INTERVIEW
Patrick Willis Gives God the Praise, Glory and Honor
By Shawn Brown
The 700 Club
CBN.com
– San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. When teams call a play, he is the player they try to avoid. As the Niners advance to the playoffs for the first time in a decade, Parick says he is not letting it go to his head.
“I still respect those who played the game before me. I also know that I didn’t get here by myself. I didn’t do it on my own. I know that it’s truly a blessing. I feel like if it was the Good Lord who put me here it’s the Good Lord who blessed me to be able to do what I do. I don’t want to brag and say, 'oh yeah, its me. Oh, look at me. Here I am, da,da,da,' because just as he blessed you today it could be gone tomorrow," says Patrick.
Patrick’s grandmother was a big influence on his life. Through her, he learned about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
“My grandmother, she always just you know, told us about faith and always like put us in church. I’ll never forget my Uncle Arthur who was a professsional boxer. He would always tell me, 'Just always remember to give God all the praise, glory, and honor.'”
When Patrick joined the 49ers five seasons ago, they were a losing team, but he never doubted that’s where God wanted him to play. He remembers the prayer he prayed just before the draft.
“I said, 'Lord, you know I don’t know where I’m going to go.' I said, 'I’ve done everything I could possibly do to put myself in the best situation. Wherever you bless me to go, that’s where I’m going to play the best football I can possibly play.' I said, 'whatever happens on this day, its your will'.”
The 49ers face their first playoff game of the 2011 season this weekend, but no matter the outcome, Patrick’s number one goal is to glorify God.
“I just go out there and I always pray, I say, 'Lord, I don’t know what today’s game is going to be like, but I just pray, I pray that you bless me to go out here and play for you. Be a soldier for your army, go out here and lead this team the way you want me to lead it.' So each time I play, I don’t want to go out there and say, tell people, 'I’m playing for the Lord today.' I just want them to see it and know that when I, whether good, or bad, or indifferent, you know I’m playing for the Lord," says Patrick.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
