Talking to the 'KGB'

By Andrew Knox
The 700 Club

CBN.com - His name may be impossible to pronounce, but opposing offenses find his game impossible to ignore. He's Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, known to teammates and Green Bay Packer fans as "KGB."

In just his third year, this defensive end is quickly becoming one of the league's most dominant pass rushers, and quarterbacks are always looking out for No. 94. At 6 feet 5 inches and 250 pounds, his size and speed make the game look easy. 700 Club producer Andrew Knox tells Kabeer's fascinating story.

Andrew Knox: It may be quite a few years until Kabeer is considered Packer Hall of Fame material, but after a season like this, who knows? In the first place no one knew he would be this dominant, especially after being waived by Green Bay in his rookie season. But even during that time he never lost faith in himself or in his relationship with Jesus Christ. It's a relationship he loves to talk about, especially in regard to his football career.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila: I would not be doing what I'm doing if it wasn't for God, and I just want the world to know, whoever is watching this. It's not because of my strength. This is truly because of the work of God.

Andrew: Strong words from someone who's only been a Christian a few years. Raised by a Muslim father and Christian mother, Kabeer was never sure what to believe.

Kabeer: I was a Muslim at one time, and I remember knowing about Jesus, studying about Him with my friends and Athletes in Action. I attended things like that. I remember coming here to Green Bay and saying, 'You know something? I know about Jesus. I've been doing it my own way for 22 years, and it has brought me nothing but sadness. Let me do it His way.'

Andrew: Kabeer was ready to seek the truth for himself, but having been raised primarily in the Muslim faith, he was taught the Bible was dull and full of contradictions.

Kabeer: It's exciting when you're not blind. I was blind, so it was always boring. When I wanted to really know about the Lord, I said, 'I'm going to do it.' I read three chapters a day. I always tell people to try to prove the Bible wrong, read it, from cover to cover. Don't just read one thing here and say it's contradictory. Read it from cover to cover, and I promise you will fall in love.

Andrew: After Kabeer was cut in his rookie season, it was this love for Christ that helped him refocus.

Kabeer: I remember in Proverbs 21:31, it talks about preparing the horse for battle. So I always told myself, 'OK, Kabeer prepare yourself for this season because that's the only way God is going to use you.' I said I'm going to prepare myself for battle but victory belongs to the Lord, so no matter what happens, I'm going to play in such a way that I can glorify God, so everything I do I can't even take credit.

Andrew: Kabeer's journey from rookie disappointment to one of Green Bay's most dominant defenders has taught him valuable lessons about life and football.

Kabeer: If God is with me who can be against me? Does that mean I'm going to win all the time? No, because sometimes I have to lose, so God can build me up! Sometimes God tears us down to build us back up. Sometimes I look at myself as the clay. God is trying to shape me. Be Holy because He's Holy. He's trying to shape me into this image. We're always a work in progress, so it's like He's pounding it! And it's going to hurt when He's pounding, but He's trying to shape me up. After He shapes me up, I can look at myself and say, 'Oh! I look good!' I'll be happy, but I didn't like what it took to get up there. But He had to do those things to make me the man He wants me to be.

Andrew: But what about the man his father wanted him to be? Kabeer's dad is still Muslim, and it's a difference that's hard to ignore.

Kabeer: It's so hard. I mean, it's not hard in conversation. He accepts my religious beliefs, and I accept his, and we still love each other. It's hard for me to tell my dad, 'Hey, change.' All I can do is leave it up to prayer, because he's older than me. He's my elder, and the Bible talks about don't talk to him harshly, so it's a delicate thing, but all I do is pray now and leave it in God's hands.

Andrew: Kabeer also prays for continued success in his career, but football is not the source of his joy.

Kabeer: It's because Jesus loved me. He died for my sins. That's what makes me happy, not because of the success I'm having. He just happens to be using me. I'm grateful for that. I am honored that He wants to use me in that way. I just want to serve Him in any way.