By Christian Headlines | Created at 2025-01-13 17:20:39 | Updated at 2025-01-14 11:36:51
18 hours ago
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels credited his faith in God for his calmness under pressure after leading the team to their first...
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels credited God for his poise Sunday night as he guided the Commanders to their first playoff victory in two decades. Daniels led the Commanders on a 10-play, 51-yard drive in the game's final minutes that was capped by Zane Gonzalez's 37-yard field goal as time expired, giving Washington a 23-20 victory over Tampa Bay in the opening round of the NFL playoffs.
He completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns as the Commanders captured their first playoff victory since 2005.
Asked in a postgame interview on NBC how he was so poised, Daniels referenced his faith.
"Trust in the Lord God," Daniels said. "There's nothing I should worry about. I put all my worries on Him, and, you know, He'll take care of the rest."
The victory marked a return to success for a franchise that dominated the NFL during the 1980s and 1990s under Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, who led Washington to three Super Bowl victories. The Commanders, though, have struggled since their 1992 Super Bowl victory, winning only four playoff games and falling short of the postseason most years.
"I'm happy for the fan base, the franchise -- everything it has been through to get to this point," Daniels told media members during a news conference. "I'm just grateful and happy for everybody."
“Trust in the Lord.” 🙏
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels deflecting the glory on NBC postgame after helping his team to a playoff win over Tampa.
Still in his first season, Daniels is the favorite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He often discusses his faith during interviews.
After he completed a Hail Mary pass to beat Chicago in October, Daniels was asked to describe the final play. He told a national CBS television audience, "Nothing but God. Man, nothing but God. Without Him, I didn't even think I'd be playing this week. But man, all glory to God."
Before he was drafted out of LSU, Daniels won the Heisman Trophy, which is given to college football's most outstanding player. Asked during the Heisman Trophy Award broadcast on ESPN what advice he would give young people, Daniels responded, "Always believe in yourself -- no matter the doubters, no matter what people say about you, just believe in yourself. Lean on your faith with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and just keep working." Later, he called God "my Rock, my Savior."
Winning your first career playoff game? NBD 😂@JayD__5 | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/7cy4oJlIPX
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025Washington will play again Saturday in Detroit at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Photo Credit: ©X/Sports Spectrum/Instagram/thatkidjayden
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.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published January 13, 2025.
