Recently, Jake Bates was asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. The football player used the opportunity to spread his love of Jesus in a prime-time interview on NBC after helping the Lions to a win over the Texans with a 52-yard field goal as time expired. In the time since, he’s confirmed it is a duty to share his Christian faith.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh tarted his latest postgame news conference, reminding reporters and anyone watching or listening that Christmas was coming up and shared the prayer the Ravens had just heard in the locker room. “It’s a big football week, all right? It’s also a big life week,” the Raven’s Coach said. “It’s a big spiritual week.”
Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousin shas professed his faith publicly, dating back to his college years at Michigan State and continuing in the NFL with Washington, Minnesota and the Falcons. “We all have a platform,” Cousins stated earlier this month. “We all try to steward it the best we can. I just want to be able to give a reason to people who ask for the hope that I have.
In the NFL, Bates’ story is perhaps one of the most unique. He grew up in Tomball, Texas, and played soccer at Central Arkansas before switching sports and transferring twice. Bates specialized in kickoffs for two seasons at Texas State and for one year at Arkansas, earning All-SEC honors in 2022.The Texans signed him in 2023, but waived him 11 days later to send him searching for a new career in the brick business.
He explained that “I was still in training, so I hadn’t even sold new bricks yet, but that’s what I was getting ready to do.” However he went to an XFL showcase in fall of 2023.“ My last shot,” is how he explained it. Bates was signed by the Michigan Panthers and made three field goals from at least 60 yards. The Panthers play in the United Football League, a team that shares the same home field with the Lions.
He says football is his job but not his calling. “I’m not here to make kicks or miss kicks,” he said. “I think I’m here to spread the love of Jesus. So, however long he gives me this stage, that’s what I plan to do.” Recently the NFL has come under fire for forcing players to play on Christmas.
Patrick Mahomes who was already annoyed about losing two holidays in a row vented his frustration. “It’s not a good feeling,” Mahomes explained to reporters Wednesday. “You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body. But, at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it.”
He said he’s never played games so close together. “All you can do is focus on the game. The practice you have that day,” Mahomes added. “I try to prepare my body all year long for this stretch. That’s tailoring my workouts, tailoring how you practice and prepare. The star quarterback believes that “And the coaches do a great job of taking care of us on the practice field. We practice as hard as anybody, but they know how to dial it back when needed.”