Matthew 6:13 (ESV)
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us
from evil.
Super Bowl XLVIII (February 2, 2014): Seattle Seahawks 43,
Denver Broncos 8
While many fans were preparing for Super Bowl XLVIII,
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was attending an early morning
church service with team chaplain Judah Smith and other luminaries including
former Seahawks star running back and NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. Wilson used his
Instagram account to post a picture of himself with the two men and a reference
to one of the Bible verses that Smith quoted during his sermon:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has
come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Later that day, Wilson sent out another message to his
Twitter followers:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
The game itself featured a contrasting matchup between
Wilson, playing in just his second NFL season, and Broncos quarterback Peyton
Manning, a future Hall of Famer looking for his second Super Bowl title.
Things did not go as expected.
Denver started out with a bad snap into the end zone that resulted
in a safety and 2-0 lead for the Seahawks. From there, Wilson looked like a
veteran as he led Seattle on five scoring drives throughout the game. With an
interception return and kickoff return both going for touchdowns, the Seahawks
scored 36 points before the Broncos could erase the zero from its side of the
scoreboard.
When the final buzzer sounded, Wilson and his teammates
were celebrating a lopsided 43-8 victory.
“(God) brought me a really long way,” Wilson told reporters
after the game. “It's unbelievable. It's kind of surreal to be honest with you.
Sitting there holding that trophy up and I’m looking up, I'm just so thankful
for everything that I've been given.”
A year later, Wilson was able to put his faith to the test
after losing Super Bowl XLIX in heartbreaking fashion. Down 28-24 against the
New England Patriots and with seconds remaining in the game, Wilson infamously
threw an interception at the goal line when most were expecting running back
Marshawn Lynch to get ball.
Now on the losing side, Wilson used his Twitter account to
remain positive:
“Thank You God for the opportunity. We’ll be back…I will
never waiver on who He has called me to be…”
And that same day, he posted a separate note that included
yet another inspirational Bible verse:
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1)
“Win or lose, it’s about Him for me,” Wilson told
BillyGraham.org in an interview prior to Super Bowl XLIX. “It doesn’t matter
the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, just keep Him first.”
Dear Lord, we thank You that we can make it all about You. Help us to always give You the credit and the
praise. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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