NFL QB Thanks God Amid Major Career Change
By Movieguide® Contributor
After 11 seasons in the NFL, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles has decided to retire.
“I want to thank my mom and dad. You all instilled in me a work ethic that took me to the NFL,” he said in his retirement video. “The character traits y’all have, the hard work y’all have, thank you for being that example for me.”
Foles also thanked God for the opportunity to play the game he loved at such an elite level.
“I wanna thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to live my childhood dream,” Foles said. “I’ve grown so much in my faith in this time.”
“As I step away from this game, I want to cheer on the next generation of NFL players. Go out there each and every day and give it everything you have. As this chapter closes, another one opens. I’m truly grateful for my time in the NFL,” he added.
He noted that the decision came after “much thought and prayer.”
“From being drafted by the Eagles to winning the Super Bowl, every step has been a blessing,” he added.
As the Eagles’ quarterback, Foles led the team “to their first Super Bowl title in the 2017 season. Foles completed 72.6% of his passes for 971 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and a 115.7 passer rating in the 2017 postseason,” per CBS Sports.
Foles is now looking forward to spending time with his family. He shares three children with his wife, Tori.
Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Lurie, congratulated Foles on an incredible career and wished him nothing but the best in the future.
“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle,” Lurie said. “He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and, of course, a Super Bowl Champion. As important as he was under center, it was his positive demeanor, approachability, and kindness toward others that resonated with everyone and continues to speak to his great character. We congratulate the Foles family on Nick’s celebrated career and retirement.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Foles’ faith:
Despite his Cinderella run to a championship in 2017, Foles counts the best moment of his life as when he became a Christian.
“I grew up in a Christian household, going to church almost every Sunday, and then I even went through confirmation in high school and crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s,” he said in a recent episode of Sports Spectrum’s I ONCE WAS.
Despite his childhood surrounded by faith, Foles said that he did not surrender his life to Christ until his first year of college…
“It was night time and I just started crying,” he shared. “I was hurting so bad and at that moment you know all those moments in church and growing up I realized that I hadn’t really given my life to Christ. In that moment, I said a prayer to God just saying, ‘God, I don’t know why these things are happening. I know that I don’t have the confidence or strength right now, but I’m gonna do whatever it takes. I pray that I glorify You through my actions and I want to walk through life with You.’”
Foles said that that moment in the parking garage was the best moment of his life.
“In that moment, that’s where I gave my life to Christ. The journey begins and there’s going to be ups and downs but I’ve always had Christ to walk right by my side in the word of God to guide me so that was the best day of my life.”
