Kicker Went from Selling Bricks to NFL: ‘See Jesus Through My Story’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Eighteen months ago, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates was a brick salesman back in Houston, Texas.
“I thought the dream was dead. I thought football was done, so I had to move on and do something else with my life. Luckily, the Lord had something else in store,” he said.
God certainly wasn’t done using Bates in the NFL.
The Lions picked Bates up, and on Sunday night, he delivered a field goal to tie the game. He then kicked a 52-yard field goal to secure the win and up the Lions record to 8-1 in the NFC.
After the kick went through the uprights, the entire Lions team erupted, hoisting Bates onto their shoulders.
“I’ve never been hoisted like that,” he said after the game. “That was pretty cool just to see the sidelines come to embrace me and stuff was a cool moment.”
Bates still can’t believe how God’s changed his life.
READ MORE: GOD’S GOODNESS BROUGHT LIONS KICKER TO NFL AFTER UNUSUAL CAREER PATH
“I think it just shows how good the Lord is,” he told NBC’s Melissa Stark after the win.
Bates continued, “He’s so faithful. My story is, if anything, I hope people can see Jesus through my story. That’s what I think I’m here to do is — not make or miss or be a good kicker or bad kicker but spread the love of Jesus. I hope I’m able to do that on the stage I’m given.”
“I just don’t deserve this,” he added. “I was a soccer player growing up. I idolized football players in the NFL. Just to be here is surreal. I’m still finding myself kind of pinching myself.”
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