On February 4, 2018, Nick Foles, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, became one of the most improbable Super Bowl MVP’s in history.
The New England Patriots were heavy favorites to win the big game. To make matters even more unlikely, Foles warmed the bench for most of the year. He was thrust into action on December 10, 2017 when the Eagles’ starting quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a devastating season ending knee injury.
Despite his late season start, Foles showed amazing poise during the postseason. During the Super Bowl, the quarterback racked up the highest passer rating in NFL postseason history, completeing 28 of the 43 passes he attempted for an impressive 373 yards. He also tossed three touchdown passes while catching another one. He became the first football player in history to both throw and catch a touchdown pass in the NFL’s biggest game of the year. During the presentation of the MVP trophy at the conclusion of the Super Bowl, while holding his adorable baby girl Lily, Foles humbly proclaimed, “Unbelievable. All glory to God.”
Instead of singing his own praises, the emotional quarterback then went on to brag about his coaching staff and teammates and recognize his wife and family.
After the game, Foles addressed the media, “I wouldn’t be out here without God, without Jesus in my life. I can tell you that first and foremost. I don’t have the strength to come out here and play this game like that. That’s an everyday walk. We have struggles as people. That’s just been my rock, and my family.”
Not one to shy away from his faith, Foles refers to himself on Twitter as a “believer in Jesus Christ, husband, father, son, and brother.” Although the Eagles’ quarterback doesn’t tweet very often, last summer he retweeted author John Piper’s quote of Colossians 2:13, “He forgave us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us. This he nailed to the cross.”
Foles is signed with the Philadelphia Eagles through the end of next year’s football season. However, after his Super Bowl performance, the Eagles will likely receive calls from other teams inquiring about a possible trade for the quarterback. While his immediate future might be uncertain, Foles knows what he plans to do once his NFL playing days are over. On February 1, 2018, the Super Bowl MVP told the AP he wants to serve as a pastor in a high school following his football career.
To make his dream of helping young people a reality, Foles signed up to take seminary classes at Liberty University last year during the offseason. On Super Bowl Sunday, Liberty University’s Freedom Tower was illuminated in green to honor the famous student. This facility is where the School of Divinity is located. Foles plans to continue his studies at Liberty University whenever he’s not on a football field.
Regarding his desire to guide young people, Foles said, “When I speak to [students], that’s such a time of young men and young women’s lives that there’s a lot of things that are thrown at them. So much temptation in this world, so much going on with social media and the internet that you want to talk to them and address it and share all the weaknesses I have because I’ve fallen many times.”
After acknowledging that he can’t play football for the rest of his life, the quarterback stated, “I’ve been blessed with an amazing platform and it’s just a door God has opened, but I still have a lot of school left and a long journey.”
Foles was drafted by the Eagles in 2012. In 2013, he had a banner season culminating with an MVP performance in the Pro Bowl. The quarterback was traded to the St. Louis Rams in March of 2015. After the team only won four out of their first 11 games, Foles was benched in favor of current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum. After the Rams selected quarterback Jared Goff with their first pick in the NFL draft, Foles requested to be released. He contemplated retiring from the NFL at this time, but decided to reunite with his former coach Andy Reid in Kansas City. After backing up Alex Smith last year, Foles returned to Philadelphia for the 2017 season.
The Super Bowl MVP’s dedication to his Christian faith, perseverance, and heart for others makes him easy to cheer for. With so many athletes and celebrities displaying a me-first attitude, Foles’s humility also makes him an amazing role model for the young people he desires to minister to.
~ 1776 Christian
