49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl Generates Excitement…and Hope
Hello and welcome to Miami for CBN’s coverage of Super Bowl 54. It’s the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Two team that have been phenomenal this season now preparing to battle it out on the biggest stage in football. This week leading up to the big game is filled with press conferences, meeting, and of course they have to find time to practice, all while the sports world mourns the loss of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. But players from both teams say they are leaning on their faith to help them keep everything in perspective.
“You know, when we were flying from San Francisco and landed here in Miami. And I went on social media and that’s the first thing that popped up. Was his passing and it was just so devastating not only to myself but everyone. He was truly a legend,” said 49ers running back Raheem Mostert.
“It’s awful. It’s awful to think that someone like that is gone so early and so young especially his daughter and the other family involved. I just hope that God really looks over them and the rest of the family and it really gives them strength at this time,” said Chiefs full back Anthony Sherman.
“He actually spoke to my team when I was in Philly. And I have a lot of respect for Him. Learned a lot from Him. He actually taught us a lot about how to play in the playoffs and I’m still applying some of that stuff here. It’s scary and sad, and humbling to remember that we never know how long we have in this life so we’d better make it count,” said Chiefs Guard Stefen Wisiewski.
A big part of living a life of purpose is using this platform to share about the joy of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. According to Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of the most electrifying players in the league, he says, his faith in God is the source of his success.
“I think it’s allowed me to be who I am. Being comfortable with who I am. And showing my personality. Doing what I do every single day. And then knowing that as long I’m doing everything the right way. They way that He’d want to do it. Then I can walk off the field with my head held high and be able to be the man that I’m supposed to be. It’s given me a lot of blessing in my life and I’m trying to maximize and glorify Him in everything I do,” said Mahomes.
“It keeps you humble. And for us to be able to show our faith in what we do. We did a Bible study and (had) different conversations this year. We’re here because He wants us here. At this moment right now,” said Sherman.
Kansas City guard Stefen Wisniewski has been here before. But when he was cut by the eagles in late August, he says, he placed his career in God’s hands…and now he’s in his 2nd super bowl.
“The best place you can be in life is the center of God’s will. And the center of God’s will was unemployed for 5 weeks. And it was challenge and He was with me and I leaned on Him during that time and I trusted Him, praised Him. I knew that if He wanted to, He could exalt me again and here I am about to start in the super Bowl. That’s all because of God,” said Wisniewski.
“My faith in Christ is unwavering. Special teams come and go and eventually I’m not going to play in Kansas City or in the league. But I’ll always be a fan. My faith in Christ is going to take me all the way to the other side of eternity,” said Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt.
49ers running back Raheem Mostert ran all over the green bay packers in the NFC championship game posting 220 yards, 4 touchdowns. well, just like his path to the end zone, he says his faith in god helps him weather the bumps and blows of life.
“So I’ve got a Bible verse on my chest, , “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil. For God is with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. And that right there in and itself explains my life. Everything that I done went through. I done been through the darkness. And I’ve been able to come out with the light,” said Mostert.
“God is the greatest. I tell my wife that all the time that God is the greatest. I tell everybody that God is the greatest. There’s no one higher or above Him. You know I’m blessed. I literally, I come from a small country town of Bellville, TX, population… probably got one stop light, you know. And I know I didn’t do it by myself. I know the Good Lord above, He’s definitely blessed me,” said 49ers Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
“I think it just gives you a realization of what’s important in life. Although this game is really important to me, it’s not what’s actually important, it’s those relationships in life, those relationships with God and if you just focus on that it allows you to play your game, play fast, and play strong, and know that you’re not working for man but for something greater. You’re working for Him,” said 49ers Offensive Lineman Ben Garland.
As the world mourns the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the other lives lost. Both teams continue to prepare for Sunday. Veteran Receiver Jordan Matthews is reminded of what matters most in this world… love through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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