NFL Star Isaiah Hodgins Reveals Pastor Prophesied Move to NY Giants
By Movieguide® Contributor
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins shared how God has guided his career in the NFL through seasons of frustration and success.
In 2022, Hodgins had a stellar pre-season performance after joining the Buffalo Bills in 2020—one he thought would land him on the field for a big game.
“I had all these goals written in my notes like, ‘I’m going to get this many yards, this many touchdowns,’” he said on the Sports Spectrum podcast. “We already were expecting baby No. 2, so I was like, ‘I’m going to be on the active roster. I’m going to buy a house with this money,’ and all this stuff.”
Hodgins continued, “I had all these plans, and God put it on a pause, and I was like, ‘Dang, this is hard.’ I had all these big plans for myself that I thought were so great, and God was telling me to rest and wait and continue to grow in my character and not really worry about my circumstances other than building my character.”
Despite his goals, Hodgins soon returned to the practice field.
“That’s when it was like a dagger again,” he said on the podcast. “I was living on this high, and then I got back low, but then through it all I was trying not to let my heart get to a resentment for God or anything and trust what God has for me: ‘If it’s just learning how to manage money better, if You want me to grow in Buffalo more, it is what it is.’”
Before he knew he would join the Giants, Hodgins attended his normal Sunday church service in Buffalo, New York. He and his teammates stayed incognito, not wanting anyone to know they were professional athletes.
To Hodgins’ surprise, the pastor suddenly began prophesying over him.
“‘Listen, you got brought here to be sent, and Buffalo isn’t your finishing place,’” he recalled the pastor’s words. “‘God is working on your character and is going to send you somewhere else.’”
“[The pastor] didn’t know who I was at all, and he [continued prophesying], ‘I see your face on TV, on the media, on all this stuff, but don’t let it get to your head. Use God’s platform and reach other people and help people out,’” he added.
A few weeks later, Hodgins made his way to the New York Giants.
“At the time, his career totals included two games played – one in 2021, one in 2022 – 20 offensive snaps and four receptions in Buffalo’s 38-3 victory against Pittsburgh on Oct. 9,” the Giants reported.
He would eventually play in a NFC divisional wild-card game with the Giants. ESPN reports that he posted over 100 receiving yards in that game and scored one touchdown. The Giants would advance as they beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-24.
Since joining the team in November 2022, he has become an invaluable player.
“Isaiah’s a true professional,” Newsday reported that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said. “He comes to work every day, has his routine, goes through the process of being a pro, brings young guys along with him as well. So he’s always trying to coach them up and give them his experiences.”
“Sometimes I get that overwhelming feeling of just like, ‘Man, I’m so blessed to be here, and I’m so thankful.’ I just try to remind myself of that every day,” Hodgins added.
Hodgins is vocal about his faith on social media. He recently shared an Instagram post recently, saying, “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13. Camp mode?”
Hodgins looks to help his team this 2023 season and compete for a shot at the Super Bowl.
Movieguide® previously reported on Hodgins:
New York Giants Wide Receiver Isaiah Hodgins had eight catches and a career high 105 receiving yards in his first-ever playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 15.
Before this, Hodgins had only two games under his belt where he had more than five catches and 50-receiving yards.
“It just means a lot, man,” Hodgins told reporters after the game. “First playoff game, to be able to go out there with my brothers and just execute like we did. Hard fought, four-quarter game, and we fought all the way to the end…”
“God brought me a long way man,” he wrote in a tweet. “Without him I wouldn’t even be playing today. Thankful to be apart of this team.”
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