Published: December 31, 2024
Lions Kicker Secures Salvation in Jesus, Not NFL Performance
By Movieguide® Contributor
Nineteen months ago, Jake Bates worked as a bricklayer in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Now he is the Detroit Lions kicker.
And he’s found major success in his new position.
“In Week 7 of the 2024 season, Bates was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking the game-winning 44-yard field goal to help Detroit beat Minnesota. In Week 10, Bates kicked a 58-yard field goal against Houston to tie the game late, and then hit a 52-yard game-winning field goal to help the Lions win. For his efforts, Bates was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November. Then on Dec. 5, Bates hit another game-winning field goal with no time left to help Detroit beat Green Bay, 34-31, in a key divisional game,” Sports Spectrum reported.
But despite the accolades, Bates credits God for taking him from laying bricks to the NFL.
READ MORE: KICKER WENT FROM SELLING BRICKS TO NFL: ‘SEE JESUS THROUGH MY STORY’
In a new episode of the Sports Spectrum Podcast with Matt Forte and Jason Romano, Bates expounded on his faith and the purpose he has that’s bigger than football.
“[God] sees us as His own children, and He loves us, and He says that we are loved,” Bates said, reflecting on his faith. “And, you know, He did that ultimate sacrifice so that we can live with Him eternally. And I mean just having that and realizing that and…putting that into perspective, that makes these moments, you know, almost like, I don’t want to say not important, because they’re very important to me, and I love football and I want to be as good as I can be.”
For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.
“But you put that into perspective, and you realize that, you know, ‘If I make this kick, is it going to give me a better place in heaven? If I miss this kick, is it going to keep me out of heaven?’ It’s like, no, that’s not how our God works,” the kicker continued. “And so I think that’s kind of where all that comes from, where I love football and I’m super competitive and I want to be really, really good, but at the same time, like I know that this doesn’t secure my place in heaven, and I’m here to do so much more than just make or miss kicks.”
READ MORE: GOD’S GOODNESS BROUGHT LIONS KICKER TO NFL AFTER UNUSUAL CAREER PATH
After the Lions’ recent win over the Houston Texans, Bates told CBS why he believes God brought him to the NFL.
“This doesn’t happen without Jesus, and by this, I mean any of this, like, living doesn’t happen without Jesus dying on the cross,” he said. “He put us on a stage to glorify His name.”
