By Mallory Mattingly
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum got real about the power of accountability, talking with his friend and former teammate Matt Forte on the “Sports Spectrum” podcast.
“I would say this is probably why I love Matt so much. We happened to be eating lunch, and this is when Instagram was first becoming a thing…not when it first became a thing, but when it was really starting to take off,” Beachum recalled. “And I happened to be scrolling, and I was looking at something I wasn’t supposed to be looking at on Instagram.”
“Matt came up behind me and was like, ‘Man, is that what you really need to be looking at?’ And from that time on, the thing is, I actually deleted Instagram,” the 14-year NFL veteran continued. “I mean, I have it, but I don’t have it on my phone. Every time I think about what I’m scrolling and looking at, I always happen to be thinking about Matt Forte coming up behind me and checking me, holding me accountable. It was positive.”
“You know, the Bible talks about the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good,” Beachum continued, referencing Proverbs 15:3. “Sometimes you can get away with a lot, but when you have somebody that’s holding you accountable and [is] there real time, it does go a long ways and it does help.”
Related: Former NFL RB Matt Forte Shares Testimony: ‘Inward Transformation’
For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.
With less time scrolling on social media, Beachum puts his effort into more meaningful pursuits, like writing his first-ever children’s book, “Kelvin’s Big Adventure Map.”
“Months in the making, and my collaboration with @readwithello is finally here!!” Beachum shared on Instagram. “Feels surreal to hold a children’s book I wrote about my adventures and experiences in my hand. But more importantly, we now have the opportunity to inspire young readers to grow in their confidence and independence with literacy and encourage their curiosity to take them anywhere they can dream of!”
All proceeds of the book go toward supporting Donors Choose’s literacy programs.
Donors Choose is “The #1 nonprofit funding site for U.S. public school teachers. Help teachers and students get resources they need to succeed.”
“As a dad, I believe that children are superior by reason of their curiosity and sense of wonder,” Beachum wrote, explaining his why behind writing the book. “’Kelvin’s Big Adventure Map’ is all about the magic that comes from exploring your curiosities. Being a kid is all about trying new things and chasing what piques your interest.”
Beachum’s story reminds us that holding each other accountable to the standard God sets for us — and ditching social media — can change our lives.
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