fbpx

God’s Goodness Brought Lions Kicker to NFL After Unusual Career Path

Screenshot from Jeff Skversky on YouTube

God’s Goodness Brought Lions Kicker to NFL After Unusual Career Path

By Movieguide® Contributor

Detroit Lions rookie kicker Jake Bates sealed the win for his team on Sunday night, but his journey to the NFL only happened through God’s goodness.

“Bates made a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to give the Detroit Lions a 31-29 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Bates is 10 for 10 on field goals this season and 20 for 21 on extra points. The rookie signed with the Lions in June after putting together a strong performance with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL, where he made three field goals of at least 60 yards in the spring league,” AP News reported.

After the game, Bates elaborated on his journey over the last year and a half.

“Eighteen months ago, I thought I was done with football. I was working as a brick salesman in Houston,” he told the press. “I thought the dream was dead.”

But he credits God for keeping that dream alive.

“It also makes me look back and think of how good the Lord’s been in my life and the doors He’s opened and closed for me,” Bates reflected. “To lead me here and to lead me in such a great situation with this coaching staff and this front office and these teammates. You know, it’s definitely something that’s like, I couldn’t even have dreamt of this. This moment is so cool, and, you know, I’m taking it in stride, and I’m having fun with it.”

Bates’s kick makes the victory even more special because it was a must-win game for the franchise.

“It was going to come down to the wire,” head coach Dan Campbell said after the win. “The team knew this. We talked about patience. Patience. Keep your composure. Communication. Attitude. Our guys did that. We hung in there, and we didn’t bat an eye…Great team win. Complementary football across the board. Offense, defense, special teams when we need it most. Really proud of these guys. It’s a huge win on the road, tough environment…Don’t want to say must-win, but we needed that in a lot of ways.”

READ MORE: LIONS LB ALEX ANZALONE ‘DRAWS CLOSER’ TO GOD AS HE BALANCES FATHERHOOD, FOOTBALL


Watch TYLER PERRY'S HOUSE OF PAYNE: THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Quality: - Content: +4
Watch WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS
Quality: - Content: +3