Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is Unashamed to Glorify God
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is using his platform – win or lose – to “always give glory to God.”
The 23-year-old quarterback played three seasons for the Arizona State Sun Devils, and two with the Louisiana State University Tigers. He won the 2023 Heisman Trophy and was selected by the Commanders second overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
The rookie quarterback has led the Commanders to a mixed season. They have an overall winning 7-4 record but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday with a final score of 18-26.
Daniels took responsibility for the Commanders’ loss against the Eagles. He recorded his lowest completion distance yet, at just 10 yards in a pass to a wide receiver.
However, the Commanders’ winning record is an improvement over their losing season last year; they won just four games – lost 13 – and finished on an eight-week losing streak.
In an article highlighting Daniels’ impact upon LSU football, he was interviewed about his growing faith. He acknowledged that while he grew up in church, he admittedly chose to wander away from his faith for a while.
However, that changed when he transferred to LSU and began interacting with player relations manager Sherman Wilson.
“He’s behind the scenes, but he’s like my right-hand man,” Daniels said of Wilson. “Being around him, I kind of got back into my faith more, always giving glory to God. He died on the cross for us; anything is possible with Him.” Daniels added,
Daniels added that he tries his best not to worry about his performances or future games. Instead, he trusts in God’s plan for him.
“I don’t worry about things I can’t control,” Daniels said, adding,
Daniels has experienced his share of suffering in life. While his paternal grandfather shared his love for football with Jayden, unfortunately, neither of his paternal grandparents were able to see him drafted into the NFL. They both passed away in the winter of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in 2023, Daniels said,
Daniels’ trust in God’s plan for his life is compelling and a good lesson for all of us.
Indeed, there’s much that happens to us during our lives that we can’t understand, and don’t know the reason behind. But through faith, we can trust in God and His ability to work all things out for our good.
As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans,
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28, ESV).
God – through his providence – both sustains and guides the world.
John Calvin, the French theologian and protestant reformer, emphasized the importance of God’s providence in his Institutes, writing,
Now, God’s providence isn’t a license for passivity. We should be active in obeying God’s commands and in carrying out what He has called us to do.
Yet, in all things – whether good or bad – we trust in Him and His plan for us.
Thanks to Jayden Daniels for his boldness and witness to the Christian faith. We wish him good health in the rest of his rookie season.
To learn more about the historical case for Jesus Christ and His resurrection, you might check out Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ. The book has also been made into a movie.
To learn more about the Christian faith, read C.S. Lewis’ classic Mere Christianity. You can also listen to Focus on the Family’s award winning Radio Theater: C.S. Lewis at War.
If you want to better understand the Bible and be part of God’s redemptive mission, check out RVL Discipleship: The Study.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
Christianity is Both a Religion and a Relationship
In Defense of That ‘Old Time Religion’
Photo from Getty Images.
’Tis the season for holiday reading!
Check out Daily Citizen’s cheery winter reads.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
