Super Bowl stars share their faith in Christ ahead of the big game
Harrison Butker - Chiefs kicker
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker told Sports Spectrum it is a blessing to compete in the Super Bowl for the third time in four years.
"Very crazy. It's a blessing. I'm very fortunate. It's very rare for this to happen," said the kicker, who was drafted to the NFL in 2017 and led the NFL in scoring in 2019 as the Chiefs won the Super Bowl that season.
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The 27-year-old athlete said his faith in God "sets the tone" for all aspects of his life.
"If I didn't have faith in God, I don't think I would be the father I am, the husband I am, the kicker I am. That kind of sets the tone for everything else, and everything falls under that. But that gives me the strength to do everything that I need to," Butker said.
"I may have fears. … I might feel pressure. But, I know that I'm a child of God. And He's [has] to protect me. And maybe that protection comes with some suffering. But, I know that's what's best for me, and I [have] to accept that suffering and grow as best I can with that."
Butker, who is Catholic and a member of the Catholic fraternal order Knights of Columbus, said he has experienced significant growth in his spiritual walk with the Lord amid the ups and downs he had this season. He made 18 of 24 field goals in the regular season but has made all five of his field goal attempts in the playoffs.
"You miss some kicks, and you're like, 'my identity can't be all as a football player.' So, I grew a lot in my prayer life and knowing that I'm nothing without Him. I got to lean on Him, and if He wants to take anything away from me, He can. And if he wants to add anything He can. … It's all up to Him."
Nicole Alcindor is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected].
