Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens Kicker

“Too many of today’s athletes are just out for themselves. I see it in the National Football League, and I am sure that you see it in your sport and league. Selfishness is rampant. Players make their sport their god. I know, because there was a time when I did it, too.

“When I was younger, football was my world. I was successful in high school and in college. I was one of the best kickers around and was drafted by the New York Giants. I was injured during my first season but celebrated as my team won the Super Bowl. It couldn’t get any better, or so it seemed. A few years later I found myself struggling. Football was supposed to bring so much joy, but it was killing me. The pressure was immense. After missing a 19-yard field goal, I cried out, ‘Lord, help me!’ right there on the field. Before that day, I had always known of God but did not have a relationship with Him.

“It took a little more time, but I finally got to the point where I realized that I had to surrender my football career to God. I had to let go. I heard someone talk about Mark 8:35-36: ‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?’ For me, that verse contained the answer. Looking back, I can see that God had a plan all along. I had to get to the point of seeing that is was not about me; it was about Him.

“I am beginning my seventeenth season of professional football. I now play for the Baltimore Ravens. In these 17 years, I have seen a lot of success, including another Super Bowl championship and being named to the Pro Bowl team. God has placed me here and given me this platform. It is a gift to be able to speak to young players and to be able to write to you now.

“When I speak at FCA Camps and other places, I talk about taking personal responsibility as Christians. There are many big issues in our lives. Money, pride in physical ability, and the availability of sex can deceive us as athletes. The world tells us that these will satisfy us, that they are it. I can tell you, I have had it and got it, and it is not it.

“True satisfaction only comes when we have a relationship with God, accept our responsibilities as authentic men and women of God, and put others before ourselves. One of the best ways to do this is to have a daily devotional time. It is pretty simple: talk with God and read His Word—the Bible. Just take a few minutes each day to connect with God. As you read, let go of yourself and allow Jesus Christ to take control.”

Do you feel like there has to be more to life than what you’re experiencing right now? Are you feeling let down by the things that the world tells you should make you happy—things like fame, money or sex? Put your trust in Someone who will never let you down—Jesus Christ. If you’ve never invited Him to be the Lord of your life, pray this prayer: “Father, I have tried to find satisfaction in the things of this world, but nothing fills me up. I need You to take that place in my heart. Help me, Father. I want to choose You as the God of my life—You and Your Son, Jesus, who died for me on the cross. Please save me from my false gods and reign in my life. Amen.”