of your coronary heart, lean not by yourself understanding, however in all of your methods acknowledge Him and He’ll direct your steps,'” the cousins shared.
Cousins stated his religion was examined after he performed his first varsity soccer recreation in his junior 12 months of highschool. He unexpectedly broke his ankle whereas taking part in.
“I keep in mind telling my dad, 'I'm going to overlook most of my junior season, and meaning I gained't be capable to play main school soccer. And so my goals of the place soccer would go are over,” Cousins recounted.
“My dad stated, 'Kirk, you don't know.' That's when he shared with me Proverbs 3:5-6. At that time, I needed to begin actually trusting Him and saying, 'God, I'm going to entrust this soccer journey to you, and it could imply that I don't have an enormous school soccer profession. If not, I nonetheless need to belief You. It doesn't change who you’re.'”
By “the grace of God,” Cousins stated, he ended up taking part in school soccer for a serious program.
“I keep in mind signing that scholarship and searching again in the mean time I broke my ankle and realizing that the God we serve is a lot greater than a damaged ankle. And that was only the start. God took me on a journey.”
A month in the past, in a video posted on the Athletes in Motion YouTube channel, Cousins stated it was an “absolute honor” to obtain the thirty sixth Bart Starr Award.
“Clearly we're taking part in this recreation for group prizes. However of all the person awards I've ever gained, that is by far essentially the most particular to me. So thanks. It's an enormous honor,” he stated within the video.
In an interview with The Christian Submit, Terry Bortz, government director of the Tremendous Bowl Breakfast, stated Cousins is a “strong Christian”.
“I feel it's changing into extra widespread for NFL athletes to share their religion as a result of they’ve a platform like no different. … Skilled athletes are actually worshiped by followers in stadiums on Sundays,” Bortz stated.
“Individuals idolize these athletes they see on TV they usually don't need to take heed to anybody else. However once they see a hero they see on TV each week speaking about their religion and inspiring them to discover their relationship with God, it has an affect. That's actually wonderful.”
Bortz believes one of many causes Cousins was thought of for the award is “his work at his basis and all the nice work he does.”
Cousins and his spouse Julie, who married in 2014 and have two boys, Cooper and Turner, established the Julie and Kirk Cousins Basis in 2019.
The nonprofit group helps a number of charities, together with Bethany Christian Companies. In partnership with a world non-profit group, Cousins' Basis helps being pregnant counseling, adoption, foster care and strengthening households by way of household preservation.
Each charities additionally supplied providers to refugees from around the globe who had been fleeing violence.
“Once I take into consideration get to the basis of the issue, the reason for the dysfunction, I say, 'The place's dad? The place's the male function mannequin,” Cousins stated in a video on his basis's web site detailing why he works with Bethany Christian Companies to assist youngsters in want of a house.
“We’d like males to step up and undertake and nurture these younger individuals. I don't promise you it is going to be simple. I'm not saying every little thing will probably be rosy. However you’ll make a distinction not solely in that baby's life; however for eternity.”
One of many charity's “generosity companions” is the non-denominational three-campus Discovery Church in Orlando, Florida, led by Don Cousins. Different companions are Worldwide Justice Mission, Holland Christian Faculties in Michigan, Compassionate Coronary heart Ministries and Boys and Ladies Golf equipment of America.
Nicole Alcindor is a reporter for The Christian Submit. You’ll be able to contact her at: nicole.alcindor@christianpost.com.