NFL rookie Travis Hunter made a powerful faith decision just hours before game time, getting baptized on Sunday morning.
We often see athletes preparing for big games with practice drills and strategy sessions. But Hunter showed us what matters most when he chose to put God first on game day.
On Sunday, October 12, Hunter walked into Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, with one goal in mind. The Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wanted to get baptized before his team played the Seattle Seahawks that afternoon.
A church member who saw the baptism shared the moment on Instagram. “He asked to come get baptized before today’s game,” she wrote. “Thank you Jesus for touching this young man’s life!”
Hunter also posted a video of his baptism on his own Instagram page. Friends and fans filled his comments with congratulations.
Hunter talked with ESPN about why he chose this moment. “It’s Sunday. It’s God’s day,” he said. “I’ve been planning to go get baptized for a minute. I changed my life over to become a better man.”
He went on to explain what the baptism meant to him. “It means a lot. I’m becoming a better man and leaving my old self and starting a new chapter.”
This is not the first time when Hunter shared his faith. When he won the Heisman Trophy, he started his speech with these words: “First of all, I want to say I thank God. I never thought I would be in this position. Your belief takes you a long way.”
He regularly posts scripture on social media. One recent post quoted Matthew 7:8: “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Hunter played under coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State and the University of Colorado.
Sanders who has been vocal about his own faith has faced criticism for praying with his team. But he stays firm in his beliefs.
“I’m not going to be ashamed of the gospel. That’s what my Bible tells me,” Sanders said. “And I’m going to proclaim my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wherever I want to.”
Sanders recently beat cancer. He told reporters, “I’m God’s guy. I really am. I’m allowed to go through these trials and tribulations so that I could touch and reach and bless people with my words, with the energy, with that thing that God gave me.”
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Hollywood Brown also got baptized recently. He and his fiancée, Zoei Billions, were baptized on Friday, October 17, at Journey Church before the Chiefs’ game.
Hunter’s baptism reminds us that God welcomes us with open arms when we come to Him. No matter where we are in life, we can start fresh.
Hunter left his old life behind and chose to follow Jesus. That’s the kind of faith that inspires us all. May his story encourage you to take your own step of faith today.
WATCH: NFL Rookie Travis Hunter Declares His Faith With Game Day Baptism
