Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz didn’t get to play in his team’s Super Bowl victory.
In the midst of an MVP-caliber season, Wentz suffered a season-ending injury.
But now Wentz has a chance to rise to the occasion in a big way.
With Vice President Mike Pence leading the U.S. delegation at the 2018 Olympics, Wentz, a devout Christian, was chosen to give the keynote speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.
From Breitbart:
His torn ACL may have prevented him from playing in the Super Bowl, but with no serious impediment to his powers of speech, Eagles QB Carson Wentz will deliver the keynote speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Wentz will have big shoes to fill. Vice President Mike Pence had been scheduled to deliver the keynote address. However, the VP couldn’t attend because he’s leading the U.S. Olympic delegation at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.
Wentz should have no trouble though. The second-year signal caller delivered a sermon in his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota, last summer. In his message, Wentz said, “The myth in our world, in our society,” Wentz told the parishioners on June 28 according to WDAY TV in Fargo, “and even in the church, is that if I just have faith in Jesus, and I do enough good, that I’ll have salvation. You see that’s wrong.
“The truth is faith alone in Jesus Christ is what equals salvation plus the works. It’s not just for the pastors to tell the world about Jesus. They can’t reach the majority of people that we can. We all have to work together to make a difference.”
He quoted Ephesians 2:8-10 in his sermon, which reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Wentz played well last year, leading the Eagles to the top of the NFC before tearing his ACL in a late-season match-up against the Rams. The Eagles have said that there will be no quarterback controversy going into next season, Wentz will be the starter.
Wentz and a few of his teammates (as well as their head coach) have been open about their Christianity, and caught flak for it from some in the media.
But Wentz has proven to have the courage of his conviction, and should comport himself well at the prayer breakfast.