Football

Eagles QB Carson Wentz thanks Jesus after signing contract extension

By Jason Romano Jun 7, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz participates in a drill during organized team activities at the NFL football team's practice facility, Monday, June 3, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles announced the signing of quarterback Carson Wentz to a four-year extension through the 2024 season.

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<

“Can’t even explain to you how excited I am to be a part of this great city for this many more years,” Wentz said in a social media post. “It means the world to me. From the moment I got drafted here, I knew this place was special. I knew they had the most passionate fans in all of sports. And I knew we had the opportunity to build something truly special here. To be cemented here for this much longer means the world to me.”

Wentz, who has always been outspoken about his faith in the Lord, used this opportunity in gratitude to express that faith.

“I want to thank my good Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first and foremost for just giving me these opportunities and these blessings,” Wentz said. “I want to thank my wife. She’s been amazing. She’s been my rock. She’s been my biggest supporter throughout all of this. My friends and family as well. I want to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Coach Pederson, the entire organization, all of my teammates for supporting me. It’s going to be a fun ride.”

Wentz, 26, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by Philadelphia and was part of a Super Bowl-winning team in 2017 when the Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII.

The past two seasons, when on the field, Wentz has been impressive, starting 24 games, and throwing for more than 6,300 yards with 54 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions. Unfortunately, injuries ended Wentz’s season earlier than expected in both 2017 and 2018.

After that 2017 season-ending knee injury, Wentz shared with Sports Spectrum what that moment was like to continue trusting in God, despite the setback that had come his way.

“I just remember saying, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,’ over and over, like ‘I need you, I need you,’” Wentz said. “Trainers were looking at it, doing their test and I honestly wasn’t even paying attention to their tests, I was just laying back, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.’ He’s the only one that can make it better. He’s the only one that provides me peace and at the same time, it’s Your will, because I knew I needed Him emotionally, physically, kind of everything in that moment.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbgd8Wo52Wg

The Eagles begin their mandatory three-day minicamp on Tuesday. Their 2019 season kicks off Sept. 8 at home against the Washington Redskins.

RELATED STORIES: 
— Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz and wife visit Israel to walk ‘where Jesus walked’
— Carson Wentz’s food truck to begin providing free meals in Philadelphia
— Eagles QB Carson Wentz says his wedding had ‘God’s fingerprints’ all over it

Tags: