It's common for professional athletes to praise God after thrilling victories, but Denver's Russell Wilson did that Monday night after a gut-wrenching loss.
The All-Pro quarterback had rallied Denver from a 17-10 deficit to within one point (17-16) of Seattle when kicker Brandon McManus lined up for a last-second 64-yard field goal that would have won the game. McManus' kick, though, sailed wide left, preserving the Seahawks' 17-16 win and spoiling Russell's first game against his former team.
Wilson was traded in the offseason from Seattle – which he led to two Super Bowls – to the Broncos.
He remained upbeat in the post-game news conference, Sports Spectrum reports.
"It just didn't go our way," he said, smiling. "But guess what? There's 16 more games to go. … I'm looking forward to what we can do."
Wilson also referenced his faith.
"First of all, I think for me, I'm just grateful God's given me the chance to play this game – to sit here in front of you guys and say it's all for His glory, and His glory alone, it's not for anybody else. I play for an audience of One. And that's just for Him."
Wilson completed 29 of 42 passes for 340 yards and a touchdown.
"I have some amazing teammates on the other side of that field that I love to death and gave everything I had to them," Wilson said, referencing his former Seattle teammates. "They gave everything they had to me, and God brought me somewhere else. I'm here in Denver, I'm excited about where we're going. I'm just grateful. I give the glory to God because He's given me the gift of playing this game."
Meanwhile, Wilson didn't question decisions by his head coach, Nathaniel Hackett, who opted to kick a field goal on fourth-and-five instead of allowing Wilson to try and make a first down. Hackett's decision was widely questioned by fans and pundits.
"I believe in Coach Hackett," Wilson said.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Steph Chambers/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
