New Pro Football Hall of Fame member Kevin Mawae thanked his family and his former teammates and coaches during his induction speech Saturday, but much of his time at the podium involved thanking Christ and discussing his faith.
“I am a born-again believer through the resurrection and the blood of Jesus Christ, and I proudly and humbly recognize that without God’s grace and His blessings, I would not be here tonight,” Mawae told a national television audience and a large crowd in Canton, Ohio.
The 6-foot-4 Mawae played 16 seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL, first with the Seattle Seahawks and then with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans before his retirement in 2009. He was drafted out of Louisiana State University (LSU) and was a military brat as a child, moving often.
His spiritual turning point, he said during his speech, came after his brother, John, was killed in an alcohol-related car accident on May 5, 1996. Shortly thereafter, Mawae learned his wife was pregnant with their first child.
“Those two moments changed my life, and the direction and purpose of my life, forever,” Mawae said. “In that extreme sorrow followed by great joy, my focus turned to faith as I learned of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and the purposeful living in His name. Whether it be through encouragement, wisdom or resources, I learned…
… Read More
Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.