Christian NFL Player Donates Gameday Check to Victims of California Shooting
By Tess Farrand, Staff Writer
Last Wednesday night in Thousand Oaks, California, twelve people lost their lives in shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill, a country-western hangout spot in the greater Los Angeles area. In the aftermath of the tragic event, Christian NFL player, Andrew Whitworth, of the Los Angeles Rams, decided to take action and donate his gameday check to help provide relief for victims.
In recent days, Southern California has experienced all sorts of heartache between the Borderline shooting and numerous wildfires. The Borderline shooting is very personal for Whitworth and the Rams as the team practices about five miles from the bar. The left tackle player expressed his thoughts on recent events, “You’re looking for any answer, you’re looking for what can we do to solve this, or what can we do to help people that are going through this, in the tragedy, in the moment, there is no perfect way.”
On Sunday, the Rams played the Seattle Seahawks and held a touching moment of silence before the game began, in order to honor those who lost their lives in the Borderline shooting and all the those affected by the wildfires. Whitworth said earlier last week. “I just don’t — the way that I believe and operate, I just don’t believe that sitting there wondering is the best way, I believe in finding a way to put your feet on the ground.”
Following the Rams’ win, Whitworth donated his gameday check to Ventura County Community Foundation’s Conejo Valley Victims Fund to aid victims of the shooting. His heart for giving back also convinced his teammates, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley II and Michael Brockers, to auction off their gameday jersey’s in support.
Before Whitworth stepped onto the professional football field years ago, the Lord was working on redirecting his heart to honor Him. Beyond The Ultimate notes Whitworth’s telling testimony, “I accepted Christ at a young age, but it took many years of failure and pain for me to realize what it means to follow and seek God in every aspect of my life. Throughout high school and college, I lived a life of seeking what made me happy first, and whatever God wanted had to wait.” He continued, “after my second season in the NFL I decided to move home. I went back to church and felt God working in my heart. I fell to my knees and told God I was tired of running. I was ready to live the way He called me to.”
Since Whitworth’s rededication to Jesus, the NFL player is wholeheartedly devoted to his wife, family and blessing others with his blessings. He said of his family’s Christian mindset, “we continue to follow Christ and seek Him daily. I now live life with a new clear mind, a whole heart and a burning passion to spread Christ’s love.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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