He also said in that press conference, “First and foremost, all glory belongs to God. I wouldn’t be here without Him and this is just very humbling and unbelievable. I’m blessed to have amazing teammates, amazing coaches.”
Locker Room’s Binding Force
In November, the team released a video on its Facebook page titled “The Locker Room’s Binding Force.” It’s a look at the Christian faith of three players and how Christianity is a big part of the team’s unity.
Wentz, Maragos and wide receiver Torrey Smith share their testimonies in the video.
“I was kind of on this downward spiral because the things I was trying to place in my life to give me satisfaction would last for a little bit and then they’d fade away,” Maragos said in the video. “And that was my sophomore year in high school.”
“I was really at a crossroads at that point and had to make a decision on where I was going,” he continued. “And that’s when I gave my life to Christ, and really he supplied that satisfaction and that joy for me.”
“On every Monday night, we have a couple’s Bible study. We have a Thursday night team Bible study,” Wentz explained in the video. “And then Saturday nights, we actually get together the night before the game and just kind of pray; talk through the Word; what guy’s have been reading, what they’re struggling with, and just kind of keep it real with each other.”
“To have that here in an NFL facility like this, it’s really special,” he added.
“As men, you tend to be very sheltered. If I’m going through some things, I may not express that to the next man,” Smith shared. “Only you can kind of expose your weaknesses and things you want to work on, whether it’s in your relationship or your marriage or your family, whatever it may be.”
“When you’re able to talk about it amongst your brothers, amongst your family, it helps you grow,” he continued. “And when you realize that you can apply biblical principles to it, it helps us all grow.”
“I think the biggest thing that we’re always challenging each other with is just to not lose sight of the bigger picture,” Wentz said. “I think wins, losses, highs, lows, everything that comes with this game, it’s so easy to take your mind and your eyes off of the ultimate prize, and that’s living for the Lord.”
Prayers for humility and surrender are unlikely requests for any believer, let alone for professional athletes in a sport as violent and competitive as the NFL. After all, who would want the failure and pain that could come from such a prayer? But these very special Eagles are teaching us that God’s blessings are sure, whether they win a Super Bowl ring or not.
