Lions Kicker Riley Patterson Relied on Bible Before Game-Winning Field Goal

Published: November 16, 2023

Lions Kicker Riley Patterson Relied on Bible Before Game-Winning Field Goal

By Movieguide® Contributor

Detroit Lions kicker Riley Patterson sealed a 41-yard field goal to secure the win for his team against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Patterson revealed that before he kicked the field goal, he recited 2 Timothy 1:7, which says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

After the game, the kicker told the Detroit News, “I love it, man. That’s the type of stuff that you dream about as a kicker, coming out here and making big kicks. Your team needs it in big moments, and that’s what you live for.”

“Thinking about how much my God loves me gives me a little bit of peace going up for a big moment like that, so that’s really what I’m thinking about. From there on out, you just count out the steps and go through the ball, and it’s over before you know it,” he added during a post-game press conference.

#Lions K Riley Patterson said he was reciting a bible verse to himself before Sunday's game-winning kick.

2 Timothy 1:7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." pic.twitter.com/kPmUZ0D2hy

— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) November 13, 2023

“An undrafted free agent out of the University of Memphis, Patterson’s NFL debut came as a member of the Lions in 2021. He joined the team mid-season after brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots. Despite making 13 of 14 field goals, Detroit waived Patterson before the 2022 season,” Sports Spectrum reported.

In July, Patterson joined Sports Spectrum’s podcast, where he discussed a moment he found peace in God amid uncertainty.

“I remember just sitting down and saying, ‘God, we’re here for You,’” he said on the podcast. “‘Wherever you’re gonna take us — if You’re not going to take us anywhere — You are our rock. This is what it is. We’re not dependent on this career. Financially, we’re not dependent on this. Wherever You put us, whatever You’re gonna have us doing when we get there, we’re here for it.’”

Ultimately, Patterson fully trusts in God’s timing.

“There’s no timing like God’s timing,” he expressed. “Whenever you know it’s on His timing, that’s when I think I feel the most assured that it is Him working and not me trying to figure all this stuff out on my own…Whenever He’s in charge is when the most amazing things happen.”